Author: drthomasclothier

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How Do We Know Jesus Died? (Part 2).

18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,” (I Peter 3:18).

How do we know that Jesus actually died on the cross? Aside from what the Bible says in I Peter 3:18, and elsewhere, what evidence do we have for Jesus’ death? Or to put it another way, what are the alternative arguments for Jesus “not” dying on the cross and are they at all plausible?

First of all, there is the Swoon Theory. Second is the Stolen Body Theory. This theory argues that Christ didn’t rise from the dead but rather that His disciples stole the body and pretended to everyone that Christ had risen. This is refuted …

  • By the Actions of the Chief Priests. When the chief priests heard that the tomb of Jesus was empty and His body gone, they bribed the soldiers to say that Jesus’ disciples had stolen the body. This would protect the soldiers from punishment. However, why would the chief priest bribe the soldiers to say that Jesus’ disciples had stolen Christ’s body if the disciples had indeed stolen the body of the Lord? See Matthew 28:11-15.
  • The Presence of the Roman Guards. In Matthew 27:57-65 we see that the chief priests and the Pharisees came to Pilate and requested that the tomb be made secure so that the disciples couldn’t steal His body. They even had guards posted. They anticipated such a theft taking place.
  • The Sealing of the Tomb. Again in Matthew 27:65- 66 we see that the utmost caution was made to ensure that the tomb couldn’t be breached. Is it possible that the disciples got pass the guards, unsealed the tomb and took the body of Jesus without being detected?
  • The Fear of the Disciples. In Mark 14:50 along with Matthew 26:56 we see the disciples having fled in fear following the arrest of Jesus. With the exception of John (John 19:25-27) and maybe Peter (I Peter 2:21-25) none of the disciples were present at the crucifixion. In John 20:19 we see the disciples huddled in the upper room with the doors shut and locked for fear of the Jews. The disciples believed that as Jesus’ enemies had executed Him, they would soon be next. Is it plausible that these fearful men would seek out Jesus’ body and try to steal it?
  • The Orderly Condition of the Grave Clothes. In Luke 24:1-12 along with John 20:3-7 we see the burial clothes Jesus wore lying in the tomb. The handkerchief that had been wrapped around His head was not lying with the linen clothes but folded together in a place by itself. Does it make sense that had the disciples stolen the body they would have taken the time to neatly fold the strips of Jesus’ burial linen before they left the tomb?
  • The Preaching of the Gospel. If the disciples had stolen the body they would have known that the resurrection story was a lie. Why then would they preach a lie and in some cases die for a lie, knowing it was a lie? See Acts 4:8-12. While it makes sense to suffer persecution for something you believe is true, even if it is not, it makes no sense to be persecuted for something you know not to be true. The only logical explanation is that the disciples were willing to suffer and die for the gospel because they knew that Jesus had indeed risen from the dead.

More to come!

Soli deo Gloria!

 

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How Do We Know Jesus Died?

18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,” (I Peter 3:18).

How do we know that Jesus actually died on the cross? Aside from what the Bible says in I Peter 3:18, and elsewhere, what evidence do we have for Jesus’ death? Or to put it another way, what are the alternative arguments for Jesus “not” dying on the cross and are they at all plausible?

First of all, there is the Swoon Theory. This point of view teaches that Jesus didn’t die but simply fainted. The cool air of the tomb later revived him. He then lived many years thereafter and died a natural death. This is refuted …

  • By the soldiers. In John 19:31-37, the soldiers broke the legs of both of the criminals crucified on either side of Jesus for the purpose of hastening their death. This was so their bodies would not remain on the cross during the Sabbath. However, when they got to Jesus they saw that He was already dead so they did not break His legs. They also stabbed Him in the side just to make sure that He was indeed deceased.
  • By Joseph of Arimathea. All four gospels (Matthew 27:57-61; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-55; John 19:38-42) record Joseph of Arimathea, along with Nicodemas and other women, carefully anointing Jesus’ body for burial, binding it in strips of linen with spices and laying His body in a new tomb. Surely they would have noticed if He was still breathing.
  • By Nicodemas. (See previous point).
  • By Pilate. Mark 14:42-47 reports that Pilate was surprised to hear that Jesus had already died after only being on the cross for six hours. Sometimes death by crucifixion could take up to six days. Therefore, Pilate had the centurion in charge of the execution verify that Jesus was indeed dead. The centurion did so.
  • By Jesus. If Jesus had simply fainted, and later regained consciousness, this would mean that Jesus would have been a part of a fragrant lie by pretending to have risen from the grave when He would have known that He had not. He would therefore neither be good, nor a moral teacher who should be followed but rather a liar to be rejected.

