A Cleansed Conscience by the Blood of Jesus

 

 

A Cleansed Conscience by the Blood of Jesus

 

 

Chapter 1

The Blood of Jesus Cleanses Dead Works

 

 

Key Scriptures:

 

Let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting Him. For our guilty evil consciences have been sprinkled with Christ's Blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:22

 

Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer could cleanse people's bodies from ceremonial impurity. Just think how much more the Blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds [dead works] so that we can worship the living God. Hebrews 9:13-14a

 

Under the Old System, the blood of animal sacrifices only atoned for sin for a maximum of one year and had to be repeated over and over again. The blood of animals could temporarily cover over sin, but contained no power to transform the heart of man.

 

Jesus said that all sin and evil deeds originate from the heart. It begins with thoughts, attitudes and motives. Then action follows.

 

Ceremonial washings and rituals could temporarily purify the outward body, but could not cleanse the mind, or purge a defiled conscience, or remove guilt and shame.

 

If the blood of animals (which was imperfect) could remove sin temporarily, and the sprinkling of blood by an heifer bring purification, then how much more shall the Blood of Jesus (which is perfect) cleanse our conscience from guilt, defilement and dead works.

 

Dead works refers to things that are:

·                  Unprofitable

·                  Unfruitful

·                  Have no life

·                  Acts that lead to death

·                  Do not add anything beneficial to your life but instead only serves to drain the life out of you

·                  Actions that cause damage (such as abuse)

·                  Attitudes that are toxic (such as unforgiveness, bitterness, malice, jealousy, envy, strife, hatred, unresolved anger, rage, pride)

·                  Crooked and criminal deeds

·                  Iniquity

·                  Wickedness

·                  Witchraft, sorcery, spells, and every other practice associated with the dark realm

·                  Craving the praise of man and doing things to make yourself look good

·                  Any kind of deeds in which God is not impressed (even if man is)

·                  Selfish motivation and ambition

·                  Any works you do in which you will receive no reward in Heaven

·                  Works of the flesh, such as those things listed in Galations 5:15-21. These include: biting and devouring one another, adultery, fornication, sexual immorality, sexual addictions, alchoholism, domestic violence, abuse of any kind, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envy, murder, drunkenness, reveling, desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, and such things.

 

Chapter 2

The Various Conditions of the Conscience

 

 

The Bible has much to say about our conscience. The Word of God addresses the various conditions of the conscience:

 

Positive

·      A good conscience towards God – Acts 23:1

·      A conscience void of offense towards God and man – Acts 24:16

·      A good conscience, a pure heart, and sincere faith – 1 Timothy 1:5,19

·      A good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly – Hebrews 13:18

·      A good conscience, that if anyone speaks evil of you, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ – 1 Peter 3:16

·      Our conscience bearing witness between right and wrong – Romans 2:15

·      Our conscience bearing witness in the Holy Ghost – Romans 9:1

·      Keeping hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience – 1 Timothy 3:9

·      Keeping a clean conscience by obeying the law and doing what is right – Romans 13:5

·      Having a tender conscience in regards to personal convictions – 1 Corinthians 8:7-12; 1 Corinthians 10:25-29

·      Having a clean conscience because of knowing that you conducted yourself in sincerity, purity of heart, motives and deeds – 2 Corinthians 1:12

·      Pure conscience – 2 Timothy 1:3

·      Water Baptism that depicts that you are turning to Christ and asking Him to cleanse your conscience from sin – 1 Peter 3:21

 

 

 

 

 

 

Negative

·      Evil conscience – Hebrews 10:22 (KJV, NKJV, AMP, NASB)

·      Guilty conscience – Hebrews 10:22 (AMP, NIV, NLT)

·      Defiled conscience – Titus 1:15 (KJV, NKJV, AMP, NASB)

·      Corrupted conscience – Titus 1:15 (NIV, NLT)

·      Polluted conscience – Titus 1:15 (AMP)

·      Conscience filled with dead works – Hebrews 9:14 (KJV, NKJV, AMP, NASB)

·      Conscience filled with sinful deeds – Hebrews 9:14 (NLT)

·      Seared over conscience. The picture here is of a hot iron that sears over and hardens, cauterizes, seals shut, deadens or permanently imprints something (like cattle that are branded) – 1 Timothy 4:2. When a person has a seared over conscience, that usually means that they have violated and overridden their conscience so many times that after a while their conscience is no longer a safe guide. They no longer feel remorse for their actions. They don’t care anymore between what is right and what is wrong. Things they do that are wrong doesn’t bother them anymore.

