"For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him. . ." Numbers 23:9

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THE MOUNTAIN MESSENGER

MARCH 2004
Volume 1..........................Number 2
Crum, West Virginia

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WHO KILLED JESUS?

By James E. Farley

By now you are probably familiar with the controversy. Since Mel Gibson’s new movie, THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST, has received so much publicity recently, the controversy has been rekindled. Many are making the accusation that the movie is "anti-Semitic" in nature. Gibson has denied such is the case, and many who have previewed the film agree that Gibson’s motion picture is certainly not geared toward pointing a finger of guilt at any particular modern group of people. Listening to Mr. Gibson on the various news interviews, I must say that I do not see a bigoted man. He seems to be a sincere man, and seems to have produced the movie for good reasons; with good motives. He will, of course, make a bundle of money off of this dramatic presentation of the last hours of the life of Christ. But, of course, he took a great risk in making such a controversial movie. He had to know that it would stir up much discussion to say the least. And, while I am not personally a "fan" of dramatic presentations of Bible stories, I am glad for the opportunities that have arisen for me to discuss the life, death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ.

Yes, Gibson has said that the Jews did not kill Jesus. . . Some news commentators have said that the Romans were just as much to blame for the death of Jesus. Others have said that we are all guilty of crucifying Him. There is a sense in which these are true statements. The Romans did the actual crucifying of Jesus, and He died for our sins, and in our stead. One preacher from Huntington, West Virginia recently made the following statement on one of our local TV news programs. He said, "Nobody killed Jesus! He laid down His life voluntarily."

Well, that is an interesting statement, and there is certainly some truth in it. However, it is not the whole truth and nothing but the truth! I must say that I am amazed at this age of politically correct historical revisionists. Most all of the Catholic and Protestant leaders I am hearing on the local and national news programs concerning this point are basically parroting the same song. Nobody seems to want to turn to the Scriptures to see what God says about the matter. Let’s do that right now.

The fact of the matter is still the fact of the matter. . . The Jews of Jesus' day DID INDEED murder Jesus. This is the very charge leveled against them by the inspired Peter and the inspired Stephen. (Please open your Bible right now and read Acts 2:22-24, 36; 3:12-21; 4:8-10; 7:51-60). Now, I know that the Romans actually performed the crucifixion. . . but the Jews of that day INSISTED that it be done. Pilate tried his level best to get out of it...He saw Jesus as a just man and one not worthy of being killed. Yet, those Jews cried out. . . "CRUCIFY HIM. . . HIS BLOOD BE UPON US AND OUR CHILDREN!!!" (Matthew 27:21-26). Then a short time later, (Acts 5:28), they tried to distance themselves from the dastardly deed. If Mel Gibson, and/or all the other Catholic and Protestant leaders I am hearing on the news, had any real courage. . . they would stand and tell the world the whole truth about this the Biblical Truth. Yes, the Jews of that time DID kill Jesus, and Peter said they did. This is what the New Testament clearly states.

Does this fact of history (. . . and the New Testament is a very reliable historical document. . . As reliable, and more so, than many other ancient documents. . . ) does this fact mean that modern day Jewish people should be held accountable. No. . . not at all. However, I would kindly and lovingly say to the modern day physical Jewish person. . . you can come into fellowship with God ONLY by accepting Jesus on His terms. (Again. . . please open your Bible and read Matthew 23:37-39; John 14:6; Romans 1:16; Romans 2:28-29; Galatians 3:26-29). Read the second Chapter of Ephesians to see how the inspired Paul said that God can reconcile Jew and Gentile ONLY in the one body of Christ, the church. Of course, this point is for Gentiles as well. Jesus said, ". . . no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6). Now, that narrows it down, does it not? How many men

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is ". . . no man. . . "? Friends, be a good Bible student and open your Bibles right now and read each and every passage I have listed here today. You can KNOW the Truth and be made FREE thereby! (John 8:31-32).

Friends, I am a member of the church of Christ. I did not join this church and it is not "my church." It is His, and He added me to it when I humbly and meekly submitted to Him in obedience to His Will. (Acts 2:47; James 1:21-25; Romans 10:1-3). He died and shed His precious blood so that you and I could be saved; Jew and Gentile. (I Timothy 2:5-6; Hebrews 2:9-10; Ephesians 1:7; etc.) This precious shed blood of our Lord is what purchased the church. (Acts 20:28). One cannot be saved apart from the church, His one body; He is the Savior of the body. (Ephesians 4:4; 5:23). We accept God’s grace by submitting to Him in humble obedience to what is taught in the New Testament. (Titus 2:11-12; Hebrews 5:8-9; I John 2:3-5; Matthew 7:21).

Friends, let us know how we may help you in your obedience to the Lord. God’s plan of salvation is listed clearly in this issue of THE MOUNTAIN MESSENGER. We are here to serve you. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions or comments concerning what I have written. You can contact me at: James E. Farley, P.O. Box 285, Crum, West Virginia 25669.To Contact Jim by email, click here

The church of Christ has gone through a great deal of turmoil in her 2000 years. She has suffered hardships and trials from those of the world who sought to destroy her, and she overcame. The church of Christ has also experienced a great deal of turmoil from within over the years, and the tribulation from within is so much more destructive. The Roman empire serves as an example of a strong kingdom that was impenetrable from without until they became weak from within. Once the Roman empire began to deteriorate from the inside out, they were vulnerable to their foes on the outside, and they fell.

The church must seek to keep itself pure in it’s religion (James 1:27). To practice pure religion she must receive the pure doctrine of Christ (2 Timothy 3:16 – 4:4). The church of today is facing the same type of inward assault as she has faced from the time of her establishment. This assault comes from those who do not teach the true doctrine of Christ.

By inspiration, the apostle Paul tells us that there is but one faith. (Ephesians 4:5), and that we are to live by faith. (Romans 1:17). Since faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17) we must make sure that we study to show ourselves approved unto God. (2 Timothy 2:15). We must truly live according to His Will and if we do we will not be easily tossed about by every wind of doctrine. (Ephesians 4:14).

Unfortunately, too many members of the Lord’s church are unaware of the false doctrines and false teachers who are seeking to infiltrate the church for their own selfish causes. (Romans 16:16-18). We must recognize that these are real, and we must deal with them as the Bible instructs. When left unchecked, false teachers will seek to build a following in a congregation. Then, when they have a large enough following, they will seek to take control of the Lord’s church.

The Bible tells us that these false teachers will come in like wolves in sheep’s clothing. (Matthew 7:15; Acts 20:29-31). They may appear to be sound in their faith at first (in order to build their following), but then they will let their doctrine be known. We must ready ourselves by knowing the Truth of God’s Word, and we must stand upon it. (I Peter 3:15). If we are not ready to defend the Truth, we fail to please God, and the unity of the church is destroyed. (I Corinthians 1:10). The danger of a false teacher is that he cares little about the body of Christ. He is interested in himself, and his own desires. He could care less if the church is torn apart. (Romans 16:17-18).

False teachers should be concerned about their souls, because the apostle Paul warns that those who teach false things will be accursed (Galatians 1:8-10). Paul also instructs the church of Christ to mark and avoid one who causes division. (Romans 16:16-18). This is necessary to protect the church from harm.

Clearly, Paul recognized the dangers of false doctrine, and so should we. Let us ever be vigilant to stand against that which is not in alignment with God’s Word.

Jeremy Young preaches for the Buffalo church of Christ in Putnam Co., WV. You may contact him at: Rt2, Box 207-C, Red House, WV 25168

James E. Farley -To Contact Jim by email, click here