The Christian Commune Is Made Clean Through the Blood of Christ
The Christian commune is cleansed and protected from death through the blood of Christ and the remembrance of him in the nighttime meal.
Hans Betz preaches about the cleansing power of Christ's blood for the Christian commune, emphasizing the spiritual renewal symbolized by the 'Wasserbad' or water bath through the Holy Spirit. He highlights the importance of following Christ's example of the nighttime meal of bread and wine, reserved for the sinless commune, as a way to avoid spiritual death and remain connected to Christ.
Text
The Christian commune is made clean through the blood of Christ. Jesus bears her again in the Wasserbad (water bath) through his Spirit.
Mark the counsel of God: Christ has set the pattern for a nighttime meal of bread and wine for his commune -- the commune that keeps itself from sin. If she eats the nighttime meal in remembrance of him, death will not overtake her.
-- Hans Betz, from the dungeon of the castle at Passau, Ausbund, 92:15
Sermon Outline
- I. The Christian Commune's Cleansing
- A. Through the blood of Christ
- B. Made clean through Jesus' Spirit
- II. God's Counsel
- A. Pattern for nighttime meal
- B. Commune keeps itself from sin
- III. Remembrance of Christ
- A. Eating the nighttime meal
- B. Protection from death
Key Quotes
“The Christian commune is made clean through the blood of Christ.” — Ausbund
“If she eats the nighttime meal in remembrance of him, death will not overtake her.” — Ausbund
Application Points
- To keep yourself from sin, follow God's counsel and eat the nighttime meal in remembrance of Christ.
- The blood of Christ is what makes you clean and protects you from death.
- Remembering Christ in the nighttime meal provides protection from death.