Question:

What was the big deal about Jesus being crucified that in 1 Corinthians 1:23 Paul said that is what he preached?  It seems he should have said “but we preach Christ” risen from the dead.  Wouldn’t it have been the same if they stoned him or killed Jesus with a sword?

Answer:

You are right that a major message of Paul was not just that Jesus died but that he was “crucified”.  He should have been stoned.  At his trial he was convicted of blasphemy (Matthew 26:65) and Scripture clearly teaches a blasphemer should be stoned (Leviticus 24:16). Continue reading →