The question “What can wash away my sin?” is the most significant inquiry a human soul can make. While the answer is unequivocally “nothing but the blood of Jesus,” the New Testament provides a specific, divinely appointed means by which a believer moves from a state of guilt to a state of grace.

The Bible teaches that baptism is the functional bridge—the moment and means—where the penitent believer accesses the cleansing power of Christ’s sacrifice.

The Power is in the Blood, The Promise is in the Water

It is vital to distinguish between the source of salvation and the means of reception. The blood of Jesus is the only element with the power to atone for sin. However, God has always utilized physical acts of faith to bestow spiritual blessings (Hebrews 11; Joshua 6; 2 Kings 5; John 9).

In the same way that the Israelites had to physically apply the blood to their doorposts in Egypt to be spared, the believer must “apply” the blood of Christ. Scripture identifies baptism as the point of application.

1. The Literal Connection: “Wash Away Your Sins”

In Acts 22:16, the inspired text records the instructions given to Saul of Tarsus (Paul):

“And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”

Even though Paul had encountered the risen Christ on the road to Damascus and had spent three days in prayer and fasting, he was still in his sins. We must note that the “washing” does not happen through the physical properties of the water, but through obedience to the command of God (Hebrews 5:8-9; Luke 6:46; Matthew 7:21). Baptism is where the “washing” occurs because it is where the blood is spiritually accessed (Revelation 1:5; Romans 6:3).

2. The Theological Connection: Baptism into His Death

The most profound correlation between baptism and the blood of Jesus is found in Romans 6:3-4. Paul writes:

“Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?”

• Where was the blood shed? In His death.
• How do we get “into” His death? Through baptism.

If the blood was shed in His death, one must travel to where the death is to find the blood. Baptism is the spiritual burial that places the believer into the death of Christ, allowing them to come into contact with the benefits of His sacrifice. How else did Paul declare, “I have been crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live” (Galatians 2:20; c.f. Roman 6:6)? It was through His baptism- which he recorded, “made free from sin” (Romans 6:18).

3. The Legal Connection: The Remission of Sins

During the first gospel sermon on Pentecost, Peter was asked what the people must do to be saved. He responded:

“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…” (Acts 2:38)

The Greek phrase eis aphesin hamartion (“for the remission of sins”) is the exact same phrase Jesus used in Matthew 26:28 regarding His blood: “For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”

The blood was shed to provide the remission; baptism is administered to receive that remission. They are two sides of the same coin of grace.

A Matter of Faith, Not Merit

A common misconception is that viewing baptism as the means of accessing the blood constitutes “works-based” salvation. On the contrary, consistent biblical scholarship views baptism as a work of God, not man.

In Colossians 2:11-12, baptism is described as the “circumcision made without hands,” where we are buried with Him and raised through “faith in the working of God.” In baptism, the believer is passive—they are “dead” and are being acted upon by God. It is the moment when God, by His grace, applies the blood of His Son to the heart and makes the dead alive again- having forgiven all trespasses (Colossians 2:13).

 The Biblical Pattern

• The Source: The Blood of Jesus (Rev. 1:5) “He washed us from our sins in His own blood.” (Note: the same word for “washed used here in Rev.1:5 is used in Acts 22:16).
• The Requirement: Faith and Repentance (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38)
• The Means of Access: Baptism (Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:26-27; 1 Peter 3:21)

When we surrender to the command of baptism, we are not trusting in the water or our own effort; we are trusting in the promise of God that His Son’s blood is waiting there to make us white as snow. This position is harmonious with the entirety of scripture. It may fly in the face of man-made doctrine, but. “Let God be found true and every man a liar” (Romans 3:4).

Go with God. Go with Him for the reason He prescribed. He loves you and we do too.