Do you believe that Jesus died on the cross to save mankind, as the Bible says? Some people say he did not actually die on the cross. Others teach that his death on the cross was inadequate for the atonement of man’s sins.
What the Bible Apostles and Early Church Fathers say about the atonement of the cross and those who deny that Jesus died on the cross.
Eyewitness disciples of Jesus taught that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came in the flesh and died as an atonement for the sins of mankind (1 John 4:10; 5:5-6; 2 Peter 2:1). The disciple John, supported by other disciples, warned that many deceivers, who do not acknowledge that Jesus Christ came in the flesh and and died for man’s sin, have gone out into the world—Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist (2 John:7).
Early Church Fathers, like Ignatius,Tertullian and Iraenaeus, believed and taught that the death of Jesus on the cross atoned for the sins of mankind. They opposed those who were antichrist, and also called them gnostics.The Church Fathers said that in the antichrist gnostics’ attempt to circumvent the atoning blood of Jesus Christ,they went as far as saying Jesus did not actually die in the flesh on the cross. Antichrist gnostics said that what appeared to be Jesus on the cross was really a phantom
The Bible rejects claims that Jesus’ death on the cross was inadequate for the salvation of mankind.
There are many Christian teachers who deny the adequacy of the cross of Jesus Christ. Matt Slick, President and Founder of Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry tells us there are many Christian preachers today who deny the sufficiency of the cross of Jesus Christ. In an article, Did Jesus Die Spiritual?, he shows us what some of today’s popular Christian teachers have said about the atonement of Jesus Christ.
Joyce Meyer:
“Jesus paid for our sins on the cross and went to hell in our place.”
“Jesus went to hell because that is where we deserved to go…There is no hope of anyone going to heaven unless they believe this truth.”
“He went to hell in our place and gained victory there, triumphing over the enemy.”
Kenneth Copland:
“Not only did Jesus go to hell, He sank to the deepest, darkest part of it to suffer everything that was necessary on our behalf.”
“Had he not gone to hell, we would have to go.”
“Jesus went to hell to free makind from the penalty of Adam’s treason…when his blood poured out it did not atone.”
Frederick K. Price:
“Do you think that the punishment for our sins was to die on the cross?…No, the punishment was to go into hell itself and to serve time in hell separated from God.”
Kenneth Hagin:
“He tasted spiritual death for every man.He died on th Cross and took our place in spiritual death. His spirit, His inner man, went to hell in our place.”
These claims, like the earlier antichrist denial of Jesus’ death on the cross, disavow the efficacy of the atoning blood of Jesus on cross for the sins of mankind. All these disavowing doctrines are antichist in nature. They are false teachings. They are rejected by the Bible. All are contrary to the written Word of God, as seen in the Bible (1 John 4:10; 5:5-6; 2 Peter 2:1).
The Bible says a great deal more to affirm the efficacy of the atoning blood of Jesus Christ.
- He was peirced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed (Isaiah 53:5).
- Jesus partook of “flesh and blood” that he might destroy the power of the devil (Hebrews 2:14).
- Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin (Hebrews 9:22).
- In offering the cup of wine that represented his blood, Jesus said “this is my blood, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” He said this before going to the cross to die for man’s sins. (Matthew 26:27-28).
- While being crucified, Jesus told a dying criminal, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).
- Having shed his blood on the cross for the salvation of man and at the point of death, Jesus said “it is finished” (John 19:30).
- Having finished God’s plan of salvation, Jesus cried out, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46).
- At the moment Jesus died on the cross, the curtain in the temple in Jerusalem, representing separation between God and man, was torn from top to bottom (Matthew 27:50-51).
- Because of the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross we are able to “enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus” (Hebrews 10:19).
Based on what the Holy Bible says, we should believe and teach the gospel of the saving blood of the crucified Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 2:2)
The Holy Bible teaches that it is necessary for people to believe in Jesus Christ and his atoning death, to be save from their sins and go to heaven (John 3:16). We should be aware that the devil has sent many deceivers out into the world who deny the atonement of the blood of Jesus Christ.
Most importantly, we ought to know we have been empowered by with the Word of God and the same Holy Spirit the Lord gave his Apostles, to teach the true atoning gospel of Jesus Christ crucified.
http://jesusliftedup.com/2017/06/02/battling-early-antichrist-gnostics/
http://jesusliftedup.com/2017/06/02/antichrist-fight-continues/
