John MacArthurs false teaching on the blood of Jesus Christ

[Cockcrow]

MacArthur said: “It was His death that was efficacious, not His blood.” “Jesus didn’t bleed to death. The shedding of blood has nothing to do with bleeding.”

This is completely contrary to the clear teaching of Scripture. The Bible repeatedly emphasizes the importance of Christ’s literal, physical blood for the remission of sins.

What the Bible Actually Teaches​

1. Hebrews 9:22 "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission."
   • The Bible does not say "without death is no remission," but rather without shedding of blood.
2. 1 Peter 1:18-19 "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot."
   • The blood of Jesus is what redeems us, not just His death.
3. Ephesians 1:7 "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;"
   • Again, it is His blood that brings redemption.
4. Revelation 1:5 "Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,"
   • Our sins are washed away by His blood, not merely His death.

The Danger of MacArthur’s Teaching​

MacArthur’s view undermines the literal necessity of the blood of Jesus. This is an attack on the Gospel itself. Satan has always tried to downplay or remove the importance of Christ’s blood because it is the very thing that defeats him.

• The Old Testament sacrifices were a foreshadowing of Christ's blood (Leviticus 17:11 "For it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.").
• The Passover lamb’s blood (Exodus 12:13) is a direct picture of Jesus’ blood.
• Jesus Himself said during the Last Supper (Matthew 26:28) "For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."

Saying That Jesus Didn't Need to Bleed Is False​

John MacArthur's denial of the necessity of Christ’s literal blood is a grievous false teaching. The KJV Bible makes it abundantly clear that it is the blood of Jesus Christ that saves us, not just His death. Anyone who denies the power of the blood is preaching another gospel (Galatians 1:8-9) and should be marked and avoided (Romans 16:17).

The Bible is crystal clear that we are justified, redeemed, and saved by the blood of Jesus Christ, not by our works, not by repenting of sins, cleaning up the life, behavior modification, not by our own righteousness, and certainly not just by His death without His shed blood.

1. Justification by the Blood​

Justification means being declared righteous before God. How does that happen? Not by our efforts, but through the blood of Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:9 "Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him."

• This verse directly states that we are justified by His blood. not by baptism, works, or church membership.
• Without the blood of Christ, we are still under God's wrath!

2. Redemption Through the Blood​

Redemption means to be bought back or ransomed from sin. The price? The blood of Jesus.
Ephesians 1:7 "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;"
1 Peter 1:18-19 "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold. But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot."

• Jesus purchased us with His blood, just like the Passover lamb’s blood saved the Israelites (Exodus 12:13).
• His blood is precious, perfect, and the only thing that can redeem us!

3. Saved by the Blood of Jesus​

Salvation comes through faith in His blood, not our own works.
Revelation 1:5 "Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,"
Colossians 1:14 "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:"
Hebrews 9:22 "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission."

• No blood, no forgiveness! Jesus had to shed His blood to save us.
• His blood washes away our sins, not just His death.

Conclusion​

Justified by the blood (Romans 5:9)
Redeemed through the blood (Ephesians 1:7)
Saved by the blood (Revelation 1:5)

Any preacher who downplays, denies, or diminishes the blood of Jesus Christ is preaching a false gospel! The blood of Jesus is the foundation of our salvation, and without it, there is no hope.

Hebrews 10:29 warns about those who count "the blood of the covenant" an unholy thing, they are trampling on Christ’s sacrifice!
Believe in the blood of Jesus Christ, not in the false teachings of men!

Downplaying the Blood​

We should never downplay the Blood of Jesus Christ as being necessary for salvation, just as his death, burial, resurrection saves us, his virgin birth, his sinless life, his ascension and blood on the mercy seat, his second coming. It's not a pick and choose thing, no it's all of the above, Jesus paid it all and we should not downplay any one of those things. people ask questions like "does the blood save us or his death?" folks its all of the above that's how I respond when people ask questions like that. they try to say "oh youre saying we're saved by his blood but not his resurrection?" no Im not saying that, Every part of the gospel is essential we shouldn't downplay any part of it.

Jesus Escaped Death Multiple Times Because His Hour Had Not Yet Come​

There were several times when the Jews tried to kill Jesus before the cross, but He escaped every time. Why? Because He could not die in any other way- the cross and the shedding of His blood were necessary.

