Where Did Jesus Die? — Page 89
Chapter Eight— Did Jesus Die on the Cross and Ascend to Heaven? How Did the Belief Arise It is true, as we have proved in the previous chapters that Jesus was alive when he was taken down from the cross, then why did early Christians, such as Saints Paul and Peter, believe in his death on the cross? For it is apparent from their epistles that the main point of their preaching was his death on the cross and subsequent res- urrection, as it is today in most Christian sects. Undoubtedly, it is necessary to describe the position at length. The disciples of Jesus forsook him and fled in panic when he was arrested, and they do not appear as spectators when he was taken down from the cross nor when he came out from the sepulchre. Although he did not make a public appearance for fear of a rearrest, he met his disci- ples in secret or in out-of-the-way places only. If he had not seen