Introduction: Why We Sing of the Blood
For more than a century, Christians have found strength and joy in songs that proclaim the saving power of Jesus’ blood. To the modern ear, that language may sound unusual, but for believers it is the very heart of the gospel. The Bible tells us that “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22). The cross was not only an act of suffering but the place where Christ’s blood was poured out to cleanse us from sin and give us eternal life.
This is why hymns about the blood of Jesus remain so meaningful. They remind us that forgiveness is not earned by effort or good works but received through faith in Christ’s finished sacrifice. Few songs capture this truth as powerfully as There Is Power in the Blood, the beloved gospel hymn written by Lewis E. Jones.
First sung in the closing years of the 19th century, the Power in the Blood hymn has inspired revivals, echoed in tent meetings, and encouraged countless believers in moments of doubt. Its message is simple yet profound: there is cleansing, victory, and joy in the blood of Jesus. As we explore the story and meaning behind this hymn, we discover not only the history of a song but the timeless truth it carries — truth that still sets hearts free today.
The Story Behind There Is Power in the Blood
The Power in the Blood hymn was written in 1899 by Lewis E. Jones, a man whose life combined both ordinary work and extraordinary devotion. Jones was not a famous preacher or a world-renowned musician. He spent much of his career working with the YMCA, investing in young people and promoting Christian values. Yet it was during a Christian camp meeting where that inspiration struck, and he penned the hymn that would outlive him by generations.
Like many hymns of the era, There Is Power in the Blood arose out of the revival movement sweeping across America. Camp meetings, evangelistic gatherings, and gospel services often emphasized salvation through Christ’s blood, and Jones’ hymn captured that message in words and melody people could remember. Its refrain — “There is power, power, wonder-working power in the blood of the Lamb” — became an anthem of victory and redemption.
The hymn was first published in a collection of gospel songs and quickly spread through churches and revival services. It gained even wider popularity when used in the evangelistic campaigns of Billy Sunday, the fiery preacher of the early 20th century. Congregations sang it with such energy that it became one of the defining gospel hymns of its time.
One early hymnal described it simply as “a song of triumph through Christ’s blood.” And that is exactly what it remains today: a joyful proclamation that what Jesus accomplished on the cross is more than enough to save, cleanse, and keep us.
The story of There Is Power in the Blood reminds us that God often uses ordinary people and simple settings to create something eternal. What began as a camp meeting hymn became a worldwide declaration of the gospel — proof that the Spirit still inspires timeless truth in unexpected moments.
The Meaning of There Is Power in the Blood (Stanza by Stanza)
Hymns endure because they speak truth in ways that reach both the head and the heart. There Is Power in the Blood is more than just a lively gospel tune — it is a declaration of what Christ accomplished through His death and resurrection. Each stanza highlights a different aspect of the redemption believers have through the blood of Jesus.
Verse 1: Cleansing from Sin
“Would you be free from the burden of sin? There’s power in the blood, power in the blood.”
The opening verse speaks to the universal human condition — the weight of sin and guilt. Scripture says, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18). The hymn points us straight to the solution: forgiveness and cleansing through Christ’s blood.
Reflection: When we feel the weight of past mistakes, this verse reminds us that nothing we’ve done is beyond the cleansing power of the blood.
Verse 2: Victory Over Evil
“Would you o’er evil a victory win? There’s wonderful power in the blood.”
Here the focus shifts from forgiveness to freedom. Sin not only stains; it enslaves. But through the blood of Jesus, believers are given victory over temptation, fear, and the grip of the enemy. Revelation 12:11 declares, “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.”
Reflection: This stanza gives courage. We do not fight our battles alone — the same blood that saves also empowers us to overcome.
Verse 3: Power for Daily Living
“Would you be whiter, much whiter than snow? There’s power in the blood.”
This verse emphasizes the ongoing work of sanctification — the Spirit’s daily shaping of our lives into Christ’s likeness. The imagery of being “whiter than snow” recalls Psalm 51:7: “Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.”
Reflection: Holiness isn’t about striving harder but about yielding more fully to the Spirit’s cleansing. The Power in the Blood hymn reminds us that the Christian life is lived in God’s strength, not our own.
Verse 4: Joy and Service
“Would you do service for Jesus your King? There’s power in the blood.”
The final verse lifts our eyes from what we receive to what we give. Cleansed and empowered, we are free to serve Christ joyfully. Paul wrote, “You were bought with a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies” (1 Corinthians 6:20).
Reflection: This verse calls us to respond to grace with obedience. We are not only forgiven but also commissioned — living testimonies of the power of the cross.
