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Did JESUS taste spiritual death in HELL? Where did Jesus complete his work of redemption?
“Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, ‘I am thirsty.’ A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponde in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hysoop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his life.” (John 19:28-30)
The word teleo (strongs #5055) means “to finish”. It is a verb. This word with the proper tense, mood an voice added, as spelled in the Greek is *tetelestai* and it means “it is completed, finished”.
This word is in the perfect tense, indicative mood and passive voice, i.e., “has been” or “it is” finished.
The perfect tense means an action that was completed in the past but has continuing results, not exact meaning in the English but usually translated as has/have.
The indicative mood makes an insertion of fact and is the only mood when the time of the event can be established, i.e., when it was uttered is when this event was finished.
The passive voice means the subject received the action of the verb and uses a form of the verb “to be”, i.e., “it is” in this instance and it was Jesus who finished it.
It should be apparent to anyone reading this passage that Jesus completed his work on the cross because of the verse right above which says:
“After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, (#5055, i.e., *tetelestai*) that the Scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.. . .” (KJV John 19:28)
The word translated as “accomplished” in the KJV is the exact same word and spelling and tense, mood and voice as used in verse 30 (which is translated as finished in the KJV).
Ricky Grimsley [11/12/2015 10:14 AM]
I do not believe so. I believe he went to abraham’s bosom and set those captives free ” and preached to the spirits in prison” but i dont believe he experienced burning or a separation like the spirit leaving him.
Jon Sellers [11/12/2015 10:35 AM]
He said, “Father into your hands I commit my spirit.” That would indicate life not spiritual death. The word of faith movement has grossly misunderstood this and turned it into a grievous heresy. Copeland’s teaching about Jesus being tortured by Satan in hell is just absolutely ridiculous.
This kind of heresy reveals a serious misunderstanding about the nature of the Trinity and the nature of the incarnation and the eternal life giving God who is Jesus Christ.
Jon Sellers [11/12/2015 10:36 AM]
An excellent book on this is, “Forsaken” by Thomas McCall.
Timothy Carter [11/12/2015 11:09 AM]
We need to understand that Jesus fully paid the penalty for our sins through his death on the cross. When Jesus died he said, “It is finished” (John 19:31). “It,” in this case, was the work of redemption, which was fully completed by Christ’s death on the cross. He did not have to suffer in hell for eternity—or even for three days—in order to add to what he had already accomplished on the cross. The basis of his payment for our sins is found in the value of his sinless and sacrificial life. As the Lamb of God, Jesus alone is “worthy” to pay for our personal sins and for the sins of the whole world (Revelation 5:1-9, 1 John 2:1,2).
Next we need to understand that the Bible does not teach that death in hell for eternity is like a prison sentence for a crime. What could one ever do to pay for or make restitution for a sin? Further, no one will find themselves in hell for reasons they do not understand. The reason will be well known and grievous to them on the day of judgement. They will all know that they had rejected whatever light God gave in order to restore a right relationship with Him (Psalm 19:1-4; Acts 14:16,17; Acts 17:23-31; John 3:16-20). Such true guiding light comes only from “God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3,4 NIV).
Therefore, Jesus’ payment must not be seen as equal to our own penalty, or even that of all mankind. The penalty due for our sin was not placed on a balance scale with the death of Christ on the other side. What we must realize is that the sinless life of Jesus Christ was of infinite worth, while the eternal suffering of the unbeliever is nothing but the natural consequence of refusal to receive the free gift of eternal life in Jesus Christ. In the end, only the Christian can begin to understand the value of this gift and will exclaim, “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15 )
Timothy Carter [11/12/2015 11:13 AM]
Brother Biblica, Just before Jesus died He said to the thief on the cross, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43 NIV). Now, the English translation of the Apostles Creed says, “he descended into hell” (2). And according to the scriptures, “he also descended to the lower, earthly regions” (Ephesians 4:9 NIV). So, where did Jesus go after His death?
Ricky Grimsley [11/12/2015 11:22 AM]
Abrahams bosom to preach to the spirits in prison. 1 Peter 3:18-20 KJVS
[18] For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: [19] By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; [20] Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
Timothy Carter [11/12/2015 1:21 PM]
Jesus suffered separation from his Father while on the cross?
No no no!!!
No one has brought up this issue yet but I want to make it perfectly clear before someone brings up this TBN LIE.
Christ and the Father have never been separated.
If this is a point of controversy then it would be an interesting post for a new discussion.
Many believe that is the symbolic meaning behind the 3-hour darkness while Jesus suffered on the cross (Mark 15:34).