1. Luke 4:28-30 “And all they in the synagogue were filled with wrath, And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. But he passing through the midst of them went his way.”
   • They tried to throw Him off a cliff, but He walked away because it was not His time.
2. John 7:30 “Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.”
   • Again, the Jews wanted to seize Him, but they couldn’t because God’s plan required Him to die on the cross.
3. John 8:59 “Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.”
   • They tried to stone Him, but He escaped because He had to be crucified and shed His blood.

Jesus Prayed, Asking If There Was Another Way, But There Wasn’t​

In Matthew 26:39, Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane: “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”

• Jesus asked if there was any other way for mankind to be saved.
• The Father’s silence meant that there was NO OTHER WAY.
• Jesus had to shed His blood on the cross, because without the shedding of blood, there is no remission (Hebrews 9:22).

MacArthur’s View Contradicts This​

If John MacArthur were right, if Jesus could have just died another way and still saved us, then why:

• Did Jesus repeatedly escape death until the cross?
• Did Jesus pray, asking if there was another way?
• Does the Bible emphasize His blood over and over again?

The only answer is that Jesus had to shed His blood, there was no other way. MacArthur’s teaching contradicts the Bible and undermines the very gospel itself.

The Cross and the Blood Were Necessary​

Jesus’ death on the cross wasn’t just about dying, it was about shedding His blood.

• Hebrews 9:12 “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.”
• 1 Peter 1:19 “But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”
• Colossians 1:20 “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross.”

Conclusion: Jesus’ Blood Was Required, and There Was No Other Way​

Jesus escaped death multiple times because He had to die by shedding His blood on the cross. His prayer in the Garden proves that there was no other way.
MacArthur’s teaching that Jesus could have died without literally shedding his blood is a false gospel that denies the very core of salvation. The Bible says we are redeemed through His blood and nothing else.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

MacArthur said: “It was His death that was efficacious, not His blood.” “Jesus didn’t bleed to death. The shedding of blood has nothing to do with bleeding.”

Did he actually say that? what's the context?

Not that I'm a fan or the opposite, it just sounds like an odd thing to say.

 

[Vambram]

I'm not certain that Dr. John MacArthur would have said something like this. Please provide evidence that he did so, along with some context on more of his words on this topic. Thank you.

 

[Cockcrow]

Did he actually say that? what's the context?

Not that I'm a fan or the opposite, it just sounds like an odd thing to say.

Yes, and Yes

 

[Maria Billingsley]

MacArthur said: “It was His death that was efficacious, not His blood.” “Jesus didn’t bleed to death. The shedding of blood has nothing to do with bleeding.”

This is completely contrary to the clear teaching of Scripture. The Bible repeatedly emphasizes the importance of Christ’s literal, physical blood for the remission of sins.

What the Bible Actually Teaches​

1. Hebrews 9:22 "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission."
   • The Bible does not say "without death is no remission," but rather without shedding of blood.
2. 1 Peter 1:18-19 "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot."
   • The blood of Jesus is what redeems us, not just His death.
3. Ephesians 1:7 "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;"
   • Again, it is His blood that brings redemption.
4. Revelation 1:5 "Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,"
   • Our sins are washed away by His blood, not merely His death.

The Danger of MacArthur’s Teaching​

MacArthur’s view undermines the literal necessity of the blood of Jesus. This is an attack on the Gospel itself. Satan has always tried to downplay or remove the importance of Christ’s blood because it is the very thing that defeats him.

• The Old Testament sacrifices were a foreshadowing of Christ's blood (Leviticus 17:11 "For it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.").
• The Passover lamb’s blood (Exodus 12:13) is a direct picture of Jesus’ blood.
• Jesus Himself said during the Last Supper (Matthew 26:28) "For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."

Saying That Jesus Didn't Need to Bleed Is False​

John MacArthur's denial of the necessity of Christ’s literal blood is a grievous false teaching. The KJV Bible makes it abundantly clear that it is the blood of Jesus Christ that saves us, not just His death. Anyone who denies the power of the blood is preaching another gospel (Galatians 1:8-9) and should be marked and avoided (Romans 16:17).

