The Blood of Jesus Christ Was Shed for the Forgiveness of Sins

At the Last Supper, Jesus spoke in the hearing of all His disciples and made one of the clearest statements in the entire New Testament about the forgiveness of sins. He took the cup and said, “For this is My blood of the covenant, which is being poured out for many for forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28, NASB 2020). Jesus did not say that baptismal water would be poured out for the forgiveness of sins. He said that His blood would be poured out. He directly connected the forgiveness of sins with His sacrificial death.

The word translated “forgiveness” means release, pardon, or cancellation of guilt. The older English word “remission” expresses the same truth. Jesus was declaring that His blood would satisfy God’s righteous judgment against sin and provide the basis upon which guilty sinners could be forgiven. He was not speaking in vague symbolism. He was explaining why He was about to die.

This forces a direct question. If water baptism is what actually removes sin, washes away guilt, or completes forgiveness, then what did Jesus mean when He said His blood was poured out for the forgiveness of sins? Was Jesus mistaken? Was He misleading His disciples? Was He taking credit for something that baptismal water alone would accomplish?

I reject every one of those conclusions. Jesus is not a liar. He is not a deceiver. He is not a manipulator. He is not a false teacher. He is the truth (John 14:6). He cannot lie, and He spoke exactly what the Father commanded Him to speak (John 8:28; John 12:49 through 50). Therefore, when Jesus said His blood was poured out for the forgiveness of sins, I believe Him.

Mark records the same declaration. Jesus said, “This is My blood of the covenant, which is being poured out for many” (Mark 14:24). Luke records Jesus saying that the cup was “the new covenant in My blood, which is being poured out for you” (Luke 22:20). Paul repeated the same truth when he described the Lord’s Supper. Jesus said, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood” (1 Corinthians 11:25). The new covenant is not established through baptismal water. It is established through the blood of Christ.

John the Baptist introduced Jesus by saying, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Jesus is the sacrificial Lamb. His death removes sin. His blood provides cleansing. His sacrifice satisfies divine justice. John did not say, “Behold, the water that takes away sin.” He pointed directly to Christ.

Jesus also said that the Son of Man came “to give His life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45). A ransom is the price paid to secure freedom. Jesus did not say that water would pay the ransom. He gave His own life. The price of redemption was not baptism. The price was His blood.

Paul states the same truth without hesitation. “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our wrongdoings, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7). Redemption through His blood and forgiveness of sins are directly joined together. Colossians 1:13 through 14 says that in Christ “we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:20 explains that God made peace “through the blood of His cross.”

Romans 3:24 through 26 teaches that sinners are justified as a gift by God’s grace through the redemption found in Christ Jesus. God publicly displayed Christ as the sacrifice of atonement in His blood, received through faith. Romans 5:9 says that believers are “justified by His blood.” Justification means that God declares the believing sinner righteous. Scripture does not say that we are justified by baptismal water. It says that we are justified by Christ’s blood.

First Peter 1:18 through 19 says that I was not redeemed with perishable things such as silver or gold, “but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.” The value of my redemption rests in the infinite worth of Jesus Christ and His perfect sacrifice. Water baptism cannot replace, improve, apply, or complete that redemption.

Hebrews develops this truth in even greater detail. Christ entered the heavenly holy place “through His own blood,” having obtained eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:12). His blood cleanses the conscience from dead works so that we may serve the living God (Hebrews 9:14). Hebrews 9:22 states that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. The verse does not say that without immersion in water there is no forgiveness. Forgiveness requires an atoning sacrifice, and Jesus supplied that sacrifice through His death.

Hebrews 9:26 says that Christ appeared “to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.” Hebrews 10:10 says that believers have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Hebrews 10:12 says that Christ offered one sacrifice for sins for all time. Hebrews 10:14 says, “For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.”

