Truth About The Crucifixion — Page 17
someone in the power and spirit of that personage. This was made clear by Jesus himself. His disciples asked him, saying, "Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?" And Jesus answered and said unto them, "Elias truly shall first come, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. . . " Then the disciples understood that he spoke unto them of John the Baptist. (Matt. 17:10-13). He said: "If you will receive it, this is Elias which was for to come” (Matt. 11: 14). “And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias" (Luke 1:17). The Founder of the Ahmadiyya Movement claimed that he had come in the power and spirit of Jesus and that in his advent were fulfilled the prophecies concerning the second coming of Jesus. Now, should it be true that Jesus died upon the cross, was resurected and taken bodily up to heaven and his descent upon the earth in his physical body is to be looked forward to in these days, there would be no room for anyone else to appear in his power and spirit in fulfilment of the prophecies concerning his second coming. All these questions, the death, resurrection, ascension and second coming of Jesus are, therefore, of vital interest for Muslims, more particularly for the members of the Ahmadiyya Movement. Thus, whether Jesus did or did not die on the cross is a question in which the Jews, Christians and Muslims are alike keenly interested for the sake of arriving at the Truth. It is in this spirit of seeking for and making manifest the Truth that the Ahmadiyya Movement has, as an act of service to mankind, organised this Conference. To us it is intolerable that a loved one of God, in whom we believe as a righteous Prophet, should be accounted as having died an accursed death. Such a notion amounts to a denial of God's mercy and grace. To clear Jesus of this calumny and to wipe out this stain upon his honour is the purpose of this Conference. 9