Photo by ANIRUDH
Bethel Church was founded in 1952 in Redding, California. They release their music under the label Bethel Music, which became active in 2001. They produced several albums, so many that I dare not count them all.
They won four GMA Dove Awards. Two are in 2016: one is Worship Song of the Year for their work on No Longer Slaves. The other Instrumental Album of the Year for their album Without Words: Synthesia. The other two are in 2023: Song of the Year for their song Goodness of God and Long Form Video of the Year for Come Up Here.
Check out my other Bethel Music reviews.
Lyrics can be found at https://genius.com/Bethel-music-the-blood-lyrics.
Note to new users: This is a different kind of review site! Read About the Berean Test and Evaluation Criteria prior to reading this review. I strongly encourage you to consider this artist’s theology’s potential blessings and dangers by visiting Resources.
1. What message does the song communicate?
It’s all about the blood of Jesus. His shed blood cleanses Bethel from their former life of lawbreaking, transforming them into holy beings who serve and worship God forever. Nothing else will get us there.
In the original version of this review, I had two issues. First, they are unclear what they mean by “It’s” is, well, whatever is being compared to what Jesus’ blood offers. Section 2 contains a few possibilities, with one being unbiblical and the other technically correct if interpreted that way. However, the following are the results of “It’s”:
holinless
righteousness
purity
spotlessness
worthiness
forgiveness
justified
living in truth
When considering the possibilites, “It’s” can only be redemption.
Second, that forgiveness makes us worthy. I thought that it simply doesn’t. That “righteous” would have been a better word and that Worthiness implies merit and forgiveness will never make ours measure up. However, this refers to being made worthy as opposed to inherent worth.
Score: 10/10
2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?
All of it.
[Verse 1]
Lines 1-4: Bethel is a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Lines 5 and 6: That is, the cleansing blood of Jesus (Ephesians 1:7, Hebrews 9:22, 1 Peter 1:2, and 1 Peter 1:18-19).
[Chorus]
Line 1: The word ‘Hallelujah” is a compound Hebrew phrase, with “hallelu” meaning “a joyous praise in song” and “jah” or “yah”, which refers to the Tetragrammaton YHWH. Put together, we are singing “we joyfully praise God in song”.
Lines 2 and 3: See Verse 1, lines 5 and 6.
Lines 4-6: Repeats lines 1-3.
Line 7: The part of the human body we see with.
[Verse 2]
Lines 1-4: Bethel was dead in their lawbreaking but are now alive in Christ (Romans 6:1-11, Romans 7:4-6, Galatians 2:19-20, 2 Timothy 2:11, and 1 Peter 2:24).
Lines 5 and 6: Essentially repeats Verse 1, lines 5 and 6.
[Post-Chorus]
Line 1: Repeats Chorus, line 3.
Lines 2 and 3: Continually cleansing is supported in 1 John 1:7-9 with continual confession of sin as a condition. This does not contradict Jesus’ sacrifice as “once and for all” as the blood has been shed only once. Its application is continual even if the sacrifice is only once.
Line 4: Repeats Chorus, line 7, alongside a call to Casper the friendly ghost.
[Bridge]
Lines 1 and 2: What does Bethel mean by “It’s”? If they mean “at all”, then this is incorrect. The only reason why we need Jesus’ blood to cleanse us is because of our lack of performance, and perfection, and thus, our effort is unacceptable (Isaiah 64:6). I agree that we can’t earn God’s forgiveness and that our acceptance is based on Jesus’ payment for our lawbreaking (Isaiah 53:1-12, Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45, John 1:29, John 3:16, John 19:30, Acts 4:12, Acts 20:28, Romans 5:6-10, Romans 6:23, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 1 Corinthians 6:20, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 1:3-4, Galatians 3:13, Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 2:14, 1 Timothy 2:6, Titus 2:14, Hebrews 9:12, Hebrews 9:15-26, 1 Peter 1:17-21, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 John 1:7, 1 John 2:1-2, and Revelation 5:9). However, though we are imperfect, we should strive to live like Jesus did (1 John 2:5-6). We should be holy because God is (Leviticus 11:44-45, Leviticus 19:2, Leviticus 20:7, Romans 6:1-14, Ephesians 4:1, Colossians 1:10-14, 1 Peter 1:13-16, and 1 Peter 2:16). These are about performance. Thus, we cannot say that it’s never been about performance and perfection.
If by “it’s” they mean “salvation”, then I agree. In fact, if you change the word “it’s” with the word “salvation”, it all fits together nicely.
