Spirit, Water, and Blood-The Marriage Covenant of The Lamb Finished May 9 2019

Spirit, Water, and Blood: The Marriage Covenant of the Lamb
Lora Wise
Copyright © 2012 Lora Wise

All rights reserved
ISBN: 978-1-105-66471-7
All scripture is taken from the Authorized King James Version
(KJV)
This book is dedicated to my sister, Lynn, without whose spiritual
support and advice this book would not have been possible; to my
husband, Chris, who has been there for me throughout the writing
of this book; to my friend, April, who has always believed in me
and encouraged me to reach for the stars; and to my children,
Crystal and Casey, who have enriched my life beyond measure.
I would like to thank Lynn Poe for her contributions to this book
and for her wonderful prayers at the end of each chapter. May they
bless you and encourage you in your study of Covenant.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Note to Readers
Foreword
Chapter 1 Covenant
Chapter 2 The Wedding Garment
Chapter 3 Blood, Water, and Covenant
Chapter 4 Name and Covenant
Chapter 5 Faith or Works?
Chapter 6 Baptism Into the Name of Christ
Chapter 7 The Three that Testify
Chapter 8 Eternal Security
Conclusion
NOTE TO READERS
Note to Readers
Dear friends, I cannot begin to defend the truth against every false
doctrine out there, but the Bible already has. It is your
responsibility to study to show yourself approved of God, a
workman that need not be ashamed. You should read your Bible
for yourself. When you take the word of a human being for what
the Bible says, you are making a tragic mistake. God is not going
to judge you by what your preacher or pastor taught or by what
your parents, your friends, or your favorite authors say. He is going
to judge you by what His Word says. He made sure we have the
Bible for that very reason.
When you read a book, including this one, or when you hear a
sermon, go to God's Word and check it out for yourself. Do not
check only the verses that were used; check all the scripture that
you can find on that subject. You can find Bible verses with a
concordance (available on the Internet if you do not have one). The
Bible does not contradict itself. Some verses emphasize one point
and do not mention another. As you read other parts of the Bible,
however, more is added to the subject. This is especially true of the
epistles. They were written to churches to correct a specific
problem. Therefore, the inspired writers addressed only the issues
that were relevant at the time. However, the Bible is a whole, and it
must be taken that way. You cannot pick and choose the points you
like and trash the rest. A further note of caution: As you check
what you read and hear against scripture; be on the alert for
omissions. I have read books that quoted a passage from the Bible
and left some verses out of their quote. Now it could be that the
omitted parts were not relevant to the discussion. But it could also
be that the omissions were deliberate because the author
contradicted what the Bible teaches. ALWAYS READ THE
CONTEXT.
If someone who is important to you says that the Bible teaches
something and you discover it does not teach it, then you cannot
decide to accept that person's word over God's Word. You are
making that person an idol. God is a jealous God, and He will not
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NOTE TO READERS
accept idolatry. You need to take that individual off the throne of
God, where he/she is being worshiped above Him, and return your
brother or sister to the rightful place in your heart- as a person who
is loved but is human and capable of making mistakes. When you
insist that a doctrine is right in spite of verses from the Bible that
challenge that belief, then you are endangering yourself. God is
supreme, and He wants no other gods before Him. Choose this day
whom you will serve. Is God’s Word going to be your authority, or
is this brother or sister going to take His place in your affections?
No human is capable of living a life that is free of mistakes. That is
why Jesus had to die. If you refuse to acknowledge the truth when
Scripture backs it up, then you might as well spend Sunday in
other pursuits. God will not share His worship. Make no human an
idol in your heart. Make no institution an idol in your heart. Seek
God and His word; study it. As you read, ask Him for help in
seeing, noticing, and understanding what you need to.
A NOTE FROM A FELLOW SEEKER OF GOD
God is God, and it is He who determines the way we come to Him.
We cannot dictate terms to Him. I am sure that you do not want to
be one of those tragic souls who are crying out, “Lord, Lord did we
not”…. and hearing Jesus saying, “Depart, I never knew you!” I
strongly recommend that you not only read this book, but that you
do the “For Further Study” section at the end of each chapter. Also,
look up the scriptures in as many translations as you have. A
concordance is a very helpful study tool for finding verses by
keyword. Google Bible Study Web Sites for free access to Bible
translations, dictionaries, concordances, commentaries, and more.
Prayer
Lord, I lift up all the lost to Your care. LORD, do everything in
Your power short of violating their free will to draw them into
Your fold. I pray also for those who have been misled by false
doctrines. Draw them closer and closer to You, and give them a
consuming passion and hunger for Your Word. LORD, I pray for
all mankind, that You will open the eyes and ears of their hearts,
and that You will draw them with Your loving kindness. Instill in
them a desire to search the scriptures and seek out the truth for
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NOTE TO READERS
themselves. Help them arm themselves with Your Word and hide it
in their hearts so that they cannot be misled. In the victorious and
mighty Name of Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen.
If we never meet on earth, I hope to meet you one day in Heaven.
Christ’s servant,
Lynn Poe
III
FOREWORD
FOREWORD
The idea is so prevalent today that all paths lead to salvation and
that it does not really matter what you believe. Some think that
pleas for unity mean that we should accept any doctrine, but that is
not what the Bible says at all. Jesus and the inspired writers of the
New Testament did plead for unity, but their idea of maintaining
unity was not to let false teaching gain a foot-hold. If you will bear
with me, I will show you what the Bible does say about the
importance of teaching in spirit and in truth. This subject is
important because what you believe may determine your destiny.
1 Corinthians 1:10-12
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no
divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the
same mind and in the same judgment.11 For it hath been declared
unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of
Chloe, that there are contentions among you.12 Now this I say,
that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of
Cephas; and I of Christ.
The problem was the divisions. The cause was that not everyone
spoke the same thing. They identified themselves as followers of
men rather than of Christ. The solution was to be joined together.
But how? Paul did not say, “Be joined together by allowing
different doctrines and choosing your sect.” He said, “Be perfectly
joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” The
means of unity is not by allowing false teaching and saying “to
each his own”; it is by identifying with Christ alone and by all
speaking the same thing.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit
which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely
given to us of God.13 Which things also we speak, not in the words
which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth;
comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
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FOREWORD
One cause of false teaching is that we try to understand spiritual

things by the use of man’s wisdom rather than by God’s revealed
word. The Pharisees were experts at changing the commands of
God by replacing them with traditions that they had developed on
their own. Unfortunately, we have also done that today to the
extent that the traditions are being accepted over the word of God.
My friends, I am quite alarmed at the perversion of God’s word
and am convinced that millions of Christians worldwide are in
danger of being lost because they have listened to man rather than
to the word of God as revealed in the Holy Bible.
1 John 2:18-24
18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that
antichrist shall come , even now are there many antichrists;
whereby we know that it is the last time. 19 They went out from us,
but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no
doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be
made manifest that they were not all of us. 20 But ye have an
unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. 21 I have not
written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye
know it, and that no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is a liar but he that
denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the
Father and the Son. 23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath
not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the
Father also. 24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have
heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the
beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son,
and in the Father.
Everyone thinks they are safe from the condemnation in these
passages because we are not denying the Father and Son, right?
Unfortunately, we are doing just that if we accept another doctrine
other than what was delivered in the New Testament. Look at verse
24. Not remaining in the truth causes a loss of communion with
God. Choosing human tradition over the word of Christ is the same
thing as denying His authority. It is a rejection of Jesus Christ as
Lord and Savior.
1 John 4:1
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FOREWORD
1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they
are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the
world.
2 Peter 1:20-21
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any
private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by
the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by
the Holy Ghost.
How do we know which doctrine is true? Study your instruction
manual. Test everything that you believe by what the Bible says.
Friends, if you must mentally reject parts of the Bible to continue
in your beliefs, then you have probably been taken in by false
teaching. The Bible does not contradict itself. If it appears to, it is
not the Bible that is wrong; it is your understanding. Scripture
explains scripture. It must be taken as a whole.
2 Peter 2:1-22
1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as
there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in
damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and
bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow
their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be
evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned
words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long
time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. 4 For if
God spared not the angels that sinned , but cast them down to hell ,
and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto
judgment; 5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the
eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood
upon the world of the ungodly; 6 And turning the cities of Sodom
and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow,
making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly
7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the
wicked: 8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing
and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their
unlawful deeds;) 9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out
of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment
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FOREWORD
to be punished : 10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the
lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are
they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. 11
Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not
railing accusation against them before the Lord. 12 But these, as
natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of
the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their
own corruption; 13 And shall receive the reward of
unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day
time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their
own deceivings while they feast with you; 14 Having eyes full of
adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls:
an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed
children: 15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone
astray , following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved
the wages of unrighteousness; 16 But was rebuked for his iniquity:
the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the
prophet. 17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried
with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure
through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that
were clean escaped from them who live in error. 19 While they
promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of
corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he
brought in bondage. 20 For if after they have escaped the
pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and
overcome , the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21
For it had been better for them not to have known the way of
righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy
commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto
them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own
vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the
mire.
Peter’s words were very harsh, but it should be remembered that
they were inspired. He spoke what he heard from the Holy Spirit.
God abhors false teaching and will judge what we say, do, and
believe against His revealed word. Make very sure that you know
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FOREWORD
what He said. The way to do that is to study it for yourself. Check

everything that you see and hear against the words of the Bible. As
you read this book, I urge you to examine what I am telling you. I
am firmly convinced that I have presented the truth, but you should
be in the habit of studying for yourself. In a world with so many
different doctrines, the only protection you have is the word of
God.
1 Timothy 1:3-4
3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into
Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no
other doctrine,4 Neither give heed to fables and endless
genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying
which is in faith: so do.
2Timothy 2:23-26
23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid , knowing that they
do gender strifes. 24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive ;
but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness
instructing those that oppose themselves ; if God peradventure will
give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And
that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who
are taken captive by him at his will.
We are not supposed to fight with each other, but we are instructed
to oppose false teaching as long as it is done patiently and gently.
So many Christians feel that trying to persuade others of the truth
is divisive and unloving. But they are wrong. Paul said that false
teachers are trapped by the devil. Love does not ask that the
problem be ignored; it demands that every effort be made to rescue
lost souls.
2 Timothy 3:1-17
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters,
proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3
Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers,
incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors,
heady, highminded , lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
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FOREWORD
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from

such turn away . 6 For of this sort are they which creep into
houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away
with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning , and never able to come to the
knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood
Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds,
reprobate concerning the faith. 9 But they shall proceed no further
for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. 10
But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose,
faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11 Persecutions, afflictions,
which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what
persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer
persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and
worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the
things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of , knowing
of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou
hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise
unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All
scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly
furnished unto all good works.
1 Timothy 4:1-3, 13-16
1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some
shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and
doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their
conscience seared with a hot iron ; 3 Forbidding to marry , and
commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be
received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the
truth….13 Till I come , give attendance to reading, to exhortation,
to doctrine. 14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given
thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy
profiting may appear to all. 16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto
the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both
save thyself, and them that hear thee.
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FOREWORD
Look at verse 16. True doctrine saves. False teaching destroys.

Dear friends, do not be misled by deceiving spirits. God is not
going to tell you anything that differs from His Word. He knew
everything that would ever happen before He created the world.
There is no way you can surprise Him. His doctrine has already
been delivered in its entirety. The scriptures are complete and
apply for all time. Everything you will ever do, think, or say was
already known to Him from the beginning. Therefore, if you think
that God is telling you a new and different interpretation of
scripture, you are mistaken. Do not forget that demons masquerade
as angels of light. If you hear something that contradicts God’s
written word, it is not God’s voice that you hear.
1 Timothy 6:3-4
3 If any man teach otherwise , and consent not to wholesome
words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the
doctrine which is according to godliness; 4 He is proud , knowing
nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof
cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
Pride causes false teaching; actually pride is behind all sin because
it encourages man to place his own desires and thoughts over those
of God. In other words, man dethrones God and sets himself up as
his own idol. Pride is also why we have such a hard time admitting
when we are wrong. But if straying from the truth can cause us to
be lost, then we really need to pay attention to our doctrine. We
need to humble ourselves before God, deny self, and submit every
thought to the instruction of Christ. The rewards are so great and
the cost of not doing so is so high!
2 Timothy 4:2-4
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove,
rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.3 For the time
will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their
own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching
ears;4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall
be turned unto fables.
Galatians 5:6-12
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6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor

uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. 7 Ye did run well;
who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? 8 This
persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. 9 A little leaven
leaveneth the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in you through the
Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded : but he that troubleth
you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be . 11 And I, brethren,
if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then
is the offence of the cross ceased. 12 I would they were even cut off
which trouble you.
Jude:3-6, 11-25
3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the
common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and
exhort [you] that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which
was once delivered unto the saints. 4 For there are certain men
crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this
condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into
lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus
Christ. 5 I will therefore put you in remembrance , though ye once
knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the
land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. 6 And
the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own
habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness
unto the judgment of the great day…11 Woe unto them! for they
have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of
Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. 12
These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you,
feeding themselves without fear: clouds [they are] without water,
carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit,
twice dead, plucked up by the roots; 13 Raging waves of the sea,
foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is
reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. 14 And Enoch also,
the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the
Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, 15 To execute
judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among
them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed,
and of all their hard [speeches] which ungodly sinners have
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spoken against him. 16 These are murmurers, complainers,

walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great
swelling [words], having men's persons in admiration because of
advantage. 17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were
spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18 How
that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who
should walk after their own ungodly lusts. 19 These be they who
separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. 20 But ye,
beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in
the Holy Ghost, 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for
the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22 And of
some have compassion, making a difference: 23 And others save
with fear, pulling [them] out of the fire; hating even the garment
spotted by the flesh. 24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from
falling, and to present [you] faultless before the presence of his
glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, [be]
glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
Matthew 15:6-14
6 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus
have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your
tradition. 7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,
8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and
honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But
in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the
commandments of men. 10 And he called the multitude, and said
unto them, Hear, and understand: 11 Not that which goeth into the
mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this
defileth a man. 12 Then came his disciples, and said unto him,
Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard
this saying? 13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my
heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. 14 Let them
alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the
blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
Romans 16:17-18
17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions
and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and
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avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus
Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches
deceive the hearts of the simple.
Titus 3:9-11
9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions,
and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 10
A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition
reject; 11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth,
being condemned of himself.
Ephesians 2:20-22
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets,
Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all
the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in
the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an
habitation of God through the Spirit.
The answer to achieve unity is not to allow each his own belief.
The answer is not to entertain false teaching. The solution is to
speak the same thing. The only way that this can ever happen is for
us all to forget what man has taught us and go see what God has
revealed to us in His word, the only source that we need. The Bible
is complete and can be understood. It might take some hard work
and a whole lot of intense searching the scriptures, but it can be
done. Please do not listen to man; listen to God. Man may fail you
and destroy you, but God is faithful and will save you.
The purpose of this book is to show what the Bible says about
salvation and to do so from a covenant focus. Covenant is at the
heart of redemption, and understanding it makes a difference in the
ability to distinguish true doctrine from false doctrine.
Prayer
LORD, I lift up all who are earnestly seeking You. Help us to hide
away Your Word in our hearts and open our eyes so that we are not
misled by any false teaching. Draw us to the truth, and help us to
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earnestly seek out the truth. Also, help us to apply what we read to
our lives so that we are changed to become more and more like
Jesus. In the Name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.
XV
CHAPTER 1 COVENANT
CHAPTER 1 COVENANT
Covenant was a way of life. It was commitment even to the point
of death. I use the past tense because we have lost the sense of
what it means to be in a covenant relationship with another person.
Yet covenant should be as central to our lives today as it was when
Jesus walked this earth. Everything that our Savior said and did
was based on covenant. Consequently, our relationship with Him,
even our very salvation, depends on it. Come take a journey with
me and see what being in covenant with Christ is all about. You
will understand what it means to wear His Name (another covenant
term), how we get this name that unites us with the Redeemer, and
what both you and Christ bring to this amazing relationship.
A covenant is an agreement in which each partner vows to fulfill
certain obligations toward the other. God did not owe us anything.
But in His infinite mercy, He looked down, saw us in all our filth
and sin, and loved us anyway. Because of His great love, He chose
to bind Himself by promises and to unite us with Him in the
closest bond available to mankind, the union of souls through
blood covenant. Just in case anyone misunderstands, this is not
some New Age or mystical concept. By union of souls, I do not
mean that we literally become one with God and with the universe.
But Christ is in us and we are in Him. This is what the concept of
covenant is all about. It is like a marriage. Two become one in
heart, in purpose, and in belongings. They bind themselves to each
other to always seek after the well-being of the covenant partner.
The first time that the word covenant appears in the Bible is in
Genesis chapter 6:18. All the other people on the earth were
unfaithful to God, but Noah walked with Him. Therefore, the Lord
determined to destroy the wicked from the earth and to establish
His covenant with Noah and his descendants. When God
establishes a covenant with someone, He declares that person as
set apart for Him. Noah belonged to God, and from his posterity
man would once again fill the earth. God would take a people out
for His Name.
The mutual terms of the covenant are laid out in Genesis chapter
9:1-17. God’s part was to never again destroy the earth with water.
Noah and his family’s part was to be fruitful and multiply, to avoid
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SPIRIT, WATER, AND BLOOD: THE MARRIAGE COVENANT OF THE LAMB
shedding innocent blood, and to abstain from eating blood because

life is in the blood.1 A covenant was accompanied by signs of the
agreement. In Noah’s case, the token was a rainbow.2
Abram was first mentioned in Genesis 11:26. God promised to
make a nation for Himself out of Abram’s seed3 if he would follow
Him, leave his country, and go wherever he was led. The word
covenant was not used here, but it was a covenant nonetheless.
God set terms for Abram and made promises that were conditioned
on Abram’s response. At the age of 75, Abram obeyed God. He
took his wife, his nephew, and his servants and left his home
country of Haran. Upon entering Canaan, he pitched a tent there
between Bethel and Hai and built an altar to the Lord. An altar
involves sacrifice as a means of seeking fellowship with God and
is always associated with covenant. In Genesis chapter 15, we read
that God once again appeared to Abram and promised to make a
great nation from his descendants. Abram asked for a sign
confirming the promise. The instructions given were to build an
altar and lay sacrifices upon it according to the pattern which was
specified. Abram obeyed by killing the animals, dividing the
pieces of flesh, and placing them on the altar.4As he was sleeping,
God came down personally as the sign of the covenant and passed
through the pieces of the divided flesh. Abram did not pass through
the pieces. God did. Our Heavenly Father established the covenant
out of love, not obligation. And He established it upon His own
merit, not Abraham’s. This walk between the pieces of flesh has
been called “a walk into death. We will see later on what walking
into death means. But know this for now. God walked between the
pieces of flesh first. He signified that Christ would walk into death
for us.
In Genesis 17:1 we read where God reminded Abram of the
covenant and explained what he expected from him as his part of
the agreement. The instructions were, “Walk before me and be
perfect.” God then changed Abram’s name to Abraham and
1
Genesis 9:17
2
Genesis 9:13
3
Genesis 12:3
4
Genesis 15:9-17
2
CHAPTER 1 COVENANT
commanded the fleshly means of keeping the covenant,

