Applying the Blood

Applying the blood of Jesus Christ has been the center of discussion for centuries. What is the importance of the Blood? How does one apply this Blood to his or her life? The Bible defines the importance of the Blood. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission (forgiveness). (Hebrews 9:22) In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve sinned against Gods plan by eating of the forbidden tree of knowledge. They sought for a covering to hide their nakedness. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. (Genesis 3:7) Because the leaves were not an adequate covering, God prepared an animal sacrifice for clothing which consisted of blood. The sacrifice brought forgiveness, making a covering for their sin. God allows us to see the importance of this sacrifice through scripture. Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering (sacrifice). But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. (Genesis 4:3-7) In refusing to follow Gods law of offering sacrifice, sin remained in Cains life. Without the sacrificial blood there would be no forgiveness for him. In the New Testament John the Baptist made this statement; The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29) Jesus shed his blood for the redemption and the forgiveness of our sins. In whom we have redemption (ransom in full) through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: (Colossians 1:14) In whom we have redemption (ransom in full) through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. (Ephesians 1:7) The statement is made, We need to have the blood of Christ in our lives to live for Him. Without that blood, one does not have a covering according to Gods word. For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an

atonement (covering) for the soul. (Leviticus 17:11) Today it is the blood of Jesus Christ that has made the atonement or covering for ones soul. Is this not what God did with the animal sacrifice in the Garden of Eden? God gave them a plan just as He has given people today. Thank God for such mercy and kindness; but how does one apply this blood to his or her life? Gods word tells us John the Baptist came to prepare the way for the Christ. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. (Mark 1:4-8) Today John wrote this of our Lord, And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood. (Rev 1:5) The blood of Jesus washes us of our sins. So how do we find this washing of the Blood? We can start by looking at the conversion of Saul, better known as Paul. Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. (Acts 9:4-6) In the city Ananias told Paul to arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. (Acts 22:14-16) Paul was given instruction that baptism would wash away his sins. Paul went on to write, How much more shall the blood of Christ purge (cleanse or purify) your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:14) John wrote, This is he that came not by water only, but by water and blood. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. (1 John 5:6-8) Jesus Christ taught the message of the Blood to His disciples. I say unto thee, Except a man be born again of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:3-5) He also commanded His disciples, that repentance and remission of sins (the Blood) should be preached in his name among all nations (Luke 24:47) We can see this commandment being fulfilled on the day of Pentecost as the plan of salvation by grace was being proclaimed. The people asked Peter and the rest of the apostles, What shall we do? Peter said, Repent (1), and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins (Water and Blood) (2), and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Spirit) (3) (Acts 2:37-38) These three agree in one (plan) and bear record in salvation. This is Gods plan for APPLYING the BLOOD.