What significance does the "blood and water" have for our understanding of salvation? Setting the Scene John 19:34: “Instead, one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out.” Seeing the Event Literally • A real spear thrust produced a real flow of blood and water. • Scripture records it to show both eyewitness accuracy (John 19:35) and deep theological meaning. Why the Blood Matters • Payment for sin – “For the life of the flesh is in the blood… it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.” (Leviticus 17:11) • Fulfilled requirement – “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” (Hebrews 9:22) • Marks the New Covenant – “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.” (Luke 22:20) • Cleanses the believer – “The blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7) Why the Water Matters • Symbol of spiritual cleansing – “He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” (Titus 3:5) • Linked to the new birth – “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5) • Ongoing sanctification – “Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word.” (Ephesians 5:25-26) Blood and Water Together: Two United Witnesses 1 John 5:6-8: “This is the One who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; He did not come by water alone, but by water and blood… the Spirit, the water, and the blood—and these three are in agreement.” • Completeness of Christ’s saving work – He provides both the payment (blood) and the purification (water). • Historical reality and spiritual truth meet – tangible fluids verifying both death and the means of life. • Double witness confirms certainty – Old-Testament law required two or three witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15); here water and blood testify together, with the Spirit confirming. Salvation Illustrated • Blood removes guilt before God. • Water washes away defilement within. • Together they declare that salvation is both legal (justification) and experiential (sanctification). Living in the Light of Blood and Water • Rest securely in a finished sacrifice: nothing left to pay. • Walk daily in cleansing: confess sin, let the Word wash you. • Proclaim a full gospel: Christ offers pardon and purity—both shown at the cross in blood and water. |
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