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A Christian Discipleship, Apologetics and Evangelism Ministry
Kenneth Copeland’s False Teachings and False Gospel
Examining and Exposing Kenneth Copeland False Gospel
Kenneth Copeland is a popular faith movement teacher. Many say do not attack Kenneth Copeland. I wish to say that I am not attacking at all, but I am sharing information that is needed for the body of Christ to know concerning what Kenneth Copeland Ministries teaches concerning what took place at the cross and what Jesus went through for atonement. I ask all those who read this to be open enough to look at this carefully and decide for yourself whether or not Kenneth Copeland is true or false doctrines on the message of the cross and salvation.
I have emailed Kenneth Copeland Ministries many times asking for confirmation of Kenneth Copeland false teaching that Jesus had to die spiritually and go to hell to suffer punishment for sins there, and that Jesus was the first one to be born again. What I am going to share is what I was given and what I have found at Kenneth Copeland’s site, and other references which clearly show Kenneth Copeland does in fact teach these things which is very important to the body of Christ.
I received a letter from Kenneth Copeland Ministries in July 8, 2002 and was informed the following:
“Brother Copeland has made it a policy to not respond to or debate with anyone about their disagreements with him over the Word of God (Titus 3:9′ 2 Timothy 2:23-26). In most cases no one changes their beliefs and an even greater division is created in the Body of Christ. Strife and division in His Body do not please the Lord (Proverbs 6:12-19; Romans 16:17; 1 Corinthians 3:3-9; James 3:16-18).” Now I understand that talking to certain people it can be useless at times, but it depends upon the person. Anyone can say what was said here about not responding or debating over the Word of God if one disagrees with them, but that truly is stating if one disagrees with them they do not need to defend or prove what they believe. I could say Jesus was not the Son of God and give why I believe, and then someone says to me why do you believe that? If I said, “I make it my policy not to debate over these things because it is displeasing to God and causes division.” Doesn’t that sound silly? Kenneth Copeland knows full well that there are those who are examining his ministry and are letting others know what is wrong with his teachings, and he says it is not him who is teaching these things, it is the Bible.
Examining and Exposing Kenneth Copeland’s False Gospel
Quote: “I’ve had ugly books written about me because I said that Jesus died spiritually, but the fact is, I didn’t say that the Bible said it. Jesus became our substitute. If he hadn’t died spiritually, then we could never have been made alive spiritually. But He did! On the cross, Jesus was separated from the glory of God. He allowed Himself to be made sin for us, and He became obedient to death. He went into the pit of hell and suffered there as though He was the One Who had committed the sin.” (The Power of His Resurrection by Kenneth Copeland/ http://kcm.org/studycenter/articles/seasonal/power_of_resurrection.php)
Kenneth Copeland at his site acknowledges that Jesus died spiritually and went to hell to suffer as a sinner and more references coming will confirm that. The following is another letter that I received after receiving a letter from Kenneth Copeland Ministries in July 8, 2002. This letter was dated August 1, 2002 concerning the questions I asked about.
Quote: “The place designated as hell is Sheol or Hades. Before Jesus died and arose, hell was the abode of the spirits of men after death. It was divided into two compartments, which were separated by a great gulf-one, which housed the souls of the righteous and the other, the unrighteous. In Jesus’ reference to Lazarus and the rich man, hell was a place of torment for the unrighteous, while the righteous obtained comfort at Abraham’s bosom. While Jesus’ body lay in the sepulcher or grave, His spirit was delivered to hell. He went not just into the comfort zone, but into the depth to be punished for Adam’s treason and our sin.” (An Email from Kenneth Copeland Ministries Staff in response to my asking did Jesus go to hell and why did He go there, August 1, 2002)
I would encourage anyone who wants to see why Jesus was not separated from the Father on the cross please go to “Was Jesus Separated From The Father On The Cross?” . The following quotes expose the false teachings of Kenneth Copeland Ministries.
Examining and Exposing Kenneth Copeland False Gospel
Quote: “Now here’s the part I want you to get. When He said, “It is finished,” on that cross he was not speaking of the plan of redemption — the plan of redemption had just begun. There were still three days and three nights to be gone through before He went to the throne.” (Kenneth Copeland, What Happened From the Cross to the Throne, Kenneth Copeland Ministries, side two tape)
Quote: “See, you have to realize that He [Jesus] died; you have to realize that He went into the pit of hell as a mortal man made sin. But He didn’t stay there, thank God. He was reborn in the pit of hell and resurrected.” (Kenneth Copeland, What Happened From the Cross to the Throne, Kenneth Copeland Ministries, side two tape)
Quote: “The righteousness of God was made to be sin. He [Jesus] accepted the sin nature of Satan in His own spirit and at the moment that He did that He cried, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” You don’t know what happened at the cross. Why do you think Moses, obeying the instruction of God, hung the serpent up on the pole instead of a lamb? That used to bug me. I said, “Why in the world would you want to put a snake up there — the sign of Satan? Why didn’t you put a lamb on that pole.” And the Lord said, “Because, it was the sign of Satan that was hanging on the cross.” He said, “I accepted in my own spirit spiritual death and the light was turned off.” (Kenneth Copeland, What Happened From the Cross to the Throne, Kenneth Copeland Ministries, side two tape)
This truly is blasphemous on teaching Jesus became the nature of Satan, and that Jesus had to go to hell to pay the price for sin, that Jesus had to become spiritually dead, to taste spiritual death, and that is was not finished through His death and shed blood. Below are what the Scriptures clearly teach on what brought atonement and what the true Gospel message is.
Scriptures Exposing Kenneth Copeland False Gospel
THE SCRIPTURES TEACH JESUS’ BLOOD ATONES
“8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life” (Romans 5:8-10)
“18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)
“7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.” (Ephesians 1:7)
“19 For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. 21 And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, 22 yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach.” (Colossians 1:19-22)
“18 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.” (1 Peter 1:18-19)
“7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)
“14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. 16 For where a covenant is, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it. 17 For a covenant is valid only when men are dead, for it is never in force while the one who made it lives. “18 Therefore even the first covenant was not inaugurated without blood.” (Hebrews 9:14-18)
“10 By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; 12 but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD” (Hebrews 10:10-12)
Concluding here it is clear that Kenneth Copeland Ministries teaches false doctrines contrary to what the Word of God teaches about the Gospel message. I encourage you to read our article “Was Jesus Separated From The Father On The Cross?” (In our Faith Movement & Controversial Christian section) That article answers the false teachings that Jesus was separated, and died spiritually, tasting spiritual death or became literally sin. May you be blessed in the Lord and may you grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus.
"17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."(2 Peter 3:17-18)
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