What does the blood of Christ have to do with water baptism?
Ray Brantley
08/16/2022

Many in the world today use certain doctrines to discount the importance of water baptism, but the Bible teaches an inherent link between the blood that Christ shed for mankind and the command to be baptized.

The first and most obvious connection between the blood that Christ shed for mankind and the command to be baptized in water can be found when comparing two passages of scripture that contain the phrase "for remission of sins". The first occurs in Matthew chapter twenty-six when our Lord and savior instituted what is known as the Lord's Supper.

• Mt. 26:26-29

      "26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom." (KJV 1900)

This passage clearly shows the reader that the reason why Christ shed his blood was in order to offer the remission of sins. The word "remission" in this passage of scripture comes from the Greek word "aphesis" which means, a release from bondage or imprisonment, forgiveness or pardon, and removing the penalty of transgression. Jesus, in an act of love, died upon the cross shedding his blood so that mankind could be able to have their sins, or transgression of the law of God (I Jn. 3:4) forgiven as if they never happened at all.

The second occurrence of this phrase "remission of sins" appears in Acts chapter two as the apostles are filled with the Holy Ghost and the miracle of speaking in tongues occurs for the first time.

• Acts 2:37-40

     "37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, 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 Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation." (KJV 1900)

This passage shows the people who were gathered at Jerusalem realizing that they had sinned against God by crucifying Jesus and a desire to do whatever was necessary to be saved from their sins. When they asked the apostles what they should do to be saved Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized in the name of Christ Jesus". These commands were given for the express purpose that they might receive "remission of sins".

The phrase "remission of sins" in both Matthew chapter twenty-six and Acts chapter two are identical in the original Greek language. This undoubtedly links the "blood of Christ" with the command to be baptized.

This is far from the only link between the blood of Christ and baptism. Another unarguable link is found when we look at the death of Christ in scripture. Paul does an excellent job connecting these two things through the death of Christ in his letter to the brethren at Rome.

• Rom. 5:8-11

     "8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement." (KJV 1900)

Paul in Romans chapter five shows that mankind who has sinned and been separated from God is justified (declared righteous) by the "blood of Christ" and that man can only be reconciled to God by the "death of Christ".

• Rom. 6:3-4

     "3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." (KJV 1900)

It is through baptism that the wayward sinner comes into contact with the death of Christ. The burial of baptism is in the likeness of the burial of Christ's death. Paul has connected the blood of Christ to the death of Christ and now shows the connection between the death of Christ and water baptism. Once again the Bible shows a link between the blood of Christ and water baptism.

Yet another way in which the blood of Christ is linked to water baptism is through the "washing away of sins". As John began to pen the important book of Revelation he showed that Jesus Christ was integral to washing away the sins of mankind.

• Rev. 1:4-6

     "4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him pwhich is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; 5 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, 6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen" (Rev. 1:4-6)

John shows that the only thing capable of washing away the sins of man is the power that is found in the "blood of Christ". Most will look at this verse and say that it proves water baptism doesn't have the power because the power is in the blood of Christ. This is partially true, in fact, the Bible shows that the power is not in the water but in the act of obedience.

• I Pet. 3:21-22

     "21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him." (KJV 1900)

Peter tells that the power is not in the water but that it is found in subjecting ourselves unto Christ through obedience. This is the answer of a good conscience unto God. When this is added to verses such as the ones found in Acts chapter twenty-two the link between the blood of Christ and water baptism is once again shown.

• Acts 22:12-16

     "12 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, 13 Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him. 14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. 15 For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. 16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." (KJV 1900)

As the apostle Paul is recounting the story of his conversion as a defense of the charges brought against him he shows what he had to do in order to have his sins washed away by the blood of Christ. He is told by Ananias, a man of God, to arise and be baptized so that his sins my be washed away. Yet again showing that the blood of Christ and water baptism are linked. Not because of the power found in the water itself but because in being baptized one is obeying the command of God and humbling themselves in obedience.

Although many more examples of the link between the blood of Christ and water baptism can be found in the scriptures such as the phrase "shall be saved" which links them in Romans chapter five and Mark chapter sixteen, these verses examined in this article prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the blood of Christ is linked to the command to be baptized of water. This link cannot be broken without going against what the Word of God has to say on the subject.

If you are interested in studying the topic of baptism or find that you need to be baptized so that you too can contact the blood of Christ and have your sins washed away please contact us at the Church of Christ at Milestone. You can do this either through email (r.brantley@cocmilestone.com) or by phone (850-529-9158). If you are not in the Pensacola, Florida area we would be happy to get you in contact with someone near you who can assist you in whatever you need.

