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Blood Work: How the Blood of Christ Accomplishes Our Salvation
Christians often sing and preach about the blessed blood of Christ and the wonderful things it accomplishes for believers. To the uninformed ear, such language can convey the idea that Jesus’ blood had semi-magical qualities. Actually, Jesus’ blood was normal human blood, but the Bible refers to it in metaphorical terms to portray the many benefits that come to Christians because of Jesus’ death. In Blood How the Blood of Christ Accomplishes Our Salvation , Rev. Anthony J. Carter traces this theme through the New Testament, showing how the biblical writers used the powerful metaphor of the blood of Jesus to help Christians grasp the treasures Jesus secured for them in His death on the cross. In doing so, Rev. Carter provides a fresh perspective on the atonement Jesus made. Rev. Carter delves into the New Testament’s teaching on several of the blessings that flow to believers because of the blood of Jesus, from their “purchase” by the blood (Acts 20:28) to their “freedom” through the blood (Rev. 1:5). Christian readers’ eyes will be opened to the depth of their blessedness in Jesus and their hearts will be moved to thank and praise the triune God for such a great salvation.
139 pages, Paperback
First published January 16, 2013
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763 people want to read
About the author
Anthony J. Carter
13 books12 followersAnthony J. Carter is lead pastor of East Point Church in East Point, Georgia, and a member of the council of the Gospel Coalition. A graduate of Atlanta Christian College and Reformed Theological Seminary, he is the author or editor of several books, including Glory Road: The Journeys of 10 African-Americans into Reformed Christianity. Anthony and his wife, Adriane, have five children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
April 9, 2016
Short but sweet, and packed a great punch!
[...] we must remember that we do not cleanse our own consciences, hands, and hearts. This was the arrogance and condemnation of Pontius Pilate. He tried to wash his hands of the guilt of Christ. The Bible says, “So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood’”(Matt. 27:24).
While the dirt may have been removed from his hands, his conscience could not be cleansed with water. Ironically, the blood that he tried to wash away was the only blood that could have made him clean. Contrast that with Paul, who said that he served and worshiped God with a “clear conscience”(2 Tim. 1:3). The difference is that Pilate proposed to wash the blood of Christ away from himself, while Paul knew himself to be washed in the blood of Christ.
[...] we must remember that we do not cleanse our own consciences, hands, and hearts. This was the arrogance and condemnation of Pontius Pilate. He tried to wash his hands of the guilt of Christ. The Bible says, “So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood’”(Matt. 27:24).
While the dirt may have been removed from his hands, his conscience could not be cleansed with water. Ironically, the blood that he tried to wash away was the only blood that could have made him clean. Contrast that with Paul, who said that he served and worshiped God with a “clear conscience”(2 Tim. 1:3). The difference is that Pilate proposed to wash the blood of Christ away from himself, while Paul knew himself to be washed in the blood of Christ.
March 24, 2018
Reading this for Lent gave me a deeper appreciation for the work that Jesus did on the cross. I need to be reminded of so many basis truths! Carter was very good at reminding me.
"If you think about it long enough, you will see the inevitable dilemma. God is holy, perfect, undefiled, and blameless. Humanity is unholy, imperfect, defiled and guilty. How shall the unholy become holy? How shall the imperfect have fellowship with the perfect? How shall the defiled have an intimate relationship with the undefiled?" There was no way until the Father made a way.
I always appreciate when an author gives me a new look at passages that I have become so familiar with. For example when Paul lists his credentials I have read through them with a general understanding of what Paul wanted to say, but I appreciated how Carter gave it a fresh slant. "According to Paul, his life prior to Christ would have been the envy of most of his world. He had everything anyone in his world could have wanted...He had social status, religious status, educational status, financial status, and moral status. He was a pillar in his society, considered righteous and blameless. Yet, upon the revelation of Jesus Christ...Paul came to see all these things as loss, worthless or even refuse and rubbish."
He dedicated part of a chapter to William Borden, the young millionaire called to missions, but who died at age 25 while studying Arabic in Egypt. What a powerful reminder of his willingness to give up everything for Christ, even his life. The phrase, "No reserves, no retreats, no regrets" is still as astounding as the first time I read it years ago. Carter writes, "Those who know the price of their redemption also know that a life lived for the One who ransomed them is a life of no regrets."
He mixes some lighter observations in his book and tells about an experience going to the dentist. He discovered that dentists,doctors and nurses have to wash their hands for three minutes before and after surgery. Usually we wash 3 seconds before a meal, especially if hungry. Three minutes is a long time. But the point was made. "If we can understand the need for cleanliness among doctors, how much more must cleanliness be the rule among those who would serve the holy God?" Thankfully, such cleanliness is possible! One of the gracious blessings of the blood of Christ is that is cleanses us deep down to our very conscience.
