The Apostles' Creed - Lesson 6: Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead and buried

The Apostles' Creed

Lesson 6: Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead and buried

I believe in God, the Father, Almighty, maker of heaven and earth;

And in Jesus Christ, his only son, our lord;

Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

Born of the virgin Mary,

Suffered under Pontius Pilate,

Was crucified, dead and buried.

He descended into hell,

And on the third day he rose again;

He ascended into heaven,

Where he is now seated at the right hand of God, the Father, Almighty,

Whence he shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

The holy, catholic church,

The communion of saints,

The forgiveness of sins,

The resurrection of the body,

And the life everlasting.

Amen.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 [3] For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, [4] that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

2 Corinthians 5:15 He died for all, that those who live should no longer live to themselves, but to him who for their sakes died and rose again.

The Main Points for This Lesson:

The purpose of this series of lessons is, using the Apostles' Creed, to teach the essential teachings of the Christian faith and what it means to believe them. To state it simply, the goal is to teach what we believe and what it means to believe it.

The Apostles' Creed has three main sections. The second section concerns Jesus Christ, God's only son. In this lesson we will learn about the third part of this second section: “Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead and buried.”

Prophesied. Jesus died for our sins according to the scriptures. His death was not a terrible mistake. It was not an unforeseen tragedy. Jesus died by the plan and foreknowledge of God. God spoke of it in the garden to the serpent and through the clothes he provided to Adam and Eve (Genesis 2:15,21). He revealed the death of the Christ and even details surrounding his death through the prophets of the Old Testament, who lived long before Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Jesus expected and clearly spoke of his death (and resurrection) to his disciples more than once. Even Caiaphas, the high priest, no friend or follower of Jesus, prophesied of Jesus dying for our sakes.

Fact. The death (and resurrection) of Jesus is not a myth, fable, or cleverly devised tale (2 Peter 1:16). It is a real event that involved real people at a real time in history (Luke 1:1-4). The Christian faith is based on facts.

He died for our sins. Jesus died. The apostles testified to that fact with their lives. Why did Jesus suffer and die? Just as a coin has two sides, so the purpose of Jesus' death has two sides. On one side, we read that he died for our sins. The suffering and death we deserved as the fair punishment (or reward) for our sins, Jesus took upon himself in our place.

He died that we would turn from sin and live for him. This is the other side of the coin. Jesus called, and still calls, his disciples to follow him. In his suffering and death, he made it clear that we must die to our sin (repent, put off the old man) and live no longer for ourselves but for him instead. Jesus suffered and died. He taught that we must take up our cross daily and follow him if we would be his disciples.

What does it mean to believe this? Those who believe this will love (with heart and deed) both God and men, because God first loved us. Those who believe this will see and confess their sin to God, who gave his own son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Those who believe this will repent of their sins. They will leave the path of living for self, and follow the path of living to do the will of God in Christ Jesus. Can we rightly say that we believe Jesus died for our sins but we don't want to live for him? Or can we rightly say that we will live for Jesus but that we don't need anyone to die for our sins? Is not either one an offense to the crucified and risen savior and to the Father who sent him? May God grant us grace to say “I believe” with our whole heart and living.

Suggestions:

Open each lesson with prayer for the teacher and the students and this class time.

Remind the children that we are using the Apostles' Creed to teach the essential teachings of the Christian faith, that is, what we believe and what it means to believe it. Read through the Apostles' Creed with the children.

For the purpose of these lessons, we have broken the creed into twelve parts. Let the children know that today we will talk about the fourth part: ...Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead and buried.

Use Mark 15:1-47. It gives the account of Jesus' suffering, crucifixion, death and burial. You can read this to the children, have the children read it to you, or have them tell you the story, or a mix of all three. As you go through the story, ask the children questions, such as: Was Jesus' suffering and death a surprise to the disciples? Was it a surprise to Jesus? Why did Jesus die? Do you think it was an easy thing for God the Father to send his son to die on the cross? The questions are not plainly answered in this story, but the children will likely enjoy considering the questions and offering answers. You can guide them to consider that Jesus died for our sins, that he suffered what we deserve. Also, that he died so that we would no longer live for ourselves but for him instead. Ask the children if they can think of any way they could stop living for themselves and live for Jesus instead. Depending on the time, you may tell them that Jesus called us to follow him. Then ask them, based on the story in Mark 15, what does it mean to follow Jesus?

