In Defense of Crucifixon

There is a major onslaught against the Crucifixion, Cross of Christ, and Christ Crucified. There are people on the internet trying to caste doubt on the cross and there are forces in Academia who are getting students expelled over standing up for Crucifixion according to Gospels (Holy Bible)., These  "enemies of cross of Christ," (Philippines 3:18) are not content to do battle on internet but are those in academia, pushing the false Islamic view of the crucifixion which states before Jesus was crucified he was replaced by an imposter (Surah 4:157). I would like to share Islam's prophet Muhammed was 600yrs after Christ died on cross and rose, while the eyewitnesses in the Bible and Extra Biblical eyewitnesses like Josephus, a Roman Jewish scribe were contemporaries of Christ Jesus (live in time of Jesus Christ of Nazareth). All accounts of Jesus Christ's crucifixion were compiled from 30-90 A.D., Jesus was crucified in circa 30-33 A.D. That is very close time period to write down the accounts, while Muhammed claims 510yrs later a contrary theory, after he already confessed in Quran that Isa is the Word of God, just as John the Apostle did (John 1:1-15, Revelation 19:20-23). Now Muslims Imams will cry that Muhammed got revelation from God through an angel, well we Christians have something more, Mary got a revelation from God through angel named Gabriel (Luke 1:26-56), and then God himself was born (not created, but came into the world in a body) and revealed Himself to all mankind! (John 1:1-15, Romans 1:20). On top of that John the Baptist, a prophet also testified of Jesus, and God revealed things to His Apostles via the Holy Spirit (Acts 2, 3, and 4). From theological and revelation point of view Christianity is stronger and what the Holy Bible says is more accurate, you know why? Because the Holy Bible is written by over 66+ Authors (Adam to Apostle John) across five thousand years, and they all agree seamlessly (King David even described crucifixion before it was even invented 3,000yrs later see Psalm 22:16)! The author of Bible is God (2 Timothy 3:16) but written by his people, who were kings, prophets, commoners, fishermen, scribes, apostles, and teachers of all classes. In contrast, Islam's prophet Muhammed was the only author of the Quran and he was both a rich man through his first wife Khaji, and royalty in sense that he came from Ishmael House (line).

The Holy Bible, 66+ Authors, Written over Five Thousand Years (Six Thousand if you count oral history), All Authors Agree without knowing each other, Authors were Kings, Prophets, Apostles, and Commoners. Authors from line of Abraham, David, Isaac, and Jacob. Note: Authors wrote their accounts by hand and verified everything by two or more witnesses.
The Quran, 1 Author, Written in Two Parts over course of Muhammed's Life Time and by him, Author was wealthy and from a royal line of Ishmael. Note: Muhammed dictated it to scribe and did not verify anything, but asked and then made by force all Arab tribes "submit" (Islam means submit).

There has always been those who doubt and are content to be enemies of the cross, but it is becoming apparent that the assault on the Truth of Jesus and His Sacrifice on the cross (1 Peter 2:24, 1 Peter 3:18) is being spear-headed by the sons of Islam. Seeing this wave of persecution of the Truth and True God Jesus Christ, I have endeavored to make the case for the Crucifixion from both the Holy Bible and from outside sources. The reason there is an attack on Christ and His Crucifixion is because Christ and Him crucified is the centerpiece of the Gospel and Christian faith, "When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified," (1 Corinthians 2:1-2), "Jews demand signs and Greeks search for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God," (1 Corinthians 1:22-24), "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world," (Galatians 6:14), "Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ. All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. For as I have often told you before, and now declare even with tears: Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ." (Philippians 3:8,15,18). The Crucifixon and The Ressurection of Christ are two pillars of Christianity, the two acts of Christ Jesus that seal our eternal life and forgiveness of sin, and certainty of heaven and being presence of God the Trinity (Colossians 2:9, John 17;20-23). At Crucifixon the Blood of New Covenant was shed and made as offering to enact the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34, Isaiah 53. Luke 22:20, Matthew 26:28, Hebrews 8:6, Hebrews 7:22, Hebrews 8:13, Hebrews 9:15, and Hebrews 12:24). There are numerous eyewitnesses to Christ's crucifixion, both believer and unbeliever. Let us explore them to show that the Muslims are mistaken, and we Christians are right.

