The Precious Blood Of Christ (11/6/25)

 The Precious Blood Of Christ (11/6/25)

In the first chapter of I Peter, he reminds the “strangers scattered” (1:1) and us that we “were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (I Pet. 1:18-19).

We could never say enough about the blood of Christ. Here, Peter tells us that we are “redeemed” (bought back/purchased) by His blood. He contrasts being purchased by Christ’s blood with those who have been redeemed with “silver and gold” (I Pet. 1:18). Back in Bible days (and up to today, sadly), certain ones have been enslaved. Some of these were able to purchase their freedom with money (Acts 22:27-28). However, when discussing sin and the slavery that comes from it (Jn. 8:34; Rom. 6:16, 7:25), there is no amount of money, silver, gold, time, love, kindness, good deeds, sincerity, etc., that can free us from that. Christ must do it.

Freedom from sin demands the “precious blood of Christ” that He shed at the cross (Matt. 26:28; Rev. 1:5, 5:9; Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14). To be saved and free from sin, we must come in contact with the cleansing effect of that blood. That only happens when we are baptized into Christ (Rom. 6:3-6). This is because the effect Christ’s blood has on sin is connected with baptism.

For example, we are washed from our sins in the blood of Christ (Rev. 1:5), and we are also washed from our sins in baptism (Acts 22:16; I Cor. 6:11). Our sins are remitted in the blood of Christ (Matt. 26:28), just as our sins are remitted in baptism (Acts 2:38). Again, just as the blood of Christ saves (Rom. 5:9), so we are saved when baptized (I Pet. 3:21). Please do not misunderstand, these statements are not contradictory. We are describing two different aspects of salvation: one is what Christ has done (the blood), and the other is what we must do (baptism). The blood of Christ is the “where” of salvation (where we find it), and baptism is the “when” of salvation (when we are saved). Thus, to be saved, I must be baptized for the remission of my sins (Acts 2:38), and in so doing, I am cleansed through the blood of Christ!

The blood of Christ is not a one-time solution, though. It continues to wash Christians from the sins they commit. John’s words to the believers are clear. “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (I Jn. 1:7). This reminds us of this ongoing need we have. For example, after Simon's baptism (Acts 8:13), he sinned in trying to bribe the apostle Peter. Peter instructed him to repent and pray for forgiveness for his sins (Acts 8:22). This is how the blood of Christ would be “applied” in this situation, and Simon could be forgiven. Simon needed the blood of Christ just as Christians today need Christ’s blood.

As Christians, when we confess our sins, Christ forgives and cleanses us (I Jn. 1:9). This cleansing comes through the blood of Christ. We’re not redeemed with silver and gold. Let us learn to appreciate this, love the Lord for His sacrifice (Jn. 3:16), and be thankful for the connection that baptism has with the blood of Christ!

- Jarrod M. Jacobs