The Blood of Jesus has the power to break open a seared over conscience, and cause the conscience to become tender and sensitive again.

 

Other Things About the Conscience

·      We are convicted by our own conscience (if our conscience is not seared over and is a safe guide where we bear witness on the inside between right and wrong) – John 8:9

 

·      The Old Testament gifts and sacrifices offered were not able to perfectly (completely, fully) make clear the worshipper’s conscience. Only the Blood of Jesus can perfectly (completely, fully) clear our conscience – Hebrews 9:9; Hebrews 10:1-10

 

 

The Blood of Jesus:

·      Purges the conscience – Hebrews 9:14 (KJV)

·      Purifies the conscience – Hebrews 9:14 (AMP, NLT)

·      Cleanses the conscience – Hebrews 9:14 (NKJV, NIV, NASB)

·      Jesus’ Blood sprinkles our heart from an evil or guilty conscience – Hebrews 10:22. 

The sprinkling of blood in the Old Testament was for the purpose of purification. The priests themselves, and their clothing, was sprinkled with blood, the altar was sprinkled with blood, the Mercy Seat was sprinkled with blood, the utensils were sprinkled with blood. Almost everything was sprinkled with blood for purging and purification.

 

Hebrews 9:22

And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

 

Chapter 3

Purging of the Conscience by the Blood of Jesus

 

 

The positive news about a bad conscience, and past guilt, is that our conscience can be purged. The purging of the conscience takes place by:

 

1.                Being sprinkled with the Blood of Jesus

2.                Being sprinkled with the Water of the Word

3.                The waters of baptism

 

 

1.        Blood of Sprinkling

 

Key Scriptures:

 

Hebrews 12:24 (AMP)

And to Jesus, the Mediator (Go-between, Agent) of a New Covenant, and to the sprinkled Blood which speaks [of mercy], a better and nobler and more gracious message than the blood of Abel [which cried out for vengeance].

 

Matthew 26:26-28

26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is My Body.

27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;

28 For this is My Blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

 

Hebrews 9:22 Without shedding of blood there is no remission [of sins].

 

Romans 3:25 says, “Whom God put forward [before the eyes of all] as a mercy seat and propitiation by His blood [the cleansing and life-giving sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation, to be received] through faith.”

 

 

 

 

Revelation 1:5-6

5 Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own Blood,

6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

 

Revelation 7:14b

These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb.

 

Hebrews 11:28

Through faith he kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

 

1 Peter 1:2

Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

 

 

We apply the sprinkling of the Blood of the Lamb in our lives by applying Jesus’ Blood through faith, words spoken (prayer) and through partaking of Holy Communion (Eucharist) on a regular basis.

 

 

 

Chapter 4

Water of Sprinkling to Cleanse the Conscience

 

 

In Chapter 3, I gave Scriptures about being sprinkled with the Blood of Jesus.

 

In this chapter, we will focus on the second point below, which is being sprinkled with the water of the Word.

 

2.        Water of Sprinkling Through Being Washed by the Word

 

Ephesians 5:26-27 says, “That He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the Word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.”

 

The “water of sprinkling” also speaks of the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the “Spirit of Sanctification” and does a cleansing work in our lives.

 

Titus 3:5-6 says, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior.”

 

1 Corinthians 6:11 tells us: “But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”

 

The Holy Spirit, who speaks to us through the Word of God which gets into our hearts, convicts the believer of sin in his or her life. The Word of God is Spirit-breathed, and so therefore, the Bible is the Holy Spirit talking to you. The Holy Spirit not only convicts, but also uses His Word to wash away the impurities in our lives.

 

In the Old Testament tabernacle, the laver was a basin of water which was used for purification purposes while the priests officiated at the Altar. The laver was made out of the mirrors of the women.

The Word of God is likened to a mirror. As you look intently into the Word of God, it shows you the truth about yourself. One name of the Bible is “Word of Truth”. What happens when we look into a mirror? Doesn't it tell us the total, 100% truth about our appearance? The Word, if applied, purges and purifies the heart and mind.

 

We are transformed by the Word, from glory to glory (from “one degree of glory to another” means that the Lord takes us in stages, or levels of growth and revelation, a little at a time ... just like we go from one grade to another in school ... He's always teaching us new things and taking us higher).

 

2 Corinthians 3:18 (AMP)

And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit.

