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Purification

Purification in Scripture refers to both ceremonial cleansing under the Old Covenant law and spiritual cleansing through Christ's blood in the New Covenant. The Old Testament system of purification pointed forward to Christ's ultimate work of making believers holy before God.

Overview

The Old Testament established detailed purification laws requiring ceremonial washings and sacrifices to restore ritual cleanliness and communion with God. These physical practices symbolized the need for spiritual cleansing from sin. The New Testament reveals that Christ's shed blood accomplishes the purification that the old sacrifices could only temporarily provide.

Key Scriptures

"And he sent young men of the children of Israel, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed young bulls as peace offerings to the LORD" (Exodus 24:5, ESV).

"Hebrews 9:13-14 (ESV): For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God."

Application

Believers today rest in Christ's finished work, trusting that His blood has permanently purified us and made us acceptable to God—no additional sacrifices or rituals are needed.

Scripture References 40
Exodus 19:15 Exodus 24:5 Exodus 24:6 Exodus 24:7 Exodus 24:8 Leviticus 14:6 Leviticus 14:7 Hebrews 9:12 Hebrews 9:13 Hebrews 9:14 Hebrews 9:19 Hebrews 9:20 Hebrews 9:21 Hebrews 9:22 Numbers 31:23 Psalms 26:6 Psalms 51:7 Ezekiel 36:25 Hebrews 10:22 Numbers 31:19 Numbers 31:20 Numbers 31:21 Numbers 31:22 Numbers 31:23 Numbers 31:24 Acts 21:24 Acts 21:26 John 11:55 Leviticus 7:20 Leviticus 7:21 Numbers 19:13 Numbers 19:20 Exodus 30:18 Exodus 30:19 Exodus 30:20 Exodus 30:21 Exodus 40:30 Exodus 40:31 Exodus 40:32 Leviticus 14:8
Full Topical Reference List 103 total — Nave's Topical Bible

By abstaining from sexual intercourse

Exodus 19:15

By blood

Exodus 24:5 Exodus 24:6 Exodus 24:7 Exodus 24:8 Hebrews 9:12 Hebrews 9:13 Hebrews 9:14 Hebrews 9:19 Hebrews 9:20 Hebrews 9:21 Hebrews 9:22 Leviticus 14:6 Leviticus 14:7

By fire, for things that resist fire

Numbers 31:23

Figurative

Ezekiel 36:25 Hebrews 10:22 Psalms 26:6 Psalms 51:7

For those who have slain in battle

Numbers 31:19 Numbers 31:20 Numbers 31:21 Numbers 31:22 Numbers 31:23 Numbers 31:24

Of Paul, to show his fidelity to the law

Acts 21:24 Acts 21:26

Of the Jews before the Passover

John 11:55

Penalty to be imposed upon those who do not observe the ordinances concerning

Leviticus 7:20 Leviticus 7:21 Numbers 19:13 Numbers 19:20

Scriptures relating to

Exodus 19:10 Exodus 19:14 Exodus 29:4 Exodus 30:18 Exodus 30:19 Exodus 30:20 Exodus 30:21 Exodus 40:12 Exodus 40:30 Exodus 40:31 Exodus 40:32 Genesis 35:2 Leviticus 8:6 Leviticus 14:8 Leviticus 14:9 Leviticus 15:4 Leviticus 15:5 Leviticus 15:6 Leviticus 15:7 Leviticus 15:8 Leviticus 15:9 Leviticus 15:10 Leviticus 15:11 Leviticus 15:12 Leviticus 15:13 Leviticus 15:16 Leviticus 15:17 Leviticus 15:18 Leviticus 15:19 Leviticus 15:20 Leviticus 15:21 Leviticus 15:22 Leviticus 15:23 Leviticus 15:24 Leviticus 15:25 Leviticus 15:26 Leviticus 15:27 Leviticus 16:4 Mark 7:2 Mark 7:3 Mark 7:4 Mark 7:5 Mark 7:6 Mark 7:7 Mark 7:8 Mark 7:9 Numbers 8:6 Numbers 8:7 Numbers 19:7 Numbers 19:8

Traditions of the elders concerning

Luke 11:38 Mark 7:2 Mark 7:3 Mark 7:4 Mark 7:5 Mark 7:8 Mark 7:9 Matthew 15:2

Washing hands in water, symbolic of innocency

Deuteronomy 21:6 Matthew 27:24 Psalms 26:6

Washing in water, parts of animal sacrifices

2 Chronicles 4:6 Leviticus 1:9 Leviticus 1:13 Leviticus 9:14

Water of

Numbers 19:17 Numbers 19:18 Numbers 19:19 Numbers 19:20 Numbers 19:21 Numbers 31:23
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