As the late Paul Little explains, “It is impossible that One who had just come forth from the grave half dead, who crept about weak and ill, who stood in need of medical treatment, of bandaging, strengthening, and tender care and who at last succumbed to such great suffering on the cross could ever have given the disciples the impression that He was the conqueror over death and the grave; that He was the Prince of Life.”

More to come!

Soli deo Gloria!

 

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Born to Die.

18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,” (I Peter 3:18).

In Jesus Christ, we see the person responsible for substitutionary atonement. We also see in this verse the purpose of substitutionary atonement: “that He (Jesus Christ) might bring us to God.”

The subject throughout this one verse remains Jesus Christ. Not only is He the only One who provides substitutionary atonement on the sinner’s behalf, He does so with a particular purpose in mind which is to reconcile sinners to God the Father.

Peter introduces a purpose clause in the latter part of this verse with the phrase “that he might bring.” To bring (προσάγω; prosago) means that Jesus was totally committed to the goal of saving sinners and bringing them into the presence of God. As our leader, Jesus leads us to the Father.

Jesus is able to do so not only because He died on the cross for sins, but also because He credits His righteousness on our behalf. We receive this righteousness, or justification, by faith. Romans 3:21-26 says, But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”

Jesus’ substitutionary atonement for sinners has open the way of salvation. Charles Wesley explained it this way in the following, beloved Christmas carol.

Hark the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled
Joyful all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With th’angelic hosts proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem
Hark the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King

Verse 2

Christ by highest heav’n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of the Virgin’s womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail th’incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with men to dwell
Jesus our Emmanuel
Hark the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King

Verse 3

Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace
Hail the Sun of Righteousness
Light and life to all He brings
Ris’n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King

Verse 4

Come Desire of nations come
Fix in us Thy humble home
Rise the woman’s conqu’ring seed
Bruise in us the serpent’s head
Adam’s likeness now efface
Stamp Thine image in its place
Second Adam from above
Reinstate us in Thy love
Hark the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King.

Merry Christmas!

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How Marvelous, How Wonderful.

18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,” (I Peter 3:18).

In Jesus Christ, we see the person responsible for substitutionary atonement. Jesus the Messiah is the only one who is identified as one who suffered once for sins. Peter also identifies Jesus Christ as the only righteous one who died and rose again for the unrighteous.

The word righteous (δίκαιος; dikaios) means upright and just. Jesus was always in perfect harmony with God the Father’s will. He met the standard of what God requires. Jesus could do so because He is Emmanuel, God with us.

This righteous and just one died for the unrighteous (ἄδικος; adikos). To be unrighteous means to not be upright or just. It literally means to be crooked. Therefore, this is why we may call a criminal who has broken the law a “crook.”

This reminds us of 1 Peter 2:19 in that the sinlessness of Christ is the one perfect offering for sin. This is what gives Jesus Christ’s blood value. He had no sin himself. Lost sinners today still fail to understand this truth.

Hymn writer Charles Hutchinson Gabriel described Jesus’ atonement as follows. Let us also stand in amazement of God’s love for you and me.

I stand amazed in the presence
Of Jesus the Nazarene
And wonder how He could love me
A sinner condemned unclean

Chorus

How marvelous how wonderful
And my song shall ever be
How marvelous how wonderful
Is my Savior’s love for me

Verse 2

He took my sins and my sorrows
He made them His very own
(And) He bore the burden to Calvary
And suffered and died alone

Verse 3

And with the ransomed in glory
His face I at last shall see
It will be my joy through the ages
To sing of His love for me

Merry Christmas!

 

 

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Once for Sins.

18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,” (I Peter 3:18).

In Jesus Christ, we see the person responsible for substitutionary atonement. Jesus the Messiah is the only one who is identified as one who suffered once for sins. The word suffered (πάσχω; pascho) means to experience pain. Certainly, Jesus experienced excruciating physical pain and suffering while on the cross. But so did the two thieves crucified with Him. What made Jesus’ death on a cross different?

Peter gives us the answer this way: “Christ also suffered once for sins.” The phrase “once for sins” gives us the insight to the distinct difference in Jesus’ death. Jesus did not die because of sins He committed, but rather died on behalf of sinners like you and me.