 

The laver symbolizes the “sprinkling of water” by the Word of God and also represents water baptism. The priests would repeatedly wash their hands before going into the Holy Place.

 

Our hands represent our deeds. The priests also used water from the laver to wash their feet. Jesus also used water to wash His disciples' feet. Jesus said that if the feet are cleansed then the whole body is clean. The feet represent our walk in life, our walk with God.

 

God is calling us to have clean hands (deeds) and clean feet (clean walk).

 

If you are called to minister in the Holy Place, the responsibility to have clean hands and clean feet is greater because you are examples and leaders.

 

The Blood of Jesus and the Word of God (applied) renews our minds.

 

Romans 12:2 says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

 

The word “renewing” (anakainosis) in the Greek is defined as:

·                  renovation

·                  to cause to grow up

·                  to make new

·                  renewal

·                  complete change for the better

Repentance first begins with changing the way you think. When you change the way you think, then your actions will soon follow. The Blood of Jesus, and the washing of the Word of God, has the power to renew the mind and transform the way you think.

 

The Word says that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His Word is not in us. 1 John 1:9-10

 

Chapter 5

A Cleansed Conscience by the Waters of Baptism

 

 

In Chapter 3, I discussed Point 1—Being sprinkled with the Blood of Jesus. This is speaking of Christ’s atonement of sin and the Power of the Cross. Jesus shed His precious Blood so that our sins would be washed away and forgiven, and by His stripes we are healed.

 

In Chapter 4, we talked about Point 2—Being sprinkled with the Water of the Word. The preaching and application of the Word of God washes and purifies us, and renews the mind. The Word of God has transforming power.

 

In this chapter, we will focus on Point 3 below—which is being cleansed by the waters of baptism.

 

The positive news about a bad conscience, and past guilt, is that our conscience can be purged.

 

Water of Sprinkling Through Water Baptism

 

The ashes of the red heifer mixed with water is called “the water of sprinkling”.

 

This phrase, “water of sprinkling”, is also used to be talking about water baptism. It speaks of your sins and your past being washed away by water. 1 Peter 3:21 says, “There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

 

Acts 22:16 says, “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”

 

In the Old Testament, water baptism was through sprinkling. In the New Testament, we see by many examples, including Jesus' baptism, that it was done through total immersion into water.

 

This represents that the old carnal man is dead and is buried with Christ into the water, and then rises up to a brand new life in Christ Jesus.

 

Romans 6:4 says, “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”

 

Acts 2:38 says, Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

 

It's not a baptismal formula that matters the most. i.e., whether you baptize “In the Name of Jesus” or “In the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit”. Both are Scriptural.

 

What matters the most is have you had a transformation of heart? Are your sins washed away by the Blood of Jesus? Have you truly repented of your former life apart from Christ? Are you born again? I didn't ask if you have religion, but do you know Jesus as your Savior and Lord? Is Jesus the Lord over all the kingdoms of your heart? Have you given Him access to every room of your heart, and to every secret? Have you surrendered to Him every addiction and every area of unrepentant sin in your life? He wants to be Lord over all.

 

Religion is a system of doctrines (some of which are man-made and some are doctrines of demons), rituals, laws, is based on works, a system of certain beliefs. Religion always puts God in a box and limits what God “does or doesn't do”. Religion does not change the heart of man.

 

Relationship with Jesus means just that. It means to know Him, to love Him, to serve Him. We take the limits off of God and let Him be God in our lives. While works are important (because if you love someone you will want to please that person and care not to offend that person), salvation is based not on our own works of righteousness (we can't earn our way) but is based on God's grace.

 

 

 

 

 

It's good to have strong foundational teachings (which include doctrines), but always keep in mind that no denomination has the full revelation of every single doctrine in the Bible. We are always learning new things in the Word of God. The primary thing to all agree on is that salvation is through Jesus Christ, and we are saved by the Blood of Jesus. Relationship with Jesus WILL transform your heart (a degree at a time, for a lifetime). It's an on-going eternal relationship!

 

Water baptism, alone, can't save you, apart from faith in Christ. Kenneth E. Hagin Sr. was water baptized in the Baptist church and died at 14 and went to hell, because although he was baptized and was a member of the church, he didn't know Jesus as his personal Savior. He didn't have a relationship with Jesus ... he just had religion.

 

When he called on the Name of the Lord and accepted Jesus into his heart as his Savior and Lord, and his sins were cleansed by Jesus' Blood, he died again and this time went to heaven. He came back and God miraculously brought him off his deathbed (he had an incurable blood disease and heart condition) and he preached the Gospel until his 80's.

