(5:26) The object of Christ's love for His church was to "make her holy". "Holy" means "to set apart to a purpose." The purpose of the Church is to represent Christ and demonstrate His love as the object of His affection. "Washing" is "baptizing" and speaks of identification. The Church is now identified with Christ. "Washing" also speaks of union. The Church is now in union with Christ. The medium used in that baptism is the word of God. "Water" and "the word" are synonymous in their application to the individual who has come to Christ. First, there is the Word of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. Then, there is the ceremonial water baptism, the "washing" of that individual, which marks their identification with Christ before an entire watching world. The ceremony symbolizes the immersion in the Word, the Lord Jesus Christ, that is the means by which the individual is "set apart" unto Christ.

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Old Testament