Close the lesson with prayer related to the subject and the students. Pray the Lord's Prayer together.

Stories:

Mark 15:1-47

This is Mark's Gospel record of the Jesus suffering under Pontius Pilate, his crucifixion, death and burial. Each of the four Gospel writers gave an account of this story.

More Stories and Examples:

Matthew 27:1-66

This portion in Matthew, and the portions in Luke and John give accounts of Jesus suffering, death and burial.

Luke 23:1-56

John 18:28-40;19:1-42

Other Verses:

Acts 10:34-43 [34] Peter opened his mouth and said, “Truly I perceive that God doesn’t show favoritism; [35] but in every nation he who fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him. [36] The word which he sent to the children of Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all— [37] you yourselves know what happened, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; [38] even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. [39] We are witnesses of everything he did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they also killed, hanging him on a tree. [40] God raised him up the third day, and gave him to be revealed, [41] not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen before by God, to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. [42] He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that this is he who is appointed by God as the Judge of the living and the dead. [43] All the prophets testify about him, that through his name everyone who believes in him will receive remission of sins.”

Jesus' death and resurrection was a vital part of the message preached by Peter.

PROPHESIED

Psalm 22:1-24 [1] My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning? [2] My God, I cry in the daytime, but you don’t answer; in the night season, and am not silent. [3] But you are holy, you who inhabit the praises of Israel. [4] Our fathers trusted in you. They trusted, and you delivered them. [5] They cried to you, and were delivered. They trusted in you, and were not disappointed. [6] But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised by the people. [7] All those who see me mock me. They insult me with their lips. They shake their heads, saying, [8] “He trusts in Yahweh; let him deliver him. Let him rescue him, since he delights in him.” [9] But you brought me out of the womb. You made me trust at my mother’s breasts. [10] I was thrown on you from my mother’s womb. You are my God since my mother bore me. [11] Don’t be far from me, for trouble is near. For there is no one to help. [12] Many bulls have surrounded me. Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled me. [13] They open their mouths wide against me, lions tearing prey and roaring. [14] I am poured out like water. All my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax; it is melted within me. [15] My strength is dried up like a potsherd. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You have brought me into the dust of death. [16] For dogs have surrounded me. A company of evildoers have enclosed me. They have pierced my hands and feet. [17] I can count all of my bones. They look and stare at me. [18] They divide my garments among them. They cast lots for my clothing. [19] But don’t be far off, Yahweh. You are my help: hurry to help me. [20] Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dog. [21] Save me from the lion’s mouth! Yes, from the horns of the wild oxen, you have answered me. [22] I will declare your name to my brothers. In the midst of the assembly, I will praise you. [23] You who fear Yahweh, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, glorify him! Stand in awe of him, all you descendants of Israel! [24] For he has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, Neither has he hidden his face from him; but when he cried to him, he heard.

This Psalm contains many clear prophecies fulfilled during Jesus' suffering and death on the cross. David lived about 1000 years before Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 53:1-12 [1] Who has believed our message? To whom has the arm of Yahweh been revealed? [2] For he grew up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground. He has no good looks or majesty. When we see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. [3] He was despised, and rejected by men; a man of suffering, and acquainted with disease. He was despised as one from whom men hide their face; and we didn’t respect him. [4] Surely he has borne our sickness, and carried our suffering; yet we considered him plagued, struck by God, and afflicted. [5] But he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed. [6] All we like sheep have gone astray. Everyone has turned to his own way; and Yahweh has laid on him the iniquity of us all. [7] He was oppressed, yet when he was afflicted he didn’t open his mouth. As a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep that before its shearers is mute, so he didn’t open his mouth. [8] He was taken away by oppression and judgment; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living and stricken for the disobedience of my people? [9] They made his grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in his death; although he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. [10] Yet it pleased Yahweh to bruise him. He has caused him to suffer. When you make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed. He shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of Yahweh shall prosper in his hand. [11] After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light and be satisfied. My righteous servant will justify many by the knowledge of himself; and he will bear their iniquities. [12] Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the plunder with the strong; because he poured out his soul to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Isaiah the prophet lived about 700 years before the time of Jesus. This prophecy speaks of his suffering and death, and also the purpose of his death. He was pierced for our transgressions.