The Refrain: A Shout of Triumph
Between every verse comes the unforgettable refrain: “There is power, power, wonder-working power in the blood of the Lamb.” Its repetition is no accident. It’s meant to be shouted, celebrated, and remembered. In every age, the church needs to declare this truth loudly and joyfully: there is still power in the blood of Jesus.
The Biblical Foundation of There Is Power in the Blood
The Power in the Blood hymn doesn’t stand alone — it echoes some of the most important truths of the New Testament. To fully appreciate the hymn, it helps to see how its themes flow directly from Scripture.
Forgiveness Through the Blood
Hebrews 9:22 says plainly, “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” From the sacrifices of the Old Testament to the final sacrifice of Christ on the cross, God has always taught that forgiveness requires atonement. The hymn’s first verse captures this truth, offering hope to anyone weighed down by sin: Jesus’ blood cleanses us completely.
Victory Over the Enemy
Revelation 12:11 describes believers who “overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” The second verse of the hymn draws on this same victory. Evil does not have the last word — Christ does. Singing this hymn becomes an act of defiance against fear and temptation.
Cleansing and Holiness
In Psalm 51:7 David prays, “Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” That image reappears in the third stanza, reminding us that holiness is possible only through the Spirit’s work in our lives. The hymn echoes David’s prayer, asking God to purify us through the power of Christ’s blood.
Service and Joy
Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 6:20 — “You were bought with a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies” — connect perfectly with the final verse of the hymn. Redemption isn’t just about what we escape; it’s about who we belong to. The hymn celebrates the privilege of serving Jesus joyfully because His blood has set us free.
Reflection: When we sing There Is Power in the Blood, we are not just recalling an old revival tune. We are declaring Scripture in song — proclaiming forgiveness, victory, cleansing, and joy in Christ. That’s why this hymn has lasted for more than a century and still speaks to hearts today.
The Hymn in Christian Worship
From the moment it was first sung at camp meetings, There Is Power in the Blood struck a chord with believers. Its upbeat rhythm, memorable refrain, and bold declaration of Christ’s victory made it a natural fit for revival services. Evangelists like Billy Sunday often used it to stir crowds, calling people to salvation and renewal. When hundreds of voices joined together in repeating, “There is power, power, wonder-working power in the blood of the Lamb,” the effect was electric.
In the early 20th century, gospel quartets and choirs carried the hymn even further. Groups like the Blackwood Brothers and later the Gaither Homecoming singers included it in their repertoires, ensuring it remained a staple in Southern gospel traditions. Its lively call-and-response pattern made it especially engaging in congregational singing — many churches even doubled or quadrupled the word “power” in the refrain for emphasis.
But the hymn’s influence was not confined to revivals and gospel concerts. It found its way into hymnals across denominations, sung in small rural chapels and large urban congregations alike. For some, it was the song of their childhood; for others, it was the anthem of their conversion. Generations of Christians have clapped, shouted, and rejoiced while singing about the cleansing blood of Christ.
Even today, recordings by artists like Alan Jackson, Selah, and the Gaither Vocal Band keep the hymn fresh for new audiences. Contemporary worship services may not feature hymns as often, but There Is Power in the Blood continues to appear in blended worship, gospel concerts, and special gatherings where believers want to celebrate the central truth of the gospel: that Jesus saves.
Reflection: The lasting presence of the Power in the Blood hymn in Christian worship shows that the church never outgrows the message of the cross. No matter how music styles change, the truth remains — there is still wonder-working power in the blood of the Lamb.
Conclusion: The Enduring Power of a Gospel Hymn
When Lewis E. Jones wrote There Is Power in the Blood in 1899, he could never have imagined how far the hymn would travel. From humble camp meetings to worldwide revivals, from gospel quartets to modern recordings, this simple song has carried a message that never grows old.
The reason is clear: its truth is eternal. The Power in the Blood hymn reminds us that Jesus’ sacrifice is enough — enough to forgive sin, enough to bring victory, enough to cleanse and renew, enough to fill us with joy and purpose. When we sing it, we are not only echoing the voices of past generations but also declaring with confidence what Scripture proclaims: “The blood of Jesus… cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).
In a world searching for freedom from guilt, fear, and despair, this hymn points us back to the cross. It is both a song of salvation and a song of hope. Each time we join in the refrain — “There is power, power, wonder-working power in the blood of the Lamb” — we reaffirm our faith in Christ’s finished work and lift high the name of Jesus.
So let us keep singing. Let us pass this hymn on to the next generation. And let us never forget the truth it proclaims so clearly: there is still power in the blood.
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