The word “once” (ἅπαξ; hapax) means once and for all or once and never again. Jesus did not have to continually die again and again on behalf of sinners. One time was enough. The word once means one for all kinds of people and not once upon a time.  “For sins” (περί ἁμαρτία; peri hamartia) means that Jesus died, and only died, on behalf of or with regard to those who have done wrong: sinners.

Romans 6:10 says, “For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God.”

Hebrews 10:8-10 says, “8 First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”—though they were offered in accordance with the law. 9 Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second.10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”

Peter wants persecuted believers to understand that the example of Christ should stir us to patient endurance. The death He died was for our sins, not his (I Peter 1:18). Jesus was, and remains, the sinner’s sin offering (Lev. 5:7; 6:30).

May we be strong in Christ remembering that the life we live, we live for Christ and the death we die should honor Christ. Have a blessed day!

Soli deo Gloria!

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The Great Exchange.

18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,” (I Peter 3:18).

No matter the degree of suffering we may encounter as believers in Christ, it pales in comparison to the suffering Jesus Christ experienced on the cross. In paralleling what he has already said in I Peter 2:24, the apostle returns to the core truth of the gospel: the substitutionary atonement provided by Jesus Christ.

I Peter 3:18 is in harmony with several other passages of Scripture not written by Peter, but which also teach substitutionary atonement.

  • Romans 4:24-25: It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.”
  • 2 Corinthians 5:21: “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
  • Galatians 3:13: Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—
  • Hebrews 9:24-28: For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. 25 Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, 26 for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, 28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.”

Peter also illustrates the truths he gave in 3:13–17. Christ provides the perfect example. He suffered for doing what was right in the eyes of God (2:14). His sinless and righteous life caused the unjust anger of evil men. However, He did not fear them but kept trusting Himself to God. Jesus Christ died in the sinner’s place, keeping a clear conscience (cf. 2:23). As a result, God gave Him tremendous blessing and reward in His own resurrection and subsequent exultation.

While our suffering for Christ cannot equal what Christ accomplished in His suffering on the cross for sinners, we can be so identified with Him, and therefore bring Him glory, when we suffer for His name. Take time at this moment to thank God for the opportunities to suffer for the gospel.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

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Better to Suffer.

15 “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil” (I Peter 3:15-17).

Peter adds a final encouraging statement in vs. 17. Consider it a New Testament Proverb.

Peter says that it is better (κρείττων; kreitton) or superior in God’s perspective to suffer for doing something God considers good, than to do that which God considers evil. This statement parallels what Peter has already said in I Peter 2:20, and what he will say in I Peter 4:15-16.

Peter wants his readers to understand that whatever we may experience in defending the gospel, even if it is evil, will fit God’s perfect and sovereign will for our lives. When we pray “Thy will be done” (Matthew 6:10) we are consciously submitting to God’s rule and reign in our lives, even if that means suffering for His Name’s sake.

One pastor writes, “Peter pointed out that it may be God’s will (thelēma; cf. 2:15; 4:2, 19) for them (believers) to suffer for doing good (cf. 1:6; 2:15; 4:16, 19). This, as he told them earlier, “is commendable before God” (2:20) and so is better than deserved suffering for doing evil (cf. 2:14). First Peter 3:17 is an effective summary of the content of 2:15, 19–20.”

Suffering for the gospel, not matter how small, can be discomforting. However, let us not forget the great cloud of witnesses who lived before us who testify that suffering for the truth of God is worth it (Hebrews 11:1-12:2). We live now in the wonderful company of those who lived before us and who served the living God. Let us live a legacy that parallels theirs.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

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A Clear Conscience.

15 “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame” (I Peter 3:15-16).

When we follow the Lord’s instructions, such as set forth in I Peter 3:15, we stand before the Lord with a clear conscience. This is because we have done what He has asked. Peter uses the phrase “good conscience” to mean having a moral and beneficial sensitivity before God and other people. This clear conscience is a result of our obedience to God.

This brings us to Peter’s purpose clause in the latter part of vs. 16. God will be pleased with our gentleness and respect to people as we share the gospel, This results in a good or clear conscience. This will help us “when” we are slandered.

Slander (καταλαλέω; katalaleo) means to speak evil of someone (I Peter 2:12). This type of speech is intended to hurt the subject in question. Peter is preparing us for the time when we will be verbally attacked because of our commitment to share the gospel. Again notice that Peter does not say we might be slandered but that we will be slandered. It is not a question of if, but rather only a question of when.

