The Blood Atonement of Jesus Christ: Key Bible Verses

A resource on the importance of the Blood atonement of Jesus Christ in the Bible, citing key verses.

The Blood atonement of Jesus Christ holds a central place in Biblical theology, symbolizing the truth of the ultimate sacrifice for humanity's sins and the cornerstone of salvation by grace through faith . Throughout the New Testament, the significance of Christ's bloodshed is highlighted as the means by which believers are redeemed and ultimately cleansed and reconciled to God.

Through the Blood of Christ , one can see the doctrine of substitutionary atonement, where Christ died in the place of sinners , bearing the punishment that was rightfully ours. The efficacy of the blood assures believers of their eternal security; once saved always saved. Since salvation is not based on their own deeds but on the finished work of Christ, one can have confidence in their unchanging status before God.

Jesus Himself, during the Last Supper, refers to His blood as the blood of the New Covenant , shed for many for the remission of sins. See Matthew 26:28: "For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." This new covenant, foretold in the Old Testament and instituted by Jesus' sacrifice, supersedes the old covenant based on the law, offering a new way of salvation centered on grace and faith.

Romans 5:9 affirms the role of the Blood in salvation : "Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him." Justification by Christ's blood signifies that believers are declared righteous before God, not by their righteousness but by the righteousness of Christ imputed to them. This justification ensures believers' salvation from God's wrath, highlighting the substitutionary nature of the death of Jesus.

In Ephesians 1:7, the Apostle Paul says: "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace." This verse again underlines the foundation that the forgiveness of sins is obtained not through religious works but through the grace of God , manifested in the sacrificial death of His Son Jesus Christ. Redemption is a gift, freely offered to those who believe, emphasizing that it is Jesus' Blood that seals this redemption.

Colossians 1:14 declares: "In whom we have redemption through his blood,?even the forgiveness of sins:" Verse 20 proceeds: "And,?having made peace?through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him,?I say, whether?they be things in earth, or things in heaven."

These verses encapsulate the cosmic scope of Christ's sacrifice—His Blood not only reconciles individual believers to God but is part of the larger supernatural plan to reconcile all creation, restoring the peace broken by sin.

Hebrews 9:14 asks the question: "How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"

Hebrews 10:19 states: "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus." This imagery draws on the Old Testament temple practices, where the high priest entered the Holy of Holies once a year with animal blood for atonement. Now, through Christ's Blood, believers have direct access to God's presence, highlighting the complete and final nature of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross.

The Apostle John writes in 1 John 1:7: "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." This verse speaks to the continuous cleansing power of Jesus' Blood for those who walk in fellowship with Him. It's not just a one-time purification at salvation but an ongoing process that sanctifies believers, reinforcing the concept that salvation and sanctification are works of divine grace rather than human merit.

We conclude this short study in Revelation 12:11, which says: "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." This Revelation Scripture showcases the victory that is certain through the blood atonement of Jesus Christ, empowering believers to overcome evil and bear witness to the truth of the Gospel , even unto death.

Final Thoughts

The Blood atonement of Jesus Christ is the linchpin of Christian soteriology . It symbolizes the depth of God's love, the price of redemption, and the means by which salvation and justification are achieved. Salvation by grace through faith in the finished work of Jesus on the cross is thus not merely a theological concept but the very heart of the Gospel, offering eternal life to all who believe.