The theory that Christ’s blood possesses a mystical power is by no means a new invention.  It is a superstition that was originally promoted largely by medieval Roman Catholicism.  Church historian Philip Schaff documents that during this time the Roman Catholic Church was even passing around a bowl that was said to contain Christ’s literal blood.[1]  This concept of the mystical power of the blood was thoroughly discarded during the Reformation when the theory was at its height.  About mid-eighteenth century, the Moravians even honored the “‘blood and wounds’” of Christ.[2]  These mystical views found their entrance into Pentecostal and Charismatic circles via E.W. Kenyon.  He writes, “When Christ carried His blood into the Holy of Holies and the Supreme Court of the Universe accepted it, Redemption was a completed thing.”[3]

Kenyon believed that the “strongest, most sacred covenant” that a man could enter into was a blood covenant.  Following the lead of Kenyon, John Osteen writes, “When Abraham was circumcised, he mingled his blood with God’s blood” and when He shed His blood, Christ also mingled “the human and the divine.”[4]  Both Kenyon and Osteen believe that this blood covenant began with circumcision and extended to the cross of Christ.  Kenyon acknowledges that “the blood covenant was the basis of all primitive religions” and then states that the “Lord’s Table is based upon the oldest known covenant in the human family.”  According to Kenyon, if missionaries were to realize the power of the blood covenant today this “would open the doors in every tribe for the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.”[5]

Kenyon believes that the disciples understood the blood covenant and at the Last Supper the disciples were aware “that when they cut the Covenant with Jesus in the upper room that night, they had entered into the strongest, most sacred Covenant known to the human heart.”[6]  This is absurd!  Christ and the disciples did not cut themselves and mingle their blood ever.  Instead of the efficaciousness of Christ’s blood resulting from the fact that He gave His life as a substitution, Kenyon believes that the power of Christ’s blood is derived from the “strongest, most sacred covenant” known to man, that is, the blood covenant which has been practiced down through the centuries by pagan tribes.  Walter Clippinger writes, “In all probability there is no trace of the superstitious use of blood in the OT, except perhaps in 1 K. 22:38 ["and one washed the chariot in the pool of Samaria; and the dogs licked up the blood; and they washed his armour; according unto the word of the LORD which he spake"]; but everywhere it is vested with cleansing, expiatory, and reverently symbolic qualities.”[7]

Pentecostal preacher, H.A. Maxwell Whyte, held a highly mystical view of Christ’s blood.  His basis is that “Jesus’ blood was different” to the extent that if His blood were in the hospitals “everyone who could obtain a transfusion of Christ’s Blood would actually be receiving God’s eternal life in pure Blood.”[8]  He also believed that to “reckon by faith that the Blood of Jesus avails for your home and cattle, it will do so, and the angel of death will just as surely be kept away from you and yours!”[9]  In his view the “pleading of the Blood of Jesus” can prevent accidents and “prevents Satan from attacking us with germs.”[10]  “It is not enough,” writes Kenyon, “to believe in an historic Blood of Calvary.”  The blood “must be taken and used to bring terror to the enemy.”[11]  He also believes that Christ carried His blood into heaven to sprinkle on the heavenly Mercy Seat.[12]

“Healing evangelist,” Benny Hinn attributes his interest in the power of the blood of Christ to the ministry of Whyte.[13]  Like Whyte, Hinn believes that Christ presented His blood in heaven as evidence of redemption.[14]  Also, Hinn believes that applying the blood can stop demons,[15] provide a “hedge of protection,”[16] and (using Job as an example) the blood is something that through prayer can be applied to one’s family.[17]  

In direct contrast, Scripture states that Christ ascended into heaven as the Victorious Conqueror who had completed the work of redemption having “spoiled principalities and powers” through His death on the cross (Eph. 4:8; Col. 2:14, 15; Heb. 2:14, 15).  Much of this false teaching comes from the belief that Christ sank into hell for three days and three nights to finish the work of redemption even though the Bible states that believers “have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Eph. 1:7).

It is true that the one universal and necessary requirement of sacrifice is blood.  Furthermore, all ancient religions would agree with Mephistopheles that “blood is a very special juice" (Blut ist ein ganz besonderer Saft).[18]  However, the emphasis of Scripture on the blood of Christ is not as a charm or incantation that one can appropriate for his own benefit.  Rather, the blood of Christ is associated with death (Heb. 12:24).  The power of the blood of Christ is that He poured His life out as a perfect sacrifice in order that He may redeem those who place their trust in Him alone for their salvation.  Those who are attributing to Christ's blood a mythical power are more in harmony with paganism than with biblical Christianity.  Clearly, the power of Christ's blood is defined in the accomplishments of His death.