 

Water baptism is supposed to be a public declaration of the inward work Christ has already done, and is doing, in your heart. Physical water alone can't wash away sin (because sin is a heart issue), but water baptism is a representation of your sins being washed away. The Blood of Jesus, and the Word of God is what transforms the heart of man.

 

I invite anyone who would like to receive salvation, or re-dedicate their lives to Christ, to come to the Cross and to pray this prayer with me:

 

Dear Lord Jesus,

 

I receive and accept You as my Lord and Savior. I confess that You are Lord and I believe that You rose from the dead (Romans 10:10).

 

I invite You to come into my heart. Please forgive me of all my sins. Wash me in the Blood of the Lamb. Cleanse my conscience and remove all past guilt by Your Blood. Change my heart Lord.

 

Write my name in the Lamb's Book of Life. Fill me with the Presence of Your Holy Spirit. Help me to become the person you created me to be. I want to serve You all the days of my life. Thank You for saving me right now.

 

In Jesus' Name,

 

Amen

 

If you prayed this prayer, where is Jesus right now?

 

Do you feel His Presence in your heart?

 

The proof that you are born again and a son or daughter of God is that you will feel the presence of the Holy Spirit dwelling on the inside of you. It's a peaceful, joyful, bubbly presence. It feels like a cleansing took place in your heart. You are the temple of the Holy Spirit, and He now lives in your heart.

 

 

Chapter 6

Power in the Blood of Jesus

 

 

The Blood of Jesus is SO powerful:

 

1.          Salvation and eternal life through Jesus’ Blood

2.          Atonement through His Blood

3.          Our conscience cleansed by His Blood

4.          Guilt removed by His Blood

5.          Freedom and deliverance through His Blood

6.          The chains and fetters that have kept you bound are broken through His Blood

7.          Addictions are broken through His Blood

8.          Healing for the physical body is through His Blood

9.          Healing for the broken heart is through His Blood

10.     Healing for the mind is through His Blood

11.     Your past is forgotten through His Blood

12.     You are a brand new creature in Christ Jesus through His Blood

13.     There is transforming power in His Blood

14.     There is protection in His Blood

15.     There is provision in His Blood

16.     There is peace and joy in His Blood

17.     Power to overcome Satan through His Blood (the devil is under your feet)

18.     Authority to cast out demons through His Blood and Name, and the Power of the Holy Ghost

19.     There is strength and power to live a victorious life without falling in His Blood

20.     Everything you need is found in His Blood

 

Chapter 7

Partaking of Holy Communion Cleanses the Conscience

 

 

Below is an article from Pastor Joseph Prince. He writes:

 

“What is Holy Communion?

 

The Holy Communion, known also as the Lord’s Supper, represents the greatest expression of God’s love for His people.

Two items are used in the Holy Communion—the bread which represents Jesus’ body that was scourged and broken before and during His crucifixion, and the cup which represents His shed blood.

When Jesus walked on earth, He was vibrant, and His body was full of life and health. He was never sick. But before Jesus went to the Cross, He was badly scourged by the Roman soldiers, and His body was torn as He hung on the Cross.

At the Cross, God also took all our sicknesses and diseases and put them on Jesus’ originally perfect and healthy body, so that we can walk in divine health. That is why the Bible says by His stripes, we are healed (Isaiah 53:5, 1 Peter 2:24).

In Luke 22:20, Jesus tells us that the cup is the “new covenant in My blood”, and the apostle Paul tells us that the blood of Jesus brings forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:14, Ephesians 1:7). Also, the blood of Jesus cleanses the conscience.

 

Why Do Believers Partake of the Holy Communion?

Besides being born again in Christ, a healthy body and mind are the greatest blessings anyone can have. And the Holy Communion is God’s ordained channel of healing and wholeness.

 

On the night that He was betrayed, Jesus ate His last supper with His disciples. And knowing what He would accomplish through His sacrifice, He instituted the Holy Communion (Luke 22:19–20, 1 Corinthians 11:24–25).

His loving instruction is that we are to remember Him as we partake of the Holy Communion. Jesus wanted us conscious of how His body was broken for our wholeness, and His blood was shed for the forgiveness of our sins. And whenever we partake in this consciousness, we “proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26).

Today, when we partake of the bread, we are declaring that Jesus’ health and divine life flows in our mortal bodies. And when we partake of the cup, we are declaring that we are forgiven and have been made righteous. Jesus’ blood gives us right standing before God, and we can go boldly into God’s presence (Hebrews 4:16). When we pray, we can be sure that God hears us!

