'Eternal blood vs. Eternal redemption vs. Eternal element vs. Eternal efficacy vs. Eternal permanence'
1 John 1:7 "the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin"
Heb 9:12 "he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption"
John 1:14 "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us"
1 Tim 3:16 "God was manifested in the flesh"
Heb 7:25 "he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him"
Item |
Eternal Blood |
Eternal Redemption |
Eternal Element |
Eternal Efficacy |
Eternal Permanence |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Meaning |
The blood shed by God's Son Jesus, possessing both humanity and divinity with eternal essence |
The redemptive work accomplished once on the cross by Christ with eternal effects |
The divine nature and attributes that give eternal quality to the redemptive work |
The eternal effectiveness of redemption's function, unlimited by time and space |
The eternal continuity of redemptive effects in time and space |
Effects |
Cleanses all sins, reconciles man to God, forgives transgressions |
Liberates from sin's power, grants eternal life, entrance to God's kingdom |
Guarantees redemption's infinity and eternity, transcends human limitations |
Equally effective for all generations and people, never weakens or fails |
Redemption's influence spans across ages, covers the earth, never ceases |
Distinctions |
Emphasizes blood's divine nature - both human blood and containing God's element |
Emphasizes completeness and one-time accomplishment of redemptive work |
Emphasizes basic divine components that constitute redemption's eternal nature |
Emphasizes continuous effectiveness and universality of redemptive power |
Emphasizes temporal and spatial continuity of redemptive influence |
Examples |
Jesus' blood on the cross meets requirement for human blood while having eternal efficacy through divinity |
OT sacrifices needed repetition, but Christ's redemption accomplished once for all eternity |
Because Christ possesses complete divinity, His death can cover all humanity's sin |
Regardless of time or place, anyone can receive the same salvation through faith |
From cross to end times, salvation remains effective and influences history |
Applications |
Believers are cleansed by this blood, can approach God boldly without fear |
Believers need not be saved repeatedly, once believed they have eternal life |
Believers can be confident in salvation's absolute reliability despite human weakness |
Can confidently evangelize knowing the gospel is equally effective for anyone |
Believers can experience salvation's reality in any era, any location |
Interrelationships |
Provides material basis for eternal redemption, has efficacy through eternal element, its efficacy eternally endures |
Accomplished through eternal blood, guaranteed by eternal element, produces eternal efficacy, ensures eternal permanence |
Gives blood eternal nature, guarantees redemption's eternity, source of efficacy, makes permanence possible |
Originates from eternal element, manifested through eternal blood, exists because of eternal redemption, ensures eternal permanence |
Is the temporal-spatial expression of blood, redemption, and efficacy, realized through eternal element |
Related Scriptures |
Acts 20:28 "the church of God which he obtained with his own blood" Heb 9:14 "how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience" |
Heb 10:10 "we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all" Heb 10:14 "For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified" |
Matt 1:18-20 "for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit" Luke 1:35 "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you" |
Rom 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes" 1 Pet 1:23 "since you have been born again...through the living and abiding word of God" |
Heb 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" Ps 110:4 "You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek" Rev 1:18 "I am the first and the last, and the living one" |
Summary:
Necessity of Incarnation
Christ had to become truly human to:
- Shed genuine human blood to redeem humanity
- Represent humanity in bearing sin's penalty
- Satisfy God's righteous requirements
Divine Guarantee
Christ's divinity ensures:
- Redemption has infinite value
- Can cover all humanity's sin debt
- Efficacy never fails
Mystery of Union
The union of divinity and humanity in Christ:
- Does not produce a third nature
- Each nature remains complete
- Forms the unique God-man person
These five "eternal" concepts are interrelated and mutually supportive, together forming the complete picture of Christ's redemptive work, demonstrating how complete, reliable, and eternal this redemption truly is.
The eternal element is the core foundation, giving the other four concepts eternal nature
The eternal blood is the material basis of redemption, and it has eternal efficacy due to the divine element
Eternal redemption is the completion of the entire work, which brings together all the previous elements
Eternal efficacy is the display of redemption power, ensuring the effectiveness of salvation
Eternal permanence is the continuous expression of all these in time and space
*Please refer to April 2025 International Elders and Responsible Brothers Training General Topic: One Accord and Vital Aspects of Acts Chapter 8: The Holy Trinity and the Kingdom of God