Faith

Should Christians Plead The Blood Of Jesus?

In a good number of African homes or churches, a common phrase you’ll hear in prayer is “we plead the blood of Jesus over something or someone”, to which everyone replies, “blood of Jesus”. This prayer is (as it seems) a prayer of protection; Covering people (or objects with) Jesus’ blood is believed to offer God’s protection.

Should Christians Plead The Blood Of Jesus? Click To Tweet

It is not far fetched where this comes from; God once asked the Israel nation, while in Egypt, to mark their doorpost with blood from the lamb:

“The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt.” – ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭12:13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Does this mean we can do the same today? Should it not be literal – putting the blood of killed animals on our doorpost – since that’s what the Israelites did?

So should christians cover themselves with the blood of Jesus or plead the blood of Jesus? 

Let’s look into the word of God. 

1. Can we do the same today because God told the Israelites to?

That something was done in the Bible doesn’t mean we are to do it today. The Israelites killed and sacrificed rams but we don’t do that anymore. They observe the sabbath by not doing a single work on Saturdays, but we don’t observe the sabbath today. Why?

We don't see any usage or context for protection against harm or enemies as a purpose for the blood in the New Testament. Click To Tweet

The Bible contains something called “types and shadows.” These are things God did or instructed people to do but served as an example or figure of something deeper. (Heb 1:1)

A good example is the sin sacrifice of animals. The people of God sacrifice lambs to cover for their sins year after year. But all that was to point to God’s lamb that was coming to take the sin of the whole world away. And the moment Christ came and died, there was never a need to kill animals again.

The same for the sabbath, circumcision, and the Passover. They are a symbol, a pointer to God’s salvation plan in Christ. When the main work was done and fulfilled in Christ, there was never a need to carry out those obligations and rituals again.

If anyone insists we must continue these rituals, then we must do it the same way it was done in Bible days, and not in a figurative sense. We have to actually kill animals and put their blood in our doorposts, and not plead it in prayers, since Israelites didn’t plead it in prayers. 

2. We never see an example of anyone pleading the blood of Jesus in the New Testament

Jesus laid the foundation of the Christian faith with His actions and teaching to the disciples who formed the foundation of the early church. So it is just right to ask ourselves if “pleading the blood” was a practice we saw among them.

If the early church didn’t plead the blood, if there was never a record in all of the epistles, their teaching or prayers of them pleading the blood, then we shouldn’t. If they didn’t teach that the blood of Jesus could serve as protection on our properties, we shouldn’t. In fact, we should not plead the blood of Jesus.

When it comes to taking authority over demon spirits, you have the name of Jesus in the place of prayer. Click To Tweet

3. The blood of Jesus has a specific purpose and use

See:

For this is My blood that establishes the covenant; it is shed for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Matthew 26:28 HCSB

We have redemption in Him through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace

Ephesians 1:7 HCSB

God presented Him as a propitiation through faith in His blood, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His restraint God passed over the sins previously committed.

Romans 3:25 HCSB

We don’t see any usage or context for protection against harm or enemies as a purpose for the blood in the New Testament. The context that seemed like protection was a typology of the redemption in Christ. Christ is the sacrificial lamb whose blood the Angel of destruction sees and passes over us in judgment, just like in the Passover.

As seen in the first point, if we want to take it literally, we should mark our properties with the blood of animals.

Your covering in the blood of Jesus is in salvation; Your sins are taken care of.

So, what do we use for protection?

The blood of Jesus has a specific purpose and use. Pleading it is not one of them. Instead of pleading the blood, just pray in the name of Jesus. Click To Tweet

When it comes to taking authority over demon spirits, you have the name of Jesus in the place of prayer.

“And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Mark 16:17‭-‬18 NKJV

“And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.

John 16:23 NKJV

We have been given authority in the name of Jesus, authority to use that name, to pray and make decrees in that name. So instead of pleading the blood, make decrees in the name of Jesus.

I hope this article helps someone. So instead of pleading the blood, just pray in the name of Jesus.

You can also read “5 Implications of Jesus Being Alive

About author

Articles

Tolulope Oludapo is a young Christian who lends his voice through the media by sharing practical wisdom for everyday living in the most experiential and simplified fashion. This has fetched him the direct followership of over 30,000 users on his blog, lifegiva.com. A blog he founded. He loves to write on varying subjects that affect life, faith, relationship...everyday living.
Related posts
Faith

How to Deal with Addictions: Stories from Real People

Addictions are hard to overcome. They can affect our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual…
Read more
Faith

Balancing Faith and Busy Schedules: 4 Practical Tips for Devotion

Do you struggle to find time for God in your hectic schedule? Do you feel guilty for not spending…
Read more
Faith

The Bible and Polygamy

Recently, popular Actor and movie producer- Yul Edochie, announced on social media that he has a son…
Read more
Newsletter
Become a Lifegiva

Get the laest articles, merch deals, personal Q&As, behind the scenes, unmissable news about Lifegiva and more!

Sign up for our Newsletter for new blog posts, tips & freebies. Let's stay updated!

4 Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *