Barabbas the Guilty Released, Jesus the Innocent Crucified in Barabbas’ Place

This Good Friday, it would be good to also think of Jesus and Barabbas. The account can be read in Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, and John 18. Good Friday celebrates the atonement Jesus did on the cross for the sins of the world. It’s simple for us to talk about Pontius Pilate as a spineless ruler and people-pleaser. It’s simple for us to talk about Barabbas as the guilty man who was a murderer and a rebel, worthy of crucifixion. It’s simple to say that the majority isn’t always right based on this situation. The crowd chose the wrong person named Barabbas. What we need to address is that in this process, this was all done for our sake. The crowd’s sinful behavior played right into God’s sovereign plan. Later, in Acts 2, we can read the conversion of some people who once joined this sinful crowd.

Devastated and Delighted at the Doctrine of Election

After being saved from Roman Catholicism, I always felt that the doctrine of election was really what it was, harsh. Back then, I was still reading from KJV Fundamentalist sites such as James L. Melton, a Ruckmanite. In the handbook of heresies, Calvinism is listed among them. I rejected Calvinism because of the misrepresentations. Meanwhile, there was a time when I actually adhered to David W. Cloud’s position. That position is that I could embrace a Calvinist as a spiritual family member if that person shows signs of being saved. I still befriended several, not KJV-only churches, even while I was still convinced that the KJV Bible is the most accurate translation. Not all KJV Onlyists believe that the KJV is inspired. Cloud rejects the ideas of the late Peter S. Ruckman and Gail Ripplinger. I was still convinced Calvinism was an error for Christians to be corrected from as much as I was convinced that the modern translations aren’t as good as the KJV.

Understanding More About the Doctrine of Limited Atonement as Next Week is Holy Week

It’s almost time for Holy Week. Saturday will be April Fool’s Day. April 2 will be Palm Sunday which is the beginning of Holy Week. Holy Week is associated with commemorating the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus on the cross. This doctrine of limited atonement has been very controversial. It can be like, “Did Jesus only die for those who would believe?” It has come to a point that some Fundamental Baptist preachers haven’t done much research on John Calvin. Some even said, “Maybe Calvin didn’t underline John 3:16.” I’m afraid that some of these Fundamental Baptist preachers haven’t done further research into other commentaries that would be deemed Calvinist. John Gill was a Reformed Baptist. The Commentary Critical and Explanatory of the Whole Bible was also written by Calvinists.