1 Peter 1:18-19 — Is our redemption based on Christ suffering in hell?

This is 2 of 33 Word of Faith responses from “Correcting the Cults – Expert responses to their scripture twisting” By Norman Geisler and Ron Rhodes. Bookmark the site and come back for this series. PART 1 IS HERE

1 Peter 1:18-19 — Is our redemption based on Christ suffering in hell, as some word of faith teachers argue, and not on His shedding of blood on the cross.

1Pe 1:18-19  Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

Misinterpretation: Word-Faith teaches say that Christ shed blood on the cross did not atone for our sins. Kenneth Copeland, for example, says “Jesus went into hell to free mankind from the penalty of Adams high treason….When his blood poured out, it did not atone…. Jesus spent three horrible days and nights in the bowels of this earth getting back for you and me our rights with God.” (personal letter from Kenneth Copeland; cited in McConnell, 1988, 120).

Correcting the misinterpretation: We were redeemed says 1 Peter 1:19 “with the precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.”,. In keeping with this, Ephesians 1:7 (nasb) states, “in Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.” Revelation 1:5 affirms that Christ has “released us from our sins by his blood“ (all nasb). Even the Old Testament pointed forward to Christ body being “pierced” (thereby shedding blood) for our iniquities (Isa. 53:5). Clearly our redemption is based on Christ shed blood. See the discussion of 2 Corinthians 5:21 for Old Testament background of blood Sacrifices.

It is highly significant that right before he died on the cross, Jesus stated, “It is finished” (Greek: tetelestai) (John 19:30). This word can also be translated “paid in full”. This was not a moan of defeat nor a sigh of patient resignation. Rather is was a triumphant recognition that Jesus had not fully accomplished what he had come into the world to do. The work of redemption was completed on the cross. Nothing further needed to be done. Jesus did not have to complete any of the redemption in hell. He paid the full price for our repletion on the cross. (2 Cor. 5:21).

For Scriptural arguments Refuting the idea that Jesus went to hell, See the discussion of Ephesians 4:9.

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