THE TRUTH IN
PRINT
March 2004, Vol. 10: Issue 2
A Publication of the Valley church of Christ
2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364
(928) 539-7089
A Jewish Claim Refuted
By Bob Lovelace
I submitted the following brief article to our local newspaper in
response to a claim that the Jews did not crucify Jesus, the Son of God.
Editor, The Sun. With
regard to the controversial film about Christ (Jan. 28,
2004). I cannot see how anyone who strives to live a life
in Christ, being a Christian, would harbor hatred towards Jews as a race.
Considering all of the circumstances connected with the death of Jesus who is
called Christ (Messiah is translated "Christ" in the scriptures),
still there is just no place for such a hatred. The reason
being that I accept Peter's recorded statement that "God exhalted Jesus to His right hand to be Prince and Savior,
to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins." Peter spoke these caring words to the Jewish council
having been brought before them for questioning. How can any true Christian
hate anyone since they believe man's only hope of salvation is umbilically connected with the sacrifice of the Messiah,
whose blood was shed for the remission of sins? He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world,
John said. The two (hating any race and desiring any man's salvation) just
don't go together. The death of Christ for one who truly
believes in and follow Him precludes such a hatred. Thus, it appears to
me that the fears expressed are unfounded and tend to be more of a promotional
aspect than anything. With some candor may I say, perhaps Jesus is getting more
billing than other Jews desire that he gets?
Mr. _______presses on and states concerning the movie that they
"fear that it may foster images of the Jews being responsible for the
death of Jesus, which Vatican II laid to rest years ago." It is at
this point that I have serious disagreement based upon what the Bible says. In
the same context while speaking to the Jewish council Peter preceded the above
important statement on salvation with, "The God our fathers raised up Jesus
whom you murdered by hanging on a tree." The obvious reason that the
"you" in Peter's statement refers to Jews is that he was speaking to
the Jewish council. Moreover, he was speaking to the very Jewish leaders
who earlier had plotted to put Jesus to death. It is abundantly clear to any
person capable of reading these scriptures that the hatred was the other way
around. For upon hearing Peter's confirmation as a witness of the crucifixion,
resurrection and ascension the Jewish leaders were furious and plotted to kill
the apostles! (This information may be found in Acts 5.)
Mr. _____desires that those who see the movie keep these words in
mind: "The Jewish people reject the notion that we are responsible for
deicide at any time -- ever. And if this movie is going to portray something
different than that, then it's certainly something we're going to
address." Of course Jewish people from his viewpoint do not even believe
Jesus was the Son of God, the Messiah. So folks keep these words in mind: Other
Jews and people of all nationalities, based upon the viewpoint of the
Scriptures, do believe He is the Messiah and that He has died for our sins!
Does the Bible teach that the Jews were held responsible for Jesus murder? Hear
Peter who was a Jew and an apostle: "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus whom you
crucified, both Lord and Christ." Again, the audience and context is
Jewish!
Additional Material
"Deicide" is defined in Webster's dictionary as: 1. the act
of killing a divine being or a symbolic substitute of such a being 2: the
killer or destroyer of a god. You will notice that "god" appears with
a small "g". Although the body of Christ died upon the cross, His
eternal spirit continues as always since He was God in the flesh (John 1:1-4,
14). Could Mr. ____' foregoing statement on "deicide" (see prior
article) simply be a polite way of stating that the
Jewish people, from his viewpoint, reject the notion that they killed the Son
of God? Well, did they? Hear Peter's declaration in his sermon on
Pentecost, the beginning of the church of Christ, as recorded in Acts 2,
"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made
that same Jesus, whom YE have crucified, both Lord and Christ" (Acts
2:36). Friends, Peter was addressing a Jewish
audience, thus the pronoun "you" ("ye," emphasis mine,
B.L.) refers to Jews! Not only is he speaking to Jews (see Acts 2:5, 14, 22),
but verse 36 addresses particularly "all the house of Israel." It would be impossible not to connect Jews
with Peter's statement regardless of how the Vatican stated things on behalf of the Jews, seeking not to
offend them of course. In close sequence Peter
says in 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." There's that "you" (ye) again! Although Jesus death was
predetermined according to the eternal plan of God, this did not at all excuse
those who were involved in it, nor did it exempt them from punishment.
