IS CHRIST CRUCIFIED ON 3 NAILS?

A feedback to a write-up appeared in the recent edition of Light of life magazine published from Mumbai, India. In its July 2009 edition the writer Mr. Duke Jayraj wrote an article titled “Utter three words for Jesus”.

That was really a thought provoking read. Yes how well it would have been if every Christian believer followed this formula of three little words, “Come and See”, No doubt there would have been a tremendous growth in number of Christ’s followers. Unfortunately this is not happening even among ten percentages of the believers.

Albert McMackin Billy Graham incident is an apt illustration. But unfortunately at the concluding paragraph the writer said, “Jesus took 3 nails on his body to die for you.” This is a surprise information to me. Where in the Bible it’s mentioned that Christ is crucified on 3 nails, nowhere in the Bible I couldn’t find this 3 nails story. I doubt if it is there in the writer’s new found version—NLT— (read his article on NLT version in one of the previous issue of LOL). I firmly believe no version gives the number of nails in which Christ is crucified.

It is a common belief that Christ is crucified in three nails. Even some believers while preaching and praying use this 3 nail phrase. Some Christian song writers too have composed their songs with this 3 nail theory. This is a common mistake happened and still prevailing in our Christian circles. Of course the number of nails is not a criterion here. In Christ’s time there were different forms of crosses were used for crucifixion so we cannot come to a conclusion that what type of cross was used for Christ’s crucifixion. When we preach, pray and write using this phrase will create a kind of confusion.

Of course His coming, crucifixion, resurrection and the second coming is important to a real believer. The situation forced me to note this point for the further correction of my fellow Christian believers.

Like Andrew-Philip and Albert, let us introduce our Savior to others not with an eloquent speech or a juicy writing but with few little words. Above all our action speaks louder, let us note that the outsiders are keenly watching us, and let us behave properly for His Kingdom’s extension.

My sincere thanks to Mr. Jeyraj for this thought provoking piece.