Understanding the Bible
The Scripture: Ephesians 5:26, “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,”
In Context: Ephesians 5:22 – 33 is referring to the marriage between a man and a woman in the same way that the church is the bride of Christ.
In verse 23, we read, “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
- How did he become the head of the church? To be the head of anything you have to have ownership in it.
Continuing in verse 25, “Husbands love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.
- How did you give Himself for her?
In Acts 20:28 we read of Paul when he met the elders of the Ephesian church in Miletus. He told them, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”
- Now to Ephesians 5:26, “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,”
So, when Christ was crucified, His will was inacted. The old law was done away and the new law, a more pefect law was ushered in and with that the church. Through His death he sanctified or set apart those who are members of His body, the church.
- How do we come in contact with His blood and become members of that one body?
Baptism
John 3:5, “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”
Titus 3:5, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”
Acts 2:37-38, “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. 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.
1 Peter 3:21, “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ”
Colossians 2:12, “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.”
Mark 16:16, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Hebrews 10:22, “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.