Study 14
“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; and having an high priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water”
(Hebrews 10:19-22)
Introduction
The physical blood of the Lord Jesus Christ was poured out for us about 2,000 years ago, yet it is still effective today. God the Father accepted His Son's sacrifice as full payment for the sins of the world, and when His blood is applied to the sinner who exercises faith in Him, he has eternal life (Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; Revelation 1:5).
Miracle or magic?
The transforming power of Christ's atoning blood should be accepted as a miracle in the lives of those who believe, but unfortunately there are some who treat it as magic.
Jesus had to die at a specific time in history. If anyone had come into contact with His blood prior to this (i.e. at his circumcision) there would be no transference of power, healing, or atonement. If a measure of His blood had been caught in a jar it would not of itself have any saving power. Those who prepared His body for burial told nothing of any transforming effect on touching the blood. It is what Christ accomplished on the cross that counts (1 Corinthians 15:3; Romans 5:8-10; Philippians 2:8; Hebrews 9:15).
As with the lamb under the Old Covenant, Jesus' death was on a chosen day and for a specific purpose. Any other day would have made the sacrifice unacceptable to God. The lamb's blood applied to the doorway a day before or after would not have saved the Israelites (Exodus 12:13-14; 1 Corinthians 5:7). Also no repetition of the act was permitted to avoid the Passover remembrance service becoming mystical or magic. Roman Catholicism has reduced the sacrifice of Christ to a magical formula through transubstantiation. Faith alone makes the finished work of Christ real in a believer's life (Hebrews
9:14-17, 13:20; Colossians 1:20).
Pleading the blood
The priest performing the mass and the Christian who pleads the blood of Christ over objects and people are guilty of the same misunderstanding of His death on the cross. In Charismatic circles, and in the Faith Movement, the blood is pleaded over personal property, sick people and self. True faith is not found in casting a magical spell over things, instead it finds its foundation in the finished work of Jesus on Calvary. To do otherwise actually reveals a lack of faith in Christ.
It is Christ alone who applies the power of His blood on those who believe in Him. Objects cannot have faith, and unsaved relatives must believe in Him before they can have eternal life. In the Old Testament the blood was never sprinkled upon unclean vessels, nor did the priest go about sprinkling everything and everyone he desired. Whatever was sprinkled with blood was according to God’s strict instructions. Yes, we can pray for their salvation, even their healing, but there is no need to plead the blood. Accepting Christ as Saviour is a personal choice for each individual.
If there were a single admonition in Scripture to plead the blood then this study would not only fall apart but would also be heretical, but there are no such verses.
Neither the apostles nor the early church engaged in the unbiblical practice of pleading the blood. Like them we must preach and teach God’s word to the unsaved and backsliders, encouraging them to repent and get right with Him (1 John 1:7-9). In the Old Testament only the High Priest was permitted to handle the blood, and so it is with our Great High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
The blood of Christ does continue to cleanse today. All who accept Him by faith are delivered, justified and made right with God. The Lord never intended His blood to become a magical formula, to treat it as such distorts what the atonement is all about.
Page created 6 January 2006