Matthew 16:21-26 [21] From that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up. [22] Peter took him aside, and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This will never be done to you.” [23] But he turned, and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me, for you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of men.” [24] Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. [25] For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it. [26] For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life? [see also Mark 8:34-36]

Jesus foretold his suffering, death and resurrection to his disciples. He continued further to say that we must follow the same path if we would rise again to eternal life.

Luke 24:25-26,45-47 [25] He said to them, “Foolish men, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! [26] Didn’t the Christ have to suffer these things and to enter into his glory?” [45] Then he opened their minds, that they might understand the Scriptures. [46] He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, [47] and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

After his resurrection, Jesus opens the minds of his disciples to the scriptures which plainly told of his death and resurrection.

John 8:28-29 [28] Jesus therefore said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and I do nothing of myself, but as my Father taught me, I say these things. [29] He who sent me is with me. The Father hasn’t left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.”

John 11:49-52 [49] But a certain one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, [50] nor do you consider that it is advantageous for us that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish.” [51] Now he didn’t say this of himself, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, [52] and not for the nation only, but that he might also gather together into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.

Acts 2:22-23 [22] “Men of Israel, hear these words! Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved by God to you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him in your midst, even as you yourselves know, [23] him, being delivered up by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by the hand of lawless men, crucified and killed;

Peter clearly taught that Jesus' death was not an unfortunate and unexpected incident. Rather, Jesus' suffering and death was long ago decided by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God.

DIED FOR OUR SINS

Isaiah 53:5-6 [5] But he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed. [6] All we like sheep have gone astray. Everyone has turned to his own way; and Yahweh has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 [3] For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, [4] that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

1 Peter 2:18-25 [18] Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the wicked. [19] For it is commendable if someone endures pain, suffering unjustly, because of conscience toward God. [20] For what glory is it if, when you sin, you patiently endure beating? But if, when you do well, you patiently endure suffering, this is commendable with God. [21] For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps, [22] who did not sin, “neither was deceit found in his mouth.” [23] Who, when he was cursed, didn’t curse back. When he suffered, didn’t threaten, but committed himself to him who judges righteously; [24] who his own self bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed. [25] For you were going astray like sheep; but now have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Peter speaks of Christ's patience in suffering, and reminds us that we are called to follow his steps. The apostle also relates Jesus' dying for our sins and our living to righteousness, having died to our past life of sin.

1 John 2:2 And he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world.

DIED THAT WE WOULD NO LONGER LIVE FOR OURSELVES BUT FOR HIM

John 12:24-26 [24] Most certainly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit. [25] He who loves his life will lose it. He who hates his life in this world will keep it to eternal life. [26] If anyone serves me, let him follow me. Where I am, there will my servant also be. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

Romans 6:1-11 [1] What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? [2] May it never be! We who died to sin, how could we live in it any longer? [3] Or don’t you know that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? [4] We were buried therefore with him through baptism to death, that just like Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life. [5] For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we will also be part of his resurrection; [6] knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be in bondage to sin. [7] For he who has died has been freed from sin. [8] But if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him; [9] knowing that Christ, being raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no more has dominion over him! [10] For the death that he died, he died to sin one time; but the life that he lives, he lives to God. [11] Thus consider yourselves also to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:15 He died for all, that those who live should no longer live to themselves, but to him who for their sakes died and rose again.

2 Timothy 2:8-13 [8] Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my Good News, [9] in which I suffer hardship to the point of chains as a criminal. But God’s word isn’t chained. [10] Therefore I endure all things for the chosen ones’ sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. [11] This saying is faithful: “For if we died with him, we will also live with him. [12] If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he also will deny us. [13] If we are faithless, he remains faithful. He can’t deny himself.”

1 Peter 4:12-19 [12] Beloved, don’t be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon you, to test you, as though a strange thing happened to you. [13] But because you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory you also may rejoice with exceeding joy. [14] If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed; because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified. [15] For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil doer, or a meddler in other men’s matters. [16] But if one of you suffers for being a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this matter. [17] For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God. If it begins first with us, what will happen to those who don’t obey the Good News of God? [18] “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will happen to the ungodly and the sinner?” [19] Therefore let them also who suffer according to the will of God in doing good entrust their souls to him, as to a faithful Creator.

1 John 4:9-11 [9] By this God’s love was revealed in us, that God has sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. [10] In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. [11] Beloved, if God loved us in this way, we also ought to love one another.