Allow me to go back to the Jewish plot to kill Jesus prior to His arrest
in Gethsemane. While not excluding Judas' own accountability, Luke
tells us about the evil plan of the chief priests and the scribes as they sought
how they might kill Jesus. Hear Luke, "...And the chief priests and
scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people." They
were glad when Judas, being led by Satan, communed with them (the chief priests
and captains), and agreed to give him money if he would betray the Lord to
them. Read Lk. 22:1-6.
Let's fast forward now to Judas' betrayal in the garden of Gethsemane. Note the "from" (emphasis mine, B.L.) in Matthew's statement
about those who came with Judas, "...and with him a great multitude with
swords and staves, FROM the chief priests and elders of the people"
(Matthew 26:47). It was the same Jewish leaders Judas had made the prior evil
pact with that sent him and others to arrest Jesus. When the disciples fled out
of fear, Jesus was taken by those who laid him to these Jewish leaders. Note
the word "to" (emphasis mine, B.L.) in Matthew's account, "And
they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away TO Caiaphas
the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled" (Matthew
26:57). The ensuing trial (a mockery of the ninth commandment, Ex. 20:16) took place in the high priest's courtyard. Upon
Jesus' confession that He was indeed the Son of God the high priest said,
"...what further need have we of witnesses? behold,
now ye have heard his blasphemy. What think ye?" They answered and said, He is guilty of death." Then they abused Jesus. When
morning came, all the chief priests and elders plotting to put Him to death, bind Jesus and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the
governor so that he would be put to death! (Matt. 26:65-7:10; see John 18:31). Their motive of envy, as the
reason for their desiring and getting his death, is clearly brought out in the
next sequence as he is tried by Pilate. The governor's wife tried to warn
him not to condemn Christ, "But the chief priests and elders persuaded the
multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and
destroy Jesus" (Matt. 27:15-25). Yes, the Jewish leaders persuaded the
multitudes therefore they are guilty! "They all said to him, "Let Him
be crucified!" And all the people answered and
said, "His blood be on us and on our
children." Pilate scourged Jesus and delivered him to the soldiers of the
governor to be crucified. And they abused him and crucified Him. All of this
helps us to properly understand Peter's statement in Acts 2:23.
Make This Comparison:
1. Acts 2:22 - Men of Israel are the ones spoken to.
2. Acts 2:23 - YOU - They did what they intended to do.
3. Acts 2:36 - YOU again.
4. Acts 3:13 - YOU delivered up! (Note Pilate's determination
here.)
5. Acts 3:14 - YOU denied and asked for a murderer.
6. Acts 3:15 - YOU is implied.
7. Also read I Th. 2:14-15.
Conclusion: The
church is established on Pentecost when Peter preached that they crucified the
Son of God (Acts 2). They were commanded to repent and be baptized for the
remission of their sins (Acts 2:38,
40, 41). Later, the high priests and others arrest the apostles and put them in
prison but they are freed by an angel. (Acts 5:17-25) Now read Acts 5:26-31
(there's that YOU again!). We must always remember the reason stated in Acts
5:31. There is no hatred, only the desire that all men might be saved through
Him. Friend, He died for you. Why don't you submit to Peter's command in Acts
2:38?
______________________________________________
NOTE: Concerned reader, to learn more
about scriptural baptism why not read a study of the cases of conversion
recorded in Acts. Click this link for Fundamental
Lessons On The Church, Lesson Three. This article
may also be accessed from our Article Index. Simply scroll down until you find
Fundamental Lessons on the Church, Lesson Three.
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