The term "cleanseth" is an archaic form of the verb "cleanse," which appears in various translations of the Bible, including the King James Version. It refers to the act of making something clean, pure, or free from impurities, both in a physical and spiritual sense. In the context of Scripture, "cleanseth" often pertains to the purification from sin and moral defilement, a central theme in Christian theology.

Biblical Context and Usage

1. Old Testament Context: In the Old Testament, the concept of cleansing is closely associated with the Levitical laws and rituals. The Israelites were given specific instructions on how to maintain ceremonial purity, which included washing and sacrifices. These practices symbolized the need for spiritual cleanliness before God. For example, in Leviticus 16:30 , it is written, "For on this day atonement will be made for you to cleanse you, and you will be clean from all your sins before the LORD."

2. New Testament Context: The New Testament expands on the theme of cleansing, emphasizing the spiritual purification that comes through Jesus Christ. The cleansing from sin is not achieved through ritualistic practices but through faith in Christ's atoning sacrifice. In 1 John 1:7 , it states, "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin."

3. Spiritual Cleansing: The act of cleansing in the New Testament is often linked to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. Believers are called to live a life of holiness, continually seeking God's forgiveness and striving to be free from sin. In Ephesians 5:26 , Paul speaks of Christ's love for the church, "to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word."

4. Symbolism of Water: Water is a recurring symbol of cleansing in the Bible. Baptism, for instance, is a significant Christian sacrament that symbolizes the washing away of sin and the believer's new life in Christ. In Acts 22:16 , Ananias tells Paul, "And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized, and wash your sins away, calling on His name."

5. Moral and Ethical Implications: The concept of cleansing extends beyond ritual purity to encompass moral and ethical living. Believers are encouraged to purify their hearts and minds, aligning their lives with God's will. James 4:8 exhorts, "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

Theological Significance

The idea of cleansing is foundational to understanding the nature of sin and redemption in Christian theology. It underscores the holiness of God and the necessity for humans to be purified to enter into His presence. The cleansing power of Christ's sacrifice is central to the Gospel message, offering believers the assurance of forgiveness and the hope of eternal life.

In summary, "cleanseth" in the biblical sense is a profound concept that encompasses both the physical and spiritual purification necessary for a right relationship with God. Through the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ, believers are offered a path to true cleansing, enabling them to live in accordance with God's holy standards.

"And the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son Cleanseth us from all Sin. ...
... Sermon XV. "And the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.". 1
John 1:7.""And the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.". ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xv and the blood.htm

Of Two Spiritual Martyrdoms, Wherewith God Cleanseth the Soul that ...
... Internal Peace. CHAP. IV. Of two Spiritual Martyrdoms, wherewith God cleanseth
the Soul that he unites with Himself. 21. Now you ...
/.../the spiritual guide which disentangles the soul/chap iv of two spiritual.htm

The Cleansing Wave. CM
... 283 The Cleansing Wave. CM. It Cleanseth Me. ... I see! I plunge, and oh, it cleanseth
me; Oh, praise the Lord! it cleanseth me, It cleanseth me, yes, cleanseth me. ...
/.../lorenz/the otterbein hymnal/283 the cleansing wave c m.htm

Sanctified by God the Son.
... "The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin." Here we ... "The cleansing
stream I see, I see, I plunge and oh, it cleanseth me. It cleanseth me. ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter xii sanctified by god.htm

Entire Sanctification as Taught by John.
... as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another," (which implies fellowship
with God) "and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth from all sin ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter ix entire sanctification as.htm

The Subtraction Process
... "The cleansing stream, I see, I see, I plunge, and oh, it cleanseth me Oh, praise
the Lord, it cleanseth me! It cleanseth me, yes, cleanseth me.". ...
/.../byers/sanctification/chapter vii the subtraction process.htm

The Cleansing
... THE CLEANSING. Every Branch That Beareth Fruit, He Cleanseth It, That It May Bear
More Fruit"John 15..2. There are two remarkable things about the vine. ...
/.../murray/the true vine meditations for a month on john 151-16/the cleansing.htm

"But if we Walk in the Light, as He is in the Light, we have ...
... "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with
another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.". ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xiv but if we.htm

The Gospel Refuge.
... cast aside your warrior spear and your offerings of blood, and flee to the portals
of mercy and to the blood which cleanseth from all sin. ...
/.../macduff/the cities of refuge or the name of jesus/iii the gospel refuge.htm

The Message and Its Practical Results
... the truth: 7. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship
one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the message and its practical.htm

Cleanseth (8 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Cleanseth (8 Occurrences). John 15:2 Every branch
in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh it away: and ...
/c/cleanseth.htm - 8k

Cleanse (75 Occurrences)
... ourselves from all defilement" (2 Corinthians 7:1); (2) God's removal of the guilt
and power of sin, as, by discipline or punishment: "He cleanseth it" (John 15 ...
/c/cleanse.htm - 36k

Cleansing (37 Occurrences)

/c/cleansing.htm - 18k

Purge (35 Occurrences)
... purgeth" to "Every branch.... he cleanseth" (15:2). Edward Mack. Multi-Version
Concordance Purge (35 Occurrences). Matthew 3:12 Whose ...
/p/purge.htm - 22k

Blueness (1 Occurrence)
... Blueness (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 20:30 The blueness of a wound cleanseth away
evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly. (KJV WBS). ...
/b/blueness.htm - 6k

Cleansest (1 Occurrence)

/c/cleansest.htm - 6k

Cleared (17 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Job 37:21 And now men see not the light which is bright in the skies;
but the wind passeth, and cleanseth them. (See NAS RSV). ...
/c/cleared.htm - 11k

Sanctifieth (21 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 8:15 and 'one' slaughtereth, and Moses taketh the blood, and putteth on
the horns of the altar round about with his finger, and cleanseth the altar ...
/s/sanctifieth.htm - 12k

Stripes (19 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT). Proverbs 20:30 The blueness of a wound cleanseth away
evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS). ...
/s/stripes.htm - 12k

Sinoffering
... With reference to this the blood of Christ is called emphatically "the precious
blood," and the blood that "cleanseth from all sin" (1 John 1:7). ...
/s/sinoffering.htm - 8k

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