Have people lied about you to others? Have they said things you knew were not true, but perhaps had no way of proving it? Have you experienced the pain of friends believing the lies about you, as told by others? What will happen when people slander us?

If we continue to maintain a gentle and respectful attitude and behavior when people slander us because of our commitment to the truth of God, God will put them to shame. People who dishonor us and our good behavior (anastrophe), God will dishonor.

Peter encouraged his readers with the fact that good behavior, gentleness and respect being but two examples, is their best defense against unjust punishment and persecution.

How have you been slandered recently? Was it by a once close friend? Be encouraged, my friend. God will make it right.

Soli deo Gloria!

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Gentleness and Respect.

15 “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,” (I Peter 3:15).

The specific ways we fulfill Peter’s instructions about sharing the gospel to those who ask us for the hope and confidence we have in the gospel is clear. Peter gives us two qualifications when we answer people’s questions about the gospel.

First, we are to give an answer with gentleness. Gentleness (πραΰτης; prautes) refers to meekness and humility. This is in contrast to being harsh in our dealings with people.

Second, we are to also give an answer with respect (φόβος; phobos). This means we treat the person, or persons, in question with an attitude of admiration, esteem and even reverence.

God never calls us to answer people’s questions concerning the gospel with sarcasm or arrogance. Thus far, we are approaching this subject with a perspective that the people asking the questions are doing so with a sincere interest in our biblical answers. However, even if they aren’t we are to be humble and respectful to them. Peter will have more to say about this in the verses to follow.

I remember one student I had years ago who would ask questions it seemed for the expressed purpose of trying to trip me up in my biblical answers. It could be somewhat frustrating because while I sought to be gentle and respectful, I detected no such attitude from him. Neither it seemed did others in the classroom.

Gentleness and respect are to be what we display even when Jehovah’s Witnesses or Mormons come to our front door. God does not call us to be harsh with them, but rather to be prepared to give an answer to them with humility and good will. We possess the good news of salvation. They don’t!

Pastor Burk Parson explains that, “God calls us to be ready to make a defense for the hope that is within us, but notice that He calls us to do it with gentleness and respect. Apologetics isn’t just for some Christians, it is for all Christians. We all must know what we believe, why we believe it, how to live it, how to defend it, and how to proclaim it – and we must do so with gentleness and respect.”

While we may have little to no control over other people’s attitudes in situations I’ve just described, we can control our own attitude with the Holy Spirit’s help. Ask God even at this moment to give you an attitude of gentleness and respect in anticipation of people who will ask you questions about the gospel.

Soli deo Gloria!

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Answering Questions.

15 “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,” (I Peter 3:15).

As we set about to honor in our hearts Christ the Lord as holy, and always being prepared to make a defense of the gospel, to whom are we engaging with our preparation to defend the gospel? Peter provides the answer in the latter part of vs. 15.

We are to honor and prepare to defend the gospel to anyone we come into contact with. Now, Peter does give us some qualifications as to whom this people specifically are. They could be anyone and everyone we meet. However, what they want to talk to us about is not the weather, but God.

First, they are people who ask (αἰτέω; aito) demand or plead to us for something. These are people who are asking questions with an urgency, even to point of being demanding. What could be so important? Where we got the great deal on our new car?

Second, for what are they asking? The answer to their question is a reason (λόγος; logos) or a verbal statement from us for the hope (ἐλπίς; elpis) or confident expectation we have within our souls regarding the salvation we have from God through Jesus Christ. That is what the phrase “the hope that is in you” means.

The tone of this statement is one of urgency. While it is certain that Jesus calls all believers to share the gospel throughout their lives (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8), He also calls us to be especially prepared for those who urgently want to know not only what we believe, but why we believe it, regarding how we as sinful people can become right with God.

These encounters may occur in a hospital room, a funeral home, or even in someone’s home where the urgent desire for an answer to their questions about the gospel of God is sought. We are not to dismiss the questions, or dare I say, put them off for another day. No! God calls us to be prepared for that specific moment whenever and wherever it may happen.

So, be prepared? How is your preparation coming along? Are you getting ready for that family gathering featuring burgers and bratwurst? How about your upcoming Christmas gatherings? Perhaps you should put the Bible on your list.

Soli deo Gloria!