Line 3: Essentially repeats Chorus, line 3.
Lines 4 and 5: Grace is undeserved favor (Luke 18:9-14, Acts 13:39, Romans 3:20-30, Romans 4:1-7, Romans 8:3, Romans 9:16, Romans 9:31-32, Romans 11:6, Galatians 2:16, Galatians 2:21, Galatians 3:10-12, Galatians 3:21, Galatians 5:2-4, Ephesians 2:8-9, Philippians 3:3-9, 2 Timothy 1:9, Hebrews 6:1-2, and James 2:10-11).
Line 6: Repeats line 3.
Lines 7 and 8: This is clear and true. Holiness, purity, and spotlessness is only through the blood. Performance won’t do.
Line 9: Repeats line 3.
Lines 10 and 11: That is, made worthy, considered worthy, or counted worthy (Luke 20:34-35, Acts 5:41, 2 Thessalonians 1:5
Line 12: Repeats line 3.
[Spontaneous]
Line 1: I agree, no amount of “thank you” will be enough to repay Jesus for His sacrifice.
Line 2: That is, undeserved favor (Genesis 15:6, Exodus 33:19, Psalm 32:1-2, Romans 3:21-24, Romans 4:3-8, Romans 5:1-2, Romans 5:6-8, Romans 5:15-21, Romans 6:14, Romans 8:1-4, Romans 9:14-16, Romans 11:5-6, Galatians 2:21, Galatians 3:6, Galatians 5:4, Ephesians 1:7, Ephesians 2:4-9, 2 Thessalonians 2:16, Titus 2:11, 1 Timothy 1:15-16, and James 2:23).
Side Note: I can see an argument for this phrase as the “It’s” that I criticized earlier because that would make Bridge true. However, I still stand my by commentary that Bethel could have been more clear when Bridge was written.
Line 3: Bethel’s eternal praise (Nehemiah 9:5, Psalm 30:12, Psalm 52:9, Psalm 86:12, Psalm 89:1, Psalm 115:18, Psalm 145:1-2, Psalm 145:21, and Revelation 5:9-13).
Lines 4-8: Repeats Verse 1, lines 5 and 6, alongside filler that sounds like enjoyment of food, but I can’t quite tell.
[Outro]
Lines 1-7: Nothing new here except to say that Jesus’ blood is precious. Moving on.
Score: 10/10
3. How would an outsider interpret the song?
I believe that the majority of unbelievers have a cursory understanding of the connection between the blood of Jesus (which Bethel explicitly states) and Christians receiving forgiveness. The word “sin”, which I often criticize as unclear from the unbelieving perspective, is connected with the person I was as well as shame. It is not just mere mistakes. This is acceptable.
Score: 10/10
4. What does this song glorify?
It glorifies Jesus that His blood makes forgiveness of sins possible, and that He is worshipped for His lovingkindness, as well as the liberation He brings through His blood.
Score: 10/10
Closing Comments
Bethel Music’s The Blood is great. It focuses on the wonder-working power of the blood of Jesus, that it can free us from the conquences of lawbreaking, forgiveness through it is undeserved, we cannot thank Him enough, and that only His blood can redeem us. These points bring Him glory and are easily understood by unbelievers.
This song is suitable for corporate worship.
Final Score: 10/10
Artist Info
Track: The Blood (listen to the song)
Artist: Bethel Music (Feat. Jenn Johnson & Mitch Wong)
Album: Simple
Genre: Rock
Release Year: 2022
Duration: 5:44
Agree? Disagree? Don’t be shy or have a cow! Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.
Updates:
06/18/2024 – In light of Steve Barhydt’s comments, I updated my review to remove criticism of “it’s” and “worthy” and changed its score from 7/10 to 10/10.
Comments
Aaron Greco
I like this song! The devil runs at the mention of the blood. He cannot cross the bloodline!
Nate
Yeah, I agree that the song’s not Biblical. If you looked up “Bethel Church Controversies”, then you’ll find out how off the deep end with lots of their teachings.
Vince Wright
Nate,
Thank you for your comments!
First, I don’t judge a song based on artist theology. Each song is evaluated individually based on its merits.
Second, I’ll be updating it sometime this week with a higher rating. See Steve’s comments.
-Vince Wright
Steve Barhydt
Vince,
I think the answer to the ‘it’s’ at the beginning of the bridge is answered by the rest of the bridge.
“Does anybody want to be holy, righteous
Purified and spotless?
Let me tell you, it’s only by the blood
Does anybody want to be worthy, forgiven
Justified, really living?