Whatever meaning we may draw out of these events, Jesus did cry, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34 NIV). But once again, with Jesus’ last breath He said, “It is finished.” Jesus did not pay for our sins in Hell.
Jesus has never been to Hell.
He paid for our sins with His sinless life on the cross and therefore no other payment was required.
Jesus did not go to Hell to pay for our sins; He went to the place of the imprisoned souls “to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners” (Isaiah 61:1 NIV; see Ephesians 4:8) and make “proclamation to the spirits now in prison” (1 Peter 3:18-20 NASB). Today, believers give thanks for the wonderful truth that the death of Jesus has freed us from our bondage to sin and spiritual darkness. But Jesus also proclaimed freedom for the believers that had been protected in Abraham’s Bosom and His victory over death to the unbelievers and fallen angels that are still imprisoned in this cosmic prison. The believers He took to heaven (Ephesians 4:8)(4), the unbelievers and demons will, one day, be cast with Hades into the eternal flame called the “lake of fire” (Revelation 20:13,14). Though God has “prepared a place” in Heaven for believers (John 14:2,3), He also prepared an “eternal fire” for the Devil and his demons (Matthew 25:41), and if we refuse the gift of eternal life with God, we have chosen eternal death with Satan. This is what the Bible describes as eternal separation from the saving presence of God in Hell.
Our breath that God breathes into us lives forever. This body dies but we live forever. We must choose do we want to share our life with Satan in death or do we want to share our life with God in life.
Timothy Carter [11/12/2015 1:22 PM]
David Lewayne Porter
John Conger [11/12/2015 2:26 PM]
Actually Paul said if Christ had not risen we’d still be dead in our sins. Also I personally believe but can’t prove with scripture that he had to ascend and offer his blood in the actually holy of holies (told her not to touch him because he had not yet ascended) but laterAllowed himself to be touched. And I also reject the torutred by Satan stuff
John Conger [11/12/2015 2:34 PM]
Timothy this I believe is where i ppart with oneness. If you follow it to its logical conclusion then you have to believe Jesus and and God seperated. I recently sat down with a oneness family and they reitterated their belief that on the cross God left him. I pointed out that if that’s true then it means man was able to reconcile himself to God. (with Gods help of course) and it also means that they now worship Jesus who they believe is only a man. Big problems
David Lewayne Porter [11/12/2015 2:42 PM]
This topic has been covered in awesome fashion (but just to clear my thoughts) He did not go to hell.
He joined the Old Testament saints for 3 days in Paradise/Abraham’s bosom for the purpose (like the Emmaus road) where He Preached to them and explained the scriptures they believed to show them He was The One that they were looking for. He was basically telling them “Guys I am here, I Am The One you have been waiting for”, and here is the proof. He was not suffering, nor was he tormented, He also was not preaching Salvation to the Old Testament people that died in a wicked state. He was simply declaring who he was and what He accomplished to those that died in the faith – Hebrews 11:40 they without us could not be made perfect, and Heb 12:1 they are witnesses to cheer us on (home). Then he arose and took captivity captive. He took them to the Father with him, for we are also told that now in the New Testament for the believer to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord 2 Cor 5:8.
John Kissinger [11/12/2015 3:27 PM]
Wouldn’t spiritual death for Jesus mean death of the Spirit of God?
Ricky Grimsley [11/12/2015 3:33 PM]
I dont know that any spirit can die. Ecclesiastes 12:7 KJVS
[7] Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
John Kissinger [11/12/2015 3:33 PM]
“He [Jesus] tasted spiritual death for every man. And His spirit and inner man went to hell in my place. Can’t you see that? Physical death wouldn’t remove your sins. He’s tasted death for every man. He’s talking about tasting spiritual death.” (Kenneth Hagin, “How Jesus Obtained His Name,” tape #44H01, side 1. Kenneth Hagin Ministries).
John Conger [11/12/2015 4:23 PM]
Why wouldn’t physical death be enough? Isn’t the shedding of blood what was needed?
John Kissinger [11/12/2015 4:52 PM]
“When Jesus cried, ‘it is finished’ He was not speaking of the plan of redemption. There were still three days and nights to go through before He went to the throne. . . . Jesus’ death on the cross was only the beginning of the complete work of redemption.” (Kenneth Copeland, “Jesus–Our Lord of Glory,” Believer’s Voice of Victory 10, 4 (April 1982).
Ricky Grimsley [11/12/2015 5:07 PM]
Just because kenneth copeland says it doesnt make it so. He also says the pope is my leader and we should all submit to his leadership but then again thats what you would expect from someone trying to form a one world religion.
