“Was Christ really crucified and did He die?”
March 2024 – Grace & Truth Magazine
QUESTION: Was Christ really crucified and did He die?
ANSWER: Yes, Christ was crucified and did die. The proofs are many. Let’s consider three areas of them.
1. Fulfilled prophecies. Many prophecies in the Old Testament speak of Christ’s death. These were not written by Christians. Instead, they were transcribed hundreds of years before Christ came and were recorded in the Old Testament, preserved in the hands of the Jews. While Jews deny that the One born of the virgin in Bethlehem is the true Christ who was promised, these prophecies remain in the Holy Book for the Jews. The people do not dare to change a word, although the Book speaks against them.
These prophecies speak to us of Christ’s death in the place of sinners (Isa. 53). They tell us that His hands and His feet would be pierced – that He would be crucified – while the soldiers present would divide His clothes (Ps. 22). Even details such as some giving the Lord Jesus vinegar to drink in His thirst on the cross are mentioned in prophecy (Ps. 69). The prophet Daniel determined, as revealed by the Holy Spirit, the precise time of His crucifixion (Dan. 9). The prophecies of the Old Testament about Christ’s death were fulfilled exactly.
2. The witness of history. Those who wrote to us about the events related to the death of Christ were eyewitnesses; they had no personal benefit in making up such a story. In fact, they were devastated by the death of Christ – until He rose from the grave and they saw Him. Then, they rejoiced.
As can be seen in the Gospels, the Lord Jesus told His followers many times He would die and rise again on the third day. All these statements were fulfilled literally. After His resurrection, He was seen by the apostles for 40 days (Acts 1).
The Bible gives accurate details as to Christ’s crucifixion, but even non-Christian historians testify to His death.
3. New Testament record. The New Testament tells us there is no salvation apart from the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul wrote: “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that … He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once” (1 Cor. 15:3-4,6 nkjv). The Bible says, “God demonstrates His love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). It also says, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Eph. 1:7). There are many other verses, including records of Christ’s own words just before His death, in which He said His blood was to be shed. This was for the forgiveness of sins.
As we said already, Christ was crucified and did die. He died for our sins – yours and mine – and rose again. “To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission [forgiveness] of sins” (Acts 10:43). If you have not already done so, won’t you believe in Him today?
Answered by Rafique