circumcision. Note that circumcision was not just a means of
keeping the covenant; it was also a sign of the covenant.5Genesis
17:14 reveals that failure to be circumcised broke the covenant and
resulted in being put out from God’s chosen people. We can see
that covenant is not maintained by belief only; it involves sacrifice
and duty and can be broken by man. Did the basic rules of
covenant change? Keep reading and decide for yourself!
Abraham was known as a friend of God because he believed Him.
However, he did more than just believe God. He obeyed Him, thus
perfecting his faith.6 Notice that when God changed Abram’s name
to Abraham, He required circumcision at that time. God calls a
people for His Name by establishing a covenant with them. He
gives His children a new name and a living hope. Covenant is the
vehicle by which eternal blessings are given. It is confirmed by
signs and established with conditions.
Have you ever wondered where the covenant cutting ceremonies
came from? The Bible is not specific about some of the details of
covenant cutting. Covenant rituals are only described in bits and
pieces, but it is possible to see some of the bigger picture by
collecting the evidence given throughout. It is not known for sure
why men chose some of the covenant cutting ceremonial practices
that they did, but I suspect that God gave some of them and man
adapted their practices from specific commands. A common thread
is seen in covenant cutting rituals across cultures. This indicates
that they did have a common origin. As I mentioned above, blood
sacrifices were always part of the ceremony. When an agreement
was made between man and man or between man and God, blood
was offered and vows were made.7Robes and armor were often
exchanged to symbolize the sharing of identities and the
possession of mutual enemies.8 Part of the covenant cutting
ceremony, the walk between the pieces of divided flesh (walk into
death), symbolized mutual commitment to each other and total
5
Genesis 17:9-11
6
James 2:18-22
7
Genesis 21:22-27
8
1 Samuel 18:1-4
3
denial of self to the point of being dead to self 9 and alive to the
covenant partner.10 In a sense, the walk between the pieces
represented a union of souls. In fact, the penalty for breaking a
covenant was death.11
The practice of mutual cutting of self and sharing of blood is
commonly associated with covenant cutting in various cultures.
That is where we have the concept of blood brothers. Some
cultures actually drink the blood, something that we are forbidden
to do. But cutting of the flesh is associated with covenants made
between God and man. God said that we are inscribed in His
palms.12 Jesus bore scars in His hands as a reminder of the
covenant that He purchased with His own blood. Before our
Redeemer came and fulfilled the sacrificial requirement for
atonement, God’s people underwent cutting of the flesh in
circumcision. Thankfully we do not have to cut our flesh today!
However, we still have a circumcision to undergo. The Law of
Moses required cutting of the flesh. The Law of Christ requires
cutting of the heart. That is not to say that the Old Covenant was
heartless. God always wanted worship from the heart rather than
empty rituals. Indeed, the heart is what separates faith from
legalism.
Covenant partners share possessions. The best example of having
common ownership is seen in the marriage relationship in which
husband and wife become one flesh.13 Christians are one in
Christ.14 As covenant partners in the body of Christ, we are bound
to other members of His body. We cannot consider our money, our
resources, our talents, or our time to be our own. We are obligated
to give as we are able whenever we see someone in need.
In addition to possessions, names and identities are shared in
covenant. God made a covenant with Jacob and changed his name
to Israel. The people that He chose for himself from Israel’s
9
Jeremiah 34:18-20
10
Mark 8:34-35
11
2 Chronicles 15:12-15
12
Isaiah 49:16
13
Genesis 2:24
14
Acts 4:33-35
4
CHAPTER 1 COVENANT
descendants were later called Israelites. Since we bear the name of

Christ and are identified with His righteousness and inheritance,
God’s chosen people are now known as Christians.
At the conclusion of a covenant cutting ceremony, a meal
symbolizing the union between the covenant partners was shared, a
pillar of unhewed stones was sometimes heaped together or a tree
was planted as a witness, and the new relationship was
celebrated.15 When we wear the name of Christ, we share in His
identity and we commune with Him in partaking of the Lord’s
Supper. Jesus is the chief cornerstone of His church. We are living
stones in His church.16 We are the branches; He is the vine.17
Everything about who we are in Christ is based on covenant!
Friends, this is so exciting! Covenant is at the heart of Christianity.
Because of covenant, we belong to Christ and can rest in God’s
promises. Because of covenant, we are set apart to receive the
inheritance. We are called to a glorious peace and fellowship in
Christ that unbelievers can never understand. Oh, I pray for those
unfortunate souls who do not know my Jesus! The greatest
happiness and fulfillment in my life has been my journey with God.
I don’t want to keep my joy to myself; I want it for everybody!
Jesus wanted your love enough to die for it. Our Savior
demonstrated every one of the covenant cutting practices that I
have mentioned in this chapter. Furthermore, we spiritually go
through every step of this process in our initiation into Christ and
in our daily walk with Him. I can’t wait to show you how!
Prayer
LORD, I lift up all believers everywhere. Help us to understand the
awesome and wonderful truths about covenant. Help us to grasp
the fact that we are in a blood covenant relationship with You
through the sacrifice of Your holy Son. Help us understand what
covenant means and the way that it affects how we speak and act
in our daily lives. Help us to understand, accept, and honor the
bond of covenant. Covenant is not to be undertaken casually. I
15
Genesis 26:28-30, Exodus 18:12, Matthew 26:26-29
16
1 Peter 2:5
17
John 15:5
5
pray that You open the eyes of all who are called by Jesus’ Name
to realize the seriousness of covenant. Thank You Abba, Father for
loving us enough to bind Yourself in a covenant relationship with
such undeserving people as we are. In the holy Name of Jesus I
pray, Amen.
6
CHAPTER 1 COVENANT
7
FOR FURTHER STUDY

God established a covenant with Noah. It was confirmed with the
sign of a rainbow.
Genesis 9:8-17
Circumcision was both the means of keeping the covenant and the
token of the covenant.
Genesis 17:10
Keeping the Sabbath was a means of keeping the covenant. It was
also called a token.
Exodus 31:16-18
Failure to keep all of the commandments made the Israelites guilty
of breaking the covenant.
Leviticus 26:14-15
The Ten Commandments were a covenant.
Deuteronomy 4:13-14
A covenant is to be obeyed.
Deuteronomy 29:9, Exodus 19:5-8, Psalm 78:10
God redeems a people for Himself by making a covenant with
them.
Deuteronomy 29:13
Pillars of stone were erected when a covenant was made. They
served as a witness of the covenant.
2 Kings 23:3, Genesis 31:43-54
A covenant is confirmed as a law.
Covenants are to be entered into with the whole heart and soul.
The penalty of breaking the covenant is death.
8
CHAPTER 1 COVENANT
Vows are made in a covenant agreement.

Psalms 50:14-17
Mercy depends on our heart for God and our obedience to Him.
Deuteronomy 7:9-13, Psalm 103:17-18
God keeps covenant with people who walk with Him.
1 Kings 8:22-23, Nehemiah 1:5
When two people made a covenant with each other, they called on
the name of the Lord as a witness of the covenant.
Genesis 21:21-33
Garments and armor were exchanged when two people made a
covenant with each other.
1 Samuel 18:1-4
Saints are the ones who have made a covenant with God. Covenant
involves sacrifice.
Psalm 50:1-5
When a covenant was made, the people cut the sacrificial animal in
half and passed between the pieces. This practice has been called a
“walk into death.” We walk through the pieces as we unite with the
body of Christ. The walk symbolizes both a commitment until
death and the union of God and His people by means of the
atoning sacrifice.
Jeremiah 34:18-20
A covenant was established with a sacrifice and celebrated with a
feast.
Genesis 26:17-30, Genesis 31:43-54
The covenant that Jesus set up with His own blood was one of
grace. It was different from the first in that the sacrifice was
perfect and eternal. Furthermore, the law of Christ was written in
hearts rather than on tablets of stone. The indwelling Holy Spirit is
given to all believers under the New Covenant.
Hebrews 8:1-13
9
CHAPTER 2 THE WEDDING GARMENT

Marriage is based on covenant. It is a union of two souls who have
primary obligations to each other. The only relationship that is
more binding than that of husband and wife is that of man and his
Creator.
And Adam said, this is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my
flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of
Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and
shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.1
Jesus Christ is the bridegroom. As “the bride,” the church is one
with the body of Christ. That means, dear friends, that if you
belong to His church, then you are also one with Christ and are
incorporated into His body as one flesh. You are identified with
Him in the closest bond possible between two people. You have
mutual duties to each other and have made vows to love, honor,
and cherish one another until death do you unite completely.
Ancient Hebrew marriages were arranged by either the groom’s
father or friend. The bride’s father was approached, usually by the
friend of the bridegroom. Although the woman was sometimes
asked, her consent was not required. If the request was accepted, a
feast was held in celebration of the event. Lavish gifts were offered
to the betrothed maiden, sometimes a ring was placed on her finger,
and a dowry was paid to her father. The groom then went away for
an unspecified length of time to prepare a home for his beloved.
During this betrothal period, the bride to be lived with friends who
prepared her for her wifely duties and helped her to get ready for
the wedding. The woman was considered to officially belong to
her groom from the moment that the betrothal occurred. In fact,
engagement was as legally binding as the consummated marriage
was. On the wedding day, the groom returned with His friends
leading the way. They were followed by the wedding party and
musicians. The marriage ceremony began when the bride went to
meet the groom. She was accompanied by her friends who escorted
her to the bridegroom’s home where a feast had been prepared.
The celebrations usually lasted seven days but may have continued
Genesis 2:23-24
1
9
for as long as fourteen days. Wedding garments which had been

provided by the host were given to the guests to wear throughout
the festivities.2
You have probably already noticed some similarities between the
words of Jesus and these marriage customs. God the Father is the
one who arranged for the kingdom3 (the church) to be given to the
Son. The betrothal feast began during the time that the Messiah
walked this earth.4 The gift that has been given to the bride is the
Holy Spirit. He is our seal.5 The dowry that purchased the kingdom
is the blood of our Savior.6 He paid the bride price and sat down at
the right hand of God as He prepares a place for us.7 The Law of
Moses was the precursor to the Law of Faith.8 Therefore Moses
was the friend of the bride. John the Baptist prepared the way of
the Lord.9 He was the friend of the bridegroom.10 Think about the
transfiguration of Christ. Who appeared with Him? Moses and
Elijah did. The life of Elijah foreshadowed the life of John the
Baptist. That is why the prophecies of his ministry called him
Elijah.11 Peter impulsively offered to build a tabernacle for the
three of them. The answer came from Heaven just as it did at the
baptism of Jesus, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well
pleased. Hear ye Him.”12 The Law and the prophets were ending.
Only the kingdom of Christ would remain. The kingdom of Christ
(the church, the bride) began on the Day of Pentecost, 13 fifty days
after the Passover during which Jesus was crucified. Every time we
participate in the Lord’s Supper we remember that Christ
purchased the church with His own blood and we celebrate our
2
Smith, William, Dr. "Entry for 'Marriage'". "Smith's Bible Dictionary".
http://www.studylight.org/dic/sbd/view.cgi?number=T2847. 1901.
3
Hebrews 1:1-3, 8, Luke 1:32-33
4
Matthew 9:14-15, Luke 5:33-35
5
Acts 2:38-39, Ephesians 1:13
6
Ephesians 5:23-32, Acts 20:28
7
John 14:1-7, Hebrews 12:2
8
Galatians 3:24
9
Mark 1:2-4
10
John 3:29
11
Matthew 11:14, Mark 9:1-9
12
Matthew 17:1-8
13
Acts 2:1-47
10
union with the bridegroom.14 God Himself has dressed us in our

wedding garments.
These wedding garments are essential and are a central idea in this
book. So, what are they? A clue as to their importance is found in
the parable of the wedding feast.
1And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and
said, 2The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which
made a marriage for his son, 3and sent forth his servants to call
them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are
bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my
fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the
marriage. 5But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to
his farm, another to his merchandise: 6and the remnant took his
servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. 7But when
the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies,
and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8Then
saith he to his servants, the wedding is ready, but they which were
bidden were not worthy. 9Go ye therefore into the highways, and
as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 10So those servants
went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as
they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished
with guests.11And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw
there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12and he
saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a
wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13Then said the king to
the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast
him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of
teeth. 14For many are called, but few are chosen.15
The wedding garments are so necessary that you can’t get into
Heaven without them. The prophet Isaiah, who so amazingly
foretold the coming of the Messiah, wrote about the wedding
attire.16He described it as “garments of salvation” and the “robe of
righteousness.” We see another clue about these garments in the
14
Matthew 26:29
15
Matthew 22:1-14
16
Isaiah 61:10
11
Revelation of John.17 They are worn by the saints who “washed

their robes white in the blood of the Lamb.” Simply put, the
wedding garment is the righteousness of the saints. It is of utmost
importance that you understand how you become righteous
(justified, saved). Remember that the host of the wedding provides
the robes. He dresses us in His righteousness. We cannot come into
God’s presence in robes which we made ourselves. Jesus Christ
established the kingdom, bought it with His own blood, and set up
a never-ending covenant of grace. We enter the kingdom on His
terms, not ours. Also, make no mistake, we enter it on the merits of
His work and His faith, not our own.
Prayer
LORD, I pray for all who claim Christ as Savior. Please help us to
understand the significance of the wedding garments. Help us to
understand how to become clothed in Christ and what that means
to our daily lives and our eternal destiny. Please help us to seek
understanding and obedience. Let us not be cast out of the wedding
supper because we were not dressed properly. Let all be found
wearing that glorious white robe that the blood of Jesus has
washed clean. In the victorious Name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
17
Revelation 7:14
12
For Further Study

The church wears the garments of salvation and the robe of
righteousness.
Isaiah 49:13-18, Isaiah 61:10
The Spirit, the Bride, and the water of life are linked together.
Isaiah 49:13-18, Isaiah 61:10, Revelation 22:17
Jesus is the bridegroom.
Matthew 9:15
We must be ready when the bridegroom comes. Once He shuts the
door, it is too late to enter the wedding chamber.
Matthew 25:1-13
The church is the bride.
2 Corinthians 11:2, Galatians 4:26-31
Boaz spread his garment over Ruth to show that He intended to
marry her. Jesus clothes us to show that we are His.
Ruth 3:1-9
13
CHAPTER 3 BLOOD, WATER, AND COVENANT
Blood is associated with life.1 Sin carries the penalty of death.2

Because sin has such a harsh penalty and no man was ever sinless,
God set up the system of sacrifice in which one innocent life could
bear the guilt and die for all. Under the Law of Moses, the guilt for
sin was placed on animals which were killed and laid on the altar
as a burnt offering. Their innocent blood, which symbolized life,
was offered to God as a substitute atonement for sin. The problem
was that animal sacrifices were not a perfect nor were they a
permanent solution They had to be offered over and over again.
Jesus Christ became the complete and final sacrifice when He died
on the cross in our place.3 The blood of animals could not remove
sin but the perfect blood of Jesus Christ (The Way, the Truth, and
the Life) can.
The next section of this book may be a little bit of a diversion but
there is a point to it if you will bear with me for a moment.
Symbolism in the Bible helps us to understand the hows and whys
of things that God has put in place for our redemption. It helps
establish a connection between blood and water.
The book of Leviticus describes the different types of sacrifices,
the methods of offering them, and the purposes of each one. It is a
fascinating subject which would fill at least one book on its own.
Space does not allow me to cover it as I would like to, but I will
say that there were different types of sacrifices, and Jesus fulfilled
the pattern and type of each one. He is the Passover Lamb. He is
our grain offering. He is our sin offering. He is our burnt offering.
He is our peace offering. The list goes on and on. It is my belief
that this is what Jesus meant when He said that He came to fulfill
the Law, not abolish it.4 Christ became the reality of the atonement
sacrifices. He was sinless because He kept the Law perfectly. He
1
Genesis 9:4
2
Ezekiel 18:20, Romans 6:23
3
Hebrews 9:12, Hebrews 10:4
4
Matthew 5:17
15
showed perfect love and thus fulfilled the heart of the

commandments which were based on love for God first and then
for fellow man. So we see a perfect observance, fulfillment, and
completion of the Law of Moses by the life of the Savior and by
His death on the cross. He took the curse of sin-death- away by His
blood and makes a way for us to have everlasting life in Him.
Remember that as covenant people in the body of Christ, He shares
what He has with us. He kept the Law perfectly and broke its curse.
When we are in Him, we also are credited with perfect
righteousness and are freed from the curse of sin and death.
The blood of Jesus is our atonement for sin. By the sacrifice of the
sinless Savior, we can come into the presence of God in fellowship
with Him. Once enemies because of sin, we now have peace.
Jesus Christ is the only one that could accomplish reconciliation
for us. Let us praise the Great Redeemer and celebrate the
communion that is freely available through the Messiah, the
perfect peace offering.
I would like to discuss one of the sacrifices in more detail because
it shows just how the Savior fulfilled the very pattern of sacrifice.
The passage below gives the instructions for the burnt offering.
Burnt offerings were offered for a variety of reasons. The reasons
that are relevant to this book are for cleansing and sanctification.
The burnt offering always followed the sin offering.
1And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, 2This
is the ordinance of the law which the LORD hath commanded,
saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring thee a red
heifer without spot, wherein is no blemish, and upon which never
came yoke. 3And ye shall give her unto Ele-a'zar the priest, that he
may bring her forth without the camp, and one shall slay her
before his face: 4and Ele-a'zar the priest shall take of her blood
with his finger, and sprinkle of her blood directly before the
tabernacle of the congregation seven times. 5And one shall burn
the heifer in his sight; her skin, and her flesh, and her blood, with
her dung, shall he burn: 6and the priest shall take cedar wood, and
hyssop, and scarlet, and cast it into the midst of the burning of the
16
heifer. 7Then the priest shall wash his clothes, and he shall bathe
his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp, and
the priest shall be unclean until the even. 8And he that burneth her
shall wash his clothes in water, and bathe his flesh in water, and
shall be unclean until the even. 9And a man that is clean shall
gather up the ashes of the heifer, and lay them up without the camp
in a clean place, and it shall be kept for the congregation of the
children of Israel for a water of separation: it is a purification for
sin. 10And he that gathereth the ashes of the heifer shall wash his
clothes, and be unclean until the even: and it shall be unto the
children of Israel, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among
them, for a statute for ever.11He that toucheth the dead body of
any man shall be unclean seven days. 12He shall purify himself
with it on the third day, and on the seventh day he shall be clean:
but if he purify not himself the third day, then the seventh day he
shall not be clean. 13Whosoever toucheth the dead body of any
man that is dead, and purifieth not himself, defileth the tabernacle
of the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from Israel: because
the water of separation was not sprinkled upon him, he shall be
unclean; his uncleanness is yet upon him.14This is the law, when a
man dieth in a tent: all that come into the tent, and all that is in the
tent, shall be unclean seven days. 15And every open vessel, which
hath no covering bound upon it, is unclean. 16And whosoever
toucheth one that is slain with a sword in the open fields, or a dead
body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days.
17And for an unclean person they shall take of the ashes of the
burnt heifer of purification for sin, and running water shall be put
thereto in a vessel: 18and a clean person shall take hyssop, and
dip it in the water, and sprinkle it upon the tent, and upon all the
vessels, and upon the persons that were there, and upon him that
touched a bone, or one slain, or one dead, or a grave: 19and the
clean person shall sprinkle upon the unclean on the third day, and
on the seventh day: and on the seventh day he shall purify himself,
and wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and shall be
clean at even.20But the man that shall be unclean, and shall not
purify himself, that soul shall be cut off from among the
congregation, because he hath defiled the sanctuary of the LORD:
the water of separation hath not been sprinkled upon him; he is
17
unclean. 21And it shall be a perpetual statute unto them, that he

