Welcome to Calvary Apostolic Church Pastor Rex Deckard

When we look at the crucifixion, there are several questions that must be answered. WhatWhat is a crucifixion? WhoWho killed Jesus? WhyWhy did Jesus have to die? did the death include temptation and suffering? WhatWhat am I supposed to do with this?

What is a crucifixion?

The Romans copied the art of crucifixion from Carthage. The cross was composed of two separate pieces. It was about six feet in height which allowed the wild animals to devour the corpses of the crucified men. The horizontal portion, named patibulum, was the beam the condemned man carried.

The patibulum was of rough cypress wood, approximately six feet in length, and weighed twenty five to thirty pounds. This form of Capital punishment was meant to deter crime.

A sign was carried before the condemned man and placed on his cross. Jesus' inscription, written in Greek, Latin, and Hebrew, read, "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews." In deference to Jewish custom, Jesus was allowed to be clothed.

Some crucified men lived as long as two days. The usual method of death after crucifixion was asphyxiation. When the condemned man no longer had the strength to raise himself on the cross, he soon died from inadequate respiration produced by the chest muscle spasms.

The Romans broke the femurs, the large thigh bones, to hasten death. With the broken legs, a man could no longer raise himself on the cross. He soon asphyxiated. When the Romans came to break Jesus’ legs, He was already dead.

Who killed Jesus?

The Romans Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? 11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

The Jewish people ? Acts 3:14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; 15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. …. 17 And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. 18 But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.

Or was it those in the world He was dying for that caused the Crucifixion?

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. II Corinthians 5:21

"In due time Christ died for the ungodly" (Rom.5:6). "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree" (Galatians 3:13).

"Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us" (I John 3:16).

blood "By his own blood, he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us" (Hebrews 9:12).

Jesus Christ, who was God come in flesh, took upon Himself the sins the world and endured the full penalty of God's law against sin in their place. He satisfied, as their Substitute, every claim of Divine justice against them.

“For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself” Hebrews 7:23-27

The Bible teaches that Jesus was more than just a good man or moral teacher. His role went beyond that of a prophet or religious leader. Jesus Christ was God who came in the flesh as a man. As the perfect man he came to undo the sin that Adam had brought into the world. In dying, He would identify with the sins of the entire human race and take our place to atone for our sin.

Why did the death include temptation and suffering?

Isaiah 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

What am I supposed to do with this?

The Gospel Death Burial Resurrection

In Acts chapter 2, the answer came…. Acts 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. 37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

The Plan of Salvation Repentance- Our Death to Sin Baptism in Jesus’ Name- Our Burial to the old man Baptism of the Holy Spirit- Our Resurrection