"washing of water by the word" Ephesians 5;25 - 27

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Originally Posted by FlamingZword

Here is my response from my book "The original Matthew 28:19 Restored".

5). Ephesians 5:26 - "That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word"
I am going to go out on a limb out there and make the case that Ephesians 5 Verse 26 is a veiled reference to baptism in the name of Jesus. When we read it in other versions, we can see that it refers to baptism.
NIV. "to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word"
Noyes. "that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the bath of the water in the word"
Goodspeed. "to consecrate her, after cleansing her with the bath in water through her confession of him"
Name of God Bible. He did this to make the church holy by cleansing it, washing it using water along with spoken words.
Weymouth. "in order to make her holy, cleansing her with the baptismal water by the word,"
Living Bible. to make her holy and clean, washed by baptism and God's Word;

Expanded Bible. 26 to omake her holy [sanctify her], cleansing her in the washing of water by the word [C the "washing" may be (1) baptism, (2) spiritual cleansing (Titus 3:5), or (3) an analogy drawn from the Jewish prenuptial bath (Ezek. 16:8-14); the "word" may be (1) the Gospel, (2) a baptismal formula, or (3) the confession of the one baptized].

In Ephesians 5:26 the Greek term employed for washing is loutro. The same word is used in Acts 22:16, as noted earlier: "Rise and be baptized, and wash away your sins." In this Acts account Baptism and washing away sins are synonymous. Louo means to wash, bathe." A. Oepke in the Theological Dictionary states that in many instances, this "is a clear reference to baptism. On the basis of this meaning of and usage of the terms cleansing and washing away of sins, we may rightly conclude that Ephesians 5:26 is a clear reference to baptism. Baptism: God's Activity of Grace (2006) p. 42 by Doctor Morris Vaagenes.
As some may see and understand that this is really a reference to baptism as the initial rite of initiation into the body of Christ. Other ministers have also made the argument that this verse refers to baptism in a symbolic way. However I propose that the next part is a symbolic or cryptic reference to the name of Jesus, for he is "the word." (his name is the Word of God, Rev 19:13) I propose that this is a veiled reference that the name of Jesus was pronounced at baptism. For it is by the name of Jesus we are washed and cleansed from all sins; for it is through the name of Jesus that we attain salvation; for it is in his name that we are sanctified and saved.

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Originally Posted by Esaias

This brings up a question: If resurrection occurs in baptism (Paul says it does) then where does being born of the Spirit fit in to the new life/resurrection paradigm? This is why many think the Spirit is received in baptism and is distinct from the Pentecostal experience.

Jesus is firstborn from the dead. Resurrection. That seems to be the point.

[Originalist]

Originally Posted by RonMurray

Ephesians 5;25 - 27.
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

Key Phrase: "washing of water by the word".

Key Word: "word".

"word" = rhema.


The Word of God: Logos and Rhema

"There are two primary Greek words that describe Scripture which are translated word in the New Testament. The first, logos, refers principally to the total inspired Word of God and to Jesus, Who is the living Logos."

"The second primary Greek word that describes Scripture is rhema, which refers to a word that is spoken and means “an utterance.” A rhema is a verse or portion of Scripture that the Holy Spirit brings to our attention with application to a current situation or need for direction."

--- "Advanced Training Institute International"


In Ephesians 5;25 & 26, it says that Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word. And where it says, "washing of water by the word", some people will say that this isn't referring to baptism, and explain that water here is referring to the word, because it says " by the word". But how are we baptized by the word? By applying that word of baptism, like in Acts 2;38, where it says, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

The term "word" here in the Greek is "rhema", which means a specific word that's applied to a specifc need or situatuation. So it's talking about being washed by water by the word of baptism, or by the message, or instruction, or command, of baptism. 
.

Ephesians 5:26 and I Peter 1:23 are describing the same thing....

Being born again, not of corruptible seed , but of incorruptible (the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit), by (or "according to") the word of God (or "the declaration of God)", which lives and abides forever. (I Peter 1:23)

26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water (cleansing power of the living water, the regeneration power of the Holy Spirit) by (or "according to") the word (or "the declaration of God") (Eph. 5:26)