Who Killed Jesus?

© 07-08 Born-Again-Christian.info

"Crucify him!"

Q: Who crucified Jesus? Samuel from Ethiopia

A: I praise God for African Christians, they always seem to ask the best questions.

The Romans crucified Him (Jn. 19:16-18), at the bidding of the Jews (Jn. 19:14-16, Lk.23:20-24, 1 Th. 2:15, Mtt. 27:25), on behalf of you and me. (Ro. 5:8, Is. 53:4-6)

When you come to the point of recognising yourself in the Jewish hypocrites, those Roman thugs, and Barabbas; when you can accept that you personally "hammered the nails" into your Saviour's sinless body; it will be a precious moment for both you and your Lord.

You will have understood the core of the Gospel, and caught a glimpse of His infinite Love for you.

I recommend every Christian read E.W. Kenyon's little book called Identification, where he elaborates beautifully on what this really means.

When do you receive eternal life?

Q: I have been born again and baptised. My question is: Eternal life, is it only available if you have been baptised, even though you are born again. Margaret

A: No, that is a false teaching of many cults. See our articles on water baptism.

You receive eternal life the instant you are truly born again (Jn. 3:16-18, 36, 5;24, 1 Jn. 5:13); baptism in water outwardly symbolises what has already happened in the believer's heart.

Anyone who is truly born again soon wants to be baptised in water in obedience to Christ. It's a basic step of obedience.

Friendship with non-Christians

Q: Can two people be simple fiends if they are of different religion? For example, I am Christian female, and my close friend is a Muslim female, we both respect each other. Shaka

A: Of course, that is how you win them for the Lord. You respectfully share the Gospel truth in love, and show them the reality of the New Life that Christ has given you.

Let them know that all religions lead to Hell, only salvation through Christ brings life.

It is often easier to be blunt with real friends than with acquaintances; since they know you love and respect them, they will take any offence that hearing the Truth may cause.

Follow the leading of God's Spirit in witnessing to friends and strangers alike; sometimes He wants you to be very gentle, other times direct. He knows best.

Remember, you must be bold, as well as sensitive. Just like Jesus. Contrast his tender dealing with the adulteress by the well (Jn. Ch.4), with his searing rebukes to the money-lenders and know-it-all Pharisees in Jerusalem. Both are examples of God in the Flesh speaking and acting in perfect love. Meditate on that.

Backsliding

Q: I have backslidden. I love Jesus, and am going back, but Satan is messing with me, I need help. I am divorced, and my wife remarried. She wants to divorce him, and become a Christian; then for us to be married again. I am really struggling with this because we have a 15 year old daughter, and I still love her. We both drank and done drugs, but since I found Jesus I slipped and fell. I am getting back up by the Hands of Jesus! How wrong would it be for us to remarry?

Well, that's good news Bro, get back in the Carpenter's Arms, and receive the power baptism. You are backsliding because you don't use His power over the seducing spirits tempting you to sin. Flesh fails: God's Spirit never fails.

Don't even consider remarriage until you have become established on the Rock.

Sort yourself out first; learn how to depend upon Christ, and His Spirit; set an example for your wife and daughter. Be patient, humble, and obedient; the Lord will do the rest.

I know a heroin addict who lived on the streets for years; he's been off drugs for 20 years, he's clean inside and out, married, with two beautiful daughters, a degree, his own house, and pastors a thriving fellowship.

He learned to depend upon the Holy Spirit's power. You can too. That's what The LORD Jesus Christ does for the wholehearted!