TRADITION
teaches that there were two wrongdoers crucified
with Jesus; the Bible teaches four.
Tradition has lumped together the two thieves in
Matthew and Mark, and the two malefactors in Luke
and says that they are identical. Can't be.
Matthew 27:38 and Mark 15:27 state emphatically
that there were "two thieves," robbers,
crucified with Jesus, while Luke 23:32 says
"two malefactors," evildoers. Every
thief, of course, is an evildoer, but not every
evildoer is a thief; so 2+2 equals 4.
Furthermore, BOTH thieves reviled Jesus according
to Matthew 27:44 and Mark 15:32, but only ONE of
the malefactors railed on Jesus, Luke23:39-40.
Both of the malefactors were LED WITH Jesus and
crucified at the time Jesus was crucified, Luke
23:32,33. Later, after a number of
significant things had already happened at
Calvary "then were there two thieves
crucified with him," Matthew 27:35-38. So
for those who care and want to know, add two
thieves plus two malefactors, and you have four
crucified with Jesus. The Gospels of Matthew,
Mark and Luke are concerned about time (when),
and place (where); however, the Gospel of John is
concerned only about place (where), John
19:17,18. These verses in John have caused
most of the problems because of the words
"on either side one and Jesus in the
midst."The answer is simple if we have eyes
to see and ears to hear. The word
"midst" means middle when there are
more than two involved. If there were only
two,the word used to describe where Jesus was
would have to be "between, and
not "midst." You can put one
"between" but you have to have at least
four to use the word "midst." Finally,
the word "one" is italicized in the
King James Version to tell you the word
"one" was added. It does not appear
in the original text. Deleting the word
"one" and then reading the scripture
you have, Where they crucified him, and two other
with him on either side, and Jesus in the
midst." Two on each side of Jesus gives you
a total of four. Isn't it wonderful how truth
triumphs over error and tradition? Yes, there
were four crucified with Jesus. All five died,
but one got up. That one, Jesus Christ, God's
only-begotten Son is the turning point of History
(His-story)! Some may say "What difference
does it make how many were crucified with Jesus
Christ? I could care less!" Well, let me ask
you, do you care how much money you get when you
go to the bank to withdraw $200.00 from your
account? What if they give you only $50.00. Who
cares, it's only money! We care more about the
stats of a baseball team, how much money we have
in our 401K, who killed JR, etc. than for the
accuracy and the integrity of God's matchless
Word. There is something really wrong with
priorities!! Well, God gave every man
freedom of will and freedom of thought- freedom
of belief also. But there is a day coming when
every person will stand before the judgement
throne. Yes, we will each give an account of our
stewardship, workmanship of His Word and in
truth- of our very thoughts before God. Do you
want your life's endeavors to be a heap of wood,
hay and stubble? Or do you want to
hear-"Well done, thou good and faithful
steward!" As people, we' re given a choice
to make Jesus Christ Lord of our lives and to
live in obedience to God's Word. You can't obey
something you don't know or hash to pieces, or
even worse, take somebody else's word for!
"Study the scriptures!"-Jesus Christ
told them who questioned him. God's opinion of
His Word is stated in Psalm 138:2 "For
thou hast magnified thy word above all thy
name." By the way, anyone can check out the
Companion Bible's Appendixes 164 entitled
"THE OTHERS CRUCIFIED WITH THE LORD"
with an accompanying picture of 5 crosses still
standing Paloubezere, near Lannion,
Cotes-du-Nord, Brittany. E. W. Bullinger happened
to work the Word, applying the Biblical research
principles of :scripture build-up to arrive at
this same truth a few hundred years ago.
Traditions are added by man and need defense- the
Word of God is Truth and it's accuracy needs no
defense.
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Introduction to Cheryl - meet
your new sister-in-Christ! She is a
lovely witness and very bright!