Friday, March 12, 2010

Lent – contemplating historical truth

In the Apostles' Creed the church recites that Christ Jesus was crucified "under Pontius Pilate." We use the name of the Roman governor in the Creed not to blame him for the deed, but to date the event.

Christianity is an historical religion. It stands or falls with the truth of historical events: namely, that there was a man named Jesus; that he lived in Palestine; and that he was condemned to death by Pontius Pilate, a Roman governor of Judea.

Today we would date the event by the year, month and day. But in Biblical times a date was indicated by the rule of a governor. So, for instance, says Luke 1:5: "In the time of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah ..."; or Luke 2:2: "This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria."

By mentioning Pontius Pilate, the Apostles Creed confirms that all the events surrounding Christ's crucifixion and death, are historical truth. It really happened. My salvation by his suffering and death, really happened.

The cross, Golgotha Hill, the 7 words on the cross, the 3 awful hours of darkness and the temple curtain torn from top to bottom, everything really happened, when Pontius Pilate was the governor in Jerusalem, more than 2000 years ago.

Our faith is based on historical fact. Therefore on a day, month and year in history, I was saved from my sins and adopted a child of God. Because I believe that Jesus Christ was crucified under Pontius Pilate.

Believe it!

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