Defend Your Faith

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  "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your MIND." (Matt. 22:37)
  As leaders in our churches, we need to help ladies be prepared to defend their faith as well as share their faith. This summer I will spend each Friday giving short tips on how to defend our faith. Since the crucifixion and resurrection are the pillars of the Christian faith we will start there: "Was Jesus really dead on the cross, or could he just have faked it?"
  
  Jesus was in serious physical condition before he was even put
  up on the cross.
• Roman floggings were known to be severe and often caused death
  before the crucifixion.
• The 'floggers' used leather whips with metal balls and pieces
  of sharp bones.
• The whipping could tear the muscles and often exposed the
  veins.
• The "nails' driven through Jesus' wrists and feet were actually
  spikes that were 5-7 inches long. (It was not the palm of his hand because his
  body would have ripped the flesh off.)
• In order to breath the person had to push himself up, which
  eventually would cause Him to be too tired to breath any more. This would lead
  to cardiac arrest.
• To make sure Jesus was dead, soldiers would put a spear into
  his side. Water and blood would come out. This proved his death without a
  doubt!!! (to be continued next week)
  References: Evidence That Demands a Verdict by Josh mcDowell; The Case For Faith by Lee Stroebel