AT THE CROSS
By Rick Mathes
1 Corinthians 1:18 (NASB77) 18 For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Evangelical Christians accept the basis for the truth is:
- Bible Only
- Jesus Only
- Grace Only, and
- Faith Only
They also believe the Gospel According to Jesus is:
- Total Depravity
- Unmerited Salvation
- Limited Atonement
- Irresistible Grace
- Perseverance of the Saints
There follows as an effect of these causes:
- Reconciliation
- Justification
- Redemption, and
- Propitiation
Now I know I have not made this lesson easier for you. In fact, I have stirred up more questions than answers. That is exactly my intention. Jesus has called us to make disciples that are learners and the best way to do that is to stimulate your intellect, feelings and experiences with an inquisitive mind. Socrates was a master of questioning you in such a way as to have you arrive at the answer he wanted you to and believe the revelation was your own.
The Jews rejected the cross because they knew that those nailed to it were cursed. And the Greeks thought it amusing that God died. It was a challenging of thought that turned both to learners. Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22 foretold the Suffering Servant of the cross and an exchange of the innocent death for the forgiveness of the sin reached both the Jew and the Greek.
They learned at the Cross that the Lord they once cursed was their Messiah, their only God!
Rick Mathes 