that sprinkleth the water of separation shall wash his clothes; and
he that toucheth the water of separation shall be unclean until even.
22And whatsoever the unclean person toucheth shall be unclean;
and the soul that toucheth it shall be unclean until even.5
Jesus fulfilled the pattern of sacrifice in the following ways:
He was sinless (without spot or blemish)-Sacrificial animals under
the Law of Moses must be spotless.
He gave His blood-I believe that the reason that the heifer was to
be a red one is to symbolize blood atonement.
He was crucified outside the city gate- Under the Law of Moses,
the sacrifice was burned outside the camp.6
The blood of the heifer was sprinkled toward the tabernacle-The
blood of Jesus sprinkles His church.
Cedar wood, scarlet, and hyssop were thrown into the fire as the
heifer was burning.-Here is the symbolism that I see in these items.
Cedar wood represents the cross. Hyssop was used in various
cleansing rituals under the Law. Scarlet symbolizes blood. Jesus
gave His blood at Calvary, is our King, and cleanses us from our
sins. When the Savior cried on the cross that He was thirsty, one of
the soldiers dipped a sponge in vinegar, placed it on the end of
hyssop stalks, and gave it to Him. Even the tiniest details of
sacrifice were fulfilled by Christ!
Touching the heifer made one unclean. He had to wash his clothes,
go back into the camp, and remain unclean until evening. A clean
person gathered the heifer’s ashes which were then known as the
ashes of purification. Here is where it gets even more interesting.
The ashes were stored outside the camp, were mixed in water and
kept in a vessel. The ashes purified the water which was used to
sprinkle all unclean persons, the tent of meeting, and its vessels.
Anyone who refused to be purified was cut off from the people and
the sanctuary (which was defiled if an unclean person entered). I
believe that the same thing happens to people today who refuse to
5
Numbers 19:1-22
6
Leviticus 4:11-12, Numbers 19:1-22
18
be purified. They cannot enter the sanctuary (body of Christ)

because they are out of covenant.
Christ has a plan for cleansing which was foreshadowed by the
Law of Moses. It is what is commonly known as the plan of
salvation. It is perhaps not best to call the way to be saved a plan or
steps. But salvation involves more than faith. Just as the types of
sacrifices were fulfilled in Christ, the methods of sacrifice taught
principles that are still seen in God’s plan of redemption. We learn
from the purification of water with the ashes of the blood sacrifice
that the blood of Jesus Christ purifies the waters of baptism. The
fact that blood was used to sanctify the tabernacle shows that the
blood of Jesus cleanses His church. We have here a very important
link between blood, water, and the body of Christ. Also note verse
13 in the above passage. It calls the water the “water of separation”.
It separated the unclean from the clean. To sanctify means to
separate or set apart for use by God. The water was used for
sanctification. It separated the clean from the unclean.
The first Passover is also very important in understanding God’s
plan of redemption.
1 And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt,
saying,2 This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it
shall be the first month of the year to you.3 Speak ye unto all the
congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they
shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of
their fathers, a lamb for an house:4 And if the household be too
little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house
take it according to the number of the souls; every man according
to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.5 Your lamb shall
be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out
from the sheep, or from the goats:6 And ye shall keep it up until
the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of
the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.7 And they
shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on
the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.8 And
they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and
unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.9 Eat not
of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head
19
with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof.10 And ye shall let
nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth
of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire.11 And thus shall ye
eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your
staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD'S
passover.12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night,
and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and
beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I
am the LORD.13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon
the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over
you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I
smite the land of Egypt.7
Remember that blood symbolizes life. It shields against death. That
is exactly what it did for the Israelites on that first Passover. The
blood of the Passover lamb was smeared in three places; the two
side posts and the upper door posts of each house. The firstborn of
every household in Egypt that was not protected by the blood died.
I love verse thirteen! It says, “When I see the blood, I will pass
over you.” The Israelites took God at His word and remained
within their blood protected houses thus escaping the death penalty.
In the same way, we escape death when we enter into and remain
within the house that Jesus Christ sprinkled with His blood. That
house is His church, also referred to as His body or His kingdom.
My friends, stay in your house if you want to live.
Jesus Christ is the Passover Lamb.8 The Old Testament rituals,
feasts, and prophecies pointed the way to Christ. They were the
shadows; Jesus Christ is the reality.9The blood of our Savior saves
our souls from death.10 Let’s look at the first Passover and see how
it applies to the Messiah as its fulfillment.
7
Exodus 12:1-13
8
John 1:29
9
Hebrews 9:23
10
1 Corinthians 15:26
20
Exodus 12:5 tells us that the Lamb must be spotless- Jesus was
without blemish or spot. He lived and died under the Law of
Moses and obeyed it completely.11 He was sinless.
The blood was placed in three places over the doors, the two side
posts and the top posts- Jesus Christ was pierced with three nails
(just a similarity that I noticed). His blood covers His church.12
There are also three Persons in the Godhead-Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit. There were three persons crucified at Calvary that day-
Jesus in the middle and one thief on each side. When they were
crucified, their bodies could not be left on the cross until the
morning -No remains of the Passover Lamb could be left until
morning.13
The bones of the Passover Lamb could not be broken14- The cross
was a cruel instrument of torture. The position that the victims
were placed in was designed for slow suffocation. In an attempt to
expand the lungs, the condemned prisoners would use their legs to
push their bodies up. The soldiers broke the legs of the two thieves
so that death would be hastened. However, when they came to
Jesus to break His legs, He was already dead. No bones of the
Redeemer were broken.15
The death of Jesus fulfilled the Law of Moses which was the Old
Covenant. His blood set up the New Covenant, which is the Law of
Christ. The blood is given to members of His body and is the only
basis which we have for the forgiveness of sins.16 That is not to say
that God expects nothing from us.
Many say that we are saved by faith only. While it is true that faith
is involved in salvation, the only thing that can truly stand alone is
the blood of Jesus. Faith is one of the conditions given as a means
of access to the blood, but it is not the blood. It is a human
response which can never be perfect enough to save. Faith in the
11
Hebrews 5:8, Philippians 2:8
12
1 Peter 1:2
13
John 19:31
14
Exodus 12:46
15
John 19:33-34
16
Hebrews 9:15, 1 John 1:6-7, Hebrews 9:22
21
blood of Christ leads us to the Savior. His blood saves. If you say
that you are saved by faith alone then you have placed your faith
above the blood, and in essence you are just as guilty of trying to
save yourself as you would be by saying that obedience alone
saves. Personally I have never heard anyone claim that they are
saved by obedience alone. But the point is that the only thing that
can be said to be effective in and of itself is the blood of Jesus
Christ. We are saved by grace because the blood was freely given
to us when we did not deserve it. Furthermore, we could never earn
it in a million lifetimes of good deeds. Salvation is a gift from God
to those who will meet the specified requirements to enter a
covenant agreement with Him in Christ. Grace must be free
because it can’t be earned, yet it must at the same time be
conditional. If grace were not conditioned on the recipient’s
response, it would be universally applied. Obviously the Bible
does not teach that salvation is universal; it clearly states that many
will be lost. God is Holy and cannot be in the presence of sin. He
can save only those who are willing to be cleansed and to be found
in Him. Grace is free because it can’t be earned. It is conditional
because it can’t be abused. Anything that the Bible mentions as
being involved in cleansing, making righteous, purifying,
sanctifying, justifying, saving, etc. is part of the conditions for
being covered with the blood of Jesus Christ. I know that many of
you are doubting the truth of what I just said. How can grace be
conditional? Let me ask you this-is faith a condition for grace to be
applied? I suspect that most people would say yes. For just a
moment, think of the implications here. If faith is required before
grace can be bestowed, then you understand grace to be
conditional.
As I mentioned above, the blood of Jesus set up the covenant. A
covenant is a relationship between man and man or between man
and God. It is a contract. There are mutually agreed-upon duties
for each person involved in covenant. God owed us nothing and
salvation is free. But He set up the covenant and obligated Himself
by glorious promises to us because He loves us. He freely sent His
Son to die and Jesus willingly gave His life. We can never earn
salvation no matter how perfectly we live our lives because one sin
is all that it takes to need a Savior.We all sin so we all need a
22
sinless Savior. We must enter into a relationship with God through

Christ; it is only within that covenant agreement in the body of
Christ that those who are spiritually dead can be made alive again.
The blood of Jesus Christ redeems everyone-under both the old
and the new covenant.17No human being who ever existed or ever
will exist is saved by anything other than grace. And that is simply
another way of saying that salvation is only found in the blood of
Jesus Christ.
Under the Law of Moses, the veil separated the Holy Place from
the Most Holy Place. Only the high priest could go behind that veil
because the Most Holy Place housed God’s holy Presence. Even
the high priest could enter only once a year on the Day of
Atonement. Furthermore, he could not enter without blood and
censers of smoking coals to hide his view of the glory of God.18
The veil symbolized the body of Jesus19 and the separation from
God that sin had introduced. The blood was a substitute offering
for sin-an innocent life for the guilty ones. At the moment of His
death, sin was permanently atoned for, reconciliation was
accomplished, and the veil of the temple was torn in half from top
to bottom. The partition between the Holy Place and the Most Holy
Place was broken down, and man could once again be in direct
fellowship with God. All who will enter the body of Christ are
within the veil. We are no longer separated from the Presence of
God. We are in the Holy Place (the church) and God has made His
home within us. When we leave this world, we will enter the true
Most Holy Place-Heaven.20
Remember earlier that I pointed out the practice of placing the
ashes of the heifer in water? Blood and water as a united theme is
found throughout the Bible. I believe this was by design to show
the importance of the relationship. As a matter of fact, the first
three miracles that Moses performed are linked to each other and
are foreshadow the kingdom of Christ.21 1) Moses threw down his
17
Galatians 4:4-5, Romans 3:24-25, Hebrews 10:1-6
18
Hebrews 9:1-7, Leviticus 16:12
19
Hebrews 10:19-20
20
Hebrews 6:19-20
21
Exodus 4:1-9
23
rod and it became a snake. 2) He put his hand into his cloak, and it
was leprous when he brought it back out. 3) Moses was then told to
pour water from the Nile River and it would be turned into blood.
The symbolism that I see is this: A rod represents rule. The serpent
represents the devil. Leprosy represents sin. Water represents
purification. Blood represents life for those who will turn to the
living water and His blood. It represents death and judgment to
those outside of Christ. In three signs given we have the problem-
sin, who rules those in sin -the devil-, and the solution for sin-
living water and blood.
Many of the Israelites were bitten by snakes after rebelling against
God. When Moses prayed to God for deliverance the answer was
for him to make an image of a fiery serpent and place it on a pole.
The snake-bitten persons who looked to the pole for salvation
recovered.22 Friends, Satan is a roaring lion and he wants to devour
us. When we walk according to our own wills rather than by God’s
will, we are like the Israelites-in rebellion to Him. We are right in
the middle of a den of snakes that are just waiting to strike and
release their deadly venom. The pole in the wilderness pointed to
the cross. When we come to Jesus for salvation, He nails our sins
to the cross and destroys Satan’s power of death.
Moses foreshadowed Christ. Just as God enabled Moses to turn
water to blood, so Jesus symbolically did the same thing. It was at
a wedding in Cana that the Son of God performed His first
miracle-turning water into wine.23 At this wedding feast, Mary
came up to Jesus and told Him that the wine had run out. The
response of Christ was that His hour had not yet come. However,
He addressed the problem anyway and commanded that the jugs be
filled with water. Jesus then turned the water to wine; even better
wine than what had been served at the beginning of the feast. Now
why would the Savior say that His hour had not come and then
turn right around and perform a miracle? I have heard it said that it
was not time yet for His divinity to be made manifest in such a
dramatic way. But I believe the reason for Christ’s puzzling
statement was to point to the reason that He came to earth.. This
22
Numbers 21:1-9
23
John 2:1-11
24
first miracle was a shadow of things to come. Consider: 1) Wine

represents the blood of Jesus.24 2) Water was turned into wine at a
wedding. Christ is the bridegroom. The church is His bride. Water
changed into blood points to the union of Christ and the church. 3)
Jesus is the living water.25 4) When the Savior said his hour had
not yet come, He was talking about the hour of His crucifixion in
which the living water would give His blood to purchase the
church. Water would be turned into wine for anyone who would
come to Him and drink, better wine than that which was given by
the blood of animals. 5) When Jesus was on the cross and the
soldiers saw that He was dead, they pierced His side. Out flowed
blood and water. The Savior gave His blood to set up a covenant
with us, a covenant empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit and
based on union by blood and water. Go back to Numbers chapter
19 and notice that the water of separation was used as purification
for sin. The water of separation separates the sinner from the world
and places Him into the body of Christ where he/she is then
cleansed by the blood from the living water, Jesus Christ. This is
the water that will satisfy thirst and the bread that will satisfy
hunger forevermore. This is Jesus Christ, the manna from Heaven,
the bread of communion, the wine of celebration, and the water of
life.
Jesus is the living water and anyone who will drink from Him will
never thirst. Is it so odd then that God may have connected blood
atonement and water throughout His word to show the relationship
between baptism and the blood of Christ? I believe that He did.
Prayer
LORD, I thank You for the sacrifice that saves us. Thank You that
You were willing to give Your Son, and thank You Jesus that You
were willing to be sacrificed for such unworthy beings as we are. I
ask that You help us all to understand how to come under the
protection of that holy blood and that You plant in each heart a
hunger and a thirst for righteousness and a desire to be in a
24
Matthew 26:26-30
25
John 4:9-15
25
relationship with You. In the gracious Name of Jesus, I pray,

Amen.
For Further Study

Blood allows us to be in communion with God.
1 Corinthians 10:16-17, 1 Corinthians 11:23-30
The blood of Jesus washes away sin.
1 John 1:6-7, Hebrews 9:22
The blood of Jesus sprinkles His church.
1 Peter 1:2
The blood of Jesus cleanses the conscience.
Hebrews 9:14
The blood of Jesus purchased the New Covenant.
Hebrews 9:15
The rites under the Law of Moses were patterned after heavenly
things and pointed the way to the redemption in Christ.
Hebrews 9:23
We cannot enter Heaven unless we pass through the veil first. The
veil is the body of Christ.
Hebrews chapters 9-10
The washing of our bodies, the cleansing of our conscience, and
the sprinkling with the blood of Christ are all connected together.
Hebrews 10:22
Life is in the blood. Without blood, we will not be resurrected to
eternal life.
Hebrews 13:20-21
26
27
CHAPTER 4 NAME AND COVENANT
Chapter 4 Name and Covenant

Name is an important concept in understanding covenant. Name
identifies us as belonging to or being in union with another person
or group of people. Think about it. Women typically take the last
names of their husbands. We become identified with home
countries and nationalities by name. Children usually have the
same last name as their parents, etc. We are named after who we
belong to and belonging is what covenant is all about. Under the
Law of Moses, the people of God became known as Israelites or,
as the apostle Paul called them, the circumcision. Under the Law
of Christ, the people of God are known as Christians. Calling on
the name of the Lord is how we wear His name. Wearing His name
identifies us as covenant partners with Christ. The name of Christ
says that we are part of the family of God. It says that we belong to
Christ.
The first example of calling on the name of the Lord is found in
Genesis 4:26. Nothing is given here to explain how we call on His
name; we are merely told that men began to call on Him at this
time. Other verses reveal that calling on the name of the Lord is
associated with worship and blood sacrifice.1Calling on His name
is the way that we enter into a covenant relationship as the people
of God. In the Old Testament, God’s people called on His name by
praising His name, walking with Him, and offering blood
sacrifices for atonement and fellowship.2 Under the New
Testament, we call on the name of the Lord by looking to Jesus
Christ and His sacrifice as a complete offering for our justification,
cleansing, and sanctification. His name is all that we need for
salvation.3 Through His blood and the wearing of His name as
identification of a covenant bond, 4 we are forgiven of our sins,5
are set apart to work in His kingdom,6 and are reconciled to the
1
1 Kings 18:23-24
2
Psalms 116:1-19, Isaiah 12:1-6
3
Acts 4:12, Romans 10:9-16
4
James 2:7, Zechariah 13:9, Colossians 3:15
5
1 John 2:12, Acts 10:43, Acts 22:16
6
1 Corinthians 6:11
27
Father. We still must walk with the Lord7, praise Him, and offer
spiritual sacrifices8, but we are reconciled and declared to be
righteous by the powerful name and atoning blood of the
Redeemer.9 It must be understood that we do not wear His name
by merely calling out to Him. That is not what Jesus said. Keep
reading to find out how we call on Him to wear His name.
Prayer
Lord, I pray that You open the eyes of all to realize that there is
more to calling on Your Name than merely saying, "LORD,
LORD." Help us to see and understand that in order to have the
right to call on You in times of trouble, we must be following You
and in a covenant relationship with You. Help us to see that the
only two choices are rebellion or obedience. Lord, help us to see
that the price of rebellion is the loss of Your name in a covenant
relationship. Help us to understand that Your Name and Your
blood save us. If we rebel against you, we may forfeit our salvation.
Help us to understand that willful disobedience is a denial of You
and Your Lordship over our lives. Help us to see that if we do not
place You on the throne of our hearts, we are committing idolatry.
Father, You are a jealous God and You do not allow anyone or
anything to take Your place on the throne. Help us to call on Your
Name in the only way it can be done, by submitting to Your will
and letting You reign in our hearts. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.
7
Acts 9:14, Colossians 3:17, 2 Timothy 2:22
8
Romans 12:1-2, Hebrews 13:15-16, 1 Peter 2:1-5
9
Colossians 1:9-23
28
CHAPTER 4 NAME AND COVENANT
For Further Study

The name of Jesus washes us.
1 Corinthians 6:11
The name of Jesus sanctifies us.
1 Corinthians 6:11
The name of Jesus justifies us.
1 Corinthians 6:11
The name of Jesus works with the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 6:11
The name of Jesus removes sins.
1 John 2:12, Acts 10:43, Acts 22:16
Eternal life is through the name of Jesus.
1 John 5:13
We are baptized into the name of Jesus.
Acts 2:38, Acts 19:5, Matthew 28:16-20
The name of Jesus is the only name that can save us.
Acts 4:12, Romans 10:9-16
Calling on the name of Jesus is not limited to a one-time act; it
involves walking with Him.
Acts 9:14, Colossians 3:17, 2 Timothy 2:22
We are called by the name of Jesus into a covenant relationship as
the people of God. We are called into the body of Christ.
James 2:7, Zechariah 13:9, Colossians 3:15
The confession that the church is built on is that Jesus is the Christ,
the Son of God. We believe in His name and confess His name.
Matthew 16:15-18
29
We are called to the wedding of the Lamb.

