For the truth's sake, let us consider the blood of Christ. Religious Liberalism says Jesus died as a hero of martyr -- He is a great "inspiration" in his uncomplaining death -- that is all there is to it. The Bible teaches differently.

The death of Christ was not accidental or incidental, but was a matter of prophecy. "He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities . . . an offering for sin . . . he hath poured out his soul unto death . . . and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors" (Isa. 53). Isaiah said the death of Jesus Christ would "justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities."

Before His death, Jesus appointed the keeping of the Lord's Supper. "Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins" (Matt. 26:26-28). After His resurrection, Jesus explained to His disciples that His death, burial, and resurrection had been foretold in the Old Testament. Now that it had all been fulfilled, "repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations" (Lk. 24:47).

When the apostle Peter preached the death of Christ, he explained its meaning: "Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Acts 2:14-47). He also said men are redeemed "with the precious blood of Christ" (1 Pet. 1:19). The apostle Paul said that in Christ "we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace" (Eph. 1:7). Under the New Covenant, "we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all" (Heb. 10:10).

While the world lieth in wickedness and death, many churches talk of "urban renewal" and "social renovation." Preachers spend their time drumming up support or opposition on civil rights, Federal rights, States' rights, neighborhood rights, women's rights, children's rights, etc., etc. SHAME!!! Whatever happened to the "right" and duty of gospel preachers declaring "the precious blood of Christ" which was shed for the remission of sins?

Many who claim to believe in the blood of Christ will not preach what the Bible says on how to reach that cleansing blood. False teachers say we are saved by "grace only" or "faith only" or "Christ only" or "the Bible only." All of these are involved. And another: obedience to the Gospel. Jesus Christ is "the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him" (Heb. 5:9). He Himself said, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father . . : " (Matt. 7:21). How do we reach the blood?-"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved"-"Repent and be baptized every one of you .in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" -"And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16).

Truth Magazine XXI: 20, p. 306
May 19, 1977