Carter helped me understand "dead works" in a new way. I just thought they were ineffectual things we do try to do. But he says, "These are works of self-righteousness, and they are appropriately called 'dead' works because they lead to death....The works are lethal because the thing that most keeps people from Christ is the belief that they can be good without Him."
There was such good news in this book but I disagreed with him about how the work of Christ applies to the world. He believes, like many, that the work on the cross is not for everyone, only the elect. He quotes,"Election is an act of God before the creation in which He chooses some people to be saved...because of his sovereign, good pleasure." Then he goes on to try and convince me that this election is by a gracious and loving God. Since no one really merits God's love, it is gracious that he chooses some. "Election is loving," he insists. He argues that those who disagree don't understand what true love is. "They suggest that because God has not chosen everyone for salvation, only some, then He is not unloving. Yet the opposite is true. Because God loves, He chooses...Would my wife think me more loving if I loved all the women the same way I love her?" What? There is a name for that kind of reasoning. A non-sequitur. I am sorry but I shuddered a bit through this chapter.
But I was pleasantly surprised in the end when he departed from the party line and said, "Freedom from sin is possible-by Christ's blood." He went on to say, "It may sound unusual, and in most Christian circles it is not heard, but the biblical truth and reality is that we do not have to sin. " (He even quoted the Wesleys a couple of times.) And that is the precious truth about the work of the cross, we can be freed from the power of sin because of Jesus' blood work.
"If you think about it long enough, you will see the inevitable dilemma. God is holy, perfect, undefiled, and blameless. Humanity is unholy, imperfect, defiled and guilty. How shall the unholy become holy? How shall the imperfect have fellowship with the perfect? How shall the defiled have an intimate relationship with the undefiled?" There was no way until the Father made a way.
I always appreciate when an author gives me a new look at passages that I have become so familiar with. For example when Paul lists his credentials I have read through them with a general understanding of what Paul wanted to say, but I appreciated how Carter gave it a fresh slant. "According to Paul, his life prior to Christ would have been the envy of most of his world. He had everything anyone in his world could have wanted...He had social status, religious status, educational status, financial status, and moral status. He was a pillar in his society, considered righteous and blameless. Yet, upon the revelation of Jesus Christ...Paul came to see all these things as loss, worthless or even refuse and rubbish."
He dedicated part of a chapter to William Borden, the young millionaire called to missions, but who died at age 25 while studying Arabic in Egypt. What a powerful reminder of his willingness to give up everything for Christ, even his life. The phrase, "No reserves, no retreats, no regrets" is still as astounding as the first time I read it years ago. Carter writes, "Those who know the price of their redemption also know that a life lived for the One who ransomed them is a life of no regrets."
He mixes some lighter observations in his book and tells about an experience going to the dentist. He discovered that dentists,doctors and nurses have to wash their hands for three minutes before and after surgery. Usually we wash 3 seconds before a meal, especially if hungry. Three minutes is a long time. But the point was made. "If we can understand the need for cleanliness among doctors, how much more must cleanliness be the rule among those who would serve the holy God?" Thankfully, such cleanliness is possible! One of the gracious blessings of the blood of Christ is that is cleanses us deep down to our very conscience.
Carter helped me understand "dead works" in a new way. I just thought they were ineffectual things we do try to do. But he says, "These are works of self-righteousness, and they are appropriately called 'dead' works because they lead to death....The works are lethal because the thing that most keeps people from Christ is the belief that they can be good without Him."
There was such good news in this book but I disagreed with him about how the work of Christ applies to the world. He believes, like many, that the work on the cross is not for everyone, only the elect. He quotes,"Election is an act of God before the creation in which He chooses some people to be saved...because of his sovereign, good pleasure." Then he goes on to try and convince me that this election is by a gracious and loving God. Since no one really merits God's love, it is gracious that he chooses some. "Election is loving," he insists. He argues that those who disagree don't understand what true love is. "They suggest that because God has not chosen everyone for salvation, only some, then He is not unloving. Yet the opposite is true. Because God loves, He chooses...Would my wife think me more loving if I loved all the women the same way I love her?" What? There is a name for that kind of reasoning. A non-sequitur. I am sorry but I shuddered a bit through this chapter.
But I was pleasantly surprised in the end when he departed from the party line and said, "Freedom from sin is possible-by Christ's blood." He went on to say, "It may sound unusual, and in most Christian circles it is not heard, but the biblical truth and reality is that we do not have to sin. " (He even quoted the Wesleys a couple of times.) And that is the precious truth about the work of the cross, we can be freed from the power of sin because of Jesus' blood work.
September 15, 2013
Um, yeah. This was okay. This is a brief survey of the New Testament's usage of Christ's blood -- both literal and metaphorical -- essentially looking at the question, what does the Atonement do for the believer?
