Did Jesus go to hell and suffer during the three days he was in the grave?
The bible is VERY clear that Jesus did NOT suffer in hell.
Those claiming "Jesus suffered in hell's flames" deny the Word of God! Those who teach the blasphemous notion that, "Jesus became born again in hell" have spoken heresy. Such false teachers deny the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ upon the cross. Their belief is that the shed blood of Christ was not sufficient in paying our sin debt and further suffering was needed. Such damnable heresy has crept into many churches across the country. It is antibiblical to the core!
The Bible states that we have redemption through the blood of Jesus.
Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
The Bible is emphatically clear that Jesus went to Paradise or "Abraham's bosom" (see Luke 16:22) after He gave up the ghost. From the Scriptures, we shall see that it was His death upon the Cross that purchased our salvation.
Mat 12:40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Eph 4:9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
The following are Scriptural truths that refute any such teaching that "Jesus suffered in hell fire". Such thinking is blasphemy in light of the Scriptures.
TRULY...TODAY...
Luk 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Jesus said to the penitent thief on the cross, who was dying next to him, "TODAY, you shall be with me in paradise." So we know that Jesus went to Paradise when He gave up the ghost. He did not suffer in hell fire, as some erroneously believe.
Most teaching the "Jesus suffered in hell" heresy are those within the Word of Faith movement. Such preachers (Copeland, Kenyon, Creflo Dollar, Kenneth Hagin, etc.) have completely distorted Scripture in order to prove their erroneous teaching. Such false teaching can be easily refuted by simply reading the Bible. The Bible warns us to beware of false teachers. 2Peter 2:1-2 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
Frederick K.C. Price wrote: "Do you think that the punishment for our sin was to die on a cross? If that were the case, the two thieves could have paid our price. No, the punishment was to go into hell itself and to serve time in hell separated from God" (Frederick K. C. Price, Ever Increasing Faith Messenger, June 1990, p. 7).
NOWHERE IN SCRIPTURE WILL ONE FIND SUCH A STATEMENT! The Bible states that Jesus NEVER sinned. (1Peter 2:22) He was the spotless Lamb of God. Those two thieves were sinners. Jesus never sinned but instead suffered for our sins! 2Cor 5:21: For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
The above verse is the basis of the "born again jesus" heresy. Yet when one rightly divides the Word of Truth, the verse becomes quite clear. Yes, Mr. Price, the bible clearly states over and over again that the punishment for our sin was for Messiah to die upon the cross.
Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
1John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
1Cor 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
Col 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
IT IS FINISHED
Jesus cried with a loud voice, "It is finished." right before He gave up the ghost. The sin debt was paid in full with the precious blood of the Lamb. His blood atoned for our sin. There would be no need for Jesus to suffer in hell, seeing that His sacrifice was a perfect holy sacrifice upon the Cross.
Heb 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, Heb 10:20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; Heb 10:21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
Because of His sacrifice upon the cross, we have the forgiveness of sins. He completed the redemptive work and arose from the grave on the third day, victorious over death.
INTO THY HANDS...
Luke 23:46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
Isaiah 53:12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Notice above that it is because Jesus "poured out his soul unto death" that God highly exalts Him:
Act 5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
Psalms 89:27-28 Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth. My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him.
Revelation 5:9: And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
1Peter 1:18-19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold...But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
Phil 2:8-11 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
THE VEIL WAS RENT
Immediately after Jesus died, the veil that separated the people from the "Holy of Holies" in the Temple was rent from top to bottom. God's HOLY presence would no longer dwell behind a thick curtain but rather within the hearts of those who receive the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior. When God rent the veil -- from top to bottom, He signified that the death of Jesus was ALL-sufficient. The work that Jesus finished upon the Cross was the PERFECT sacrifice before God.
Arno C. Gaebelein wrote, "The rent veil was the first testimony from God's side that the work of sin-bearer is done, that the great work is finished and the new and living way into the Holiest is made by the blood of the Lamb of God."
Heb 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
Christ alone purchased our salvation upon the Cross-- "It is finished" means exactly what it says. Jesus meant what He said. God is not a man that He can lie.
Jesus laid down His life willingly-- He died willingly. No man took His life from Him. John 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
The price He paid upon the Cross for our salvation was forever settled. Jesus shed His blood for our sins. Hebrews 9:22 tells us that "without shedding of blood is no remission" for sins. The Blood of Jesus atoned for our sins. The blood of Christ is all-sufficient. Ephesians 2:13: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
REDEEMED BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS!
Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Throughout the Bible we find that it is ONLY through the blood of Jesus that we have the forgiveness of sins. What heresy to even suggest that the blood of Christ was not sufficient in paying our sin debt. Such teaching is absolute heresy in the light of the Scriptures.
1Co 11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
Col 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
"Today shalt thou be with me in paradise" cannot be anymore clear. "It is Finished" means just that! The veil was rent is clearly stated. We have redemption through the blood of Jesus is taught throughout the New Testament. We must believe the Bible AND ONLY the Bible!
Phil 3:18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)