trashbaum wrote:
Romans carried out the sentence of death, they had nothing to do with condemnation of Jesus. He was sentenced to death by the Jews and I am sorry if that offends you.
I'm not offended. Yes, He was condemned under Jewish Law, but that offense was upheld under Pontius Pilate, a Gentile, although Pontius could find no harm in Jesus and so an alternative person (Barabas) to crucify was offered. We know how that turned out as the crowd wanted Jesus to be crucified. Pilate washed his hands and turned the judgement over to the crowd and soldiers. The Romans took over from that point and Roman soldiers nailed Him to the cross. An interesting anecdote to Pontius Pilate is that he spent his remaining years on the coast and was continually washing his hands. He could never wash innocent blood off his hands.
It's essential to understand it was under Jewish law He was condemned as up to that time, the Jewish people had been the trustees of the Oracles of God (the Old Testament) but had failed to share their knowledge of God with the world (for the most part). Gentiles were guilty of sin as their consciences knew the difference between right and wrong (sin), but gave in to the crowed.
Again, I have to say, EVERYONE was involved, Jews and Gentiles.
Thankfully, Jews and Gentiles who understand that their sins are forgiven through Christ, are a NEW people and are now become neither Jew nor Gentile, but equal citizens of an inheritance through Christ.
Paul says this best in Ephesians 2: 11 Therefore remember that previously you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision” which is performed in the flesh by human hands, 12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the people of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who previously were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15 by abolishing in His flesh the hostility, which is the Law composed of commandments expressed in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two one new person, in this way establishing peace; 16 and that He might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the hostility. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; 18 for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.