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There are thirty-six references to the blood of Christ in the N.T.; thirty-six references,
by six writers, distributed through the four Gospels, the Acts, Romans, I Corinthians,
Ephesians, Colossians, Hebrews, I Peter, I John, and the Apocalypse. The blood of
Christ is specifically associated with the new covenant, with the provision of life, with
the purchase of the Church, with propitiation, redemption, forgiveness of sins,
justification, nearness, peace, access, and victory. It is called "precious", is said to have
been "shed" and "sprinkled", to speak better things than that of Abel, and to be infinitely
more valuable than the blood of bulls and goats. It is too not much to say, therefore, that
a denial of the necessity and provision of this sacrificial feature in the purpose of God in
Christ, vitiates the whole revelation of God, not only the N.T. with its gospel, but the
O.T. with its typical teaching.
These thirty-six references to the blood of Christ in the N.T. deal with twelve great
features in the purpose of grace, each one a theme in itself.
1.
The new covenant, and the aionion covenant.
Israel's future, their restoration, their forgiveness, their enjoyment of all the promises
made unto the fathers, the faithfulness of God to His word and oath, all find assurance
and settlement in the blood of Christ.
"And He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it,
for this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of
sins" (Matt. 26: 27, 28; Mark 14: 24; Luke 22: 20).
"This cup is the new covenant in My blood" (I Cor. 11: 25).
"Behold the days come saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the
house of Israel and with the house of Judah" (Heb. 8: 8).
"Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great
Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the aionion covenant, make you perfect in
every good work to do His will" (Heb. 13: 20, 21).
The first covenant was not dedicated without blood, for we read that Moses sprinkled
the book and all the people, saying: "This is the blood of the covenant, which God has
enjoined unto you" (Heb. 9: 20). The old covenant was not found faultless, so it was put
aside. The blood of bulls and goats gave no guarantee that this covenant would ever be
fulfilled.
The fact that the new covenant was dedicated and confirmed by nothing less than the
blood of Christ assures its complete success, and settles for ever the question of Israel's
restoration and the fulfillment of all the promises made by God unto the fathers.
2.
The blood is the life.
The only references to the blood of Christ in the Gospels which have a doctrinal
bearing, other than those that refer to the new covenant, are found in John 6: The