What if Jesus didn't die on the cross?

Answer 1

Paul has already answered that question for you:

1 corinthians 15:13-17 "13If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins."

Simply stated, our faith would be futile and useless, we'd still be in our sins, and the apostles would be liars for claiming something to be true that wasn't. That's what.

Answer 2

Before I begin, please let me say that I certainly don't mean to offend any Christians in writing this. I do believe Jesus lived and died as a human being/historical figure, but I don't believe he was divine. If you do, I'm okay with that.

Historically speaking, it's pretty widely accepted in the academic community that Jesus did die on a cross - or, at least, a Jesus did. Around the first century, Jesus was one of THE most popular Jewish names. However, Josephus (a non-Christian scholar whose works are often referred to by scholars) mentions that the leader of a movement was crucified by the name of "Jesus," and I believe (but I'm not positive) that there are crucifixion records mentioning Jesus. Having said that, again, Jesus was such a poular name that it's hard to say...

Anyway, back to your question: Had Jesus not died on the cross, I suspect Christianity would have developed in a different but similar way. I'm sure there would still be an emphasis on his death, but it would involve a different symbol to base the religion around, like a rock if he had been stoned, etc. Had he died of old age, it's hard to say if the religion would have grown. There were a fair bit of Messianic movements around Jesus' time, I think his continued on because of his high-profile crucifixion - it set him apart. Had he lived a peaceful life, another religion may very well have become the dominant one (the cult of Mithras or Isis, perhaps?). The subsequent persecution and execution of his followers Peter and James, and later Paul, only added to the allure. I hope that's an adequate answer. If I've made a mistake in the historical facts, I apologise.

Answer 3

I dont think he did.....

There is too much information, some found right inside the Bible, that Jesus most likely didnt die on the cross, but that the crucifixion was staged. Firstly, the Bible stories cannot even agree on the location of the crucifixion or the burial site. Secondly, Joseph is described carrying herbs traditionally associated with healing into the tomb - not embalming herbs, as would be typical. Thirdly, when Jesus is given a sponge soaked in vinegar, he happens to have the exact oppostite reaction that every other living person in the world has ever had - rather than wake him up and reinvigorate him so he could experience more pain (which was the purpose of giving him vinegar), Jesus instead looks to the sky and says "IT is done." and promptly "dies"... If you ask me, he was given belladonna, a known herb in that time, which was used to knock people unconcious and make them appear dead by virtue of a slowed heartbeat and swallow breathing...

Answer 4

U would have to be as Righteous as God to get into heaven, It can be done, but one has to dedicate there ways unto God, all there ways and be lead by his holy spirit, to be profitable unto him. No none seeks his face, to be like him, all go there own way. Romans 3:11-18. That is why he sent his son to die for U cuss you want to be blind, and he lead the blind home. (In my eyes) if u seek his face, u can ask to see. He will show U the way. he would have probably taken your body, probably not have to die before he sent his son. HE did that with a couple of people, that's the way hes going to do it when Christ returns. I know its hard work to give all your ways, cuss I'm seeking. Its hard to get God to lead U, so until he does I can't be perfect, for only he is perfect. So seek his face, to take the nails from Jesus. bible verse to seeking,, seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and ALL his righteousness. BIG ONE, Hosea 10:12,(read it)for Perfection in Jesus Matthew 7:8. Jesus Crying for help, Matthew 26:39,42 God shall be found by seeking Jeremiah 29:13-14.

Answer 5

What?!?! People are saying they wouldn't be Christians any more if Jesus didn't die on the cross??

Cool.

I didn't know Christianity was based specifically upon Jesus dying on a cross. What if he was drawn and quartered? Or hung? Or put on a stretching machine? Does God only give "son" status to people who are crucified? Other torture isn't good enough?

Agnostic-atheist. Proud of it.

Answer 6

for skeptics... that would be another "reason" not to believe in God...

for Christians... that would mean what Paul said in his letter to the Corinth Church that they would be "of all men, the most miserable".

for why would people, some highly respected in their society, give up everything they worked for, to follow the teachings of Jesus, to endure hardship, being ostracized, humiliation, exile, hunger, stoning, torture, imprisonment, even death...
if Jesus didn't die & rose from the dead?

Answer 7

All evidence points that He did. Many historians around that time documented that yes, Jesus was tried before Pilate, and He was hung on a Roman cross.

Answer 8

What if World War II didn't happen? This is undisputed history.
To directly answer your question, we would still be sacrificing animals to try and atone for our sins and I doubt there would be much life left on the planet.

Answer 9

If Jesus had not died on the cross, all our hopes would be in vain. We would still be under the Law.

Answer 10

I would convert to Islam, which I am already thinking of doing. The fact that nobody knows for shure the site of the crucifixion makes me doubt that it happened at all, considering that people would probalby remeber where such a powerful event took place.