Carter's answer would be: quite a lot. The blood of Christ purchases, propitiates, justifies, redeems, cleans, sanctifies, ransoms and frees the believer who is brought near to other believers by the blood, are given peace by it and are elect in it. In addition to looking at key texts supporting or explaining each of these aspects of the atonement, Carter brings in historic catechisms and confessions to help understand his point, and then invokes song lyrics to demonstrate (in part) that this is what people have believed for generations -- or to help the reader apply the lessons to themselves.
Carter writes with a very personable style and obvious passion -- it is easy to "hear" a lot of this book being preached, and done so with great efficacy and application to the individual. It's this that kept me going through the book after it became pretty clear that this was going to be a survey at best, and not an in-depth examination of anything. While I did admire his ability to quote a historic catechism in one breath and hip hop lyrics in the next, I wonder if he wasn't too reliant on quoting lyrics (rap or hymnody) to seal his points. A minor quibble at best, but one that stuck with me.
Ultimately, I was a little disappointed, I wanted more. I can't put my finger on anything and say "This could've been made better, here." But there were several places that could've been true. It's certainly not shallow, but it's nowhere near deep. Nor particularly insightful. But it is solid, it is passionate, it is focused on the essentials -- and for many people that's exactly what they need. Maybe if I'd read this a week or so later (or earlier), I'd have had a different reaction.
Carter's answer would be: quite a lot. The blood of Christ purchases, propitiates, justifies, redeems, cleans, sanctifies, ransoms and frees the believer who is brought near to other believers by the blood, are given peace by it and are elect in it. In addition to looking at key texts supporting or explaining each of these aspects of the atonement, Carter brings in historic catechisms and confessions to help understand his point, and then invokes song lyrics to demonstrate (in part) that this is what people have believed for generations -- or to help the reader apply the lessons to themselves.
Carter writes with a very personable style and obvious passion -- it is easy to "hear" a lot of this book being preached, and done so with great efficacy and application to the individual. It's this that kept me going through the book after it became pretty clear that this was going to be a survey at best, and not an in-depth examination of anything. While I did admire his ability to quote a historic catechism in one breath and hip hop lyrics in the next, I wonder if he wasn't too reliant on quoting lyrics (rap or hymnody) to seal his points. A minor quibble at best, but one that stuck with me.
Ultimately, I was a little disappointed, I wanted more. I can't put my finger on anything and say "This could've been made better, here." But there were several places that could've been true. It's certainly not shallow, but it's nowhere near deep. Nor particularly insightful. But it is solid, it is passionate, it is focused on the essentials -- and for many people that's exactly what they need. Maybe if I'd read this a week or so later (or earlier), I'd have had a different reaction.
February 13, 2013
Loved it! This short little book is packed with theology regarding the blood of Jesus. At times I felt I was sitting in a classroom learning from a great theologian and other times I felt I was sitting in the front row listening to a small church pastor with a passion for God's word and a love for God's people. It is an easy read and yet it is packed with deep theological truth. I enjoyed all the bible references, the hymns and poems cited. Great read for new believers looking to build a solid biblical foundation of their identity in Christ because of His blood. As a pastor it was a good reminder and a full picture of the critical nature and effective and sufficient work of the blood of Christ. I plan to develop a study based on this book to teach to my congregation, of course giving Mr. Carter full credit. Mr. Cater teaches how we are purchased propitiated, justified, redeemed, brought near, achieve peace, cleansed, sanctified, elected, ransomed, and freed by the blood. And he ends with how His blood avails for you. I'm singing the praises of our God because of the blood of Christ applied to my life by His Spirit!
October 22, 2016
This was a wonderful book on what the blood of Christ has accomplished for the believers. It is amazing to see how much His blood accomplished and studying the blood of Christ beautifully capture the multi-faceted dimension of our salvation through the Gospel. The book has thirteen chapters and covers areas such as propitiation, justification, redemption, sanctification, ransom and being brought near by the blood of Christ.
I appreciated how the author wrote this book with devotional flavor. Readers will also appreciate the references to hymns and spiritual songs throughout the book concerning the blood of Christ. That musical dimension certainly reminds the readers that this is not an academically dry subject (see the two appendix of the book as well which features references to songs on the blood and also the author’s own song on the precious blood). If there’s one criticism I have for the book is that sometimes the chapters felt like it was too short but I suppose to think more positively the book left me hungry to learn more about the doctrines of salvation and the Gospel. Great for devotional reading and even for small group which was the context of my reading of this book.
I appreciated how the author wrote this book with devotional flavor. Readers will also appreciate the references to hymns and spiritual songs throughout the book concerning the blood of Christ. That musical dimension certainly reminds the readers that this is not an academically dry subject (see the two appendix of the book as well which features references to songs on the blood and also the author’s own song on the precious blood). If there’s one criticism I have for the book is that sometimes the chapters felt like it was too short but I suppose to think more positively the book left me hungry to learn more about the doctrines of salvation and the Gospel. Great for devotional reading and even for small group which was the context of my reading of this book.