The Bible is crystal clear that we are justified, redeemed, and saved by the blood of Jesus Christ, not by our works, not by repenting of sins, cleaning up the life, behavior modification, not by our own righteousness, and certainly not just by His death without His shed blood.

1. Justification by the Blood​

Justification means being declared righteous before God. How does that happen? Not by our efforts, but through the blood of Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:9 "Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him."

• This verse directly states that we are justified by His blood. not by baptism, works, or church membership.
• Without the blood of Christ, we are still under God's wrath!

2. Redemption Through the Blood​

Redemption means to be bought back or ransomed from sin. The price? The blood of Jesus.
Ephesians 1:7 "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;"
1 Peter 1:18-19 "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold. But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot."

• Jesus purchased us with His blood, just like the Passover lamb’s blood saved the Israelites (Exodus 12:13).
• His blood is precious, perfect, and the only thing that can redeem us!

3. Saved by the Blood of Jesus​

Salvation comes through faith in His blood, not our own works.
Revelation 1:5 "Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,"
Colossians 1:14 "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:"
Hebrews 9:22 "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission."

• No blood, no forgiveness! Jesus had to shed His blood to save us.
• His blood washes away our sins, not just His death.

Conclusion​

Justified by the blood (Romans 5:9)
Redeemed through the blood (Ephesians 1:7)
Saved by the blood (Revelation 1:5)

Any preacher who downplays, denies, or diminishes the blood of Jesus Christ is preaching a false gospel! The blood of Jesus is the foundation of our salvation, and without it, there is no hope.

Hebrews 10:29 warns about those who count "the blood of the covenant" an unholy thing, they are trampling on Christ’s sacrifice!
Believe in the blood of Jesus Christ, not in the false teachings of men!

Downplaying the Blood​

We should never downplay the Blood of Jesus Christ as being necessary for salvation, just as his death, burial, resurrection saves us, his virgin birth, his sinless life, his ascension and blood on the mercy seat, his second coming. It's not a pick and choose thing, no it's all of the above, Jesus paid it all and we should not downplay any one of those things. people ask questions like "does the blood save us or his death?" folks its all of the above that's how I respond when people ask questions like that. they try to say "oh youre saying we're saved by his blood but not his resurrection?" no Im not saying that, Every part of the gospel is essential we shouldn't downplay any part of it.

Jesus Escaped Death Multiple Times Because His Hour Had Not Yet Come​

There were several times when the Jews tried to kill Jesus before the cross, but He escaped every time. Why? Because He could not die in any other way—the cross and the shedding of His blood were necessary.

1. Luke 4:28-30 “And all they in the synagogue were filled with wrath, And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. But he passing through the midst of them went his way.”
   • They tried to throw Him off a cliff, but He walked away because it was not His time.
2. John 7:30 “Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.”
   • Again, the Jews wanted to seize Him, but they couldn’t because God’s plan required Him to die on the cross.
3. John 8:59 “Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.”
   • They tried to stone Him, but He escaped because He had to be crucified and shed His blood.

Jesus Prayed, Asking If There Was Another Way, But There Wasn’t​

In Matthew 26:39, Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane: “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”

• Jesus asked if there was any other way for mankind to be saved.
• The Father’s silence meant that there was NO OTHER WAY.
• Jesus had to shed His blood on the cross, because without the shedding of blood, there is no remission (Hebrews 9:22).

MacArthur’s View Contradicts This​

If John MacArthur were right, if Jesus could have just died another way and still saved us, then why:

• Did Jesus repeatedly escape death until the cross?
• Did Jesus pray, asking if there was another way?
• Does the Bible emphasize His blood over and over again?

The only answer is that Jesus had to shed His blood, there was no other way. MacArthur’s teaching contradicts the Bible and undermines the very gospel itself.

The Cross and the Blood Were Necessary​

Jesus’ death on the cross wasn’t just about dying, it was about shedding His blood.

• Hebrews 9:12 “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.”
• 1 Peter 1:19 “But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”
• Colossians 1:20 “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross.”

