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"TRUSTING IN THE BLOOD" I heard an Internet preacher say that the repentant thief isn't a good example of New Testament salvation because he wasn't in the New Testament and he didn't "trust in the blood" of Christ. Huge mistake. As for not being in the New Testament, that was a bit tricky on the part of the preacher. The thief wasn't in the New Testament when he said, "Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom" (Luke 23:42), but he WAS in the New Testament when he died, since Jesus died first (John 19:33) and the New Testament was in effect the after his death (Heb. 9:17). Since he was in the New Testament when he died, THE BLOOD ATONEMENT WAS IN EFFECT; so, he IS a good example of New Testament salvation, maybe not in EVERY way, but he certainly was in regards to his repentant heart, his faith in Christ, and the timing of his death. Now, about this "trusting the blood" business. Please read these words VERY CAREFULLY. From a doctrinal standpoint, no one is saved without the blood of Christ, but THERE ISN'T A SINGLE INSTANCE IN THE BIBLE OF ANYONE "TRUSTING THE BLOOD" IN ORDER TO BE SAVED. There are many verses that say we are saved by faith in his blood, we have redemption through his blood, we are washed in his blood, etc., but all of that is AFTER THE FACT. That is, as a doctrinal statement, we were saved by the blood of Christ, because that's part of his death, burial and resurrection, but we are never told to specifically "trust in his blood" in distinction from simply believing on Christ. That is, if a man believes from the heart in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, then he also believes in the blood atonement. There's no need to tell a man who believes on Christ as his risen Saviour that he didn't really get saved, if he didn't specifically "trust the blood." Some are teaching this gnat-straining nonsense and causing many good Christians to doubt their salvation. Sure, it's the blood of Christ that cleanses all sin, but NEVER does the Bible tell a sinner to "trust in the blood." Sinners are simply told to BELIEVE: But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that BELIEVE on his name. (John 1:12) That whosoever BELIEVETH in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever BELIEVETH in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that BELIEVETH on him is not condemned, but he that BELIEVETH not is condemned already, because he hath not BELIEVED in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:15-18) He that BELIEVETH on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that BELIEVETH not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36) Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and BELIEVETH on him that sent me, hath everlasting life; and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24) Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that BELIEVETH on me hath everlasting life. (John 6:47) Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and the life: he that BELIEVETH in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and BELIEVETH in me shall never die. BELIEVEST thou this? (John 11:25-26) . . . . Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:30-31) But to him that worketh not, but BELIEVETH on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (Romans 4:5) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt BELIEVE in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:9) Wherefore also it is contained in the scriptures, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious: and he that BELIEVETH on him shall not be confounded. (I Peter 2:6) The power of the blood of Christ is obviously implied in these verses, but not specifically mentioned. I'm not suggesting that it's wrong to stress the importance of the blood when witnessing, only that's it's wrong to confuse Christians in regards to their salvation by over-emphasizing specific "blood" terminology ("You trusted in the death, burial and resurrection, BUT DID YOU TRUST THE BLOOD?") Read what Jesus told people, and read the real-life narratives in the book of Acts, and you will not see anyone telling people to specifically "trust in the blood." All Christians who have received Christ as their risen Saviour have also trusted in his blood, since his blood is part of his redemptive work. There's no need to confuse people and get them "saved again" since they "omitted" this all-important factor when they were saved the first time. A man who believes from his heart in the (1) death, (2) burial and (3) resurrection of Christ is not omitting anything, nor was Paul when he listed these three elements as the definition of "the gospel" without saying a single word about "trusting in the blood" (I Cor. 15:1-4). If you have received Jesus Christ as your risen Lord and Saviour, then you HAVE trusted in the blood, and don't allow anyone to tell you otherwise.