March 22, 2016
Through scripture, and with the assistance of classic hymns and Carter’s own stories and examples, this short book shows us what the blood of Christ accomplished for us at the cross. Each chapter focuses on a different aspect. Just to name a few, in Christ’s blood we are justified, redeemed, cleansed, sanctified, elect, ransomed, and freed. If some of these sound repetitive, this book will show you that each is unique.
Carter does an excellent job of getting his message across. It’s simply stated, but deep in meaning. This is what Christ’s blood has done (and is still doing) for us. It is definitely worth a read.
Carter does an excellent job of getting his message across. It’s simply stated, but deep in meaning. This is what Christ’s blood has done (and is still doing) for us. It is definitely worth a read.
December 26, 2014
This is a small book and can be read in one afternoon. This is a good book for a seasoned believer to contemplate as well as an excellent introduction for a new believer into the Christian faith. It is written from a reformed perspective.
April 30, 2016
I thought Blood Work was a great, quick read. I thought it was great because the focus was on Jesus Christ and what he has done for us. It very much focuses on our union with Christ and ultimate salvation by the blood of Christ. The first chapter introduces the subject focusing on the gospel message as revealed in Scripture. Each additional chapter focuses on an aspect of salvation. For example, justification, sanctification, propitiation, redemption, election, etc. Each chapter is adequately--more than adequately--supported by Scripture references. I also thought it was great because it is a thought-provoking read.
I thought it was also a quick, reader-friendly read. I liked the length of the chapters. It felt very readable, very manageable to me. It was concise but not shallow. It was not so deep that there were a hundred footnotes to cite all the scholars quoted. It felt practical to me as well. One would hope that all books about the atonement would feel equally practical and relevant. But that isn't always the case. I think this one gives readers enough to think about so that it encourages devotional reflection. It is not a textbook on the atonement. And it never promises to be absolutely thorough.
I thought it was also a quick, reader-friendly read. I liked the length of the chapters. It felt very readable, very manageable to me. It was concise but not shallow. It was not so deep that there were a hundred footnotes to cite all the scholars quoted. It felt practical to me as well. One would hope that all books about the atonement would feel equally practical and relevant. But that isn't always the case. I think this one gives readers enough to think about so that it encourages devotional reflection. It is not a textbook on the atonement. And it never promises to be absolutely thorough.
The history of Christianity is filled with blood. More than anything else, the Bible speaks of the blood of Christ accomplishing for us the grand benefits that belong to salvation: We have been purchased by His blood (Acts 20:28). We have propitiation by His blood (Rom. 3:25). We have been justified by His blood (Rom. 5:9). We have redemption through His blood (Eph. 1:7). We who were afar off have been brought near by His blood (Eph. 2:13). We have peace through His blood (Col. 1:20). Our consciences are cleansed by His blood (Heb. 9:14). We are sanctified through His blood (Heb. 13:12). We are elect in His blood (1 Peter 1:1–2). We are ransomed by His blood (1 Peter 1:18–19). We have been set free from sin by His blood (Rev. 1:5). These and many other benefits remind us that the blood of Christ is central to all we are as a redeemed people.
We are His and He is ours. His blood sealed our union with Him.
If you are in Christ, you live because of the blood of the Lamb of God. In the blood of Christ, we have what we lost in Adam, namely, life. The shedding of our Savior’s blood was significant not for the blood itself but for what it represents. It represents the perfect, sinless life of Christ poured out unto death for us (Isa. 53:12).
We receive a life transfusion—His death for our death, His life for our life. It all is according to His precious blood, which satisfies God’s righteous requirements for life and justice. Blood in the Old Testament spoke and satisfied. But it did not speak or satisfy well enough. It took the coming of the spotless Lamb of God, whose eternal blood is called precious, priceless, and powerful, to speak and satisfy finally.
Being the possession of Christ is the hope of the Christian. To be a Christian is to belong to Him. To belong to Christ is the foundation for comfort and security in this life and in the life to come. This is the point poignantly made by Question One, Lord’s Day One, of the Heidelberg Catechism. The catechism asks, “What is your only comfort in life and in death?” The answer rings with the truth of the purchasing power of the blood of Christ and our security in His possession: That I am not my own, but belong—body and soul, in life and in death—to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil. He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my father in heaven: in fact, all things must work together for my salvation. Because I belong to him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit, assures me of eternal life and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.
Sin is rebellion against God’s will, the manifestation of humanity’s revolt against its Creator. It has been said that sin is not just breaking the rules, it is making one’s own rules. Though God is patient and kind, He will not leave the guilty unpunished (Ex. 34:7). Those who are guilty of sinning need God’s wrath against their sins to be removed and His justice to be satisfied. Jesus, in giving His life as a sacrifice, satisfied the righteous and just wrath of God against our sin, thus providing for us reconciliation and peace with God.
