Where Did Jesus Die? — Page 103
Chapter Eight—Did Jesus Die on the Cross and Ascend to Heaven? 103 And if Christ be not risen [from the dead], then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 1 As Paul was a Roman 2 and from his journeys into Syria etc. , knew the mentality of the Gentiles, he based his preaching on the pre-ex- isting ideas of the Gentiles which they could easily assimilate. It is evident from the New Testament that Paul did not see Jesus and that he was not present when Jesus was put on the cross, taken down, and came out of the sepulchre and bade farewell to his disciples. Three years after his conversion he came to Jerusalem and stayed with Peter for fifteen days. After fourteen years he came again to Jerusalem to convince the Apostles of the truth of the preaching. The reason why Paul advanced the doctrine of the crucifixion and resurrection was but to convert the Gentiles by abolishing the Law, to redeem them from sin, and to absolve them from the ordi- nances of the Law. From among the Apostles who supported him and followed him, adopting his method of preaching, was Peter with whom he lived for fifteen days. We learn from the Gospels that Peter was inconsistent and wavering in his nature, and not very firm in his belief. We read in Matthew’s Gospel that he told Jesus, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. 3 1. 1 Cor. 15:14 2. The Acts 22:25 3. Matthew 26:33