Matthew 22:2-3
Calling on the name of the Lord is done from the heart.
2 Timothy 2:22
Calling on the name of the Lord is associated with taking the cup
of salvation, offering sacrifice, and making vows.
Psalms 116:1-19, Isaiah 12:1-6
Calling on the name of the Lord is looking to His name for
salvation. Salvation is in Zion, which is the church.
Joel 2:32, Acts 2:16-21
Calling on the name of the Lord is being sanctified by His blood.
The name that has been given to us to identify us as His covenant
people is Christian.
Acts 11:26
The called are obedient to the faith.
Romans 1:3-6
Being called is being saved.
2 Timothy 1:9, Ephesians 1:17-18, 2 Peter 1:3-11
Calling on the name of the Lord is done when we are baptized in
His name. This is how we wear His name.
Acts 22:16, 1 Corinthians 6:11, Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:38
30
FAITH OR WORKS?
Chapter 5 Faith or Works?

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is
finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.1
What did Jesus mean when He said, “It is finished?” He meant that
His mission was completed. Sin had been paid for. The power of
the grave was gone. The veil that separated sinful man and a Holy
God was removed. The Law was obeyed perfectly and its demands
satisfied. It was fulfilled in Christ and was nailed to the cross with
Him. The final and perfect atoning Sacrifice for sin was offered,
and all men could now freely come to the Father in divine union.
Without the cross none of this would be possible. We would be
forever separated from God by sin; always seeking Him but never
finding Him. Jesus Christ freed us from bondage to sin and death
and finished what we could not do for ourselves. Salvation is free
to all who will accept.
But how do we accept salvation? Does the fact that Jesus did all
the work mean that we do not have to do anything in response to
His gift? My friends, that is what is being widely taught today.
Ministers in pulpits all across the world are shouting that salvation
is free, and if you say that you have to do anything in response to
the free gift then you are trying to save yourself. Please do not fall
for this lie that is straight from Satan. He does not want you to be
saved, and he will masquerade as an angel of light to keep you
from the kingdom of God. The Bible does not teach that we have
no part in our own salvation. It teaches that we are powerless to
save ourselves, but we must still act to receive the free gift. In
other words, we are saved by grace, but we must do what God says
to meet the terms of grace. Grace is a covenant concept. It is given
to those who trust Jesus Christ for salvation and are added to His
body, the church. We must obey God in the covenant conditions
that He has given. Grace cannot be overemphasized in the plan of
salvation. Without it we are hopelessly lost because it is the only
way that we can be covered by the blood of the Redeemer.
1
John 19:30
31
Through grace, my glorious Savior took my sin and my debt and

wrote His Name on my account. Thank You Jesus for doing for me
what I so desperately needed and could never accomplish for
myself! I am completely unworthy of the gift that you have given
me.
Doing something to get a free gift does not mean that you earned it
or even that you thought you earned it. Suppose that I called you
up and said that I have a trillion dollars and it is yours. All you
have to do is come get it. I do not expect you to pay me back
because you can’t pay me back. I do not expect you to earn it
because you could not live long enough or work hard enough to be
paid this amount. This is not a loan. This is not wages. It is a gift.
If I did that I would be showing grace towards you. But you would
still have to come get the gift. Since I am the one giving the gift, I
get to say how, when, where, and why you receive it. Would you
try to claim that driving over to my house to get your gift was
working for it? My guess is that you would be grateful for the
favor, understand that it was unmerited, and be happy to comply
with the conditions which I had set up. My asking you to come get
it changes nothing at all. If you decided that you would just wait
for me to bring it to you, you would not receive anything from me.
If you decided that you could change my instructions on how to get
the money, then you would never hold it in your hand. Salvation is
a free gift but we must come to Jesus to receive it. He has told us
in His word what coming to Him and remaining in Him involves.
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my
presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your
own salvation with fear and trembling.13 For it is God which
worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.14 Do
all things without murmurings and disputings:15 That ye may be
blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the
midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as
lights in the world;16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may
rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither
32
FAITH OR WORKS?
laboured in vain.17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and

service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.2
Note that Paul tells us to work at salvation. Does that mean that we
save ourselves? Of course not; only the perfect blood of Jesus can
save. But it does mean that we must do our part. We must
acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Savior by submitting to His
authority. My friends, you are not calling on the name of the Lord
if you do not do what He has told you to do to wear His name.
Furthermore, you are not calling on His name unless you deny
your will for His. Without submission to His commands
(obedience), you are not acknowledging Jesus Christ as Lord. If
you are not acknowledging Him as Lord, then neither are you
claiming Him as Savior.
Nothing that you do by itself will save you. Baptism does not save
you simply because you got into the water. Baptism alone does not
save. Faith alone does not save you. Obedience alone does not save
you. Only Jesus Christ can save you. Dear friends, it is not your
faith that saves you. It is the faith of Christ.3 That’s right-I said
“the faith of Christ,” not personal “faith in Christ.” I am not saying
that faith in Christ is not necessary because it is. I am saying that
your faith, obedience, and good deeds are involved in salvation but
they are not good enough. Nothing you say, do, think, or feel can
save you without Christ. Your actions and your faith are imperfect
and can only bring you to the Savior. He is perfect. Salvation is
found by being in Christ and thus identified as one flesh with
Christ by means of the blood covenant that He has established with
His church. We are saved by the work and faith of Christ, not our
own. We are saved by the grace that covers the body of Christ. We
are saved by the powerful Name of Christ that identifies us as
fellow heirs with Him. We are saved by grace through faith. Faith
involves our response to Christ. But ultimately it is the perfect faith
and blood of Christ that makes salvation possible. We are saved in
Christ.
2
Philippians 2:12-17
3
Galatians 2:14-16, Romans 3:21, 28, Philippians 3:9
33
Some people find it odd that Jesus Christ had faith, but He did.
Read Hebrews chapter 11 and James chapter 2, and you will see
that faith is not separate from obedience. The role that personal
faith plays is in trusting that God will keep His promises and will
raise the faithful to eternal life. Faith both believes the promises
and follows the commandments of God. It brings us to the Savior.
Therefore, personal faith is very much necessary for salvation as is
obedience. But neither personal faith nor obedience is good enough.
We must be perfect, and that is only possible when Jesus dresses
us in His perfection. Salvation is all about Jesus, not self. Jesus
trusted God and obeyed Him by coming to this earth, fulfilling the
Law of Moses, and suffering the shame of the cross. He is the
author and finisher of our faith4 and is our example of what true
faith is. It endures suffering, is purposeful, is loyal, and is given in
trust.
While personal faith is absolutely necessary, it is not perfect. No
man was ever able to accomplish reconciliation to God because sin
had separated him from the Father. Sinless blood was the only
remedy. The Savior came to this earth and did for us what we
could not do for ourselves. He is the only person who ever had
perfect faith and obedience, 5 and He is the only one who can
cleanse us from our sins. My friends, no matter how good you are
or how perfectly you obey or how many wonderful things you
have done for others, you are still a sinner in need of grace. That
grace is only available in the person of Christ. To be in Christ you
must do what He said to do to enter His kingdom-you must be born
again. Friends, you must obey the instructions that God has given.
Then and only then are you saved by grace. Some try to settle the
controversy of faith vs. works by saying that faith produces works.
While this is true in a sense, obedience is still very much an act of
the will. Either way, neither personal faith nor obedience can save
alone. It is only by being in Christ and being identified with the
righteousness of Christ that we are saved. It is His faith and
obedience, not ours. To say that man saves Himself by personal
faith or by obedience makes man his own savior. If you want His
4
Hebrews 12:2
5
Hebrews 12:2, Hebrews 5:5-9
34
FAITH OR WORKS?
grace, you must be in Him. When you are in Christ, His

righteousness, perfection, inheritance, strength, and rest become
yours. To be in Christ is to be part of His body (kingdom, church).
He is the promised seed of Abraham through whom all the nations
of the world would be blessed.6 We receive the inheritance as
God’s children when we are born again into His family. When we
are in Christ, the Father does not see our imperfection and sin.
Instead, He sees His Son in us. When we are in Christ we are free
from sin because it is all washed away by His blood.
The next few chapters are dedicated to proving the things
mentioned above. The focus of this chapter is to show what faith is
and how it is involved in salvation. The first step is to understand
what our faith is in. Our personal faith is in the blood of Jesus
Christ as having the power to save us from our sins.7Our faith
serves the role of convincing us how hopelessly lost we are
without the grace of God. Furthermore, it causes us to believe the
promises that God has made concerning redemption in His Son.
We respond to the invitation to come to the source of living water,
Jesus Christ, and drink from the wells of salvation.8 Personal faith
is a free-will response; it is a work; it does not save by itself. Faith
brings us to the One who can save, Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
We become children of God by faith in Christ. Here’s the
expression “in Christ” again. This phrase occurs multiple times in
the New Testament. Faith in Christ means so much more than
many people realize. It includes both faith in the blood of Christ
and the state of being in Christ. We cannot inherit eternal life if we
are outside of the body because the covenant promises are for
Christ and His church. Only members of His body are covered by
the blood. If you have not been added to the church, you are not
“in Christ” and are not covered by His blood.
Faith by definition is not just belief; it always has the idea of
faithfulness as its core meaning. Hebrews chapter 11 is an
excellent example of what faith is. Paul presented one quality of
faith in the first verse of this chapter, “Now faith is the substance
6
Galatians 3:16, 29
7
Romans 3:25
8
Isaiah 12:3
35
of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”9 What we

hope for is to receive the promised inheritance that the covenant
guarantees. Faith is substance because it is accepted as already
being accomplished and because it is lived by. Faith is acted upon.
It is not merely belief or knowledge. Abraham believed God
enough to leave his home and move to an unknown land, offer the
son that had been promised, and obey whatever other commands
that God gave him. His obedience and trust earned Abraham the
title “the father of faith.” Look at all the examples of faith that are
mentioned in Hebrews chapter 11 and it becomes clear that faith
includes action; it includes obedience.
To illustrate an important truth about faith, read the passage below.
Faith is not just a feeling or belief; it is something that we do. Faith
must be practiced in the way that God has commanded.
5 And the people spake against God, and against Moses,
Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the
wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and
our soul loatheth this light bread. 6 And the LORD sent fiery
serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much
people of Israel died.7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and
said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and
against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents
from us. And Moses prayed for the people. 8. And the LORD said
unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and
it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh
upon it, shall live. 9. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it
upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any
man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.10
Consider what happened in the above passage. The people were
dying. They realized that they were paying the price for their sin so
they asked Moses to intercede on their behalf. God in His mercy
agreed to give a repentant Israel life. In other words, He showed
grace to them. Note that the grace was conditional. The people of
God had to do something to be saved. They had to look at the
9
Hebrews 11:1
10
Numbers 21:5-9
36
FAITH OR WORKS?
serpent on the pole. They believed that God would save them.
They knew that they had sinned. Recognizing the fact that they
were helpless to save themselves, they went to their intercessor,
Moses, and asked for help from God. Do you see a pattern here?
Hearing the word of God, being sorry for sin, realizing that you
alone can’t fix your relationship with God and that you are a sinner
in need of grace, believing that God will save you (faith), going
through an intercessor to ask for favor from God (Jesus Christ and
the Holy Spirit by means of the cross), and obeying the terms that
God gave to receive His gift of grace. Now, just suppose that the
Israelites had chosen to not look at the pole as God commanded.
What if, instead, they had waited for the shadow of the snake to
fall on them? They would have been rebelling against God by
replacing His commandment with a man-made rule. They would
have done the same thing that the Pharisees did in Jesus’ day
(replaced the commandments of God with the traditions of men).
My friends, they would have done the same thing that we are doing
today. The price for disrespecting God’s conditions of grace would
have been the same price we pay today-death. Grace is given to
those who comply with God’s instructions-it is not given to those
who substitute His commandments with man-made methods of
“calling on the name of the Lord.”
1 Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king
of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to
reign. Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign;
and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's
name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah. 3. And he did that
which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that
David his father did. 4 He removed the high places, and brake the
images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen
serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of
Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.11
What happened here? The Israelites later worshiped the serpent
from the pole. They confused an instrument that had brought
salvation with the Giver of salvation. Instead of worshiping God,
they paid homage to the tools that He had given. Are you
11
2 Kings 18:1-4
37
worshiping your personal faith that is merely a tool for salvation?

If you say that you are saved by faith alone, that is exactly what
you are doing. You have made that tool a god. The same principle
goes for trusting in the water of baptism for salvation. Water by
itself does not save. Do not worship the water; worship the One
who gives life to the water. Faith and water serve the same
function for us that the serpent on the pole did for them. They
demonstrate our belief that God will save us. But please note that
healing was not offered to the Israelites simply because they
believed that God would cure them. They were healed after they
obeyed God. Grace is given when we meet the covenant terms of
grace.
The Apostle Paul’s writings have been misunderstood by many
believers and have resulted in the idea that we are saved by faith
only. That is simply not true. All of the inspired writers taught that
obedience is part of faith. In fact, the only time that you will find
the expression “faith only” is in James chapter 2, “Ye see then how
that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” 12 My
friends, none of the authors of scripture contradicted each other.
They spoke what they heard from the Holy Spirit. That means that
we must accept all that God says, or else we imply that He is
untrustworthy and a liar. God cannot lie. The father of lies is the
devil, so if we believe that the Bible contradicts itself then we are
not listening to God; we are listening to the father of lies. Be very
careful what you believe! God is not the author of confusion, and
He does not lie. If it appears that the Bible contradicts itself, then
the problem is our understanding, not what the Word of God says.
At first glance it might appear that Paul said that works do not save,
and James said that they do. But look closer. The truth is they both
taught that faith and works go hand in hand. Neither one saves
apart from Christ, but faith includes everything that is required to
be in Christ. When you read that faith saves, it is understood that it
is faith in Christ. We go to Him and are found in Him on His terms,
not ours. Jesus revealed His conditions and His plan of salvation in
the Bible. Not once are we commanded to be saved by inviting
Jesus to “come into our hearts.” We must go to Him in the way
12
James 2:24
38
FAITH OR WORKS?
that He told us to. Don’t wait for the serpent’s shadow to fall on
you and don’t set it up as an object of worship. Faith involves
being in covenant with Christ, not merely belief in Christ while
remaining outside His body.
Salvation cannot be by faith only. The expression “faith only”
excludes everything else but faith. That includes grace, the blood
of Christ, repentance, obedience, baptism etc. Some who say that
we are redeemed by faith alone propose that repentance, obedience,
and baptism are excluded from salvation because they are works,
but that grace and the blood of Christ are included in salvation.
This thought process is not logical. Faith is not grace, nor is it the
blood of Jesus. Salvation cannot be both by faith alone and by
grace alone. The word “alone” by definition means that only one
thing can be involved. Is it by faith alone, grace alone, or the blood
of Jesus alone? Obviously salvation is by grace, faith, and the
blood of Jesus. Additionally, it is by obedience to the covenant
conditions. But remember that our basis for justification in the end
is not by anything we have done, it is by the faith of Christ. Our
faith and obedience serve the role of keeping us in covenant as
God’s people. The blood of the Covenant saves us.
Paul did say that law was separate from faith. However we need to
understand what Paul’s purpose in writing was and what law he
was talking about. What did Paul really say? First let me say that
the book of Romans in no way teaches that we do not have to obey.
In the first and last chapters of the epistle to the Romans Paul talks
about obedience to the faith.13 Faith is to be obeyed. To Paul faith
meant an obedient faith. Also note that he said “the faith.” That
tells me that Paul is talking about a system of belief. My friends,
this is a big clue in solving the confusion over the so called conflict
between James and Paul. Paul is not talking about personal faith vs.
obedience. He is talking about Christianity vs. Judaism. Don’t get
me wrong. Works do not save apart from Christ and we must
believe Christ and trust Him to save us. We cannot please God if
we do not believe Him. Paul did emphasize that truth. But his
purpose in his comparison of faith and works was to contrast the
Law of Moses with the Law of Christ, not to say that we are saved
13
Romans 1:5
39
by faith alone. Think about it. If the only requirement for salvation
is to believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that He took our
punishment for sin, then the only people who are lost are those
who do not believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
Most of us do understand that belief has to produce repentance. If
faith must lead to repentance, then are we saved by faith only?
Don’t we also have a part in salvation? Our part is very much
necessary, but remember that all men sin and we need a Savior.
We are without hope and completely powerless to be justified in
the sight of God without the atoning work of Christ. Christ saves
but we must respond to grace by acting on it in obedience.
Do you know why the Law of Moses was inferior to the Law of
Christ? It was not because people under it had a set of rules to obey.
It was not because nobody had a heart for God. David was a man
after God’s own heart. Faith existed under the Law. Even grace
existed under the Law. But it did not see its actual fulfillment until
Jesus died on the cross. His atoning sacrifice supplied the grace
that the Israelites looked forward to by faith. My friends, the
problem with the Law was not rule-keeping. It was an attitude of
rule keeping without a heart for God. It was men who were proud
of their chosen status and who thought that they were good
because they had the Law. Many deluded themselves into thinking
that they were even following the Law. They were trusting in
themselves not in God. They were so proud of their status and their
rules that they forgot God and made up their own rules. They then
valued their man-made traditions over God’s Law. They made the
Law all about form and rule-keeping. They forgot about faith,
grace, and mercy. The Law was good but it was misunderstood,
misapplied, and corrupted by men who forgot God.The biggest
problem with the Law was that animal sacrifices were a temporary
solution that could cover but not remove sin. Only the blood of
Jesus could erase sin.The Law of Moses looked forward by faith to
the cross. The Law of Faith is grace realized.
We are all forgiven by the blood of Jesus and have the indwelling
Spirit. We are not under a legalistic system with strict rules and
observances as they were under the Law of Moses. We are not
subject to a Law that we could never meet the demands of. But
40
FAITH OR WORKS?
make no mistake, we are under a Law-the Law of Christ. The