It is not faith that turns away God’s wrath and anger against sin; it is the blood of Christ. It is not faith that saves; it is the finished work of Christ. Admittedly, faith is important. We cannot be saved without faith. However, it is Christ who saves, not faith. While faith brings the righteousness of Christ to us, it is the righteousness of Christ that actually earns us God’s pleasure.
The question is often raised, “For whom did Christ die?” In Romans 5:6–9, the Bible tells us that Christ died for those who are “weak,” “ungodly,” and “sinners.” “Weak” speaks to our inability to save ourselves. It indicates that we are without strength and power. It brings to mind someone who is incurably sick. The illness has debilitated him to such a degree that all power of recovery has left him and death is inevitable. He is unable to save himself from this pending end. Jesus declared that these are the ones He came to save (Mark 2:17). As weak spiritual invalids, we not only could not save ourselves, we had no idea that a cure was possible. “Ungodly” speaks to our activity in opposition to the ways of God. It is the designation of sinners as impious, refusing to worship the God who created them while living and loving contrary to His holy character and commands. It is reflective of what the Bible means when, speaking collectively of humanity, it says: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.’…‘There is no fear of God before their eyes’” (Rom. 3:10–12, 18). Thess verses remind us that the weak and the ungodly are such because they are sinners—transgressors of God’s law. “Sinners” is the summation of what we are in relation to God’s Word and will. The Westminster Shorter Catechism defines sin as “any lack of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God.”25 Sin is manifested when we do what God commands us not to do and when we fail to do what God has commanded us to do.
As the Bible plainly states, “Christ died for the ungodly” (Rom. 5:6). Here are five of the most heart-humbling, awe-inspiring, and joy-producing words we will ever hear. As many have said, “Here is the gospel in five words.” Those who are justified are those who willingly admit to being ungodly, and thus are willing to trust in Christ alone for their godliness. They understand that their ungodliness is such that self-justification is not possible.
Our salvation is not a disinterested, detached act of God. On the contrary, it is an act of compassionate, saving love. Christ died to show the all-surpassing, incomparable height, depth, width, and length of God’s love for us.
At the heart of our salvation is the love of God. We are not redeemed without it. This redeeming love is threefold. It is the love the Son shows for the Father in submitting to the will of God in the redemption of His people. It is the love the Father shows for the Son in redeeming a people who will ultimately be conformed to the image of the Son. It is the love the Father and the Son show for God’s people in redeeming us at all cost (John 3:16; Gal. 2:20). It’s a love triangle. But unlike the love triangles we know, this one works, bringing joy and delight to all.
The blood of Christ gives us a home. The blood of Christ becomes the flag and color under which we stand. The blood of Christ takes those who were once strangers and makes them family.
It is during such times that the gospel reminds us that our sanctification does not happen because we are willing to shed our blood but because Christ was willing to shed His. It is not our blood and sacrifice that has pleased the Father; it is the blood of His beloved Son. Thus, when the battle for daily holiness appears lost, encourage yourself with the words of the old saints: “I ain’t what I wanna be; I ain’t what I’m gonna be; but through the blood of Christ, I ain’t what I was.”
Election is eternal. God’s choices are as old as He is. When did God choose you? When you were born? When you believed? No. He chose you from all eternity. The electing purpose of God is from before the beginning and will be true throughout all eternity. A lady once told John Newton, “If God had not chosen me before I was born, he would have never chosen me afterwards.”60 The Bible speaks of God as the One “who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began” (2 Tim. 1:9).
Sin has a power unparalleled on earth. It is more destructive than an atomic bomb; more menacing than a terrorist plot; more ruinous than a plague of locusts; more devastating than ten tsunamis; and more horrible and scary than a thousand bogey-men. Those who have been caught in its grip can testify to this truth. Many have been the cries of those trapped in the darkness of sexual perversion and addiction with seemingly no way out. Even more have experienced the perpetual night of drugs and alcoholism with seemingly no light or even the promise of day. Listen to the men or women who cannot resist the latest bit of gossip. They want to stop, they want to resist, but the temptation to hear and pass on scintillating news is too strong. They are held captive by sin, and their struggles to escape appear futile. Is there an exit? Can those trapped in the grip of sin escape? Is it possible to be set free from the power of sin? As we conclude our trek through the New Testament looking at the glories of the blood of Christ for the redeemed, we read in Revelation 1:5: “Jesus Christ [is] the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. [He] loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood.” Freedom from sin is possible—by Christ’s blood.
Remind yourself daily that Christ did not shed His blood for nothing. The most valuable commodity in the universe, namely, the life of Christ, was given for our souls. This should remind us of how valuable God considers our lives to be. He has delighted to call us sons and daughters. Consequently, there is a favor and blessing upon those for whom Christ died.
August 24, 2013
Life is in the blood (Leviticus 17:11).
