Second Corinthians 5:17 says old things pass away and all things become new when we become born again. Water baptism represents the death of the old man and the resurrection (new birth) into new life.
We symbolically bury our sin and the old man, and come up out of the water cleansed by the blood and reborn. No wonder the devil wants us to be ignorant about the blood of Jesus.
When you get saved, you are cleansed by the power of the blood and your sins are washed away, not just covered. You become a new creation in Christ and the Spirit of God moves into your heart. Life is in the blood. Genesis 9:4 says, “But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.”
Leviticus 17:11 says, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for your soul.” How much clearer could it be? The scripture says the life of the flesh is in the blood.
The words “atone” and “atonement” means to cover. In the Old Testament the blood of bulls and goats covered the people’s sin.
Living Under a Better Covenant
Let me give you an illustration. We have all seen the little red wagons that children play with. If you would take one of these wagons and fill it with dirt and decide you wanted the dirt hidden, you could cover the wagon and the dirt with a canvas.
Using Old Testament terms, we could say the dirt was “atoned.” But even though the dirt was covered, the reality is, it was still there. If the wind came along and blew the canvas off the wagon, the dirt (sin) would be exposed and would need to be covered again.
It took works to cover the wagon and to keep it covered.
Under the new covenant, Jesus dumped the dirt out of the wagon and cleansed the wagon with His blood. No longer does the wagon need to be covered. The dirt is not there. The wagon is clean. Using New Testament terms, the wagon has been “made righteous.” It is clean and cleansed and ready to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
In Old Testament times, they had to have a continual sacrifice of the blood of bulls and goats to atone for their sin. They still had their sins. They were just covered so God wouldn’t have to look at them. That explains why the Holy Spirit did not reside permanently in the people of God under the old covenant, but can now literally live inside of the New Testament believer.
That’s why Hebrews 8:6 tells us that the new covenant is better than the old covenant. Under the old covenant sin is covered, but under the new covenant sin is eliminated. The new covenant is definitely better.
Excerpt permission granted by Larry Ollison Ministries
Dr. Larry Ollison is founder and Senior Pastor of Walk on the Water Faith Church and founder of Larry Ollison Ministries. With over forty years in the ministry, he is a very popular speaker nationally and internationally and ministers the Word of Faith through radio, television, Internet, and daily e-mail devotionals. As the author of twelve books (including The Power of Grace, The Practical Handbook for Christian Living, Breaking the Cycle of Offense, Life is in the Blood, and recently released The Paradise of God), he is in frequent demand for radio/TV interviews, book signings, and magazine publications.
Dr. Ollison was raised a Southern Baptist. While majoring in theology at Southwest Baptist University, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For many years he traveled extensively speaking at Full Gospel Business Men's meetings and conventions. He later earned an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. and Th.D. from Life Christian University.
Currently President of International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM), Dr. Ollison is also Vice-President of Spirit FM Christian Radio Network, Missouri State Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), and a Trustee on the boards of several international ministries. He is also the host of The Cutting Edge Radio Broadcast and authors The Cutting Edge Daily Devotional.
As the owner of a marine dealership, his extensive business background brings a unique flavor to his teaching. He founded and served as chairman of the Missouri State Marine Board, President of the Marine Dealers’ Association, Vice-President of a bank holding company, along with holding several directorships in various corporations.
Dr. Ollison's strongest areas of teaching are the blood of Jesus, faith, relationships, the Hebrew language, the Holy Spirit, the end times, and heaven. During ministry, he operates freely in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. His use of humor and his ability to make a theological concept simple makes it enjoyable and easy for everyone to understand. Countless testimonies have been received from people who say their lives have been changed after experiencing Dr. Ollison's unique ministry.
Dr. Ollison is a pastor, pilot, teacher, and author. His number one goal is to meet the needs of the people through the teaching of faith in God's Word. He and his wife, Loretta, have two children and six grandchildren.