Conclusion: Jesus’ Blood Was Required, and There Was No Other Way​

Jesus escaped death multiple times because He had to die by shedding His blood on the cross. His prayer in the Garden proves that there was no other way.
MacArthur’s teaching that Jesus could have died without literally shedding his blood is a false gospel that denies the very core of salvation. The Bible says we are redeemed through His blood and nothing else.

Both are an important part of the sacrifice Jesus Christ of Nazareth did for humanity. Shed blood and death.
Blessings

 

[Cockcrow]

I'm not certain that Dr. John MacArthur would have said something like this. Please provide evidence that he did so, along with some context on more of his words on this topic. Thank you.

In a 1976 article titled "Not His Bleeding But His Dying," MacArthur is quoted as saying: "It was His death that was efficacious. . . not His blood. . . Christ did not bleed to death. The shedding of blood had nothing to do with bleeding. . . it simply means death. . . Nothing in His human blood saves."
John-macarthur-and-the-blood-of-christ

In another instance, MacArthur is quoted as stating: "It is important to note also that though Christ shed His blood, Scripture does not say He bled to death; it teaches rather that He voluntarily yielded up His spirit (John 10:18)."

https://kimolsen.net/2013/09/08/john-macarthur-on-the-blood-of-jesus

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Yes, and Yes

So when was the last time he referenced this idea? Any possibility of it being an old idea that he doesn't preach anymore?

 

[Cockcrow]

So when was the last time he referenced this idea? Any possibility of it being an old idea that he doesn't preach anymore?

Nope, he still teaches this and multiple pastors have confronted him on it including the late Roland Rasmuessen

 

[Cockcrow]

I'm not certain that Dr. John MacArthur would have said something like this. Please provide evidence that he did so, along with some context on more of his words on this topic. Thank you.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

MacArthur said: “It was His death that was efficacious, not His blood.” “Jesus didn’t bleed to death. The shedding of blood has nothing to do with bleeding.”

This is completely contrary to the clear teaching of Scripture. The Bible repeatedly emphasizes the importance of Christ’s literal, physical blood for the remission of sins.

What the Bible Actually Teaches​

1. Hebrews 9:22 "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission."
   • The Bible does not say "without death is no remission," but rather without shedding of blood.
2. 1 Peter 1:18-19 "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot."
   • The blood of Jesus is what redeems us, not just His death.
3. Ephesians 1:7 "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;"
   • Again, it is His blood that brings redemption.
4. Revelation 1:5 "Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,"
   • Our sins are washed away by His blood, not merely His death.

The Danger of MacArthur’s Teaching​

MacArthur’s view undermines the literal necessity of the blood of Jesus. This is an attack on the Gospel itself. Satan has always tried to downplay or remove the importance of Christ’s blood because it is the very thing that defeats him.

• The Old Testament sacrifices were a foreshadowing of Christ's blood (Leviticus 17:11 "For it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.").
• The Passover lamb’s blood (Exodus 12:13) is a direct picture of Jesus’ blood.
• Jesus Himself said during the Last Supper (Matthew 26:28) "For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."

Saying That Jesus Didn't Need to Bleed Is False​

John MacArthur's denial of the necessity of Christ’s literal blood is a grievous false teaching. The KJV Bible makes it abundantly clear that it is the blood of Jesus Christ that saves us, not just His death. Anyone who denies the power of the blood is preaching another gospel (Galatians 1:8-9) and should be marked and avoided (Romans 16:17).

The Bible is crystal clear that we are justified, redeemed, and saved by the blood of Jesus Christ, not by our works, not by repenting of sins, cleaning up the life, behavior modification, not by our own righteousness, and certainly not just by His death without His shed blood.

1. Justification by the Blood​

Justification means being declared righteous before God. How does that happen? Not by our efforts, but through the blood of Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:9 "Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him."

• This verse directly states that we are justified by His blood. not by baptism, works, or church membership.
• Without the blood of Christ, we are still under God's wrath!

2. Redemption Through the Blood​

Redemption means to be bought back or ransomed from sin. The price? The blood of Jesus.
Ephesians 1:7 "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;"
1 Peter 1:18-19 "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold. But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot."

• Jesus purchased us with His blood, just like the Passover lamb’s blood saved the Israelites (Exodus 12:13).
• His blood is precious, perfect, and the only thing that can redeem us!