Usually people aren’t comfortable with talking about blood. Just the image of blood can produce lightheadedness for some. It might be more “comfortable” actually if Christians just stopped talking about blood…But we can’t. We must not. If we discard blood, namely, the blood of Christ, we lose everything about Christianity. Hebrews 9:22 tells us that without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins.
I undertook the challenge to read Anthony Carter’s Blood Work, a book on “how the blood of Christ accomplishes our salvation.” It’s a very easy-to-read and short book, but a book, nonetheless, of incredible truth. One will seek in vain if he attempts to find just one page void of biblical reference or allusion. Carter fills his pages with biblical content on the precious blood of Christ. It was an absolute delight to read. In a sense, it felt more like a devotional. But at the same time, it worked like a systematic theology textbook covering the doctrine of salvation (soteriology). Perhaps that is its greatest strength: substantial, yet understandable.
The blood of Christ does much for those who believe. It purchases (chapter 2), propitiates (ch. 3), justifies (ch. 4), redeems (ch. 5), brings near (ch. 6), makes peace (ch. 7), cleanses (ch. 8), sanctifies (ch. 9), elects (ch. 10), ransoms (ch. 11), frees (ch. 12), and avails (ch. 13). When you look at the blood of Christ with this scope, you can easily see how vast and beyond measure it truly is. One can barely keep from singing after hearing of these truths. Which brings me to my next positive remark…
Blood Work is completely saturated with blood-themed songs and hymns. Some hymns are quite well-known and have been around for years. Others are quite new and diverse in genre. But as you will see upon reading Blood Work, Anthony Carter captures biblical truth after biblical truth by providing insightful songs in quotation. It was an interesting technique in writing about the blood of Christ in book format, but I was refreshed by it. Being a musician, I took great interest to these songs and even found a newfound respect for some songs I hadn’t heard in quite a while.
One more significant positive remark to make concerning Blood Work is the illustrious mind of Anthony Carter. Every chapter displayed very vivid and applicable illustrations from all sorts of topics. The introduction itself is worth a read. I believe they were all designed to focus our attention on topic: the blood of Christ. Indeed illustrating doctrine is a special gift Carter possesses.
A major reason why I was interested in this book was more related to apologetic purposes, meaning that I was hoping the author would discuss the errors found in other religions, particularly ancient ones, regarding blood sacrifices. Christianity is a “bloody religion” as chapter one emphasizes, but there didn’t seem to be much attention to some of the critical remarks that skeptics have made concerning Christianity being compared to ancient paganism because of the talk about blood. However, I would say that a particular section in the first chapter was very insightful concerning the “why” of Christ’s blood (page 5ff). Thus, I walked away from this book with greater confidence in the validity and necessity of Christ’s blood for salvation.
It might assumed that a book about Christ’s blood would be unbelievers as an evangelistic resource. Well, it could certainly be useful for that, but I would state clearly that this book was an incredible blessing to me, a Christian for several years. Every believer in Jesus would benefit from reading this book, I am convinced.
***Note: I wanted to say a special word of thanks to Reformation Trust Publishing for allowing me to review this book. I wasn’t under any constraint to write a positive review. Here’s their website if you’re interested: http://www.ligonier.org/reformation-t...
- John Wiley
www.johnmichaelwiley.wordpress.com
Usually people aren’t comfortable with talking about blood. Just the image of blood can produce lightheadedness for some. It might be more “comfortable” actually if Christians just stopped talking about blood…But we can’t. We must not. If we discard blood, namely, the blood of Christ, we lose everything about Christianity. Hebrews 9:22 tells us that without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins.
I undertook the challenge to read Anthony Carter’s Blood Work, a book on “how the blood of Christ accomplishes our salvation.” It’s a very easy-to-read and short book, but a book, nonetheless, of incredible truth. One will seek in vain if he attempts to find just one page void of biblical reference or allusion. Carter fills his pages with biblical content on the precious blood of Christ. It was an absolute delight to read. In a sense, it felt more like a devotional. But at the same time, it worked like a systematic theology textbook covering the doctrine of salvation (soteriology). Perhaps that is its greatest strength: substantial, yet understandable.
The blood of Christ does much for those who believe. It purchases (chapter 2), propitiates (ch. 3), justifies (ch. 4), redeems (ch. 5), brings near (ch. 6), makes peace (ch. 7), cleanses (ch. 8), sanctifies (ch. 9), elects (ch. 10), ransoms (ch. 11), frees (ch. 12), and avails (ch. 13). When you look at the blood of Christ with this scope, you can easily see how vast and beyond measure it truly is. One can barely keep from singing after hearing of these truths. Which brings me to my next positive remark…
Blood Work is completely saturated with blood-themed songs and hymns. Some hymns are quite well-known and have been around for years. Others are quite new and diverse in genre. But as you will see upon reading Blood Work, Anthony Carter captures biblical truth after biblical truth by providing insightful songs in quotation. It was an interesting technique in writing about the blood of Christ in book format, but I was refreshed by it. Being a musician, I took great interest to these songs and even found a newfound respect for some songs I hadn’t heard in quite a while.