The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ was eyewitnessed by the Apostle or St. John the Theolgian. The Apostle John was the closest disciple of Jesus, he leaned on Jesus chest at Last Supper, "There was reclining one of His disciples whom Jesus loved in the bosom of Jesus." (John 13:23) and was privy to major events such as Transfiguration of Jesus (Matthew 17:1-13) and even was given the whole of the Last Days in the Revelation of Jesus called the Apocalypse on Island of Patmos. John knew Jesus was on cross and stood there, "Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.  When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” ²⁷ Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home." (John 19:26). John was an intimate follower of Jesus and would have known Jesus so well, He stood there knowin his deatest friend and God was dying on cross. Consequently, the Mother of Jesus was there at the cross (John 19:26) and she like  any mother would know her son! (Luke). Another eyewitness was the Apostle Matthew, who records seeing Jesus on the cross (Matthew 27:32-55). Another defense is that the Romans were maticelous, Pontius Pilate would have had Jesus crucified and no imposter could have been swaped, or all the centurions in charge of Christ's crucifixon would have lsot their charge, the penalty would be death by crucifixon. This goes for same for Ressurection, the guards who were guarding Jesus' Tomb were Roman Centurions, and they lsot their charge, which means death. Romans were methodical and detailed, like Greeks and so Pilate would have made sure Jesus was deinately crucified. The Romans never made mistakes, they would have kept their charge to crucify the right person, for like the Nazis, Roman centurions were in dread and fear of death and worse if they failed.

In addition, the enemies of Jesus bear witness that it was Him, not an imposter, they mocked Him, "The people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. “Look at you now!” they yelled at him. “You said you were going to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days. Well then, if you are the Son of God, save yourself and come down from the cross!” The leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders also mocked Jesus. “He saved others,” they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself! So he is the King of Israel, is he? Let him come down from the cross right now, and we will believe in him! He trusted God, so let God rescue him now if he wants him! For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” Even the revolutionaries who were crucified with him ridiculed him in the same way." (Matthew 27:40-44). If they had noticed it was someone else, Caiphas and priests would have gone to Pilate as they did over the sign stating King of Jews (John 19:21-22), as they did fearing Christ's Ressurection and asking gaurds to be posted  at His Tomb (Matthew 27:61-66), and as they did again bribing the gaurds who wirnessed the Ressurection (Matthew 28:11-15). Thus the Jewish Leaders confirmed that Jesus was crucified and dead. Even Jewish leaders like Joseph of Arimatheia and Nicodemus who visited Jesus during his Ministry, would have recognized Him when taking Him down from cross (Matthew 27:57-61), for they knew it was really Jesus, or else why would Joseph of Arimatheia give his family tomb to Him? (Matthew 27:60). Thus the Romans with their strict charge, and Jews leaders with their jealousy of Jesus (Mark 15:10) made sure it was Jesus Christ of Nazareth who was crucified, the Romans followed duty and were ordered to do it, the Jewish Leaders were jealous, which is demonic (James 3;15-16) and so they made sure Jesus was dead (John 19:31-32) "But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water." (John 19:33-34).

The amount of eyewitnesses to Jesus Crucifixon is vast, with so many different classes and demographics of people:

