Ephesians 5:26

“that He might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word”

“Sanctify”: To make holy. “To make her holy and clean” (Tay). “Before the bride was presented to the bridegroom she received. cleansing bath and was then dressed in her bridal array” (Bruce p. 387). The death of Christ upon the cross enabled people to be sanctified, that is set apart from their sins. The way or means to reach the benefits of Christ's death, is now stated, “the washing of water with the word”. “Cleansed”: To purify. “By”: How the sanctification is obtained. How people can be cleansed of their sins, or how one can be. member of the body of Christ. “The washing of water with the word”: When we compare this statement to others, we find that the word of God, which produces faith in the heart and moves people to accept the command to be baptized, is how people are cleansed of their sins and how people enter into the body of Christ. Consider the following chart:

Word Washing of Water Cleansed

Gospel Baptism Saved Mark 16:16

Born of Spirit Born of Water Kingdom of God John 3:5

By one Spirit Baptized Into one body 1 Corinthians 12:13

Renewing Holy Spirit Washing of Regeneration Saved Titus 3:5

Appeal to God Baptism Saved. Peter #:21