command for obedience and holiness has never been removed. The
demand for perfection has never been removed. It is still
impossible to be perfectly obedient, but the New Covenant does
what the Old Covenant could only look forward to. It unites us
with Christ and dresses us in His perfection and holiness. We now
have the indwelling Spirit to transform our hearts. We have the
blood of Christ which says we are perfect. We have the Spirit who
says we are Holy. We have the Father who calls us children. The
age of the church is far superior to the age of the Law and the
prophets, but grace is still given only within the context of
covenant. A covenant is a contract with terms to follow. Grace is
conditional. If it were not, no person would be lost.
The purpose of the book of Romans is not to say that we are saved
by faith apart from obedience. It is to show that we are saved by
being in Christ, by professing Christ-not Moses, and by placing
faith in the blood of Jesus. The problem that Paul was trying to
correct was that Judaizers were coming in and telling Gentile
Christians that they had to keep the Law of Moses, be circumcised,
and believe in Christ to be saved. In essence, they were trying to
combine the Jewish and Christian belief systems. Read the entire
book of Romans with this basic understanding in mind. Pay
particular attention to how Paul says we are saved and note that he
does say that we have to obey Christ. The book of Romans is not
about faith vs. obedience to Christ. It is about obedience to the
Law of Moses (works) compared to being in Christ (faith). Paul
taught that salvation is by grace and is only found in Christ but that
we are not in Christ if we do not obey Him. Obedience cannot save
anyone, but disobedience breaks the covenant with Christ. 1 Peter
2:7 shows us that the disobedient are counted as unbelievers. The
Law of Moses could not save apart from the blood of Jesus any
more than obedience to Christ can today. We keep the covenant by
obedience to the law of Christ, but the blood of Christ is the only
hope we have for justification. It is not our end of the covenant
agreement that saves. It is God’s end. We follow the terms. He
gives the blessings. Are you confused? I am saying that you have
to meet certain conditions but they do not save you. To many,
saying that grace is conditional means that it must be earned. That
41
is absolutely not the case. Salvation cannot be earned because the

price is sinless blood. Do you know anyone other than Jesus Christ
who fits those qualifications? Salvation can only be by grace. If
obedience were considered to be working for salvation, consider
this. Employees are paid to do a job. If they do not accomplish the
employer’s goals, they lose their jobs. We could not do the job
when it comes to salvation because no man can be sinless. Yet
salvation has been given to us. Salvation is not a wage paid for
work performed. When we commit that one sin our employment
would be terminated. Salvation cannot be earned. Therefore, it is a
gift from God. Salvation is a gift that is given to God’s children; it
is a gift to people who love Him and have a personal relationship
with Him. It is a gift that is only offered to those who are in Christ,
in His kingdom, citizens under His rule. Jesus said that if we love
Him we will keep His commandments.14 He also called faith a
work15 and said that He will judge us by our obedience.16It really is
that simple. Only Jesus Christ can save. He does that through His
blood that He sprinkles His church with, the body whom He is in
covenant with. Jesus has not promised to save anyone who is not in
His church. Obedience to His commandments is how we prove that
we love the Savior. Faith that is acted on is how we enter into and
remain in covenant with Him. Remember that obedience does not
make us righteous; the blood of Jesus does. However, the saving
blood does not cover anyone who will not deny self and submit to
Him as Lord and Savior.
That being said, I would like to point out that an attitude of rule-
keeping can be just as destructive as is thinking that God will
extend grace to someone who will not obey Him. Never forget that
we are saved by grace and not by our own effort. Obedience
should come from the heart. As a matter of fact, obedience comes
out of being changed by the Holy Spirit; it can’t come from will
power alone. My friends, you do not have the ability to please God
or to obey Him unless the Spirit is inside you and is cutting the
diseased areas out of your heart. Salvation is about relationship.
14
John 14:15
15
John 6:28-29
16
1 John 2:1-5, Matthew chapter 25, Revelation 22:12, 2 Corinthians 5:9-10
42
FAITH OR WORKS?
Our God is a personal God and He wants one-on-one time with

you. He loves you deeply, and He wants you to return that love.
You cannot please God or even obey Him for very long unless you
love Him with all your heart, soul, and mind. The secret is to spend
time with God, focus on the relationship, and let Him have His
way with you. He will transform you into the image of His Son,
and He will cleanse you from all sin by the perfect blood of Jesus
Christ. He will convict your hearts when you are wrong, and He
will help you follow the path that He has set for you. The blood of
the Redeemer covers all sins and weaknesses of His people.17 Yes
my friends, salvation requires submission, but it is all about grace.
I have heard it said that the words of the inspired writers depended
on whom they were talking to. In other words, Jews and Gentiles
were taught a different gospel. Jews had to obey but Gentiles only
had to accept the grace that was offered to them. My friends, that
teaching is horribly false and destructive. We are one body in
Christ no matter what race we belong to.18 How can it be said that
we are one body if we have different rules and methods of
salvation? The blood of Jesus Christ is given by grace and it is the
only thing that ever has or ever will save anyone. The precious,
cleansing blood of the Lamb covers all who are in covenant with
Him.
In Romans chapter 3, Paul is still continuing to show that the Law
of Moses is powerless to save. You can see this from the very first
verse of the chapter. “What advantage then hath the Jew? or what
profit is there of circumcision?” Look at verses 20-31, especially at
verse 27. The Law of Moses is contrasted with the Law of faith.
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be
justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.21 But
now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being
witnessed by the law and the prophets;22 Even the righteousness
of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them
that believe: for there is no difference:23 For all have sinned, and
come short of the glory of God;24 Being justified freely by his
17
1 John 1:7
18
1 Corinthians 7:19, Romans 10:12, Galatians 3:28
43
grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:25 Whom God

hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to
declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past,
through the forbearance of God;26 To declare, I say, at this time
his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him
which believeth in Jesus.27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded.
By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.28 Therefore
we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the
law.29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the
Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:30 Seeing it is one God, which
shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through
faith.31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid:
yea, we establish the law.19
The only way that there has ever been of being saved is by the
sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. He paid the price for sin once
for all time, but He did not pay for the sins of all mankind. If His
grace was for all men, then salvation would be universal. Jesus
paid for the sins of all believers who are in a covenant relationship
with Him, not those who reject His gift and persist in unbelief.
Romans chapter 5 continues to show that we cannot be justified by
the Law of Moses. To prove his point, Paul talked about how
Abraham was justified by faith long before the Law of Moses and
before his circumcision. The Jews thought that circumcision was a
magic ticket to Heaven regardless of their heart or their actions.
Paul corrected them, telling them that Abraham received a
covenant relationship with God before he was circumcised. So
neither circumcision (Jew) nor uncircumcision (Gentile) meant
anything. The only justification for sin was found in Jesus Christ
Himself. My friends, this chapter is not saying that we are saved by
faith alone (at least, not as faith is commonly understood). It is
saying that we are saved by grace through faith when we are
trusting Christ for salvation. Faith includes everything that is
involved in being in Christ. We are saved by faith. We are saved in
Christ. Never did Paul say that obedience was not necessary. He
said that it can’t justify. As a matter of fact, if we are not walking
in line with what Christ asks of us, we do not have fellowship with
19
Romans 3:20-31
44
FAITH OR WORKS?
Him. In other words, we are outside of Christ, outside of His

saving blood, and lost.20
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and
shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead,
thou shalt be saved.10 For with the heart man believeth unto
righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto
salvation.11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him
shall not be ashamed.12 For there is no difference between the Jew
and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call
upon him.13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord
shall be saved.21
The above verses have been used to deny that anything besides
faith is necessary. However, that view is a misapplication of
Scripture. Confessing and believing from the heart are part of
“calling on the name of the Lord.” Additionally, baptism is part of
calling on the name of the Lord (see chapter 6 for explanation).
Remember that calling on the name of the Lord is a covenant
concept that involves sacrifice. We call on His sacrifice for
salvation, but we must deny self and be identified with Christ in
covenant as we call on His name.
It is said that since we are saved by grace there is nothing that we
can do to be saved. While it is true that we can’t save ourselves, it
is not true that we have nothing to do with our salvation. My
friends, a work is anything that the believer does in response to the
invitation of Jesus to come to Him and rest. It is anything that is
done freely without coercion. Since God has given us free will we
are not forced to believe nor to obey. Faith is just as much of a
choice as obedience is. God calls us to faith, but He does not make
us believe. Grace is anything that God does for man to accomplish
salvation. Work is any response from man in accepting the free gift
of grace. Every single response from man falls under the term
“work.” Works do not save. Grace does. It saves by our union with
Christ and the symbolic reception of His faith, obedience,
perfection, and blood. Grace saves by the indwelling Spirit who
20
John 1:7
21
Romans 10:9-13
45
renews us and transforms us.22 In other words; obedience is the

result of the spiritual fruit that is produced by the sanctifying work
of the Holy Spirit. Works are evidence that we are being
transformed. Works, however, are still a choice. We can resist the
Spirit and be unfruitful. If we quench the Spirit and remain
unfruitful, we will lose our covenant relationship with God in
Christ.
Friends, remember that God’s Word is the only thing that we
should listen to. He is the author of His Word. It is accurate; it does
not contradict itself because God cannot lie. Do not take the word
of anyone without examining it with what God says. By all means,
I invite you, even ask you to study your Bible and see if I have
presented the truth. Keep in mind that Scripture can’t be isolated. It
fits together perfectly when it is looked at as a whole. For example:
This verse says to believe and be saved. That verse says that the
blood of Jesus washes away sins. Another verse says that baptism
washes away sins. Other verses say that we will be judged by our
works while still others say that works cannot justify. If you isolate
verses to understand them, it seems that one verse contradicts
another. Therefore, the natural impulse is to pick and choose what
to believe. Beware! That impulse will get you in trouble! It must
all fit together. We really only have two choices. Either, we believe
all of God’s word or we believe none of it. What I am writing in
this book holds that faith and works do not contradict each other.
Grace is conditioned on the recipient’s response. That response
must include all that the Bible reveals as necessary for salvation.
We either believe God completely or we do not believe. Take Him
at His word. If He said something saves, then you can bet it does.
The solution to the mystery is that the blood of Jesus set up a
covenant with His church. It saves by grace. But grace is
conditional. Faith, obedience, repentance, confession, baptism, and
faithfulness have all been given as conditions for salvation. God
said it. That’s enough for me. How about you?
Personal Encounter with Grace
22
1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:11, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 Peter 4:14,
Ephesians 2:20-22, Ephesians 5:18-20, Ezekiel 36:26-27, John 3:3-5, Romans
8:9, Titus 3:4-8
46
FAITH OR WORKS?
I’ve called myself a Christian all my life. I got a Bible for my tenth
birthday and had read it through by the time my eleventh birthday
came around. Since then, I have read it through many times. I
knew the difference between right and wrong. And oh how I tried
to be good! Of course, I failed time and time again. Do you know
what I did when I failed? I said, “If I can’t be good enough, I just
won’t try at all.” Then I would stop trying to please God, stop
going to church, and just live like I wanted to. I was miserable and
longed to return to God. But I knew that if I did, I would just mess
up again. My friends, God was calling me throughout all of this.
For the most part I ignored the call. Occasionally, I would return to
Him only to fall away again. I never could figure out why I could
not get it right. Have you been there? I am sure that many of you
can identify with my struggle.
At the age of 40, I lost my job. My husband and I were devastated.
A two income family had now become a one income family. We
had no idea how we would pay our bills. Our future looked very
bleak. Keep in mind that this crisis did not happen at a time when I
was unfaithful. If you asked me, I would have told you that I was a
good Christian. I just did not have a clue!
Friends, I felt like God had abandoned me. I kept trying to figure
out what I had done wrong. Where was God when I needed Him?
Let me tell you-what I thought was the end of the world was the
best thing that ever happened to me. For the first time in my life, I
actually sought God-really searched for Him with all my heart. I
knew my Bible-I had studied it. But I never read it with the goal of
finding God. I knew that my quest to find God began with His
Word. All of my life, I had read the Bible as if it were a textbook. I
prided myself on my knowledge. I had plenty of head knowledge
and very little heart knowledge.
I prayed for God to open my eyes as I read and to let me see what I
needed to see. I meditated on His Word. I gloried in His promises.
I read Christian books and articles. I listened to Christian songs. In
no time at all, my sense of hopelessness disappeared. My anxiety
ran for the hills. My heart sang a new song and my faith reached
for the skies. Dear friends, my head knowledge was turned into
heart knowledge because I sought God by faith and not by works. I
47
learned that the secret to faithfulness is all in the relationship. It’s

about knowing God and being filled with the Holy Spirit.
Willpower does not produce spiritual fruit. Obedience may be
possible for a short time on your own strength, but you will burn
out. Friends, obedience is absolutely necessary, but it is fully
accomplished by a change of the heart-not the will. God changes
you when you surrender your heart! I fell totally and irrevocably in
love with the One who redeemed my soul. At the age of 40, life
began!
Prayer
LORD, please help all people everywhere to understand that we
cannot earn our way to heaven. Help us to also understand that
good works and obedience come from faith, love, and gratitude for
our free salvation. Help us to see that good works are evidence that
we have been saved and are being renewed by the Holy Spirit.
Help us to see that if no changes took place in our lives after we
were saved, then we need to commit our lives more fully to you
and allow you to rein in our hearts. Help us to not resist the Holy
Spirit’s leading. Let us fully grasp the concept of grace. Help us to
see and understand. Let us be filled with the Holy Spirit, and let
Your love overflow from our hearts toward everyone we meet. In
Jesus Name I pray, Amen.
48
FAITH OR WORKS?
For Further Study

Faith is a work.
1 Thessalonians 1:3, 2 Thessalonians 1:11, 1 Timothy 6:12
Faith without works is dead. James 2:14-26
If we act like the world, we are the world. The world is controlled
by Satan and is the enemy of God.
James 4:4
What we have faith in is the name and blood of Jesus.
Romans 3:25
“Faith” often means the faith of Christ (Christianity).
Colossians 1:21-23
We receive the Holy Spirit after we believe.
Ephesians 1:12-14
We are justified by the faith of Christ and not by works of the law.
It is His faith that justifies, not ours.
Galatians 2:14-16, Romans 3:21, 28, Philippians 3:9
Faith vs. works
Galatians 2:14-16, Galatians chapter 3, James chapter 2
Justification by faith came before the law of Moses.
Galatians chapter 3
Jesus Christ is the seed of Abraham that the promises were given
to. We only receive the inheritance as heirs in Christ.
Galatians 3:16, 29
The purpose of the Law was to bring us to Christ.
Galatians 3:24
Faith in Christ makes us children of God.
49
Galatians 3:26
Faith in Christ means being baptized into Him so that His
righteousness can become ours.
Galatians 3:26
Righteousness comes by faith in Christ. Faith in Christ means
having His faith by being in Him.
Galatians 3:1-8, Philippians 3:9, Romans 3:21-31
Faith works by love.
Galatians 5:6
We are a new creation in Christ.
Galatians 6:12-16
Faith is substance.
Hebrews 11:1
Faith is knowing that God created all things, both seen and unseen.
Hebrews 11:1-3
Faith includes obedience. Faith can exist without works, but it is
useless. Even demons believe.
James chapter 2, Hebrews 11:4, 7, 8, 17, 28, 30-35, Acts 6:7
Faith believes God’s promises.
Hebrews 11:6, 30
Righteousness that comes by faith includes obedience.
Hebrews 11:7
Faith strengthens us.
Hebrews 11:11
Faith looks to Heaven and not to this world.
Hebrews 11:14-16
Faith asks that God be your highest priority, understanding that He
will reward self-sacrifice.
50
FAITH OR WORKS?
Hebrews 11:17, 24-25

Faith allows us to achieve the impossible.
Hebrews 11:29
Jesus had faith and was obedient.
Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith.
Hebrews 12:2
Judgment, mercy, and faith are more important than rule-keeping.
However, obedience is still a requirement.
Matthew 23:23
The Law of Moses was not voided by Christ; it was established or
fulfilled by Him. Jesus became every sacrifice, feast, and
observance of the Law of Moses. Therefore, we fulfill the Law by
being in Him. Its requirements have been met and the Law of
Moses has no power over of us.
Romans 3:31, Matthew 5:17
Perfection is in Christ.
Philippians 3:15, Colossians 1:28
As long as we live a life dedicated to obedience, the blood of
Christ cleanses us.
1 John 1:6-7
Obedience is necessary for salvation. We will be judged according
to our works.
1 Corinthians 7:19, 2 Corinthians 5:9-10, 1 Peter 1:14-23, James
1:22-25, Revelation 20:12-13
We do not love Christ if we do not obey Him.
1 John 2:1-5
We are not in Christ if we do not obey Him.
1 John 2:1-5, 1 John 3:1-24, Acts 10:34-35, Galatians 6:2-10
51
Disobedience is the equivalent of unbelief.

1 Peter 2:7
Grace is given to those who will humble themselves and submit to
Christ.
James 4:4-7
52
CHAPTER 6 BAPTISM INTO THE NAME OF CHRIST
Chapter 6 Baptism into the Name of Christ

Baptism is a highly debated subject. Some say baptism can’t save
because only the blood of Jesus saves. Their position is that water
can’t save. They are right. Water in and of itself does not have any
justifying power. It is the blood of Jesus that cleanses us. But if
baptism is our connection to the blood of Jesus, then both baptism
and the blood of Jesus save. The Bible does say that both wash
away sins.1 Before saying that the Bible is wrong, my guess would
be that baptism and the blood of Jesus are connected to each other,
and that we are reconciled by the blood of Jesus when we are
baptized into Him. In other words, baptism places us in Christ. The
New Testament writers spoke of grace in Christ, peace in Christ,
reconciliation in Christ, etc. Salvation is not from Christ; it is in
Christ. The way that we are in Christ is by being added to His body
by baptism. The Bible does not reveal any other way to be added to
the church.
Another argument against baptism is that we are saved by grace
and baptism is a work. Remember that any response from man is a
work; any gift from God is grace. Unless God forces you to believe
in Him (He gave us free will), your faith is your response and
therefore is a work. Baptism is admittedly a work, but it is not a
work of human righteousness. We believe in the name of Christ.
We repent of our sins. We submit to being immersed. We walk to
the baptistry. The person baptizing us works by immersing us in
water. But the saving work in baptism is done by the Holy Spirit.2
Grace is salvation that is accomplished by God. If the Holy Spirit
baptizes, then baptism falls under the category of being saved by
grace.
It has also been argued that baptism does not refer to water baptism
but to Holy Spirit baptism. The questions to answer in resolving
this issue are: 1) What do specific examples of baptism tell us? 2)
1
Mark 16:16, 1 Peter 3:20-21, Acts 2:38-41, Colossians 2:12-14, Matthew
26:28
2
Titus 3:5-7
53
How are we baptized with the Holy Spirit?, and 3) What is our part
in baptism?
To begin with, let’s look at the baptism of Jesus Christ.
13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be
baptized of him.14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be
baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?15 And Jesus answering
said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to
fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.16 And Jesus, when
he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the
heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God
descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:17 And lo a voice
from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well
pleased.3
9 And it came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth
of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.10 And straightway
coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the
Spirit like a dove descending upon him:11 And there came a voice
from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well
pleased.12 And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the
wilderness.13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days,
tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels
ministered unto him.4
Many have wondered why Jesus was baptized. I have a few ideas
that I would like to share with you. Keep in mind that I am
presenting them as my opinions not established fact. The only
reason that the Bible gives for the baptism of Jesus is “to fulfill all
righteousness.” However, the context of priesthood and
righteousness as revealed in Scripture does support my opinion.1)
Jesus was being anointed as our high priest.5 Remember that He
was born and died under the Law.6 Under the Mosaic Law, priests
went through a sanctification process before they were allowed to
3
Matthew 3:13-17
4
Mark 1:9-13
5
Hebrews 5:5-6
6
Galatians 4:4-5
54
don their priestly robes.7 Washing was included in the ceremony.

