Page:The Doctrines of the New Church Briefly Explained.djvu/98

92 for this in the New Testament. The Apostle John says: "The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin;" and that He "washes us from our sins in his own blood." And Paul speaks of being "justified by his blood," and says, "we have redemption, even the forgiveness of sins through his blood." This language has given rise to much controversy among Christians. But all the strife has arisen from a too literal interpretation of it.

What spiritual thing, then, does the blood of Christ symbolize or stand for? When this is known, it is easy to understand the meaning of being washed, cleansed, redeemed and saved by his blood.

The New Church gives a rational and intelligible answer to this question. It says that blood, which is the means of nourishing and vitalizing the body, is the symbol of that living truth by means of which the human soul is nourished and vitalized. Christ's blood, therefore, stands for the spirit and principles of his religion—for those high and holy truths contained in his Word, and of which He was Himself the very incarnation. This is what his blood corresponds to and signifies. To be cleansed and saved by the blood of Christ, therefore, is to be spiritually washed and saved; is to have our souls cleansed of their impure thoughts and evil desires by means of that