The Innocent Blood of Christ
Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2011 9:14 pm
This is a spin off from the Shedding of Innocent Blood thread that Buffalo has going. I don't want to derail it.
In this thread I would like to focus on the innocent blood of Jesus.
From the other thread:
In the Doctrine & Covenants there are a few passages about the shedding of innocent blood being unforgivable. We find, for example, this:
Here we are told that to blaspheme the Holy Ghost is actually to murder an innocent and "assent unto my death," meaning the death of Jehovah/Jesus.
Now, assent can be used as a verb or a noun. Here are the meanings listed in the dictionary:
*verb-to agree or concur; subscribe to (often followed by to ): to assent to a statement.
*verb-to give in; yield; concede: Assenting to his demands, I did as I was told.
*noun-agreement, as to a proposal; concurrence.
*noun-acquiescence; compliance.
What is meant here by "assent unto my death?"
We can at least understand that we are being told not to shed innocent blood. It is the doctrine of the LDS church that Jesus was innocent of all crime and sin.
Fifth Columnist shared a quote in the other thread from Spencer Kimball that reads in part:
I find it interesting that so many scriptures tell believers to become clean in the (innocent) blood of the lamb. In fact, the eucharist/sacrament is symbolic of drinking the blood of Jesus. The innocent blood that was shed for or in behalf of the believer.
Here are some scriptures that talk about becoming clean through the blood of the lamb or Christ:
It is only through the innocent blood of Jesus, that was shed, that believers are able to be reconciled with God and receive the atonement. Their garments can only become clean by washing in the blood of the Lamb.
Over and over again the saying would come to my mind of having "blood on your hands." If you attempt to wash yourself in blood you will soon be covered in crimson. If our sins are scarlet they will not become white as snow by washing in blood. The only way to truly become clean is to wash away the blood that was spilt using water. Better yet, don't get the blood on you in the first place.
In LDS doctrine, we all agreed to have Jesus killed for us to be able to return to live with Heavenly Father again. That makes everyone an accomplice.
It is also believed that Jesus could have saved himself, but basically suicided himself so that we could all be saved. This seems to indicate a belief that he had to be killed and couldn't atone through a death from old age or fishing accident. Ironically, those who put him to death are considered evil and wicked. Didn't they simply do what had to be done?
I am not sure how one can resolve the conflict between a command to refrain from shedding innocent blood and assenting to the blood of Jesus being shed.
In this thread I would like to focus on the innocent blood of Jesus.
From the other thread:
stemelbow wrote:just me wrote:It seems to me that Jesus was "innocent blood" and by accepting his atonement one actually participates in the shedding of innocent blood.
umm....what?
In the Doctrine & Covenants there are a few passages about the shedding of innocent blood being unforgivable. We find, for example, this:
D&C 132:27 The blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, which shall not be forgiven in the world nor out of the world, is in that ye commit murder wherein ye shed innocent blood, and assent unto my death, after ye have received my new and everlasting covenant, saith the Lord God; and he that abideth not this law can in nowise enter into my glory, but shall be damned, saith the Lord.
Here we are told that to blaspheme the Holy Ghost is actually to murder an innocent and "assent unto my death," meaning the death of Jehovah/Jesus.
Now, assent can be used as a verb or a noun. Here are the meanings listed in the dictionary:
*verb-to agree or concur; subscribe to (often followed by to ): to assent to a statement.
*verb-to give in; yield; concede: Assenting to his demands, I did as I was told.
*noun-agreement, as to a proposal; concurrence.
*noun-acquiescence; compliance.
What is meant here by "assent unto my death?"
We can at least understand that we are being told not to shed innocent blood. It is the doctrine of the LDS church that Jesus was innocent of all crime and sin.
Fifth Columnist shared a quote in the other thread from Spencer Kimball that reads in part:
As to the shedding of innocent blood, in one sense innocent blood might be thought of as the blood of those persons without guile, or of little ones who have not sinned. It might also be thought of as the blood of others whom the murderer deliberately kills. Surely the crucifixion of the perfect Son of God constituted the shedding of innocent blood.
I find it interesting that so many scriptures tell believers to become clean in the (innocent) blood of the lamb. In fact, the eucharist/sacrament is symbolic of drinking the blood of Jesus. The innocent blood that was shed for or in behalf of the believer.
Here are some scriptures that talk about becoming clean through the blood of the lamb or Christ:
Alma 13:11 Therefore they were called after this holy order, and were sanctified, and their garments were washed white through the blood of the Lamb.
Mormon 9:6 O then ye unbelieving, turn ye unto the Lord; cry mightily unto the Father in the name of Jesus, that perhaps ye may be found spotless, pure, fair, and white, having been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb, at that great and last day.
Ether 13:10 And then cometh the New Jerusalem; and blessed are they who dwell therein, for it is they whose garments are white through the blood of the Lamb; and they are they who are numbered among the remnant of the seed of Joseph, who were of the house of Israel.
Alma 34:36 And this I know, because the Lord hath said he dwelleth not in unholy temples, but in the hearts of the righteous doth he dwell; yea, and he has also said that the righteous shall sit down in his kingdom, to go no more out; but their garments should be made white through the blood of the Lamb.
1 Peter 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
Revelations 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
It is only through the innocent blood of Jesus, that was shed, that believers are able to be reconciled with God and receive the atonement. Their garments can only become clean by washing in the blood of the Lamb.
Over and over again the saying would come to my mind of having "blood on your hands." If you attempt to wash yourself in blood you will soon be covered in crimson. If our sins are scarlet they will not become white as snow by washing in blood. The only way to truly become clean is to wash away the blood that was spilt using water. Better yet, don't get the blood on you in the first place.
In LDS doctrine, we all agreed to have Jesus killed for us to be able to return to live with Heavenly Father again. That makes everyone an accomplice.
It is also believed that Jesus could have saved himself, but basically suicided himself so that we could all be saved. This seems to indicate a belief that he had to be killed and couldn't atone through a death from old age or fishing accident. Ironically, those who put him to death are considered evil and wicked. Didn't they simply do what had to be done?
I am not sure how one can resolve the conflict between a command to refrain from shedding innocent blood and assenting to the blood of Jesus being shed.