Washing was not baptism as we know it today, but the Law of
Moses was a pattern for the Law of Christ. One might object that
Jesus was not of the Levitical priesthood. While that is true, Jesus
did not have to be. He had an eternal priesthood which went into
full effect with His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension into
Heaven with His blood offering. 2) Jesus was baptized as an
example of what God wants us to do. The Holy Spirit descended
from Heaven and stayed with Christ after He came up out of the
water. Also, God announced publicly that Jesus was His Son and
that He was pleased with Him. 3) Jesus told John that He was
being baptized to fulfill all righteousness. He was showing that He
would fulfill the Law of Moses by becoming our eternal high priest.
He was fulfilling all righteousness by obeying God. Additionally
Jesus fulfills righteousness for those who are baptized into Him by
clothing every member of His body with His righteousness (our
wedding garment). We put on the robes that Christ has given us
and are dressed in His righteousness.8 4) The Spirit descended on
Jesus at His baptism to show that we also receive the gift of the
Holy Spirit when we are baptized. 5) The final point from the
baptism of Jesus is that we also are declared to be children of God
when we are baptized into Him.9
The ushering in of the kingdom of God on Pentecost as portrayed
in Acts chapter 2 is one of the best instructions on baptism. In fact,
we can learn so much about the subject by looking at all the
conversions given in this wonderful book.
16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;17 And it
shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my
Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall
prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men
shall dream dreams:18 And on my servants and on my
handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they
shall prophesy:19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and
signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of
7
Leviticus 8:1-12
8
Revelation 19:7-9, Galatians 3:26-27
9
Galatians 3:26-28
55
smoke:20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into
blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:21 And
it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the
Lord shall be saved.22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of
Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and
wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye
yourselves also know:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate
counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked
hands have crucified and slain:24 Whom God hath raised up,
having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that
he should be holden of it.25 For David speaketh concerning him, I
foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand,
that I should not be moved:26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and
my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:27
Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer
thine Holy One to see corruption.28 Thou hast made known to me
the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy
countenance.29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of
the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his
sepulchre is with us unto this day.30 Therefore being a prophet,
and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the
fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to
sit on his throne;31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection
of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see
corruption.32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are
witnesses. 33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted,
and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost,
he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.34 For David is
not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD
said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,35 Until I make thy
foes thy footstool.36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know
assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have
crucified, both Lord and Christ.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
56
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.41 Then they that gladly received his word were
baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about
three thousand souls.42 And they continued stedfastly in the
apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in
prayers.43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and
signs were done by the apostles.44 And all that believed were
together, and had all things common;45 And sold their possessions
and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.46
And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and
breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with
gladness and singleness of heart,47 Praising God, and having
favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily
such as should be saved.10
In verse 37, we see that belief and conviction of guilt had already
occurred, but the people were not saved yet. The guilt-ridden
sinners wanted their sin taken away, so they asked the apostles
what to do. They were asking in a sense, “How can I become right
with God?” Peter, who had the keys to the kingdom and opened up
knowledge of the way to enter the church, replied, “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.
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.” In
verses 40-41 we can see that baptism was both the result of
receiving the gospel and the means of being added to the body of
Christ.
Also note what is not done in this first example of baptism in the
name of Jesus. When the people asked what they needed to do to
be saved, Peter did not respond with, “Just admit you are a sinner
in need of grace, turn from your sins, and ask the Holy Spirit to
come into your heart.” Neither did he say, “Do? There is nothing
you can do to be saved! If you believe you have to do something,
you are denying grace and need to ask God to forgive you.” What
10
Acts 2:16-47
57
Peter did say was “repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus
Christ and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Do you see
a connection here, water baptism and the Holy Spirit? Could this
be what being born of water and the Spirit is? 11
67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and
prophesied , saying , 68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he
hath visited and redeemed his people , 69 And hath raised up an
horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; 70 As he
spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the
world began: 71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and
from the hand of all that hate us; 72 To perform the mercy
promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; 73
The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, 74 That he would
grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our
enemies might serve him without fear, 75 In holiness and
righteousness before him, all the days of our life. 76 And thou,
child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go
before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; 77 To give
knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their
sins, 78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the
dayspring from on high hath visited us, 79 To give light to them
that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet
into the way of peace.12
Look at what these verses are saying. John the Baptist would give
knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins. The prophet is
known for teaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of
sins. He is also known for pointing the way to the Messiah and His
kingdom. You see that his knowledge of salvation included
repentance, baptism, and the kingdom of Christ. Peter confirmed
the purpose of baptism in Acts 2:38. Repentant sinners turn to
Jesus and are baptized into the kingdom. Note that baptism after
Pentecost was not exactly the same as John’s baptism, but both
involved repentance and remission of sins. John’s baptism looked
forward to the cross which made forgiveness possible. Pentecost
11
John 1:11-13, John 3:1-6
12
Luke 1:67-79
58
looked back to the cross and involved baptism into the name of
Christ. Baptism after Pentecost brought the gift of the Holy Spirit.
1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against
the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,2 And desired of
him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of
this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them
bound unto Jerusalem.3 And as he journeyed, he came near
Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light
from heaven:4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying
unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?5 And he said, Who
art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou
persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.6 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.7 And the men which journeyed
with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.8
And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he
saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into
Damascus.9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did
eat nor drink.10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus,
named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And
he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.11 And the Lord said unto him,
Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire
in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he
prayeth,12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming
in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.13
Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man,
how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:14 And here
he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy
name.15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a
chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and
kings, and the children of Israel:16 For I will shew him how great
things he must suffer for my name's sake.17 And Ananias went his
way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said,
Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the
way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy
sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.18 And immediately there
59
fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight
forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.13
5 As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of
the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren,
and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto
Jerusalem, for to be punished.6 And it came to pass, that, as I
made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon,
suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.7
And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul,
Saul, why persecutest thou me?8 And I answered, Who art thou,
Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou
persecutest.9 And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and
were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to
me.10 And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto
me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of
all things which are appointed for thee to do.11 And when I could
not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them
that were with me, I came into Damascus.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.14
Look at verse 16. Paul was told to arise and be baptized and wash
away his sins. The apostle believed the moment he heard the voice
from Heaven, but he was not saved yet. His sins were still there
until they were washed away. Paul was repentant before his sins
were removed. He fasted and prayed for three days as he waited to
be told what to do. Paul was a believing and penitent sinner still in
his sins. He called on God for three days as he waited but he was
not saved yet. Can you see that calling on God in prayer is not the
13
Acts 9:1-18
14
Acts 22:5-16
60
same thing as calling on the name of the Lord? By putting the two
passages of scripture above together, we can see that baptism was
the occasion in which Paul’s sins were removed and he was filled
with the Holy Spirit. Remember in Acts 2:38, the gift of the Holy
Spirit is connected with baptism? Look at verse 18. Paul arose as
soon as he could see and was baptized. The controversy over
whether one is saved when he believes or when he is baptized did
not arise in the early church period because baptism was always an
immediate response to belief. There was no separation of the two.
Verse 16 shows that calling on the name of the Lord is done in
baptism. Even our beloved apostle Paul could not substitute
praying and repenting for baptism. Doesn’t it seem odd that so
many people today think that they can do what Paul could not do?
26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and
go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem
unto Gaza, which is desert.27 And he arose and went: and, behold,
a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace
queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure,
and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,28 Was returning, and
sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.29 Then the Spirit
said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.30 And
Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias,
and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?31 And he said,
How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired
Philip that he would come up and sit with him.32 The place of the
scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the
slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he
not his mouth:33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away:
and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the
earth.34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of
whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other
man?35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same
scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.36 And as they went on
their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said,
See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?37 And
Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And
he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of
God.38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they
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went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he
baptized him.15
Phillip preached Jesus to the eunuch. Apparently baptism was part
of the basic instruction about the Savior since the eunuch asked to
be baptized. Believing with all the heart was a prerequisite for
baptism and immersion in water was the method.
29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling,
and fell down before Paul and Silas,30 And brought them out, and
said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?31 And they said, Believe on
the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.32
And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were
in his house.33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and
washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his,
straightway.16
The answer to the question, “what must I do to be saved?” was to
believe. Did that exclude baptism or is it included in the idea of
belief? Isolating single verses and ignoring other verses on the
same topic leads to misunderstanding and false teaching. Belief
should be understood to include other concepts revealed about
salvation. Since baptism has been shown to wash away sins, and
the jailer and his household were baptized, it seems that belief
included baptism. It is clear from the study of the book of Acts that
belief and being baptized in the name of Jesus go together. So why
now have we divorced baptism from the plan of salvation? Instead
of being part of the plan, it has become a good idea, yet all the
same merely a symbol. Baptism has become a nice gesture but not
something necessary for salvation. Not only is this false teaching
being shouted in churches all across the world, it is also being
taught that believers who teach that baptism is necessary do not
know what grace is and need to pray to God to deliver their souls
from Satan. May the grace of God open blinded eyes!
Let’s look at the logic behind isolating scripture and coming up
with a doctrine. Do you read other material in the same way?
Suppose that I am writing a journal. On January 1, I write that I
15
Acts 8:26-38
16
Acts 16:29-33
62
love my husband. On February 16, I write that I love my daughter.

In later entries, I mention that I love my son, my sisters, my
brothers, my parents, grandparents, and my grandchildren. Does
the fact that I do not mention them all together change anything?
No, you understand to put everything I write together to get a
complete picture. You understand that I love all the members of
my family, right? Why are we not using this basic rule of reading
comprehension when it comes to interpreting scripture?
Now we get to the story of Cornelius and his conversion. A little
background information is needed to understand why the
conversion of Cornelius was different. Cornelius was a Gentile,
and Jews did not associate with Gentiles. They certainly did not
accept that a Gentile could be saved without becoming a proselyte
(convert to Judaism) first. This mode of thinking was still
prevalent in even the apostles’ minds, so much so that God sent
Peter a vision to show that he had accepted the Gentiles. The story
is found in Acts chapters 10-11 and is such an important example
that it should be read completely and slowly.
1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a
centurion of the band called the Italian band,2 A devout man, and
one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to
the people, and prayed to God alway.3 He saw in a vision
evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming
in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.4 And when he looked on
him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto
him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial
before God.5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon,
whose surname is Peter:6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner,
whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou
oughtest to do.17
25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down
at his feet, and worshipped him.26 But Peter took him up, saying,
Stand up; I myself also am a man.27 And as he talked with him, he
went in, and found many that were come together.28 And he said
unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that
17
Acts 10:1-6
63
is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but

God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or
unclean.29 Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon
as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for
me?30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this
hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a
man stood before me in bright clothing,31 And said, Cornelius, thy
prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the
sight of God.32 Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon,
whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a
tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto
thee.33 Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well
done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present
before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.34
Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that
God is no respecter of persons:35 But in every nation he that
feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.18
44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all
them which heard the word.45 And they of the circumcision which
believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because
that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy
Ghost.46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify
God. Then answered Peter,47 Can any man forbid water, that
these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost
as well as we?48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the
name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.19
12 And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting.
Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into
the man's house:13 And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in
his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and
call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;14 Who shall tell thee
words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.15 And as I
began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the
beginning.16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he
said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized
18
Acts 10:25-35
19
Acts 10:44-48
64
with the Holy Ghost.17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like
gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what
was I, that I could withstand God?18 When they heard these things,
they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God
also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.20
In Acts chapter 11, Peter recounted his experience with Cornelius.
He stated that he had been summoned to go tell the centurion and
his household how to be saved (see verse 14). Peter went on to say
that when he began to preach to these first Gentile converts, the
Holy Spirit fell on them just like He had at the beginning. Now
what was Peter talking about? For one thing he was saying that this
was not a typical case of conversion. What did Peter mean by,
“And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at
the beginning.16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how
that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be
baptized with the Holy Ghost?“Look at Acts chapter 2 which tells
how the Holy Spirit fell on the apostles and gave them the ability
to speak in tongues. This baptism of the Holy Spirit is the same
thing that happened to Cornelius. And it was for the same reason.
The church began on Pentecost.21 There were only a few disciples
of Jesus at that time. The general consensus was that Jesus Christ
was dead and buried and that He had not been the Messiah, else He
would not have been crucified. The Jews had expected Him to
come and powerfully set up an earthly kingdom that would never
end. What they got was a meek, poor carpenter with no political
ambition. Jesus was dead and the kingdom had not been
established. Life went on as usual. Not realizing that they had
killed Him, the Jews still waited for their Messiah. So the Holy
Spirit fell on the apostles as proof that the kingdom had come, that
Jesus was the Son of God, and that He was reigning from Heaven.
Three thousand people believed, were baptized, and were added to
the church. The church grew daily but it was still made up of Jews
only. No one had any idea that God meant to offer salvation to the
Gentiles also. Therefore, the Holy Spirit fell on the Gentiles to
confirm the message of salvation for Gentiles also. Their entrance
20
Acts 11:12-18
21
Acts chapter 2
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into the kingdom was confirmed by the baptism of the Holy Spirit
just as the arrival of the kingdom was confirmed on Pentecost.
This occurrence is not an example of salvation without baptism. If
being filled with the Holy Spirit was all that was necessary, why
did Peter then require that the first Gentile converts be baptized in
the name of the Lord? They had received the baptism of the Holy
Spirit but they had not been baptized into the name of Christ. Their
conversion was not complete until they had been born both of
water and the Spirit.22 The fact that Peter knew that the Gentiles
had been filled with the Holy Spirit but still asked for them to be
baptized proves that baptism is required for all. We are baptized
into the name of Christ.23Baptism removes all former sins.24 Then
we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit who sanctifies us and begins
a lifelong process of regeneration in our hearts. As long as we walk
in Christ, His blood continues to remove all sin.25 Holy Spirit
baptism does not replace water baptism. The Holy Spirit fills us26
(baptizes us) after we have submitted to Jesus and have resolved to
wear His name and to lose all self-identity by being baptized in
water in the name of Jesus Christ. We bury our old identity with its
body of sin and are raised to live in Christ and to walk as He did.27
We are dead to self and alive to Christ. Think about how closely
husband and wife are identified with each other. Don’t we tend to
think of one person when we think of the other? That is because
the two have united as one body and one flesh. Friends, it is the
same when we unite with Jesus in His body. We should be so
closely identified with Him that we are in a sense identified as
Christ. Paul described the process as putting on Christ.8
Receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit was the term used when
the Holy Spirit fell on someone and gave him the ability to perform
miracles. Receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit was something that
happens with baptism. There are four instances recorded in the
22
John 1:11-13, John 3:3-6
23
Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:38, Acts 19:4-5
24
1 Peter 3:21, Colossians 2:13
25
1 John 1:7
26
Acts 2:38, Titus 3:5-7
27
Colossians 2:11-13, Romans 6:3-11, 2 Timothy 2:10-12, Colossians 3:1-4,
Philippians 3:9-11
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book of Acts where the Holy Spirit was given to bestow

miraculous powers: Twice the Holy Spirit descended to baptize
men,1) on Pentecost when the Spirit fell on the apostles giving
them the ability to speak in tongues, and 2) when the Holy Spirit
fell on Cornelius and his company as a confirmation of divine
acceptance, giving them the gift of tongues, 3) when Peter and
John laid their hands on the Samaritans thus transferring
miraculous powers, and 4) when Paul laid his hands on the
disciples at Ephesus causing them to receive the Holy Spirit.
Miraculous gifts in the first century were received by the laying on
of the apostles’ hands. There were various gifts. They were not all
involving prophesy and tongues. They were not received directly
from the baptism of the Holy Spirit, as in on Pentecost and the
conversion of the first Gentile converts but were received through
the laying on of the apostles’ hands.
24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an
eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.25
This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent
in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord,
knowing only the baptism of John.26 And he began to speak boldly
in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they
took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more
perfectly.27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the
brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when
he was come, helped them much which had believed through
grace:28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly,
shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.28
1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul
having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and
finding certain disciples,2 He said unto them, Have ye received the
Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have
not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.3 And he
said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said,
Unto John's baptism.4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with
the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should
believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ
28
Acts 18:24-28
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Jesus.5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of
the Lord Jesus.6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the
Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and
prophesied.29
The story of the reception of the Holy Spirit at Ephesus is a
relevant one. Note in Acts 19:2 that the disciples had never heard
of the Holy Spirit. This immediately made Paul wonder what
baptism they had used. We have proof that the gift of the Holy
Spirit always accompanied baptism into the name of Jesus Christ.
When Paul understood that they had only been baptized with
John’s baptism, he asked the Ephesians to be baptized into Christ.
The reason given was that John’s baptism was only one of
repentance, but they needed to be baptized into the name of the
Savior Whom they had placed their faith in, Jesus Christ. Now we
see a major purpose of baptism. It is to make disciples of Whom
the follower is being baptized into.30Also of importance is the fact
that after being baptized into the name of Jesus, Paul laid his hands
on these men. Then and only then did they speak with tongues and
prophesy. When the Holy Spirit fell upon a person, he spoke in
tongues and prophesied. When he was baptized in the name of
Jesus, he received the gift of the Holy Spirit. The two events are
completely different things. The gift of the Holy Spirit is the
indwelling Spirit that is given to every baptized believer. It
completes the second part of being “born of water and the spirit.”
The reception of the Holy Spirit gave confirmation of the Word by
signs and wonders. The gift of the Holy Spirit sanctifies the inner
man to eternal life. Do not let the fact that the Gentiles received the
Holy Spirit before baptism throw you off. Remember that theirs
was an unusual case.
The thief on the cross has been used as an example of salvation
without baptism. But consider this. Jesus had not died yet. His
blood had not been offered as the atonement for our sins. The Law
of Moses was still in force. The church had not been purchased yet.
Furthermore, we are baptized into the death, burial, and
29
Acts 19:1-6
30
Acts 19:4-5, 1 Corinthians 1:12-15, 1 Corinthians 10:1-5, Matthew 28:18-20
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resurrection of Christ,31 something that could not be done while He

