Music from today
-The Cross of Christ
-Strength of My Life
-Death Couldn't Hold You Down
-This Is Amazing Grace

“Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified…"

Who was Pontius Pilate: The fifth Roman governor of Judea (A.D. 26–36) who presided at Jesus’ trial and authorized his execution. Matthew 27

Pilate really didn’t think Jesus did anything wrong or deserved to die but he succumbed to the pressure of his wife and the crowds who demanded to crucify Jesus.

The Importance of the Cross

1: Jesus’ crucifixion was our ransom for sin

Matthew 20:28
even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many

2: Jesus’ crucifixion heals our brokenness


1 Peter 2:24
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

3: Jesus’ crucifixion brings peace to our hostility toward God

Colossians 1:19-20
19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,
20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

4: Jesus’ crucifixion provides forgiveness of sins

Ephesians 1:7
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

*** As believers, we get our identity and purpose from the cross of Jesus

Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

*** As believers, we are to imitate the crucified life

Luke 9:23
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.


Eph 5:25 (as an example)
Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,


“dead and buried; He descended into hell”

What does "He descended into hell" mean?

Basically, this phrase is just emphasizing that Jesus experienced the full consequences of death.


There are several other Bible texts related to this on which there are a lot of disagreement on … for example 1 Peter 3:19-20 which could be Jesus declaring victory over the disobedient angels while in hades OR it could mean that the spirit of Jesus was speaking to those who lived in Noah’s day but now they are in imprisoned in hades.

“The third day He rose again from the dead”

“A dead Jesus can be a martyr or a teacher but not our savior.” - Michael Bird

Jesus was physically, bodily raised from the dead.


The Importance of the Resurrection

1: It is critical for our salvation

1 Peter 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1 Corinthians 15:17
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.

2: It gives us a kingdom perspective

Colossians 3:1-2
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

3: It proves Jesus really is the Savior and Son of God

Matthew 28:18
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Romans 1:1-4
1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,
2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures,
3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh
4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,

4: It guarantees our own resurrection to eternal life with God

2 Corinthians 4:14
knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.