Death Before  Water

Many make the argument to be saved by water we must minimize Christ's blood. They don't read the text close enough however. The death of Jesus made the water possible and preceeded it. Without Christ's death water could not have been used.

Eph 5:25  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 

Eph 5:26  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 

The church was not cleansed and prepared for heaven when Christ died, his death made it possible for him to cleanse by water. Jesus' death was toward the remission of sins. See Christ's wording at the Lord's Supper.

Mat_26:28  For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 

The greek word eis is the word translated "for", it points forward, and shows remission of sins would be after Christ's death. Christ's death was one step in the process but not the end.

1. He gave his life

2. That he might sanctify.

3. That he might cleanse

4. With the washing of water

The blood of Jesus redeemed us from Old Testament methods so that we could be cleansed with his New Testament command.

Instead of Christ's death making baptism void concerning salvation, his death paved the way for baptism cleansing the church. This fits rather well with baptism being the product of a new washing ratified by Christ's sacrifice.