In Exodus 24:8, “Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the Lord hath made with you concerning all these words.” Hebrews 8:5 tells us that these matters are “copies and shadows” for what would occur in the New Testament.

Hebrews 9:19, 21 references Exodus 24:8 when it says, “For when Moses had … sprinkled both the book, and all the people.” We know that the blood of Christ justifies and redeems us (Romans 5:9; Colossians 1:14). The $64,000 question is, “How is the blood of Christ applied to us?”

The religious world says that it is applied through faith only. However, the scriptures teach differently. Peter linked obedience and blood when he wrote, “… unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ …” (1 Peter 1:2). The Bible clearly says that baptism puts us in contact with Christ’s blood. Hebrews 10:22 says, “… having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. ” The “pure water” is baptism! We know that Christ shed His blood on the cross (John 19:34); baptism puts us into contact with His death (Romans 6:3-4). Is it appropriate to equate Christ’s blood and His death? Of course!

When denominations deny that baptism is essential to salvation, they are promoting a doctrine of the devil which denies people the opportunity to reach the saving blood of Jesus Christ. Our purpose is to save people’s souls, not keep them in darkness!

Kyle Campbell