>Those are matters of personal belief and I would be the last to say you are not entitled to them. Are you saying, though, that the things Alex posted did not happen? Christ did stir things up with his speeches and acts and thus annoy the local powers, the Romans. They did sentence him to death and they did kill him. There were no Christians yet unless you want to count a dozen disciples. Do you not consider those facts?

Of course, Christ was crucified - I don't want to appear to say that didn't happen. One could say the religious leaders of that time had a lot to do with it. They did not like the way Christ condemned their system of legalism and man-made rules. From the time He began His ministry until His death, they were after Him. The Romans were aware of the prophecy concerning Christ and were concerned that He would usurp their authority. So, they wanted Him dead as well. But, ultimately, I believe He died of His own will.

As far as Christians go, I use that term to mean anyone who trust in Christ to save them. There would have been many who I would call "Christians" alive at the time of his crucifixion. Paul talks about 5,000 being saved in Acts. But, Christ not only died for them - but for the ones who lived prior to His life and the ones who would live after his death.