 

How Do I Partake of the Holy Communion?

Before you partake, remember that the Holy Communion is not a ritual to be observed, but a blessing to be received.

Because it is not a ritual, there is no prescribed bread or special drink required. In the Last Supper, Jesus used whatever He had at the table—bread commonly eaten at supper, and whatever they were drinking

 

To partake, hold the bread in your hand and say:

Dear Lord Jesus, I come to You, and remember all that You have done for me on the Cross. Thank You for loving me so much, You gave up heaven for me. Thank You for allowing Your body to be broken so that mine might be whole. As I partake, I receive Your resurrection life, health, and strength. By Your grace, I shall be completely strong and healthy all the days of my life. My eyes shall not grow dim, nor shall my strength be abated. No sickness can remain in my body because the same power that raised You from the grave flows through me. By Your stripes, I am healed. [Now eat the bread.]

 

 

Now hold the cup in your hand and say:

 

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your precious blood. Thank You for washing me clean of all my sins. I stand before You completely righteous and forgiven. Your blood has redeemed me from every curse, and today I can freely receive all the blessings that crown the head of the righteous. Amen! [Now drink.]”

 

Benefits of Holy Communion:

 

1. It heals incurable sickness

2. It is a coverage for divine protection

3. It gives life. John 6:53

4. You will dwell in God and He dwells in you. John 6:57

5. It opens closed doors.

6. It brings revival to an individual and the Body of Christ at large.

7. Oneness with Jesus. His Presence, Power, Healing, Cleansing and Abundant Life are transferred to you.

 

Taking Holy Communion is more than just symbolism, because there is a blessing or a curse associated with Holy Communion, depending on how you take the Communion and your attitude.

 

If eating the bread and drinking the grape juice or red wine was symbolic only, then if a person did it the wrong way they would just be missing the point. But there is a blessing or curse associated with Communion. There is a transference of Christ’s Presence, Power, Healing, Cleansing and Abundant Life when taking the bread and the juice or wine.

 

Consequences of taking Holy Communion unworthily:

 

1.                One will be guilty of the Body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:28

2.                It can cause weakness, sickness and untimely death. 1 Corinthians 11:30.

 

In conclusion, we are advised to be extremely careful and prayerful before participating in Holy Communion as it serves for good and bad depending on one's stand with God.

 

 

 

Chapter 8

Eight Revelations of the Cross Taught By Benny Hinn

 

In an email I received from Benny Hinn Ministries, he shared eight revelations on the Power of the Cross.

 

1.                The cross of Jesus Christ is the throne of the universe.

2.                The cross is the seat of all authority.

3.                The cross of Jesus is the seat of all power.

4.                The cross of Jesus is the seat of victory.

5.                The cross is the throne of heaven.

6.                The cross is the only place of safety.

7.                The cross is the only place of protection.

8.                The cross is the place of glory.

 

It is God's will that no one should perish (end up in hell), but that ALL should come to repentance. 

For God so loved this world that He gave His only begotton Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

God did not send His Son into this world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him would be saved.

The thief (Satan the devil) comes only for to kill, steal and destroy. But Jesus has come to give us life, and life more abundantly, until it overflows.

I urge you to come to the Cross today and receive Jesus as your Savior and Lord. He will wash away all your sins and make you as clean and white as fresh snow. 

Just pray this prayer and mean it with your heart:

Dear Lord Jesus (if you are not able to call him Lord yet, then just say "Jesus")

I receive You as my Savior and Lord. I give my life over to You. I believe that You died and rose again, and that if I call on the Name of the Lord I shall be saved. 

I accept you into my heart right now, and confess that You are Lord and have risen from the dead and forever live to make intercession for me. 

Thank You for washing my heart pure and clean and making me whole, and for giving me peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 

Thank You that now I am a new creature in Christ Jesus. The old has gone and the new has come. 

And there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh (carnality and sin), but walk after the Spirit.  In Jesus' Name, Amen. 

If you prayed this prayer, I believe you got born again and are now heaven bound and will be with the Lord forever and have eternal life. Your sins are now forgiven. You are accepted in the Beloved.

I would encourage you to find a good Bible based local church to help you grow in your faith, to learn the Word of God, to praise and worship Him, and to have fellowship with the saints. 

Serving Christ is the best decision you will ever make. 

God bless you!!!