{"id":47361,"date":"2023-03-27T11:05:35","date_gmt":"2023-03-27T08:05:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=47361"},"modified":"2025-05-25T15:54:16","modified_gmt":"2025-05-25T12:54:16","slug":"how-does-christ-cleanse-the-church-with-water-through-the-wordephesians-526-nkjv","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2023\/03\/27\/how-does-christ-cleanse-the-church-with-water-through-the-wordephesians-526-nkjv\/","title":{"rendered":"How Does Christ Cleanse the Church with Water Through the Word?(Ephesians 5:26 – NKJV)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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1. Christ\u2019s Purpose for the Church<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Let\u2019s begin by reading Ephesians 5:25\u201327 (NKJV)<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,
\n26<\/strong> that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,
\n27<\/strong> that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This passage shows Christ\u2019s sacrificial love and His ultimate goal for the Church: to sanctify and cleanse her<\/strong>. This cleansing is done through water and the Word<\/strong>\u00a0 meaning both the external act of baptism<\/strong> and the internal work of the Word of God in the believer\u2019s life<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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2. The Symbolism of Water and Blood<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This concept is rooted in Christ\u2019s crucifixion. In John 19:34 (NKJV)<\/strong>, the Apostle John writes:<\/p>\n

“But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This is not just a physical occurrence\u00a0 \u00a0it holds deep spiritual symbolism<\/strong>. The blood<\/strong> signifies the atonement for sin<\/strong> (Hebrews 9:22<\/em>), while the water<\/strong> represents spiritual cleansing and renewal<\/strong>. These two are inseparable in the salvation process.<\/p>\n

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3. The Role of Baptism in Cleansing<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In Acts 2:37\u201338 (NKJV)<\/strong>, after Peter preached the gospel at Pentecost, the listeners were convicted and asked:<\/p>\n

\u201cMen and brethren, what shall we do?\u201d
\nThen Peter said to them,<\/p>\n

\u201cRepent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins<\/strong>; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Here we see a clear sequence of salvation<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

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  1. Repentance<\/strong><\/li>\n
  2. Water Baptism in Jesus\u2019 Name<\/strong><\/li>\n
  3. Forgiveness of sins<\/strong><\/li>\n
  4. Receiving the Holy Spirit<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The apostolic teaching connected baptism<\/strong> with remission of sins<\/strong>\u00a0 not as a mere ritual, but as an act of obedience<\/strong> and a means of sanctification<\/strong> (Mark 16:16, Romans 6:3\u20134<\/em>).<\/p>\n

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    4. The Unity of the Spirit, Water, and Blood<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    According to 1 John 5:8 (NKJV)<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

    \u201cAnd there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    This verse affirms the theological unity of:<\/p>\n