One more significant positive remark to make concerning Blood Work is the illustrious mind of Anthony Carter. Every chapter displayed very vivid and applicable illustrations from all sorts of topics. The introduction itself is worth a read. I believe they were all designed to focus our attention on topic: the blood of Christ. Indeed illustrating doctrine is a special gift Carter possesses.
A major reason why I was interested in this book was more related to apologetic purposes, meaning that I was hoping the author would discuss the errors found in other religions, particularly ancient ones, regarding blood sacrifices. Christianity is a “bloody religion” as chapter one emphasizes, but there didn’t seem to be much attention to some of the critical remarks that skeptics have made concerning Christianity being compared to ancient paganism because of the talk about blood. However, I would say that a particular section in the first chapter was very insightful concerning the “why” of Christ’s blood (page 5ff). Thus, I walked away from this book with greater confidence in the validity and necessity of Christ’s blood for salvation.
It might assumed that a book about Christ’s blood would be unbelievers as an evangelistic resource. Well, it could certainly be useful for that, but I would state clearly that this book was an incredible blessing to me, a Christian for several years. Every believer in Jesus would benefit from reading this book, I am convinced.
***Note: I wanted to say a special word of thanks to Reformation Trust Publishing for allowing me to review this book. I wasn’t under any constraint to write a positive review. Here’s their website if you’re interested: http://www.ligonier.org/reformation-t...
- John Wiley
www.johnmichaelwiley.wordpress.com
October 28, 2015
The book, although an easy read, is packed with valuable knowledge. My favorite quote is this:
"There is a city whose builder and maker is God (Heb. 11:10). It is a better city. It is a new city. John Bunyan called it "the Celestial City." And it is ours! It is an eternal dwelling for all those who have places their faith and trust in Christ; for innumerable angels in festal gathering; for the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven; for God, the Judge of all; for the spirits of the righteous made perfect; and for Jesus, the Mediator of a new covenant. We can be there because of the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel (Heb. 12:22-24). The blood avails for us so that we can take our eyes off the things of this world and set them on Jesus, where He is, and the promise that we will be with Him someday. There is no greater comfort in life and death than to know that there is a reality beyond the present one, that this life is not all that there is. The blood of Christ assures us of this. His blood gives us a living hope.
Therefore, seek that for which you have been redeemed; eternal in the heavens (2 Cor. 5:1). Seek the city of God. Seek eternity, and you will be sure to get it. And know that it is the blood of Jesus that makes it possible and worthwhile."
May I never forget the importance of the shedding of Christ's blood. Praise the Lord!
"There is a city whose builder and maker is God (Heb. 11:10). It is a better city. It is a new city. John Bunyan called it "the Celestial City." And it is ours! It is an eternal dwelling for all those who have places their faith and trust in Christ; for innumerable angels in festal gathering; for the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven; for God, the Judge of all; for the spirits of the righteous made perfect; and for Jesus, the Mediator of a new covenant. We can be there because of the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel (Heb. 12:22-24). The blood avails for us so that we can take our eyes off the things of this world and set them on Jesus, where He is, and the promise that we will be with Him someday. There is no greater comfort in life and death than to know that there is a reality beyond the present one, that this life is not all that there is. The blood of Christ assures us of this. His blood gives us a living hope.
Therefore, seek that for which you have been redeemed; eternal in the heavens (2 Cor. 5:1). Seek the city of God. Seek eternity, and you will be sure to get it. And know that it is the blood of Jesus that makes it possible and worthwhile."
May I never forget the importance of the shedding of Christ's blood. Praise the Lord!
December 21, 2013
I think the author's goal in writing could be summarized in his words: "We could not know the futility of our lives until we were made to see the utility of Christ." This work is a good overview of Gospel of Jesus Christ; specially the salvation that was accomplished for us through the shedding of his blood, his death on the cross. Non-scholarly in tone, along with many good anecdotes & illustrates facilitates a readability for all ages. Every follower of Jesus needs a daily, even hourly reminder of the Good News that offers utility for all our needs and desires both in the present life & the one to come. We must stay focused on the ultimate purpose of our lives: to know the Eternal God and enjoy him forever. This the gift of God through The Lord Jesus Christ.
September 23, 2013
This book is full of solid truth from scripture. While there were few new concepts for me, I know I need to be reminded of the saving power of Jesus' blood all the time.
Carter's writing is enthusiastic, but serious. He cites tons of scripture to make his points. But I feel like the book was more of a survey of verses that talk about Jesus' blood, rather than a deep exposition of them. Also, it annoys me when pastors make cultural references to seem "in-touch" without effectively furthering their points, and I feel like he does that quite a bit in the first half of the book. Otherwise, he's a good writer and sticks to the essentials, which I enjoyed.