3. Saved by the Blood of Jesus​

Salvation comes through faith in His blood, not our own works.
Revelation 1:5 "Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,"
Colossians 1:14 "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:"
Hebrews 9:22 "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission."

• No blood, no forgiveness! Jesus had to shed His blood to save us.
• His blood washes away our sins, not just His death.

Conclusion​

Justified by the blood (Romans 5:9)
Redeemed through the blood (Ephesians 1:7)
Saved by the blood (Revelation 1:5)

Any preacher who downplays, denies, or diminishes the blood of Jesus Christ is preaching a false gospel! The blood of Jesus is the foundation of our salvation, and without it, there is no hope.

Hebrews 10:29 warns about those who count "the blood of the covenant" an unholy thing, they are trampling on Christ’s sacrifice!
Believe in the blood of Jesus Christ, not in the false teachings of men!

Downplaying the Blood​

We should never downplay the Blood of Jesus Christ as being necessary for salvation, just as his death, burial, resurrection saves us, his virgin birth, his sinless life, his ascension and blood on the mercy seat, his second coming. It's not a pick and choose thing, no it's all of the above, Jesus paid it all and we should not downplay any one of those things. people ask questions like "does the blood save us or his death?" folks its all of the above that's how I respond when people ask questions like that. they try to say "oh youre saying we're saved by his blood but not his resurrection?" no Im not saying that, Every part of the gospel is essential we shouldn't downplay any part of it.

Jesus Escaped Death Multiple Times Because His Hour Had Not Yet Come​

There were several times when the Jews tried to kill Jesus before the cross, but He escaped every time. Why? Because He could not die in any other way- the cross and the shedding of His blood were necessary.

1. Luke 4:28-30 “And all they in the synagogue were filled with wrath, And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. But he passing through the midst of them went his way.”
   • They tried to throw Him off a cliff, but He walked away because it was not His time.
2. John 7:30 “Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.”
   • Again, the Jews wanted to seize Him, but they couldn’t because God’s plan required Him to die on the cross.
3. John 8:59 “Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.”
   • They tried to stone Him, but He escaped because He had to be crucified and shed His blood.

Jesus Prayed, Asking If There Was Another Way, But There Wasn’t​

In Matthew 26:39, Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane: “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”

• Jesus asked if there was any other way for mankind to be saved.
• The Father’s silence meant that there was NO OTHER WAY.
• Jesus had to shed His blood on the cross, because without the shedding of blood, there is no remission (Hebrews 9:22).

MacArthur’s View Contradicts This​

If John MacArthur were right, if Jesus could have just died another way and still saved us, then why:

• Did Jesus repeatedly escape death until the cross?
• Did Jesus pray, asking if there was another way?
• Does the Bible emphasize His blood over and over again?

The only answer is that Jesus had to shed His blood, there was no other way. MacArthur’s teaching contradicts the Bible and undermines the very gospel itself.

The Cross and the Blood Were Necessary​

Jesus’ death on the cross wasn’t just about dying, it was about shedding His blood.

• Hebrews 9:12 “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.”
• 1 Peter 1:19 “But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”
• Colossians 1:20 “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross.”

Conclusion: Jesus’ Blood Was Required, and There Was No Other Way​

Jesus escaped death multiple times because He had to die by shedding His blood on the cross. His prayer in the Garden proves that there was no other way.
MacArthur’s teaching that Jesus could have died without literally shedding his blood is a false gospel that denies the very core of salvation. The Bible says we are redeemed through His blood and nothing else.

So, Jesus only had to shed His blood but not actually die? Personally, I lean more toward MacArthur's understanding that "the blood" indicates that a sacrificial death---a specific kind of religious sacrificial death--has taken place. I think you're making more out of the blood of Christ than needs to be, really. Jesus died a sacrificial death, as a Passover, for our redemption. Blood accompanies a sacrificial death, but it's the death itself that the blood is a part of that gives it meaning.

And no, I'm not a "heretic" because I'm going to cite Hebrews 9:23-10:10 as the main meaning of it all.