Let me tell you, it’s only by the blood”
‘It’s’ is all of these things, being …
holy
righteous
purified
spotless
worthy
forgiven
justified
really living.
The first verse alludes to changes in the songwriter’s life because of the power of the Blood.
“Everything changed, it’s getting harder to recognize
The person I was before I encountered Christ
I don’t walk like I used to
I don’t talk like I used to”
The bridge, therefore, is not negating the necessity of Christian living (i.e. ‘strive to live like Jesus did’ or ‘holy because God is’) but is highlighting that it is ‘only by the blood’ that one becomes a Christian.
As to us being ‘worthy’, we have had this discussion before on Phil Wickham song ‘Anthem’ https://www.thebereantest.com/phil-wickham-anthem.
Below is my comment from Jan 20.2023 | 05:22 pm
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There is no question that, in and of myself, I will never be ‘worthy’ of anything other than death and Hell.
The thing is that, as a follower of Christ who is walking by the Spirit, I am no longer living ‘in and of myself.’
The Bible does tell us that we can be made, or rather, declared worthy.
Look at Luke 20:34:35 (ESV)
34 And Jesus said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage,
35 but those who are CONSIDERED WORTHY to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage,
In this event in Jesus’ life, the Sadducees ask Him what amounts to a trick question ‘If a woman is married seven times in the life, who’s wife will she be in the next life?’
His answer is ‘She’ll be no one’s wife because things are different in the next age.’
However, in His answer, He refers to those who are ‘considered worthy’ to attain the resurrection.
The Greek word used here is ‘kataxioō’, which from “Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words” https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g2661/esv/mgnt/0-1/
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denotes “to account worthy” (kata, “intensive,” axios, “worthy”), “to judge worthy,” Luk 20:35; some mss. have it in Luk 21:36 (so the AV); the most authentic mss. have the verb katischuo, “to prevail;” Act 5:41, “were counted worthy;” so 2Th 1:5.
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Although Jesus does not explain to the Sadducees who these people are that are ‘considered worthy’, we know from other scriptures that to obtain the resurrection to eternal life you must be a follower of Christ (i.e. ‘Be saved’)
John 3:16 (ESV)
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
And we know that salvation comes through the grace of God…
Eph 2:4-9 (ESV)
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,
5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—
6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
8 For by GRACE you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Therefore, it is through the grace of God that we are considered, accounted, judged ‘worthy’
…
Standing outside of the grace of God, I am an outcast, unworthy but loved Romans 5:8.
Once inside of His amazing grace…
Rom 8:14-17 (ESV)
14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
https://www.gotquestions.org/Abba-Father.html
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It is life-changing to understand what it means to be able to call the one true God our “Father” and what it means to be joint-heirs with Christ. Because of our relationship with our Abba, Father, He no longer deals with us as enemies; instead, we can approach Him with “boldness” (Hebrews 10:19) and in “full assurance of faith” (Hebrews 10:22). The Holy Spirit “testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:16–17).
Becoming a child of God is the highest and most humbling of honors. Because of it we have a new relationship with God and a new standing before Him. Instead of running from God and trying to hide our sin like Adam and Eve did, we run to Him, calling, “Abba, Father!” and finding forgiveness in Christ. Being an adopted child of God is the source of our hope, the security of our future, and the motivation to “live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (Ephesians 4:1). Being children of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords calls us to a higher standard, a different way of life, and, in the future, “an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade” (1 Peter 1:4).
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Your response back was at Jan 30.2023 | 09:32 am
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Steve,
As usual, thank you for your lengthy(sic) reply! I just found out that the lyric actually reads “your grace is unworthy”, which makes my criticism, as well as this reply, moot. However, you do raise good points. It made me think of the Christian concept of righteousness, or right standing with God. Righteousness is not earned, but we do have it.
-Vince Wright
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I believe that the same logic applies to this song.
We will never be any of the things mentioned in the bridge without the Blood of Christ and, even after the Blood is applied to our hearts and our sins have been forgiven, it is only through by His grace that any of these things remain to be true.
Christian living (however important that that is) will still never earn these things.
Bethel’s bridge makes this abundantly clear by saying…
“It’s never been about performance, perfection
Or striving for acceptance
…
It’s never been about deserving or earning”
Vince Wright
Steve,
As usual thanks for your lengthy response!
Ok I see your points. Thanks for reminding me of our previous discussion! When I get a chance, I’ll update my review. Probably next Monday or Thursday.
-Vince Wright