Jesus Died Spiritually (JDS)
The heresy that Jesus died spiritually, went to hell, and was tortured by Satan
What Is It?
The JDS (Jesus Died Spiritually) doctrine teaches that Jesus' physical death on the cross was insufficient for atonement. Instead, Jesus supposedly died spiritually, went to hell as a lost sinner, was tortured by Satan and demons for three days, and then was 'born again' in hell before His resurrection. This heresy denies Christ's finished work on the cross ('It is finished' — John 19:30), His deity (claiming He became sinful and lost His divine nature), and the sufficiency of His blood sacrifice. It is one of the most dangerous heresies of the Word of Faith movement.
Key Errors
- Claims Jesus died spiritually, not just physically
- Teaches Jesus went to hell as a lost sinner
- Claims Satan and demons tortured Jesus in hell
- Teaches Jesus was 'born again' in hell
- Denies the finished work of the cross
Scripture Refutation
John 19:30
“When he had received the drink, Jesus said, 'It is finished.' With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”
Jesus declared the work of atonement FINISHED on the cross, not incomplete until a hell experience.
Luke 23:43
“Jesus answered him, 'Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.'”
Jesus went to paradise that day, not to hell to be tortured by Satan.
Luke 23:46
“Jesus called out with a loud voice, 'Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.'”
Jesus committed His spirit to the Father, not to Satan in hell.
Hebrews 9:12
“He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.”
Redemption was obtained through His BLOOD, not through suffering in hell.
Colossians 2:14-15
“Having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness... he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”
Christ TRIUMPHED over Satan at the cross, not the other way around.
Historical Context
The JDS doctrine was popularized by Kenneth Hagin and spread through the Word of Faith movement. Key teachers include Kenneth Copeland, Joyce Meyer (who taught it in 'The Most Important Decision You'll Ever Make'), and Frederick K.C. Price. This teaching originated from E.W. Kenyon's misunderstanding of Christ's descent (1 Peter 3:19) and spiritual death concepts.
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