The Gospel Stands on Christ's Blood, Not Covenantal Debates
Orientation
Some teachings can create confusion by suggesting that salvation requires understanding complex theological positions, like one's relationship to a covenant.
- Salvation rests on one foundation alone: faith in the blood of Jesus Christ.
- The gospel is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes.
- Any addition to faith in Christ's finished work undermines the certainty and assurance God intends.
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; (Romans 3:24-25)
— Romans 3:24-25
Clarification
The value of any covenant is found solely in the blood of Christ, not in our doctrinal agreement about it.
- The blood of Christ purges sins and reconciles humanity to God; His resurrection confirms this sacrifice was accepted.
- Whether one speaks of the New Covenant or the Everlasting Covenant, its efficacy derives entirely from Christ's precious blood.
- Insisting on covenantal understanding as a prerequisite adds a condition that does not belong to the gospel.
Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (Romans 5:9)
— Romans 5:9
Structure
Biblical logic shows that faith in Christ's blood is the sole means God has appointed for justification.
- God provides the blood of Jesus Christ to purge sins and reconcile humanity to Himself.
- God raises Jesus Christ to testify that His blood was accepted as propitiation for sins.
- God makes faith in the blood of Jesus Christ the sole means of justification and salvation.
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31)
— Acts 16:31
Weight-Bearing Prose
The core theological assertion is that faith in the blood of Jesus Christ alone justifies and saves. This is the positive cause-effect chain established by God: faith in His blood leads to justification. The resurrection is the divine testimony that the blood was accepted. Any teaching that insists on understanding or agreeing about covenantal status as a prerequisite introduces a new cause—adding conditions—which leads to the negative effect of corrupting the gospel message. This employs the Pauline category of justification by faith apart from works of the law, extended here to include apart from theological comprehension. The objection or counter-position is that covenantal understanding is essential for salvation. This position is rejected because it makes the ground of assurance human comprehension rather than Christ’s finished work. The blood of Christ is the only ground; all covenant value derives from it.
Integration
Your assurance rests entirely on Christ and His finished work, not on your doctrinal precision. You are justified by faith in His blood, period. The resurrection is God’s ‘Amen’ to that completed sacrifice. There is no pressure to advance in understanding to secure your standing. Christ is your righteousness, your sanctification, your redemption. Any teaching that moves your eyes from His sufficiency to your own understanding is to be set aside. You are saved, sealed, and secure because of Him. Re-anchor here. The gospel is good news because it demands childlike trust in a Person, not theological expertise. Rest in that.