Those statements leave no room for the claim that Christ’s sacrifice remained incomplete until baptismal water finished the work. Jesus offered Himself once. His sacrifice was sufficient. His blood secured redemption. His death paid the price. His resurrection proved that the Father accepted His saving work.

When Jesus cried, “It is finished” (John 19:30), He was not saying, “My part is finished, but water must now complete redemption.” His saving sacrifice was completed at the cross. Hebrews 1:3 says that after making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. He sat down because the sacrificial work was accomplished.

Peter proclaimed that everyone who believes in Christ receives forgiveness of sins through His name (Acts 10:43). While Peter was still preaching, the Holy Spirit came upon Cornelius and his household before they were baptized in water (Acts 10:44 through 48). God cleansed their hearts by faith (Acts 15:8 through 9). Their baptism followed their reception of the Spirit. It did not cause their forgiveness or spiritual cleansing.

Paul preached, “Through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through Him everyone who believes is justified” (Acts 13:38 through 39). Again, forgiveness is through Christ and justification is received through faith. Paul did not tell those hearers that the blood of Christ was powerless until baptismal water activated it.

First Corinthians 15:1 through 4 defines the saving gospel as the message that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was raised on the third day. Paul said that believers are saved through this gospel. Water baptism is not included as part of Christ’s atoning work. In fact, Paul distinguished preaching the gospel from baptizing when he wrote, “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel” (1 Corinthians 1:17). Paul could not have separated baptism from the gospel if baptism were the act that completed forgiveness.

First John 1:7 says, “The blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” It does not say that His blood makes cleansing possible while baptismal water actually performs it. The blood of Jesus cleanses from all sin. First John 2:1 through 2 identifies Jesus Christ as our Advocate and the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Our confidence rests in Him, not in a religious ceremony.

Revelation continues this testimony. Jesus “loves us and released us from our sins by His blood” (Revelation 1:5). The redeemed worship Christ because He was slain and purchased people for God with His blood (Revelation 5:9). The great multitude washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:14). Believers overcome the accuser because of the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony (Revelation 12:11). Heaven gives all the glory for redemption to Jesus and His blood.

I do not reject water baptism. I believe water baptism is commanded by Christ and should follow saving faith. It is a public confession of identification with Jesus in His death, burial, and resurrection (Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:3 through 4). It is an act of obedience. It is a powerful testimony. But it is not the blood of Christ, and it must never be assigned the saving work that belongs only to Christ.

Even First Peter 3:21 immediately explains that baptism is “not the removal of dirt from the flesh,” but an appeal to God for a good conscience through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The physical water does not cleanse the conscience. Hebrews 9:14 tells me what does cleanse the conscience. It is the blood of Christ.

The issue is direct and unavoidable. Jesus said, “This is My blood of the covenant, which is being poured out for many for forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28). I either believe His words, or I replace His explanation with another system. I cannot honestly proclaim that Christ’s blood provides forgiveness while teaching that baptismal water actually washes away sin. That gives water the credit Jesus gave to His blood.

Jesus was not confused at the Last Supper. He was not exaggerating. He was not speaking falsely. He knew exactly why He was going to the cross. His blood was shed for the forgiveness of sins. His sacrifice was sufficient. His work was finished. His resurrection was victorious. Forgiveness is proclaimed through His name and received by grace through faith in Him.

The blood of Christ does not need water to complete its work. Water baptism points to the gospel. It does not replace the gospel. It pictures cleansing. It does not accomplish the atonement. It testifies to salvation. It does not create salvation.

My sins are forgiven because Jesus shed His blood, died in my place, rose from the dead, and saved me by His grace when I trusted in Him. All honor, glory, praise, and saving power belong to Jesus Christ alone.

Salvation is only through a personal relationship with God the Father by grace through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. At the moment of saving faith, the believer is instantly and permanently indwelt by the Holy Spirit, who regenerates, seals, leads, guides, empowers, and sanctifies in their walk with God.

Continue the Expository Studies