Carter's writing is enthusiastic, but serious. He cites tons of scripture to make his points. But I feel like the book was more of a survey of verses that talk about Jesus' blood, rather than a deep exposition of them. Also, it annoys me when pastors make cultural references to seem "in-touch" without effectively furthering their points, and I feel like he does that quite a bit in the first half of the book. Otherwise, he's a good writer and sticks to the essentials, which I enjoyed.
September 14, 2014
For a book as short as this, it is really brilliant. The author communicates successfully what the significance of blood is to the Christian faith; atonement, and urges the reader to live the life that was purchased for us by Jesus Christ' blood.
I especially like his accessibility and how he shares the songs he has written for his congregation as well as others that are helpful to understanding the subject of the book. This book is a must read for all people. New believers to the Christian faith will especially be helped immensely by it.
I heartily recommend it to everyone.
I especially like his accessibility and how he shares the songs he has written for his congregation as well as others that are helpful to understanding the subject of the book. This book is a must read for all people. New believers to the Christian faith will especially be helped immensely by it.
I heartily recommend it to everyone.
May 11, 2016
Excellent. I absolutely love how he ties every aspect of this book in with supporting songs/hymns. We don't realize the magnitude of the sacrifice and its all encompassing nature and this book really makes you appreciate it. The multitude of lyrics from old-school hymns used to reinforce points was very refreshing. Also, tying things up at the end with the importance of music in the atonement process very intriguing.
Wish he would've spent less time on the predestination aspect, but it wasn't overwhelming so didn't lower it to a four star review.
Wish he would've spent less time on the predestination aspect, but it wasn't overwhelming so didn't lower it to a four star review.
October 9, 2014
Christianity is a bloody religion. From animal sacrifices in the Old Testament to the cross of Christ in the New, the Bible drips with references to blood. This is not accidental, as Carter explains in this look at how blood functions both in Scripture and in the salvation of Christ’s people. Carter’s strengths are his biblical acuity in discussing how blood functions scripturally, and his refusal to shy away from an oft-neglected aspect of Christian faith.
February 19, 2021
Great book for any Christian! every chapter in it, talks about how the blood of Christ cleanses sinners. It retells this truth in so many ways and so many times that you kinda wonder why the author has to keep saying it over and over again. But what sinner doesn’t need to be reminded, over and over again, that they have been washed by a fountain filled with blood. This book will make you think much of Christ!
October 8, 2013
This book is full of Christ! "Blood Work" is similar to John Piper's books "Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ" and "Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die" in that they proclaim who Jesus is in His life, death and resurrection. Anthony Carter writes with a passion for the truths of the Bible and a reverence for God. This book could encourage every believer if they give it the opportunity.
December 31, 2014
Carter does a nice job of drawing out the text of Scripture that focus upon the blood of our Savior. He helps you discover (or be reminded) about the importance of Christ's blood for our salvation. We are purchased by the blood, justified by the blood, redeemed by the blood, and have peace with God by the blood to name a few. A good quick read.
October 17, 2013
This informative book will show you what Jesus' blood actually does for us and makes the theology of Christ's blood accessible. Inspires renewed reverence and appreciation for the blood of Christ. I was surprised to see that the author lives and pastors in my home town of East Point, Georgia.
May 22, 2014
A good easy-to-read book about the remarkable scope of good accomplished by the sacrificial death of Christ. Lots of theology packaged well for ease of understanding. If you like hymn lyrics, you will especially enjoy this read.
July 24, 2017
A beautiful presentation of the gospel. When I was caught in the minutia of trying to understanding the varying position of secondary and tertiary doctrines this book helped me focus back on Christ saving sinners such as I.
April 10, 2016
Refreshing!
In an era in which we are tempted to think of "blood" as something icky, this book helps us see how Christ's blood is beautiful. Instead of recoiling from the blood of Christ, rejoice in it!
In an era in which we are tempted to think of "blood" as something icky, this book helps us see how Christ's blood is beautiful. Instead of recoiling from the blood of Christ, rejoice in it!
Read
June 13, 2016This 130-page book is so good, showing us the purpose and work of the blood of Christ in the work of salvation. I'm thankful for short books that focus on one aspect of God's redemptive work in Christ.
Want to read
March 22, 2016Is free on Amazon
May 12, 2013
Very good.
July 16, 2013
Excellent exposition of the redeeming power of the blood of Christ. Carter rightly calls Christianity a "bloody religion", but in this case, that is not a bad thing at all!
October 6, 2013
Short and sweet. I liked all the hymn references about blood. Great study of a theme all over Scripture.
October 25, 2013
Very helpful!
October 8, 2013
I just started reading this in my Kindle. So far, I am enjoying it! Thankful for this book in every way!
June 1, 2014
Wonderful exegises of the key new scriptures in the new testament.
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