I. Believers: Jesus' Disciples and Family Members

II. Unbelievers: Romans Guards and Centurions

III. Unbelievers: Jewish Leaders (Pharisees, Sadduccees, Sanhedrin).

IV. Unbelievers: Jewish Commoners of Hebrew and Greek Descent, for Crucifixion takes place at Passover so many of the Greek Jews and Jews from Egypt and so forth would be there too.
Totally district cultures, different in many ways, the Disciples being more agricultural Jews, the Sanhedrin being Scholars, and Romans being warriors. All of them agree and affirm Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross. The Scriptures and Anthropology state that truth is proven by two eyewitnesses, "But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses," (Matthew 18:16), "Your own law says that if two people agree about something, their witness is accepted as fact," (John 8:17), "Do not entertain an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses," (1 Timothy 5:19), and "This is the third time I am coming to you. "Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses," (2 Corinthians 13:1). The amount of eyewitnesses is vast for Jesus' Crucifixion, there is His Closest Disciple John (John 19:26), His Mother (John 19:26-27), His Women Disciples (John 19:25), The Roman Centurions (Matthew 27:35, John 19:34), The Jewish Leaders (Matthew 27:41-44), the People of mixed races from Jew to Greek that cried out for him to be crucified (Matthew 27:20-26, Matthew 27:39-40, Luke 23:28), and more. The evidence is overwhelming, and then you add Extra-Biblical proof, Josephus, a Jew and Roman Scribe witnessed Jesus' Crucifixion, "Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man; for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles. He was [the] Christ. And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day, as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him. And the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day." (Josephus, "The Antiquities of the Jews", Book 14, Chapter 2, Section 3). Josephus echoes the Gospels perfectly, showing us it was the True account, for Josephus is same Roman Jewish Scribe who witnesses Titus and destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. in His account "The Jewish Wars." Pontius Pilate who ardently tries to set Jesus free but could not due to threats, "" (Jhon), also wrote a letter to Tiberius Cesar about Christ Jesus, "TO TIBERIUS CAESAR: A young man appeared in Galilee preaching with humble unction, a new law in the Name of the God that had sent Him. At first I was apprehensive that His design was to stir up the people against the Romans, but my fears were soon dispelled. Jesus of Nazareth spoke rather as a friend of the Romans than of the Jews. One day I observed in the midst of a group of people a young man who was leaning against a tree, calmly addressing the multitude. I was told it was Jesus. This I could easily have suspected so great was the difference between Him and those who were listening to Him. His golden colored hair and beard gave to his appearance a celestial aspect. He appeared to be about 30 years of age. Never have I seen a sweeter or more serene countenance. What a contrast between Him and His bearers with their black beards and tawny complexions! Unwilling to interrupt Him by my presence, I continued my walk but signified to my secretary to join the group and listen. Later, my secretary reported that never had he seen in the works of all the philosophers anything that compared to the teachings of Jesus. He told me that Jesus was neither seditious nor rebellious, so we extended to Him our protection. He was at liberty to act, to speak, to assemble and to address the people. This unlimited freedom provoked the Jews -- not the poor but the rich and powerful. Later, I wrote to Jesus requesting an interview with Him at the Praetorium. He came. When the Nazarene made His appearance I was having my morning walk and as I faced Him my feet seemed fastened with an iron hand to the marble pavement and I trembled in every limb as a guilty culprit, though he was calm. For some time I stood admiring this extraordinary Man. There was nothing in Him that was repelling, nor in His character, yet I felt awed in His presence. I told Him that there was a magnetic simplicity about Him and His personality that elevated Him far above the philosophers and teachers of His day. Now, Noble Sovereign, these are the facts concerning Jesus of Nazareth and I have taken the time to write you in detail concerning these matters. I say that such a man who could convert water into wine, change death into life, disease into health; calm the stormy seas, is not guilty of any criminal offense and as others have said, we must agree -- truly this is the Son of God. Your most obedient servant, Pontius Pilate." Pilate tried to acquit Jesus, but could not because of what Caiphas said, "From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jewish leaders kept shouting, "If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar." (John 19:12). Pontius Pilate knew that Caiaphas could send a letter that conflicts his and twist Pilate's disposition from merely wanting to protect Jesus from a crime He did not commit, to looking like a follower of Jesus and subverter of Cesar's rule on earth. In addition to Pontius Pilate's and Josephus' accounts of Jesus proving He was crucified and raisd from Dead, we have Roman Historian's account, "Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judaea, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome." (Cornelius Tacitus, Christus: Annals 15.44.2-8). This proves that the Romans not only affirmed Jesus was crucified, but that it was well established fact even in time of Emperor Nero. I want to make it clear that all the scribes and Pontius Pilate would never have forged these documents, but rather they held themselves to the strictest measure of being truthful. Romans like Pilate and Tacitus would have been killed if they gave a false report according to Roman Law, and Josephus being a Jew had no reason to give positive account of Jesus and yet he did! All of these are extra Biblical proof and accounts that Jesus was indeed put on trial, crucified, and rose from dead.

Jesus Christ contrary to Islamic claims, Ascended after His Crucifixon and Ressurection ( Mark 16:19-20, Acts 1:6-11). Jesus said, "My sheep know my voice," (John 10:27) and even when people did not recognized Him Risen, He revealed Himself to them, "for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead. She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him. Dear woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who are you looking for?”She thought he was the gardener. “Sir,” she said, “if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.” “Mary!” Jesus said. She turned to him and cried out, “Rabboni!” (which is Hebrew for “Teacher”).

“Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God," (John 20:9, 14-17), "That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven," (John 20:16-22), and "That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. But God kept them from recognizing him.He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?”They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.“What things?” Jesus asked.“The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago.“Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.”Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. As they sat down to eat,he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared! They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them, who said, “The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter." (Luke 24:13-34). Jesus even appeared to Four hundred people risen from dead (1 Corinthians 15:6). The eyewitnesses abound, and beyond that there are non-Christian witnesses to Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection as aforementioned.

The Crucifixion and Resurrection of our Lord and God Jesus Christ is substantialized by a multitude of witnesses and accounts both from believers and unbelievers. Jesus came into this world, into a body to die for our sins and rise from dead (John 1:1-15, Colossians 1:10-18). Trust the Gospels of the Holy Bible, for they are truth and from the Truth (John 14:6). Do not listen to the lies of Satan, but trust in Jesus Christ for salvation (John 6:40, John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10) and remember how many eyewitnesses substantial the fact that He really did die on cross and rose from the dead. Jesus Christ is the Only True God who is One with Father (John 10:30, John 14:9,  John 17:20-23) and the Holy Spirit (John 15:26, John 14:26, John 20:22). Amen.