The Washing of the Water in the Word vs. The Cleansing of the Redemptive Blood

 

The Washing of the Water in the Word vs. The Cleansing of the Redemptive Blood

John 7:38-39 "He who believes into Me...out of his innermost being will flow rivers of living water. This He said concerning the Spirit..."

Eph 5:26 "That He might sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing of the water in the word"

1 John 1:7 "The blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from every sin."

Heb 13:12 "Therefore Jesus also suffered outside the gate that He might sanctify the people through His own blood."

 

Comparison Items	The Washing of the Water in the Word	The Cleansing of the Redemptive Blood
Core Meaning	Sanctifying the church, washing away the blemishes of natural life	Redeeming sinners, washing away the stains of sin
Nature	Continuous, metabolic washing	One-time, decisive cleansing
Symbolic Meaning	Flowing living water, water of life	Atoning blood, sacrificial blood
Biblical Original	Washing (λουτρόν) - laver	Cleansing (καθαρίζω) - purification
Source	Living water flowing from believers' innermost being (John 7:38-39)	Blood shed by Christ on the cross  (Heb 13:12)
Foundation	The indwelling Christ as the life-giving Spirit	Christ as the Lamb of God in sacrifice
Old Testament Type	The laver between the altar and the tabernacle (Exo 38:8, 40:7)	Blood sacrifice on the altar  (Lev 17:11)
Ultimate Purpose	Making the church holy and without blemish	Granting redemption and forgiveness to sinners
Object of Washing	Blemishes, spots, wrinkles of natural life	Stains and penalty of sin
Level of Operation	Life transformation, character renewal, inner change	Positional change, resolution of sin
Process Characteristics	Ongoing, gradual, metabolic	Immediate, one-time, decisive
Final Result	Sanctification, conformed to Christ's image	Justification, forgiveness of sins
Time Sequence	Second stage: sanctification process after blood cleansing	First stage:  foundation of salvation
Duration	Lifelong process until seeing the Lord	Completed once at believing, eternally effective
Stage Significance	Sanctification process (present continuous)	Justification position (past perfect)
Completion Time	Complete sanctification at the Lord's return	Complete grace at believing
Old Testament Example	Priests washing earthly defilement with laver (Exo 30:18-21)	Priests offering blood sacrifice on altar  (Lev 16:14-15)
New Testament Fulfillment	Christ sanctifying church with water in the word (Eph 5:26)	Christ cleansing all sins with precious blood (Heb 9:14)
Present Application	Daily renewal through God's word	Once believing in Christ for eternal redemption
Practical Operation	Washing through Bible reading, prayer, devotion	Confession, faith, accepting salvation
Main Scripture	Rev 22:17 "The Spirit and the bride say, Come! And let him who hears say, Come! And let him who is thirsty come; let him who wills take the water of life freely." Rev 21:6 "I will give to him who thirsts from the spring of the water of life freely." Rev 22:1 "And he showed me a river of water of life, bright as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb."	Rev 7:14 "These are those who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." Heb 9:14 "How much more will the blood of Christ...cleanse your conscience from dead works" 1 Pet 1:18-19 "You were redeemed...with precious blood, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot, the blood of Christ."
Word Characteristics	Immediate word (ῥῆμα) - present, living word	Eternal word (λόγος) - eternally unchanging truth
Working Method	Metabolic: washing away old, replacing with new	Substitutionary: Christ dying in place of sinners
Tool Significance	God's word is the laver, continuous cleansing tool	Christ's blood is the ransom, complete redemptive price
Supply Nature	Not only washing but life supply and nourishment	Not only cleansing but life granting
Eternal Nature	Process eternity: continuing forever	Positional eternity: once offered, forever effective (Heb 10:12)
Thoroughness	Gradual thoroughness: progressive renewal	Immediate thoroughness: cleansing all sin completely
Legal Aspect	Life requirement: conforming to God's holy nature	Justice requirement: satisfying God's righteousness, solving sin problem
Grace Aspect	Supplying grace: free supply of God's life	Redemptive grace: completely from God's grace, man cannot save himself
Ultimate Goal	Making the church "holy and without blemish" (Eph 5:27)	Making sinners "justified" and "have life" (Rom 5:1, John 10:10)
Spiritual Significance	Solving the old man problem, sanctifying man (present continuous)	Solving the sin problem, saving man (past perfect)
Mutual Relationship	Built on foundation of redemptive blood, further sanctification work	Providing foundation and prerequisite for water washing
Complete Salvation	Salvation process: sanctification	Salvation foundation: justification

  

Summary Points:

The Complementary Nature of Both:

l   Redemptive Blood: Solves the sin problem, saves man (past tense)

l   Water in the Word: Solves the old man problem, sanctifies man (present continuous)

 

Complete Salvation Plan:

First using blood to wash away sin stains, then using water to wash away natural blemishes, with the ultimate goal of making the church "holy and without blemish" (Eph 5:27).

 

Spiritual Order:

Blood cleansing comes first (solving sin problem), water washing follows (solving natural life blemishes). Both are indispensable and together constitute God's complete salvation.

 

 *Please refer to the 2025 Memorial Day Blending Conference. General Topic: Preparation of the Bride. Chapter 4 The Beauty of the Bride