was still alive. Jesus had power to forgive sins because He is God.
The fact that He chose to confer forgiveness does not mean that we
do not have to obey His commandment to be baptized for the
remission of sins. Friends, we cannot reject a rule because
exceptions to the rule seem to exist. Notice that I said, seem to
exist. The commandment to enter a covenant relationship in Christ
is to be baptized into His body. I do not believe that the thief on the
cross is a valid example. Baptism was being practiced in
preparation for the kingdom of God, but the kingdom was not
established until Pentecost. Also, we do not know that the thief had
not been baptized with John’s baptism. Baptism in the name of
Christ began on Pentecost, almost two months after the salvation
of the thief on the cross. It replaced John’s baptism. Refer to Acts
19:1-5. Paul found disciples at Ephesus who had only been
baptized with John’s baptism. He commanded that they be
baptized into the name of Christ. This example proves that baptism
in the name of Christ replaced John’s baptism. My friends, the
thief on the cross cannot be used to say that baptism in the name of
Christ is not necessary. How could it when it did not even exist yet?
I am not God, and I do not claim to know who is saved and who is
not.. God judges the heart and He judges us by the opportunities
that we have. Some people truly are death-bed converts who have
no opportunity to be baptized. I cannot say whether or not they are
saved. I do not have to know because God does. Either way, God
has commanded baptism for the remission of sins. We cannot take
any possible exception to the rule and make the exception the norm.
Many do not understand what difference it makes whether or not it
is taught that baptism is necessary. They say that most people are
baptized anyway. Here are my problems with this line of reasoning:
1) Some people are not baptized because they understand baptism
to be an option, not a command. I am deeply concerned for those
who choose not to be baptized because I am convinced that they
are not saved without it. 2) Baptism is a command that places one
in the body of Christ. It is being replaced with a tradition (the
31
Philippians 3:9-11
69
sinner’s prayer). 3) I cannot say with any degree of certainty that

one must understand the purpose of baptism for it to be valid
because I have no Bible authority to make that statement. However,
it seems to me that being baptized to show that you have been
saved rather than to be saved might make the baptism of no effect.
At the very least, it is an insult to a holy, omnipotent, and
omniscient God who commanded baptism as an entrance into
grace. 4) Lastly, as baptism becomes more and more de-
emphasized, the chances of its total disappearance as a Christian
observance increase.
I hope that you have been checking what I say against what the
Bible teaches. But, it is especially important that you examine this
subject. Some concepts that explain how baptism saves are listed
in the “For Further Study” notes. I urge you to examine them.
Prayer
Lord, I pray that baptism will return to the place You meant for it
to be. I pray that we will respect Your will and wishes in this
matter. I pray that we will understand that Your Word does not
contradict itself, and that we have to take all of it or none of it.
Help us to understand that rejecting any part of Your Word is
rejecting You, and that is sin and rebellion. Have the Holy Spirit
work mightily to convince and convict everyone who is resisting
baptism to understand it as the act of obedience that it is and as the
way that we encounter the saving blood of Jesus Christ. Help us to
see that You commanded baptism, not suggested it. Help us to see
that this just might be one of those times when Your ways are
above ours. Also, this just might be part of the foolishness of the
gospel that Paul talks about. Help us to see that we do not need to
know why You want things to be a certain way. Help us see that
obedience is really better than sacrifice. Help us to understand that
we should say, "Because You said so, I will do this, even if it
makes no sense to me!" Give all those who profess to be Yours a
willing spirit and an obedient heart. In Jesus Name I pray, amen.
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For Further Study

Baptism is a command. In fact, it is such an important command
that it was the last one that Jesus gave to His apostles.
Mark 16:16, Matthew 28:16-20
Baptism is the will of God. Rejection of baptism is rejection of
God. This passage was in reference to John’s baptism, but
remember that John the Baptist prepared the way for the Lord. The
principle is still the same.
Luke 7:29-30
Baptism is a deliverance. Noah was delivered from the flood. Israel
was delivered from Egypt. Believers are delivered from Satan.
Baptism saves us by the name and blood of Jesus.
Mark 16:16, 1 Peter 3:20-21, Acts 2:40-41
We are born again in baptism; we become a new creation.
John 1:11-13, John 3:3-6, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 2 Peter 1:4
Baptism is an initiation into a faith or a person.
Acts 19:4-5, 1 Corinthians 1:12-15, 1 Corinthians 10:1-5, Matthew
28:18-20
We are baptized into the body (church) of Christ which is how we
come in contact with the blood of Christ.
Hebrews 10:19-23, Acts 2:41-47, 1 Corinthians 12:13
Baptism brings us into covenant with Christ by the circumcision of
our hearts.
Hebrews 9:8-23, Colossians 2:11-12
The waters of baptism have been purified with the blood of Jesus
Christ.
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Numbers 19:17-20, Hebrews 9:14, Hebrews 10:22

Baptism cleanses and sanctifies the church.
Ephesians 5:25-27
Baptism is a foundational principal of Christian doctrine.
Hebrews 6:1-2, Acts 8:35-36
We are crucified with Christ, are buried with Him, and are raised
with Him in baptism.
Colossians 2:11-13, Romans 6:3-11, 2 Timothy 2:10-12,
Colossians 3:1-4, Philippians 3:9-11
Baptism washes away sin and cleanses our consciences.
1 Peter 3:21, Acts 22:16, Colossians 2:12-13
Baptism is in the name of Jesus Christ (or into the name of Christ).
Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:38, Acts 19:4-5
Baptism brings the gift of the Holy Spirit (life in Christ through the
Spirit).
Acts 2:38
Believing, repenting, confessing, and being baptized is how we call
on the name of the Lord.
Acts 22:16, Acts 2:21-44
Baptism justifies us and begins the process of sanctification by the
Holy Spirit.
Obeying the truth (gospel) refers to baptism.
1 Peter 1:22-23
Baptism is how we put on our wedding garment which is the
righteousness of Christ. We put on Christ in baptism.
Revelation 19:7-9, Galatians 3:26-27, Leviticus 16:3-4 (shows
principle from baptism).
We are a kingdom of priests.
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Exodus 19:6, Revelation 1:6

Believing, repenting, and confessing are prerequisites to baptism.
Acts 2:38, Acts 8:37
We become children of God by uniting with Jesus Christ in
baptism.
Galatians 3:26-28
Faith, baptism, the church, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
are intimately related to each other. Baptism is the means by which
the church is joined to the Godhead. Grace is given to those who
are united with God in Christ.
Ephesians 4:4-7
Baptism is expected to accompany belief.
Mark 16:16, Acts 8:12, Acts 8:37-38, Acts 16:14-33, Acts 18:8
Faith in Christ includes baptism into Christ.
Galatians 3:26-29
We receive the promised inheritance as heirs of Christ when we
are in Him.
Galatians 3:26-29
The Holy Spirit baptizes us.
Titus 3:5-7
Salvation is in Christ (in His body), not from Christ.
2 Timothy 2:10-12, Colossians 1:21-23, Galatians 3:14-16
The called (elect) are believers who have been baptized into Christ
and are found in Him.
Acts 2:21-44
Baptism of the Holy Spirit was not given to every believer. The
purpose was not to save; it was to confirm the message. It was
demonstrated by the ability to prophesy and speak in tongues. All
believers receive the gift of the Holy Spirit AFTER they are
baptized.
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Acts 2:1-38, Acts 19:1-7, Acts 10:44-48, Acts 8:5-20
74
CHAPTER 7 THE THREE THAT TESTIFY
Chapter 7 The Three That Testify

1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and
every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is
begotten of him.2 By this we know that we love the children of God,
when we love God, and keep his commandments.3 For this is the
love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his
commandments are not grievous.4 For whatsoever is born of God
overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the
world, even our faith.5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but
he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?6 This is he that
came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but
by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness,
because the Spirit is truth.7 For there are three that bear record in
heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three
are one.8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit,
and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.9 If we
receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is
the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.10 He that
believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that
believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not
the record that God gave of his Son.11 And this is the record, that
God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.12 He
that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God
hath not life.13 These things have I written unto you that believe
on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have
eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of
God.1
The basic principle in understanding any scripture is to examine
the context. Ask the following questions: 1) What is the subject of
the chapter? and 2) How are the terms used elsewhere in the Bible?
The purpose of the chapter is given in verse 13,” that ye may know
that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of
the Son of God.” 3) What is the historical and cultural background
of the writing?
1
1 John 5:1-13
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The book of 1 John helps us see that John was concerned with anti-
Christs who denied that Christ had come in the flesh. They
maintained that the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus at His baptism
and left Him as He hung on the cross. They denied that Jesus was
both God and man and that He was resurrected with His physical
body and returned to Heaven as God and man. John stated that
these claims denied the deity of Christ.
1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed
upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the
world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are
we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be:
but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for
we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in
him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Here we see the promise of a bodily resurrection for us also. If we

are sons of God then we shall be like Christ resurrected with an
incorruptible body. Look at verse 3. If we are to have this hope of
being raised with Christ we must purify ourselves. There are
deeper meanings to the testament of the Spirit, water, and blood
than just the deity and resurrection of Christ.
1 John 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe
on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he
gave us commandment. 24 And he that keepeth his commandments
dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he
abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
Remember that we are baptized into the name of Christ (Matthew

28:18-20). We receive the gift of the Holy Spirit when we are
baptized into Christ.(Acts 2:38-47)
The incarnation and deity of Christ is a central them in the book of
1 John. This theme is continued in chapter 5. It is what the the
three that testify are proving.The Spirit descended on Jesus as a
witness that He is the Son of God as He was being baptized. The
Spirit remained with Christ. After Christ died on the cross the
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soldiers pierced His side. Blood and water poured out of His
wounded side as a witness that He was Who He said He was. The
Spirit descended on Pentecost as a witness that Christ had
ascended to Heaven, His kingdom was here, and He has all
authority in Heaven and earth (Matthew 28:18-20, Acts chapter 2).
So what does the three that testify have to do with baptism and
covenant? The water, blood, and Spirit testify that Christ was both
the Son of man and the Son of God. They testify that He is risen as
both man and God. The good confession that we all make when we
are baptized into Christ is that He is the Son of God. Look back at
1 John 3:3. If we purify ourselves we have hope of being raised
with Christ. Remember how the Law of Moses foreshadowed the
Law of Christ? The ashes from the burnt offering was used to
purify the water of purification. This is a symbol for baptism which
purifies us (1 Peter 1:22, 1 Peter 3:20-21, Acts 22:16). We are
baptized in water and our sins are washed away. We die with
Christ in the waters of baptism and are raised to life with Him,
born again of water and the Spirit (Romans 6:3-11). If we are
raised with Him spiritually we shall also be raised with Him bodily
when He returns in Judgment.
If you have a child then you know the intimate bond that exists
between you and your offspring. My friends, Jesus compared
salvation to being born again and being born of God so that we
would understand how much He loves us. We are children of God,
and the intimacy that God has for His children can very much be
compared to a mother’s love, only indescribably stronger. Just
think of all the comparisons that we have to symbolize the love of
God. God is not just a Father in the sense that we are followers of
Him. He is Abba, our Father! We are in the family of God! Jesus
called us friends, and the church is His bride. Friend, child, spouse.
We have been called all of this and more. And if the words that He
told us were not enough, Jesus proved His incredible love by
giving up Heaven, becoming poor and despised, and suffering
shame, agony, and death so He could call us by His name. Yes,
God loves us so much more than we could ever understand! Thank
You God! You have called me Your own. You have washed me
clean, and You have given me life! You paid a debt You did not
77
owe and wiped my record clean. Lord, I give You my heart and my
life. Nothing compares to You.
The comparison of salvation to being born again also shows the
depth of the change that takes place. We become completely
innocent at the moment of justification, as innocent as a new-born
baby. Throughout the process of sanctification, our personalities
are transformed to the point that we are essentially a new person. It
truly is like being born again. This amazing rebirth is possible
because of the three that testify (Spirit, water, and blood).
Jesus had to take on human nature so that He could identify with
us in suffering, temptation and death. Remember covenant?
Covenant partners become one. They share identities and
possessions. How could Jesus share in our identity if He had not
become human? It also goes the other way. We share in His divine
nature when we are united with Him. Jesus came by water and
blood through the power of the Spirit and passed through the veil
of death so that we can also come by water, blood, and Spirit and
pass through the veil2 from death to life everlasting.
Verse 8
And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the
water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
The three that bear witness on earth have to do with our witness as
the body of Christ. We witness by confessing that Jesus Christ is
the Son of God when we put Him on in baptism. We continue to
confess Him by living like Him. We also witness through the water,
the Spirit, and the blood. Jesus Christ took on humanity by the
power of the Spirit through water and blood. We unite with God in
His divine nature through the Spirit, the water, and the blood.3 We
become like God through our union with the body of Christ and the
regenerative work of the Holy Spirit who lives inside us. Jesus told
Nicodemus that he must be born of water and the Spirit if he
wanted to enter the kingdom of God.4 We also enter the kingdom
of God when we are born of water and the Spirit. Remember that
2
Hebrews 10:1-20
3
2 Peter 1:4-11
4
John 3:1-15
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the kingdom of God is the church, also known as the body of

Christ or the bride of Christ.5 Jesus bought the church with His
blood.6 His blood sanctifies the body and cleanses it.7 The saving
blood of Jesus Christ is found in His body. He does not pour it on
anyone who wants to change His commands by reciting a sinner’s
prayer in the place of being baptized. He covers His body with the
blood. If the Spirit, the water, and the blood testify on earth, then
they establish us as witnesses. We are established in the faith in
Christ. The way that we enter the body of Christ is by being
baptized into it.8 If the testimony in Heaven is that Jesus is the Son
of God and that we are children of God, then the testimony on
earth says the same thing. We are born again of water and the
Spirit and are cleansed by the blood of Christ when we are
baptized into His name.
Verse 10
He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he
that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth
not the record that God gave of his Son.
Verse 11
And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and
this life is in his Son.
The witness that is inside believers is the Holy Spirit.9 Verse 11
tells us that the record is that believers who are in Christ have
eternal life. The Bible contains every instruction that we need to
come to and to remain in Christ. Nothing is insignificant; the word
of God is complete; we have all that we need to live.10
One last note of importance: Jesus is our high priest and we are a
kingdom of priests.11As priests we also have robes to wear. And
just as Jesus showed us for our example, we must wash before we
5
Ephesians 5:12-32, Colossians 1:12-13, Romans 14:17-18
6
1 Peter 1:2, Hebrews 9:15, Acts 20:28
7
8
Acts 2:38-47, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:24-29
9
1 Corinthians 6:19
10
2 Peter 1:3
11
Revelation 1:6
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put our robe on. This robe is our wedding garment, the one that
Jesus gives us when we are united with His body in baptism. The
wedding garment is described in the book of Revelation as the
righteousness of the saints.12 My friends, we must obey God but
we cannot be righteous without help. In Christ we are dressed in
His righteousness. His perfection removes our imperfections. The
Holy Spirit sanctifies us to live as Jesus did. We become new and
grow spiritually as we take on the characteristics of our Redeemer.
This is the process of regeneration and sanctification. It is not a
work of human righteousness. It is the work of the Holy Spirit. We
do not have the ability to renew our minds. We cannot cleanse
ourselves and are unable to live for Christ unless the Holy Spirit
helps us. The Spirit testifies that we are children of God by living
inside us, transforming our hearts, and giving us eternal life. The
blood washes away our sins and unites us with the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Spirit. The means of this union is being buried with
Christ in water baptism and being raised to walk with Him.13
Water does not save but the blood of Jesus that covers us in
baptism does. The Spirit, the water, and the blood bring us into the
covenant of grace and they testify that we are children of God.
We put on the wedding garment in baptism. We continue to wear it
as we live in Christ and become more and more like Him. We must
wear the garments that the bridegroom has given us. Without them
we are not in Christ, we are not clothed with Him, and we are not
getting into Heaven.14
Prayer
Lord, I ask that You open the ears and eyes of our hearts to accept
the testimony of the water, the Holy Spirit and the blood. Help us
accept and embrace the words of the Faithful and True witness
who gave Himself as a ransom for all. He lived among us as a
Light to draw us into a relationship with You, and the words that
He spoke were true. He was the One who first said for His
disciples to baptize. He left an example by being baptized Himself
to fulfill all righteousness. He who had no sin became sin for us.
12
Revelation 19:8
13
Colossians 2:12
14
Matthew 22:1-14
80
His blood cries out with a powerful testimony of Your love for us
and as a witness of truth. Your Holy Spirit cries out as a witness.
And water cries out as a witness. Help us as seekers of You and
Your righteousness to understand that we have to accept all of
Your Words or we, in effect, reject You. In Jesus Name, I pray,
Amen.
81
For Further Study

Jesus testified that He is the Son of God.
Matthew 16:13-17
The Holy Spirit testified that Jesus is the Son of God.
Matthew 3:13-17
God testified that Jesus is His Son.
Matthew 3:13-17
The Holy Spirit testifies that we are children of God.
Romans 8:15-16
Our witness is that Jesus is the Son of God.
Acts 8:37, Matthew 16:16-18
The Word of God witnesses.
1 John 5:7
The Law and the prophets witnessed.
Luke 16:16
John the Baptist witnessed for the bridegroom.
John 3:25-29
82
CHAPTER 8 ETERNAL SECURITY

