For proof - here is the original not edited version. It's the same. But, in that I version I actually added a lot more that wasn't corrected at all. So please read that as i clarify my points a lot more there......
Praise the Lord, you seem quite amenable and reasonable. Thanks for the turn around and demonstration of grace.
Yes, I also agree that abiding is key too. That is part of what every believer who has faith will do - that is what it looks like!
Someone who has faith in christ in the general, will also have faith in the blood, trusting the gospel and will be abiding in Christ knowing him relationally - and even more - they will bare fruit, will mortify the deeds of the body itself. This shows knowing the gospel - what he did and who he is etc - is not enough per say, one must understand it - but then, ultimately, it's faith in the gospel according to the right understanding is ultimately what scripture indicates salvation is. Otherwise, without correct understanding, as you seem to possibly be indicating - just know the gospel (death, burial, resurrection) and believe is enough for salvation, but riddle me this. Isn't it also necessary to have the right gospel and the right jesus?
If you don't believe He is sinless, or God, will you still be saved, or is that a different Jesus.
If you believe Jesus didn't need to bleed to redeem us, according to levitus 17:11, and only him dying - is that the true gospel, or the true savior who scripture defines as "our passover lamb". If Jesus died drowning, would that make atonement for our soul?
I hope you see my points and where I'm coming from when I say one by all means needs to have a correct understanding of the Gospel and Who Jesus is to be saved - a not a complete theology, but correct with all the vital elements. Would you agree with this - we need to understand something in order to be saved? Or, is mere vague belief sufficient, a person named Jesus died for me - not knowing how or why that's important but that he existed and they belief the historical account of his death on the cross, buriel, and ressurection. Even non believers affirm those above.
I believe God calls us to a specific faith in a specific person, otherwise he could have commanded simple belief from Heaven without needing to die. If His death was enough, why have an altar on earth and in heaven to receive blood to make atonement for our souls. It's a vital piece of the story and our faith we should appreciate and preach.
I love how you are thinking deep here. The same thoughts occurred to me too!!! Believe me.
Your words -
"Jesus never taught about his blood. He gave symbolic references to it and essentially tied it in passover with him being the sacrificial lamb during the last supper but he never once said to believe in atonement of what he does, he constantly says to believe in Him. Could you believe in his blood that cleansed us? Sure, but it's not necessary or a requirement for salvation, just a nuance for understanding what Christ did on the cross and how it applies to the laws requirements."
This was before the cross, technically in the Old Testament he was fulfilling - which blood on the altar would be needed - which he did as stated in hebrews. So death on the cross the payment was made and it was finished by all means, yet he needed to appear in heaven as the mercy seat and blood so they sacrifice could be received and applied to all who believe - correct me if I'm wrong.
John the baptist says "here comes the passoever lamb which taketh away sins of the world" - the is linked to levitus 17:11 blood on the altar and the passover lamb. This is indirect as you say, but it's only the pauls epistles - his gospel secret revealed to him only that explains the justification - he pieces it together through the holy spirits inspiration what it all meant - we are justified through his blood of his sacrifice in his "sacrificial blood atonement" on the cross, or "through faith in his blood". To have faith in this is to have faith in the gospel and in jesus. The blood only matters because of WHO he is - the sinless Godman. This magnfies his glory - in a clear picture of justification via blood - according to his wisdom and mercy - now our faith no longer rest on vague abstractions but even a child can look and point and see the blood on the altar. It's concrete thus aids in our assurance.
You are right, faith in the blood, or even the gospel as stated in corinthians 15 3-4 likewise is not explicietely stated in any of the four canoncial gospels, just shadows. The clarity comes later through paul in the age of grace which opened up to the gentiles when the jews denied christ. The message went to the Jews. To them, possibly just believing he was the messiah was enough due to there prior history of Him. To us gentile, in a different culture, the dispensation is of grace, and not generations of cultural understanding of the messiah.
Hope that makes sense and helps. A lot going on, feel free to ask any questions if I was unclear. I don't expect you to take my word for it but be a good berean!
