And it came to pass in those days, when Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate for a second meeting, Pilate had rendered his decision earlier and had found no fault with Jesus. No less than three times had Pilate made his judgment very clear to the Jews after his initial interrogation of the Lord.
Knowing that the Jews were not satisfied, Pilate had an escape clause in his pocket and offered a prisoner on death row to be crucified instead of Jesus. But the Jews said no, crucify Jesus, at which time Pilate caved and issued his decree that Jesus should be crucified.
In like manner, the Holy Spirit reveals the truth of Christ to people today, and people therefore know that Jesus is the Son of God. But what will many people do? They will do exactly as Pilate did: they will listen to the voices of others, who have also rejected Christ, and therefore accept the decisions of others as their own decision.
"My religion was good enough for my fathers, and it is good enough for me."
"If you believe in Christ, you will not have any friends."
"Those born again Christians are a strange bunch of people. You don't want to be like them, do you?"
"If you believe in Christ, then you will start reading the Bible and people will call you a Bible thumper."
But what did Pilate do after turning his back on Jesus? He washed his hands: believing that the water would wash away all of his guilt, shame, and even his sin.
In truth, Pilate baptized his hands.
Does that sound familiar?
For over a thousand years, there are people who believe that by having their heads or bodies baptized by water that that is sufficient unto salvation. Like Pilate, they believe that water has the power to wash away their guilt, their shame, and even their sin. That, because of water, they are now pure and sinless and ready for heaven.
So again, the opinion of others becomes their own opinion, and their future is based on the opinion of others: and they place their faith in the words of people instead of placing their faith in Christ.
And, just like Pilate, they are saying, crucify Him---or---keep Him on the cross, because we have water.
If you believe that water is sufficient for salvation, then it doesn't really matter if Christ is still on the cross or still in the grave. And it doesn't matter if Christ is dead or living because your faith is not in Him. Neither will you believe that Christ is coming back to the earth: for if you believe this, then you will be admitting that He is alive.
For in truth, dead religions keep Christ dead.
The second appearance of Jesus Christ before Pilate was not an accident: the Lord had this planned in order to give Pilate a second chance for salvation.
In like manner, reading this blog today could be a work of the Lord to offer you a second chance for salvation: to know Him for the first time.
Will you accept Christ today, or will you wash your hands?
Knowing that the Jews were not satisfied, Pilate had an escape clause in his pocket and offered a prisoner on death row to be crucified instead of Jesus. But the Jews said no, crucify Jesus, at which time Pilate caved and issued his decree that Jesus should be crucified.
In like manner, the Holy Spirit reveals the truth of Christ to people today, and people therefore know that Jesus is the Son of God. But what will many people do? They will do exactly as Pilate did: they will listen to the voices of others, who have also rejected Christ, and therefore accept the decisions of others as their own decision.
"My religion was good enough for my fathers, and it is good enough for me."
"If you believe in Christ, you will not have any friends."
"Those born again Christians are a strange bunch of people. You don't want to be like them, do you?"
"If you believe in Christ, then you will start reading the Bible and people will call you a Bible thumper."
But what did Pilate do after turning his back on Jesus? He washed his hands: believing that the water would wash away all of his guilt, shame, and even his sin.
In truth, Pilate baptized his hands.
Does that sound familiar?
For over a thousand years, there are people who believe that by having their heads or bodies baptized by water that that is sufficient unto salvation. Like Pilate, they believe that water has the power to wash away their guilt, their shame, and even their sin. That, because of water, they are now pure and sinless and ready for heaven.
So again, the opinion of others becomes their own opinion, and their future is based on the opinion of others: and they place their faith in the words of people instead of placing their faith in Christ.
And, just like Pilate, they are saying, crucify Him---or---keep Him on the cross, because we have water.
If you believe that water is sufficient for salvation, then it doesn't really matter if Christ is still on the cross or still in the grave. And it doesn't matter if Christ is dead or living because your faith is not in Him. Neither will you believe that Christ is coming back to the earth: for if you believe this, then you will be admitting that He is alive.
For in truth, dead religions keep Christ dead.
The second appearance of Jesus Christ before Pilate was not an accident: the Lord had this planned in order to give Pilate a second chance for salvation.
In like manner, reading this blog today could be a work of the Lord to offer you a second chance for salvation: to know Him for the first time.
Will you accept Christ today, or will you wash your hands?
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