John Conger [11/12/2015 5:33 PM]
If Jesus had to pay every aspect of what we would pay wouldn’t that mean he would stay in hell and then the lake of fire for eternity? That is of course of the suffering of the dammed is eternal and not just the end of existence ?
John Kissinger [11/12/2015 5:50 PM]
Jan Crouch, wife of TBN’s Paul Crouch, approvingly recited the following from Paul Billheimer’s book, “Destined for the Throne,”:
“Because he was ‘made sin, impregnated with sin, and became the very essence of sin, on the cross He was banished brom God’s presence as a loathsome thing. He and sin were made synonymous. . . .[I]t was not sufficient for Christ to offer up only His physical life on the cross. His pure human spirit had to ‘decend’ into hell. . . . His spirit must not only descent into hell, but into the lowest hell. . . .The Father turned Him over, not only to the agony and death of Calvary, but to the satanic torturers of His pure spirit as part of the just dessert of the sin of all the race. As long as Christ was ‘the essence of sin’ he was at Satan’s mercy in that place of torment. . . . While Christ identified with sin, Satan and the hosts of hell ruled over Him as over any lost sinner. During that seemingly endless age in the nether abyss of death, Satan did with Him as he would, and all hell was ‘in carnival.’ ”
(Paul E. Billheimer, “Destined for the Throne”, pub. 1988, pg 83-84, program aired 20 August 1987)
David Lewayne Porter [11/12/2015 7:20 PM]
Take their materials and see if they can reference scriptures. They are making statements that ca n’t be supported with Bible. His “torture and being turned over” was the surging post where most people died, and the cross that drove the majority of the rest insane because it was designed for an excruciating death. Add the fact that He was tempted in the wilderness (Matt and Luke ch 4), and the prayer time on the garden when He sweated as great drops of blood. Not to mention the rest of His life and His personal trials. As far as His Spirit, we are told that He was in all points tempted and YET WITHOUT SIN. He had no personal need for cleansing. Look at what He told John at his Baptism (Matt and John 3) suffer it to be so so that they might fulfill all righteousness, not become righteous but fulfill all righteousness.
Jesus was the Son of Man – His flesh and humanity, and the Son of God His Spirit. Notice His Spirit was the Spirit of God – remember how often the religious leaders wanted Him dead because He “made Himself equal with God”. Did God ever get tortured in hell?
We are told He humbled Himself, took on the FORM of a Servant, as was obedient even up to and including the death of the Cross, (His obedience was to go to and finish laying His life down on the cross – not death any other way – which is why they could not kill Him early).
Jesus talked about the things He had to suffer According To The Scriptures as He talked with His followers. That included 3 days in the heart of the earth as the sign of Jonah.
I do not see one scripture that says Jesus, The Christ, the Messiah had to go to hell and be tortured – tormented – (as implied) cleansed and purified?
If that was the case the veil would not have rent in two the moment Christ finished His duty upon the Cross at the end if the shedding of His blood as He (with a loud cry) released His Spirit Heaven – ward back to the Father (His Spirit was in Heaven with God the Father. His Body was in the Grave, His Soul was in Paradise / Abraham’s bosom with the righteous dead saints, and the thief from the cross (Remember Lazarus and the rich man – Lazarus was in comfort Luke 16 (righteous dead) the rich man was in torments and flames (dead sinners/wicked).
I could go on but I will stop.
Pastor
David Lewayne Porter
Dunn NC
John Kissinger [11/12/2015 7:40 PM]
Great discussion. #oneness peeps are looking for a cover 🙂
Charles Page [11/12/2015 7:48 PM]
Jesus ‘experienced’ spiritual death on the cross he descended to hell to visit the perished spirits of the elect children of God that drown in the flood.
Charles Page [11/12/2015 7:48 PM]
he announced the good news of his atonement.
Timothy Carter [11/12/2015 9:00 PM]
The elect are those who have repented not those who are predestined. The predestined is the plan of salvation. Those people before the flood we’re not predestined to drown. God did not desire for those people to drown God is not evil. It was the plan of God for everyone to get on bored with Noah.
Russell A. Morris [11/12/2015 10:07 PM]
The JDS position is theologically inadequate, setting forth a view of redemption that has no support in the text of scripture. This Word of Faith teaching purports that on the cross Jesus became a sinner, went to hell, was buffeted by Satan/demons, and as a sinner had to be “born again.” In so doing redemption for humankind was completed. Scripture, however, emphatically and in numerous places, states that redemption occurred “at the cross.” Jesus bore the sin of humankind, he did not become a sinner and need to be “born again.” The JDS position is a distorted and faulty view of redemption.