 

[Cockcrow]

So, Jesus only had to shed His blood but not actually die? Personally, I lean more toward MacArthur's understanding that "the blood" indicates that a sacrificial death---a specific kind of religious sacrificial death--has taken place. I think you're making more out of the blood of Christ than needs to be, really. Jesus died a sacrificial death, as a Passover, for our redemption. Blood accompanies a sacrificial death, but it's the death itself that the blood is a part of that gives it meaning.

And no, I'm not a "heretic" because I'm going to cite Hebrews 9:23-10:10 as the main meaning of it all.

While it's true that Jesus died a sacrificial death, the shedding of His blood is a central, distinct part of that sacrifice. The Bible repeatedly emphasizes the importance of Jesus' blood for the remission of sins:

• Hebrews 9:22 says, "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission." This verse underscores that remission of sins requires the shedding of blood, not just death.
• 1 Peter 1:18-19 reminds us that we were redeemed "with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." The precious blood of Christ, not just His death, is what redeems us.
• Revelation 1:5 speaks of Jesus "who loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood." It is His blood that cleanses us from sin, not merely His death.

The blood of Jesus is not just symbolic, it is the means by which our sins are washed away. It's essential to understand that Jesus had to shed His blood to fulfill the Old Testament foreshadowing of the sacrificial system (Leviticus 17:11), where blood was the key element in atoning for sin.

Jesus' blood had to be shed in a very specific way on the cross as part of His substitutionary atonement for us. While His death on the cross is central, the Bible makes it clear that His blood was the necessary sacrifice for our sins. Without the shedding of His blood, there would be no remission of sins.

So, it's not just a symbolic detail; the literal shedding of Christ's blood is foundational to our salvation.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

While it's true that Jesus died a sacrificial death, the shedding of His blood is a central, distinct part of that sacrifice. The Bible repeatedly emphasizes the importance of Jesus' blood for the remission of sins:

• Hebrews 9:22 says, "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission." This verse underscores that remission of sins requires the shedding of blood, not just death.
• 1 Peter 1:18-19 reminds us that we were redeemed "with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." The precious blood of Christ, not just His death, is what redeems us.
• Revelation 1:5 speaks of Jesus "who loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood." It is His blood that cleanses us from sin, not merely His death.

The blood of Jesus is not just symbolic, it is the means by which our sins are washed away. It's essential to understand that Jesus had to shed His blood to fulfill the Old Testament foreshadowing of the sacrificial system (Leviticus 17:11), where blood was the key element in atoning for sin.

Jesus' blood had to be shed in a very specific way on the cross as part of His substitutionary atonement for us. While His death on the cross is central, the Bible makes it clear that His blood was the necessary sacrifice for our sins. Without the shedding of His blood, there would be no remission of sins.

So, it's not just a symbolic detail; the literal shedding of Christ's blood is foundational to our salvation.

I see you skirted around what I actually said and cited. .... oh well. That's on you. Have a good evening though!

 

[Cockcrow]

I see you skirted around what I actually said and cited. .... oh well. That's on you. Have a good evening though!

I'm not denying that the death of Jesus saves us. but his blood also saves us, all of the above yes, its not a either or thing like Only his death saves but not his blood? no, its both

 

[2PhiloVoid]

I'm not denying that the death of Jesus saves us. but his blood also saves us, all of the above yes, its not a either or thing like Only his death saves but not his blood? no, its both

I already explained, but you don't seem to understand what I said. I see the blood, body and death as all a part of ONE SINGLE SACRIFICIAL ACT. They are not "separate" parts of the economy of God's forgiveness in Christ, and citing the "blood of Christ" is really more a Jewish way of citing the significance of the kind of death Jesus had---as well as the Old Testament aspect of the Law about not drinking blood because "life is in the blood."

While I might not completely agree with MacArthur's reduction, I don't know that I agree with your conceptual division between the blood, body and death of Christ.

The upshot here is that in fashion with my own Trinitarian solidarity, I see neither you nor MacArthur as heretics, just brethren coming from different traditions of Christian thought.

Hebrews 2:14

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Nope, he still teaches this and multiple pastors have confronted him on it including the late Roland Rasmuessen

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Ivan Hlavanda]

"It is important to note also that though Christ shed His blood, Scripture does not say He bled to death; it teaches rather that He voluntarily yielded up His spirit (John 10:18)."

This is true. What is your problem with this?

