04/13/2023
“Ignatius (A.D. c.50-115), bishop of Antioch, a native of Syria and pupil of the apostle John, is said to have “been thrown to the wild beasts in the colosseum at Rome. His epistles were written during his journey from Antioch to his martyrdom" At a time time when he would undoubtedly have been very sober of mind, he says of Christ:
“He was crucified and died under Pontius Pilate. He really, and not merely in appearance, was crucified, and died, in the sight of beings in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth.
He also rose again in three days... On the day of the preparation, then, at the third hour, He received the sentence from Pilate, the Father permitting that to happen; at the sixth hour He was crucified; at the ninth hour He gave up the ghost; and before sunset He was buried.
During the Sabbath He continued under the earth in the tomb in which Joseph of Arimathaea had laid Him.
He was carried in the womb, even as we are, for the usual period of time; and was really born, as we also are; and was in reality nourished with milk, and partook of common meat and drink, even as we do. And when He had lived among men for thirty years, He was baptized by John, really and not in appearance; and when He had preached the gospel three years, and done signs and wonders, He Who was Himself the Judge was judged by the jews, falsely so called and by Pilate the governor; was scourged, was smitten on the cheek, was spit upon; He wore a crown of thorns and a purple robe; He was condemned: He was crucified in reality, and not in appearance, not in imagination, not in deceit He really died, and was buried and rose again from the dead.”
“The bones of Abraham & Muhammad & Buddha and Confucius and Lao-Tzu & Zoroaster are still here on earth. Jesus' tomb is empty.”
“The truth of Christianity is based on the bodily resurrection of Christ.”
Jesus came to this earth. Died on the cross for all your sin & mine. Resurrected on the third day. Whoever repents & trusts in Jesus is forgiven of all their sin! Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone! If you could be saved by keeping the law then there would be no need for Jesus to die. Where does your trust and hope lie?