We might become so interested in proving a certain doctrine we like, or in disproving one we do not like that we unwittingly read into a passage what it does not actually say, or omit from it what it does not actually say, or omit from it what it does say, and at the same time not change the wording of the passage one whit.  Denominational preachers have become so sure that a sinner cannot do anything by means of which God will save him that they have thus misread Titus 3:4, 5 and its context.  It is our purpose in this short essay to give the correct reading of this passage.  We shall not have to change the arrangements of its words the least, though our comments might invert some of them. 
            Of course, the way a passage is punctuated has very much to do with its meaning.  An incorrect punctuation can be as fatal to a correct understanding of a simple sentence as the changing of its wording.  To say, “John hit the ball; with his hand he put on his hat” is to state just what John actually did.  To say, “John hit the ball with his hand; he put on his hat” is to use exactly the same words in the same order, but to say something entirely different. 
            We readily realize that punctuation markings in the Bible are not there by inspiration, but according to the information, moods or prejudices of the translators, or publishers.  With this fact in mind let us read the verses as they are in our Common Version – the King James translation:
            “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit.” (We always prefer the word Spirit in lieu of the old obsolete word “Ghost.”)
            The way this verse is usually read, and always made to mean, is as I now invert the sentences: “God saved us, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy.”  Most certainly we would not deny the truth of this statement – it is in perfect keeping with the general voice of Scripture, but that is not what Paul said in these verses.  The negative and affirmative clause, “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy.” Does not modify the verb “saved,” to describe the means of God’s saving us.  It modifies the verb “appeared,” to affirm that nothing man did could bring to him God’s love and kindness.  Those attributes of God were bestowed upon man “according to his mercy” while man was yet a sinner.  “After that” coming of mercy “he saved us,” he says it was “by the washing of regeneration” – a washing which is divinely assigned to the scheme of regeneration.
            The two verses under consideration compose a complex declarative sentence, if we might get right down to some simple facts in the case.  The two simple sentences in this complex one are, “the kindness and love of God appeared” and “he saved us.”  Now let us read and punctuate the verses according to the analysis made above, and it becomes much clearer than as usually misread.  “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared – not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy – he saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit. “
            Thus without inverting a single clause or phrase we have a much more natural reading, a much more simple, declarative sentence.  The simple sentence is, “he saved us.”  The time is affirmed, “after the kindness and love of God appeared.”  The how the love appeared was “according to his mercy.”  The how he saved us was “by the washing of regeneration.”
            A sinner can neither do nor be anything as a cause of his salvation, or as a cause of God’s loving him.  That salvation is caused by nothing less or more than the love and mercy of God as expressed in the person and death of Jesus Christ.  That love so expressed by him affirms his right to require any kind of “washing” divine wisdom may say.  To the very man who penned these verses Ananias had been sent by the Lord and said, “And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” (Ac. 22:16).
            Before this incident, the Lord had appeared to Saul (subsequently called Paul), not to save him but to call him into the apostleship and to tell him where and from whom he could learn what to do to be saved.  Seeing the lord, Saul cried out in terror, “What shall I do, Lord?”  Jesus told him to go into the city, whither he had started, and “there it shall be told thee what thou must do.” (Acts 9:6)  The record does not indicate that Saul was told there to do anything except as quoted in Acts 22:16.  When so told he had already believed in the Christ and repented of his whole career.  Only the “washing of regeneration” remained for him “to do.”
            The “washing” in baptism, in which we have “our bodies washed in pure water” (Hb. 10:22), water unmixed with ceremonial cleansings, cannot be included in the “works of righteousness which we have done,” for the simple reason that all works of righteousness are deeds that are right of and within themselves.  Baptism could never come into that class because it has never been “right” of itself.  It is right only because it is divinely commanded.  Gods commandments have always been God’s righteousness (Psalm 119:172), and not man’s righteousness who does them. 
            My friend, your soul is in the balance.  Do not trifle with God’s mercy.  Do not cavil about his truth.  Do not let human prejudice against divine commands, or in favor of kinship religion, rob you of your inescapable obligation to obey the gospel of Christ.  “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32).  But the truth cannot make free while it is not obeyed.  Be sure that you obey it.  “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth.” (1 Pet. 1:22).  To reject it is to reject all the mercy by which God saves.
            Titus 3:4, 5 correctly read affirms the very thing necessary for our salvation which is usually denied as having any part in it.

Recently I was in a meeting that was not going too well.  One morning I was talking with a member who had not attended the night before.  With no feeling of shame, she told me, "Last night was my night to bowl."  That settled the matter.  it did not seem to matter that the gospel was being preached and souls needed to be saved.  God must understand that it was her night to bowl!

I have heard people say, when they wanted to attend something else, "This was planned before I knew about the meeting."  Suppose it was.  Will God accept such an excuse as that?  Is it not our duty to set aside some less important things, even if they were planned first?  Certainly, they were not planned before Jesus said, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God."  Surely we do not misunderstand what the Lord was talking about.  he had just mentioned food and clothing.  I am sure food and clothing are more important than bowling!

Please tell me why people are willing to learn and obey some of the teachings of Christ, but stubbornly refuse to learn and obey more.  Why go any of the way if we are not willing to go all the way?  Our eternal welfare was first and everything to him, and he isn't willing for us to place anything ahead of him.