Believers are cleansed by the Word of God, not by water baptism.
Ephesians 5:26 says Christ sanctifies and cleanses the church 'with the washing of water by the word.' Les Feldick emphasizes that the 'water' here refers to the Word itself, not baptismal water. This cleansing is a daily process as believers immerse themselves in Scripture, removing the defilement of the world.
Ephesians 5:26 — This verse directly states that Christ cleanses the church with the washing of water by the Word, which is the core answer to the question.
Ephesians 5:25-27 declares that Christ gave Himself for the church, 'that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.' This cleansing is so that He might present the church to Himself as glorious, without spot or wrinkle, holy and without blemish. The passage identifies the Word as the active agent in this cleansing process.
Les Feldick teaches that the 'washing of water' in Ephesians 5:26 is not baptismal water but the Word of God. He uses the analogy of foot-washing in John 13: believers are already clean (forgiven), but need daily cleansing from the defilement of the world, accomplished by reading and meditating on Scripture. This daily cleansing keeps believers in a place of service and enables them to glorify God.
Les Feldick clarifies that the 'water' is not literal baptismal water but the Word of God. He states, 'The Word that cleanses,' and 'This Book is the cleansing agent.'
Even though believers are cleansed and forgiven, they still get spiritually defiled from living in this world. Les uses the analogy of dirty feet from walking in sandals: just as feet need washing daily, believers need the Word to cleanse them from daily contamination.
No. Les emphasizes that the cleansing is 'not with a tub of water or with a washcloth, but with the cleansing of the Word.' He also notes that spiritual cleansing is not by water but by the sovereign act of God.
The goal is that Christ presents the church as glorious, without spot or wrinkle, holy and without blemish. This happens through the Word, and believers should strive to bring glory to God by living a holy life.
Rahab's Shocking Faith — How a Harlot Ended Up in Jesus' Genealogy
And so, verse 8, now this, of course, was Israel under the law, and take that in consideration. But by application, we can learn a tremendous lesson. Reading on in verse 7, to observe and do according to all the law which Moses, my servant, commanded thee, turn not from it to the right, to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
Word Cleanses
Les identifies the 'washing of water' as the Word itself, not baptismal water, making it the key to understanding the cleansing process.
Daily Cleansing
Les explains that believers need daily cleansing from the defilement of the world, just as feet needed washing in biblical times, and this cleansing comes from the Word.
No Water Cleansing
Les shows that spiritual cleansing is not by water but by God's act, using John 13 to illustrate that washing is not literal.
Cleansing by the Word
Les clarifies that the 'water' is 'the water of the Word' and calls the Book 'the cleansing agent.'
Purpose of Cleansing
Les connects the cleansing to being presented glorious and without blemish, motivating believers to live for God's glory.
Word Cleanses, Not Bath
Les repeats the truth that cleansing is not by a foot tub or laver but 'by the Word.'
How the Holy Spirit Gives Spiritual Gifts — 1 Corinthians 12 Explained
Now you see there�s not a word about tongues here. Not a word! And yet I maintain this is the only time that Paul teaches a baptism by the Holy Spirit. And that is when we were saved, the Holy Spirit immediately placed us into the Body of Christ. It�s a baptism, and there�s no water involved. But the Holy Spirit did it, and that of course is our guarantee that we are Christ�s, and He is ours.
Ephesians 5:26: That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
This is the foundational verse showing the Word as the cleansing agent.
Ephesians 5:27: That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
This verse describes the ultimate purpose of the cleansing.
John 13:10: Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
Jesus' foot-washing illustrates the need for daily cleansing even though one is already clean.
No. Les Feldick teaches that the 'washing of water' refers to the Word of God, not baptismal water. The Word is the cleansing agent for believers.
As believers read and meditate on Scripture, it cleanses them from the daily defilement of the world, keeping them in fellowship and service for God.
Yes, believers are cleansed and forgiven at salvation, but they still need daily cleansing from the world's contamination, which the Word provides.
Watch the Teaching: Rahab's Shocking Faith — How a Harlot Ended Up in Jesus' Genealogy