Baptism into Christ is only the beginning. To receive the gift of
eternal life, we must be faithful until death. However, it is
important to remember that God is merciful and loving. He is not
waiting for you to mess up so that He can take away your salvation.
He sent His Son to die for you, and He is going to do everything
short of taking away your free will to ensure that you get to
Heaven. That is why the Father sent the Holy Spirit to help you
become what He wants you to be. You are not on your own, nor
will sins out of weakness cause you to be lost. God judges the
heart.1 If you love Him with all of your heart, mind, and soul; and
you are doing your best to walk in His will, you are secure.
7 But 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.2
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into
the heavens, Jesus the Son of God; let us hold fast our
profession.15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be
touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points
tempted like as we are, yet without sin.16 Let us therefore come
boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and
find grace to help in time of need.3
What wonderful news! We do not have to live our lives in fear that
one mistake will doom us eternally. If we walk with God, the
blood of Christ will remove every sin. The Holy Spirit convicts our
consciences when we need to grow spiritually. He shows us what
areas are unhealthy and transforms us to have the nature that God
desires. Sanctification is a process of becoming just like Jesus. It
does not happen overnight. Also, it does not happen without
sincere effort on our parts. But it does happen because the Spirit is
working inside us and we are letting Him. And remember, it is not
1
Revelation 2:23, Matthew 6:21-24, Acts 15:8, Matthew 5:8, Hebrews 4:12
2
1 John 1:7
3
Hebrews 4:14-16
83
our imperfection that the Father sees in us; He sees His Son’s
perfection that clothes us.
God will not take our salvation, but be warned-we can throw it
away. Grace is His gift to us, but that does not mean that we can’t
give it back. Remember that God judges the heart. If your heart is
not inclined toward obedience to His will, then you have a heart
problem. If you do not obey God, then you do not love Him. If you
do not love Him, you are not in Christ. If you are not in Christ, you
are not saved. Again I must stress that it all comes down to the
heart. A bad day does not doom you. But a general pattern of
moving away from God can cause you to lose your heart for Him.
Only God can judge who is saved and who is not, but He has
revealed in His word that it is possible to backslide to the point
where salvation is lost.
1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how
that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through
the sea;2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the
sea;3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;4 And did all drink
the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that
followed them: and that Rock was Christ.5 But with many of them
God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the
wilderness.6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we
should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.7 Neither be ye
idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat
down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.8 Neither let us commit
fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three
and twenty thousand.9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them
also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.10 Neither murmur
ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the
destroyer.11 Now all these things happened unto them for
ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom
the ends of the world are come.12 Wherefore let him that thinketh
he standeth take heed lest he fall.4
Because of unfaithfulness, not all of the Israelites were saved. The
Corinthians thought that being baptized and partaking of
4
Matthew 5:44
84
communion gave them license to be disobedient to Christ. Paul

warned them that the same fate that befell the Israelites would be
theirs if they were not careful to remain in the faith. Just as the
proponents of eternal security today believe, the people whom Paul
addressed in this chapter thought that professing Christianity
guaranteed salvation regardless of personal fidelity.
18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure
through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that
were clean escaped from them who live in error.19 While they
promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of
corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he
brought in bondage.20 For if after they have escaped the
pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and
overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.21
For it had been better for them not to have known the way of
righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy
commandment delivered unto them.22 But it is happened unto them
according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit
again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.5
In this chapter, Peter was talking about false teachers. Beginning in
verse 18, the focus changed from false teachers to believers who
are taken in by them. Verse 20 identified these persons as having
escaped the world by being in Christ. After they had escaped the
body of sin, they turned from the truth and became ensnared by
worldly philosophy once again. The last part of verse 20 says that
the ones who fell away were worse off than they were at the
beginning. The beginning state was unsaved. Then they believed
the truth and were saved. Yet, after being saved, they strayed from
the truth. Their end state was worse than the beginning state.
Friends, the only way for the last state to be worse than the first
one is for the believer to be lost. Christians can fall away.
5 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a
testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;6 But
Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we
5
2 Peter 2:18-22
85
hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the
end.7 Wherefore as the Holy Ghost saith, Today if ye will hear his
voice,8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of
temptation in the wilderness:9 When your fathers tempted me,
proved me, and saw my works forty years.10 Wherefore I was
grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their
heart; and they have not known my ways.11 So I sware in my
wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)12 Take heed, brethren,
lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing
from the living God.13 But exhort one another daily, while it is
called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the
deceitfulness of sin.14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we
hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;15
While it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your
hearts, as in the provocation.16 For some, when they had heard,
did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.17
But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them
that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?18 And to
whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them
that believed not?19 So we see that they could not enter in because
of unbelief. 6
In verse 6, Paul says that we belong to the house of Christ as long
as we hold to Him until the end. Verse 10 reveals that sin is a heart
condition. Verses 12 and 19 show that departing from the faith is
the same thing as unbelief. Verse 14 says that we are in
communion with Christ as long as we remain faithful. Endurance
is taught all throughout the Scripture with the implication that
failure to remain in Christ results in one being placed outside of
His body and therefore lost. Remember that only His blood can
remove sin. The blood is applied within the body of Christ. Only
believers who are in the body are saved. That means that no person
outside of Christ is protected by His blood. God is in covenant
with us, and He will uphold His end, but we can break our end of
the contract thus making it null and void.
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering;
(for he is faithful that promised;)24 And let us consider one
6
Hebrews 3:5-19
86
another to provoke unto love and to good works:25 Not forsaking

the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but
exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day
approaching.26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received
the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for
sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery
indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.28 He that
despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three
witnesses:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he
be thought worthy, who hath trodden underfoot the Son of God,
and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was
sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of
grace?30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth
unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord
shall judge his people.31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands
of the living God.7
35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great
recompence of reward.36 For ye have need of patience, that, after
ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.37 For
yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not
tarry.38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back,
my soul shall have no pleasure in him.39 But we are not of them
who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the
saving of the soul.8
These verses plainly show that willful disobedience is an
extremely serious matter. Verses 26 and 27 say that turning away
from God after having been in the truth makes the sinner an enemy
of God. It also makes the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ of no
effect for that person. As if these statements were not harsh enough,
look at verse 29. The unbeliever had been sanctified at one time,
but he has stomped all over Jesus, despised His blood, and insulted
the Spirit of grace. Verses 31-39 plainly show that believers who
become unbelievers are under judgment and are lost. Verse 39 uses
the term perdition. My friends, I promise you that perdition is not
Heaven. This person had been sanctified, but he willfully turned
7
Hebrews 10:23-31
8
Hebrews 10:35-39
87
away and is now lost. The blood of Jesus covers what we can’t do,
not what we won’t do.
The proponents of eternal security will tell you that believers who
fall away never had true “saving faith.” However, they are wrong.
First of all, the term “saving faith” is not in the Bible; it is a man-
produced concept. Faith and works go together, but they are
separate things. If the amount of faith were the issue, then James
addressed the wrong problem in his epistle. He did not tell us to
have more faith. He told us to mix our faith with works because
faith alone is dead.9 He also did not say, “You never were a
believer or you would not have fallen away.” He did not say that;
Peter did not say that; Jesus did not say that; Paul did not say that.
No inspired writer ever talked about faith that was never faith.
Secondly, God is not mocked. Did He sanctify someone who did
not truly believe? That would make God subject to weakness and
error. No my friends, Paul is discussing believers who abandon the
faith and are lost. There is no “once saved always saved.” Eternal
security is not taught by the Bible. It is taught by men who have set
up their own words above those of God. Please do not fall for it. If
you are giving your best to God, the blood of Jesus will cover your
weaknesses, and you can rest in the arms that will not let you go.
But remember that you can always jump out of those arms, deny
Christ as Lord and Savior, reject the blood that cleansed you, and
become just as lost as you were before you ever knew God.
Prayer
LORD, I pray that each and every one of us will understand that
You are fair and just and that You do not expect more from us than
we can do. You only expect our best. Even then, You provide the
power, strength, and ability for us to do Your will. Help us to
realize that we cannot continue to live the way we did before we
accepted You. If we do, we are still living in rebellion against You.
Help us to understand that Jesus meant it when He said that anyone
who loves You will obey You. Thus anyone who does not obey
does not love You. Help us to realize that we are preparing
ourselves for eternity right now, and that anyone who does not love
9
James 2:20-24
88
You with all their heart, soul, mind, and might will not even want
to be with You for all eternity. Help us to prepare our minds, hearts,
and souls to desire to worship and serve You forever. Help us to
want to be with You and to love You. Give us a heart that desires
what You want above what we want; a heart that seeks obedience
to You as our greatest pleasure. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.
89
For Further Study

We are part of the body of Christ. God will destroy us if we do not
honor it.
A weak brother can be lost.
1 Corinthians 8:11, James 5:19-20
It is possible to be in Christ and not remain in Him.
1 John 2:18-29, 2 Peter 1:5-11, Galatians 4:5-20, Romans 11:20-23
If we do not remain in the doctrine that was given by Christ, then
we lose fellowship with Christ.
2 John 1:6-11, Jude 1:3-6
We must endure to be saved.
1 Peter 1:5-13, Acts 14:22, Colossians 1:21-23, Hebrews 12:5-17,
James 1:12-16
We can wreck our faith.
1 Timothy 1:19
Falling away is compared to crucifying the Son of God all over
again; it results in lost salvation.
Hebrews 6:4-12
God does not acknowledge us if we do not continue in a covenant
relationship with Him.
Hebrews 8:9
Failure to forgive and to show mercy can cause us to lose the
forgiveness and mercy that God has shown to us.
Matthew 18:21-35
90
CONCLUSION
Conclusion
Jesus Christ is the sacrifice that confirms the blood covenant. We
put on His robes when we are baptized into Him. The cross was
how Jesus made a covenant with us. Baptism is how we enter into
a covenant with Him.1 The robes of salvation are our wedding
garments that show that we are united in blood with the Savior.
When we are in Christ we have the full armor of God.2 Although
we are in spiritual warfare with the kingdom of Satan, God has
commanded us not to seek vengeance. He will avenge our enemies
because covenant partners have mutual enemies.3 For that very
reason, it is especially important that we treat other believers as
friends. God will avenge His people. I want to be a friend of God,
not an enemy. Our role as covenant partners in the kingdom of
God is to take care of our fellow covenant partners. Additionally,
we are instructed to seek the lost and to try to deliver them from
the devil’s kingdom. We are commanded to love our enemies, pray
for them, and do good things for them4 in the hopes that they will
be saved.
The root word for baptism is “baptizo”. It was used in three
different ways all of which teach us about baptism. Baptizo was
used to speak of vessels which were plunged in water to cleanse
them. Baptism washes away our sins. Baptizo was used to refer to
cloths that were dipped into dye. I really love this concept for
baptism and covenant. We are immersed in water and dyed in His
blood to resemble Christ. We are conformed to His image. We go
into the waters of baptism with our old identity and come up with a
new identity that looks like Christ. We wear His robe of salvation.
1
Hebrews 10:19-23, Acts 2:41-47, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Hebrews 9:8-23,
Colossians 2:11-12, Revelation 19:7-9, Galatians 3:26-27
2
1 Thessalonians 5:8-10, Ephesians 6:10-17, Romans 13:12
3
Romans 12:19
4
Matthew 5:44
91
Our old sinful selves die with Christ when we are baptized into His
death, burial, and resurrection.5 In a sense, baptism is our cross.
Identifying with Christ includes wearing the name of Christ6 and
placing the rights of self in submission to His commands. Baptism
unites us in blood with our Redeemer and creates a new identity
that is merged with His perfect one.7 Coming up from the waters of
baptism is compared to the resurrection into a new life. As
covenant partners, the walk into death (baptism, justification)
begins the daily walk into life (sanctification).
We are in a covenant relationship with God in Christ. If we do not
walk in the way that God has commanded, then we are breaking
our vows. The price of doing so is spiritual death.8 Walking in sin
places us out of covenant with God, results in a loss of communion
with Him, 9 and deprives us of the promised rest. The backslider is
in danger of becoming an unbeliever who is no longer in Christ as
a covenant partner and as a member of His body.10Sinning out of
weakness does not break the covenant. But deliberately living a
life outside of the will of God is spiritual adultery and does break it.
God is merciful and long-suffering, but a point can be reached
where one is lost.
As I mentioned above, baptism is our crucifixion11- it corresponds
to the blood covenant practice of mutual cutting of the wrists and
sharing of blood. It also is connected to the covenant cutting
practice of walking between the pieces of divided flesh (mentioned
in chapter 1). Our Savior’s wrists were nailed to the cross. Our
body of sin is nailed to the cross, and we unite with Jesus Christ by
His blood as one body and one flesh. His body is symbolized by
the veil which was torn into two pieces at the moment of His death.
When we unite with His body in baptism, we walk between the
two halves of the veil. As heirs of Christ, we share every blessing
5
Philippians 3:9-11
6
Acts 2:38, Acts 19:4-5, John 17:11
7
John 1:11-13, John 3:3-6, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, 2 Peter 1:2-4
8
Romans 6:23
9
Hebrews Chapter 4
10
Matthew 26:26-28, Romans 12:5, Ephesians 5:30, 1 Corinthians 12:27
11
Galatians 2:20, Galatians 6:14-15, Colossians 2:12, Romans 6:1-18
92
CONCLUSION
that He received as the seed of Abraham.12 Grace is given to all

who are in Christ. His home, faith, righteousness, obedience,
perfection, strength, Spirit, and eternal life have been shared with
us. We in turn must be willing to give all we have if the work of
the kingdom requires it.13 When we are in covenant with Christ, we
also are in covenant with other members of His body. Therefore
we are obligated to share our blessings and supply each others’
needs. The early church actually did give all they had in order to
take care of each other.14 They understood covenant. Just imagine
the kind of world we would live in today if people still understood
it! We would actually honor our agreements, and poverty and
suffering would not be nearly so prevalent.
When God established a covenant with Abram and Jacob, He gave
them a new name.15 We also have a new name when we are in
covenant with God.16 It is called Christian,17 and we get it when we
are baptized into His name.18 Kind of like when a bride takes her
groom’s last name in marriage, isn’t it? Our new identity begins
when we are born again of water and the Spirit by being buried
with Christ in baptism and raised to walk a new life.19 Baptism is
the covenant cutting ceremony that makes us one with Jesus Christ.
It is the union of the bride and bridegroom that gives us His name.
When friends made a covenant with each other, a meal was shared
to celebrate the agreement. As Christians, we participate in a
communion meal that commemorates the death of Christ and
celebrates our partnership in Him. The last Passover meal that
Jesus shared with His disciples was the occasion when He
introduced the idea that we would be a part of His body and His
blood. Communion with the body of Christ is a remarkable gift
that has so much meaning attached to it. I like to think of baptism
as a marriage ceremony and communion as a renewal of the vows.
12
Galatians chapter 3
13
Luke 14:33
14
Acts 2:44-45, Acts 4:32
15
Genesis 17:5, Genesis 32:27-28
16
Revelation 2:17
17
Acts 11:26
18
Matthew 28:19
19
Romans 6:4
93
Communion is a time to examine ourselves and to continuously

commit our lives to Him. It is a time to remember that Jesus loved
us enough to suffer for us. Furthermore, this fellowship meal is a
time to celebrate our covenant union with Christ and with other
members of the body of Christ. The Savior gave us the greatest gift
that He could give, and because of it we are joined with Him in the
most intimate and glorious way available to mankind. Communion
is a time to reflect, commit and mourn, yet it is at the same time an
occasion to celebrate! Hallelujah! Praise Him! I love my Redeemer!
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.20
23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto
you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed
took bread:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said,
Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in
remembrance of me.25 After the same manner also he took the cup,
when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my
blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.26
For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew
the Lord's death till he come.27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat
this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be
guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.28 But let a man examine
himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.29
For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh
damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.21
A memorial pile of uncut stones or a tree was often planted when a
covenant was made. We are living stones in the body of Christ22
20
Matthew 26:26-29
21
22
1 Peter 2:5
94
CONCLUSION
and He is the cornerstone.23 He is the vine and we are the

branches.24 Jesus described Himself in so many blood covenant
practices. He calls us friends. He committed all of Himself. As our
shepherd, He made promises to us. He pierced His wrists. He
offered His blood, and He walked into death. Christ clothes us in
His robes and protects us with His armor. He became the covenant
meal and dines with us. He is the altar and the door. He is the
planted tree. He is the Way and the Truth and the Life. Jesus
shared all His possessions and gave us His name. He is at one time
the sacrifice, the covenant, and the witness. Friends, has there ever
been a more beautiful plan of reconciliation? Jesus gave His all.
The least that I can do is the same!
The Bible contains the writings of prophets and disciples who
spoke what they heard from God. Scripture reveals the covenant
conditions that we are to live by. The Word of God, the body of
Christ, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are united in the
most powerful of witnesses to a lost world. My friends, let us
witness with courage and in the Spirit. Storm the gates of hell and
lead the captives home. Celebrate the covenant union with God in
Christ and rejoice that Heaven is the end of your patience!
Prayer
Lord, I know that our job is only to plant the seed. The Holy Spirit
prepares the ground and makes the seed grow and produce fruit.
LORD, I ask that You send prepared hearts to this book. I ask that
The Holy Spirit works mightily on every heart that comes in
contact with this book. I ask that You draw those who need this
message and that You make the message in this book produce
abundant fruit. I ask that You give us a hunger and thirst for Your
will in our lives. I ask that You help us to place Your will above
our own and to seek to please You even when it hurts. Help us to
see that Your plans are better, and that You really do work them
out for our good. Help us to see that You waste nothing. All the
things that we thought were bad circumstances will be used to
make us the people You chose us to be. You give us what we need
23
1 Peter 2:6
24
John 15:5
95
to carry out the awesome plans You have purposed for us. We are
not accidents. Each of us has been specially designed and pruned
to fulfill a unique and perfect destiny. Help us accept that destiny
with awe and wonder that we are here for a reason and that You
think of us. You planned us. You will see us through! Thank You
Abba Father that Your love for us is so great that You are willing
to see us hurt temporarily for a greater blessing in the long run.
And thank You that our pains and tears hurt You also. Only Your
infinite love allows You to place us there. Thank You that You
never forsake us or desert us, even when it seems like You have.
You are with us during our troubles as much as during our
triumphs. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.
96

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Spirit, Water, and Blood: The Marriage Covenant of the Lamb

Copyright © 2012 Lora Wise

Chapter 2 The Wedding Garment

Chapter 3 Blood, Water, and Covenant

Chapter 4 Name and Covenant

Chapter 5 Faith or Works?

Chapter 6 Baptism Into the Name of Christ

Chapter 7 The Three that Testify

Chapter 8 Eternal Security

One cause of false teaching is that we try to understand spiritual

what He said. The way to do that is to study it for yourself. Check

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from

Look at verse 16. True doctrine saves. False teaching destroys.

6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor

spoken against him. 16 These are murmurers, complainers,

shedding innocent blood, and to abstain from eating blood because

commanded the fleshly means of keeping the covenant,

descendants were later called Israelites. Since we bear the name of

FOR FURTHER STUDY

Vows are made in a covenant agreement.

CHAPTER 2 THE WEDDING GARMENT

for as long as fourteen days. Wedding garments which had been

union with the bridegroom.14 God Himself has dressed us in our

Revelation of John.17 They are worn by the saints who “washed

For Further Study

CHAPTER 3 BLOOD, WATER, AND COVENANT

Blood is associated with life.1 Sin carries the penalty of death.2

showed perfect love and thus fulfilled the heart of the

unclean. 21And it shall be a perpetual statute unto them, that he

be purified. They cannot enter the sanctuary (body of Christ)

sinless Savior. We must enter into a relationship with God through

first miracle was a shadow of things to come. Consider: 1) Wine

relationship with You. In the gracious Name of Jesus, I pray,

For Further Study

Chapter 4 Name and Covenant

For Further Study

We are called to the wedding of the Lamb.

Chapter 5 Faith or Works?

Through grace, my glorious Savior took my sin and my debt and

laboured in vain.17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and

grace, you must be in Him. When you are in Christ, His

of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”9 What we

worshiping your personal faith that is merely a tool for salvation?

make no mistake, we are under a Law-the Law of Christ. The

is absolutely not the case. Salvation cannot be earned because the

Our God is a personal God and He wants one-on-one time with

grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:25 Whom God

Him. In other words, we are outside of Christ, outside of His

renews us and transforms us.22 In other words; obedience is the

learned that the secret to faithfulness is all in the relationship. It’s

For Further Study

Hebrews 11:17, 24-25

Disobedience is the equivalent of unbelief.

Chapter 6 Baptism into the Name of Christ

don their priestly robes.7 Washing was included in the ceremony.

love my husband. On February 16, I write that I love my daughter.

is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but

book of Acts where the Holy Spirit was given to bestow

resurrection of Christ,31 something that could not be done while He

sinner’s prayer). 3) I cannot say with any degree of certainty that

For Further Study

Numbers 19:17-20, Hebrews 9:14, Hebrews 10:22

Exodus 19:6, Revelation 1:6