 

[Servus]

"Hi, this is John MacArthur and recently we’ve had a lot of questions from listeners about what I believe on the blood of Christ, and I thought it might be helpful to just put together some excerpts from sermons preached through the years that’ll help you to understand where I stand."

The Blood of Christ

Hi, this is John MacArthur and recently we’ve had a lot of questions from listeners about what I believe on the blood of Christ, and I thought it...

www.gty.org

 

[Servus]

While it's true that Jesus died a sacrificial death, the shedding of His blood is a central, distinct part of that sacrifice. The Bible repeatedly emphasizes the importance of Jesus' blood for the remission of sins:

• Hebrews 9:22 says, "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission." This verse underscores that remission of sins requires the shedding of blood, not just death.
• 1 Peter 1:18-19 reminds us that we were redeemed "with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." The precious blood of Christ, not just His death, is what redeems us.
• Revelation 1:5 speaks of Jesus "who loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood." It is His blood that cleanses us from sin, not merely His death.

The blood of Jesus is not just symbolic, it is the means by which our sins are washed away. It's essential to understand that Jesus had to shed His blood to fulfill the Old Testament foreshadowing of the sacrificial system (Leviticus 17:11), where blood was the key element in atoning for sin.

Jesus' blood had to be shed in a very specific way on the cross as part of His substitutionary atonement for us. While His death on the cross is central, the Bible makes it clear that His blood was the necessary sacrifice for our sins. Without the shedding of His blood, there would be no remission of sins.

So, it's not just a symbolic detail; the literal shedding of Christ's blood is foundational to our salvation.

The meaning of shedding blood is, to put to death. Saying Christ shed His blood for us means he allowed Himself to be put to death for us.

 

[linux.poet]

"Hi, this is John MacArthur and recently we’ve had a lot of questions from listeners about what I believe on the blood of Christ, and I thought it might be helpful to just put together some excerpts from sermons preached through the years that’ll help you to understand where I stand."

The Blood of Christ

Hi, this is John MacArthur and recently we’ve had a lot of questions from listeners about what I believe on the blood of Christ, and I thought it...

www.gty.org

From what I have read and heard of John MacArthur so far, what he says in this article seems a likely story. MacArthur has based his ministry on sufficiency of Scripture, so he’s not going to go off and preach something that is against multiple passages of Scripture.

However, MacArthur is also running the Master’s college and seminary up there and so him and his faculty get into the scholarship and scholarly weeds quite often. This seems to be a case where his scholarship got mixed up with his pastoring to his detriment. My pastor has told all of us that “pastors are not scholars” and that it isn’t the responsibility of pastors to argue for particular doctrinal viewpoints. It’s important to keep those roles separate. Apparently MacArthur failed to do so here.

Not that I’m a MacArthur fan either; I disagree with his Biblical Counseling ideas which basically amount to Job’s friends and sin hunting. His work is performance based theology which quickly runs into legalism. It’s very damaging to the broken and mentally ill. I also disagree with how he defines biblical femininity, which he defines on a performance basis. But that is neither here nor there; on theological basics such as the blood atonement of Christ, I’m pretty sure he believes in it.

I’m not sure why MacArthur’s detractors keep bringing up such petty misconceptions instead of just challenging his real problems.

 

[Paleouss]

Greetings all. Peace to all my brothers in this thread.

I listened to one of the vids in this thread to further understand the complaint of the OP. I must admit, I didn't think the distinction that was trying to be made, need to be made.

Mr. MacArthur appears to make an unneeded distinction between "bleeding", "the blood" (which is life (Lev 17:11)) and the death. At least in my opinion.

I think I see where he is trying to go but it is an unnecessary path toward that end, it would seem to me. All MacArthur seems to accomplish with this attempted distinction is to muddy the waters. Again, imo.

From a personal perspective. I do believe that the stratagem of God to "put all enemies under His feet” (1Cor 15:25) include the distinction between (a) the blood and (b) death and resurrection. But MacArthur is not making the distinction regarding the conquering of all enemies. His distinction is intended for the subject of redemption only, it would seem.

So I don't see it as at all useful. In fact, I think at best it muddies the waters.

Keep seeking God's truth as if it were hidden treasure.