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Sunday School Lesson 17

Potency Of The Blood Covenant

MEMORY VERSE: “Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.” – Hebrews 9:18.

BIBLE PASSAGE: Hebrews 9:15-28

INTRODUCTION: Promise, vow, bond or oath is used interchangeably as declaration or assurance that one will do something or that a particular thing will happen. However, blood covenant is the most binding agreement in that it involves cutting and shedding of blood. Hence, in this study, we shall attempt to consider the significance and the saving power in the blood of Jesus.

LESSON OUTLINES

1. Significance Of The Blood Covenant
2. The Saving Power In The Blood Of Jesus

1. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BLOOD COVENANT

We cannot speak of spiritual covenants without speaking of blood. Every spiritual covenant is enacted through the shedding of blood. Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood.” (Hebrews 9:18-NKJV). The difference between a covenant and a partnership is that covenant involves blood. The covenants of the Old Testament were sealed with the blood of circumcision (Acts 7:8) and the sacrifices of animals but in the New Testament, by the blood of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 9:11-14). Hence, the blood covenant is the seal of the Bible (Hebrews 9:18; Luke 22:20). When we understand the blood covenant and who we are, as well as what we have in the Lord Jesus, we are then no longer bound to our feelings but can stand with boldness (Hebrews 4:15-16). This blood covenant, made on our behalf, by Jesus Christ is a steadfast promise and an unbreakable covenant (Genesis 17:7; Galatians 3:17).

2. THE SAVING POWER IN THE BLOOD OF JESUS

Every human being has the opportunity to be reconciled to God through the blood covenant with the body of Christ, the Savior, who died for us. The blood of Jesus personifies the covenant of salvation (1Corinthians 11:25). We receive God’s righteousness, not because of our own worth, but because of a covenant made long before we were ever born. God and Jesus created a platform for the redemption of mankind (John 3:16). Every sinner is deformed (Romans 5:12), dethroned (Romans 3:23) and awaiting death (Romans 6:23). The blood of Jesus has brought forgiveness (Ephesians 1:7), restoration (Hebrews 9:15) and salvation (Acts 4:12; 11Timothy 2:5-6) to as many as will receive Him (1John 1:8- 9) thereby making them apart of God’s family (John 1:12; 1 Corinthians 1:9). God has also given us an inheritance (Acts 26:18). The saving power in the blood of Jesus neutralises and destroys every evil covenant entered into knowingly or ignorantly (Colossians 2:13-14).

CONCLUSION: The blood of Jesus is the covenant of God for the remission of sin. To enjoy the full benefits of this covenant, you must accept the sacrifice that Jesus offers through His blood (Hebrews 9:28).

QUESTIONS

1. How significant is the blood covenant? Explain.
2. How can the blood of Jesus deliver sinners and those under the captivity of other blood covenants?

FURTHER READING:
Monday: Genesis 17:7
Tuesday: Acts 7:8
Wednesday: Luke 22:20
Thursday: Colossians 2:13-14
Friday: Galatians 3:17,
Saturday: Hebrews 9:11-14
Sunday: 1 Corinthians 11:25

Sunday School Lesson 15

Life And Covenant In The Blood

MEMORY VERSE: “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.” – Leviticus 17:11

BIBLE PASSAGE: Exodus 24:4-8 KJV

INTRODUCTION: Biologically, blood is that vital liquid flowing in the bodies of many types of animals that usually conveys nutrients and oxygen. In vertebrates, it is coloured red by haemoglobin, conveyed by arteries and veins, pumped by the heart and usually generated in the bone marrow. Biblically, blood is used in the Old Testament to designate the life principle in animal (Lev.17:11a). In the New Testament, it is commonly used in relation to the atoning blood of Christ. Without the blood, life ceases to exist in the body physically. There is also a link between the cleansing power of the blood physically and spiritually. This is why it is important to understand the basic principles underlying blood covenant.

LESSON OUTLINES

1. Biblical Evidences That Life Is In The Blood
2. Meaning And Biblical Instances Of Blood Covenant

1. BIBLICAL EVIDENCES THAT LIFE IS IN THE BLOOD
   The proof that the life of an animal (including humans) is in the blood can be found in the fact that the voice of Abel’s blood cried out from the ground (Genesis 4:10; Hebrews 12:24). It is also unlawful to eat flesh with the blood (Genesis 9:4). The shedding of man’s blood amounts to
   destroying God’s creation and image (Genesis 9:6; Psalm 106:38). It is the blood that activates the body to praise God (Psalm 30:9). More importantly, the blood of Jesus redeems and gives eternal life (John 6:53; Ephesians 1:7). The blood is a witness to the fact that God sacrificed His
   Son (Jesus Christ) to save the world (1John 5:7-9). That shed blood has the power to purge us from all sins (Hebrews 9:22; 1John 1:7)

2. MEANING AND BIBLICAL INSTANCES OF BLOOD COVENANT
   Generally, a covenant is a contract or agreement between two or more parties. It is a solemn promise made binding by an oath which may be either verbal or symbolic. Biblically, the Hebrew word ‘beriyth’ translated covenant means “to cut” which literally has the idea of a blood covenant (1Samuel 18:3; Hebrews 9:18). The divine covenants were ratified by the sacrifice of a victim to show that without atonement there could be no communication of blessings and salvation from God to man (Genesis 15:1-8; Exodus 24:6-8). In some parts of the world and most of the times, a blood covenant is the strongest type of covenant two people could enter into. In fact, every spiritual covenant is sealed with the blood (Hebrews 9:18).
   Blood covenant existed in diverse forms of relationships in the days of the Bible. Such instances
   existed between man and idols (1Kings 18:26-28); man and man (1Samuel 18:3); man and God
   (Exodus 12:13; 24:8).

CONCLUSION: The blood covenant is the strongest form of covenant. There is an existing blood
covenant between God the father and Jesus Christ which every believer benefits from.

QUESTIONS:

1. Describe the term blood biologically and biblically.
2. Mention five facts that establish blood covenant as a biblical principle.

FURTHER READING:
MONDAY: Genesis 9:4-10;
TUESDAY: Psalm 106:38;
WEDNESDAY: 1 John 5:7-9;
THURSDAY: Genesis 15:1-8;
FRIDAY: 1Kings18:26-28;
SATURDAY: Exodus.24:4-8;
SUNDAY: Exodus12:13.