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QUESTION 21
Is it right to say that God died on the cross for us and if so how could God die?

ANSWER:
The phrase "God died for us" is not scriptural and should not be used. The title "God" refers to the Triune God, in the Persons of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They did not all die for our sins. However it would be right to say that the "Son of God died for us" Galatians 2:20, "the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me."

In Acts 20:28 it speaks of "the blood of God as having redeemed His own. Now to understand how the Son of God could die we must first understand that God was incarnate in human flesh. John 1:14, "The word was made flesh and dwelt among us." Reincarnation would mean that He lived and died and came back in as another person. This is not true of Him or anyone else. He pre-existed as the Son of God and as such was clotheth with humanity. To understand further how the Son of God could die we must understand death. This is spoken of in a threefold way in the Bible.

Since man is body-soul and spirit there are three kinds of deaths. Death is always "separation" Spiritual death is separation from God. We are all dead to begin with. Ephesians 2:1. Physical death is the separation of the spirit and soul from the body. Second death (Revelation 20:14) is when both body and soul is separated from God forever in hell. Matthew 10:28. When the Son of God died for us it simply means that His Deity and Humanity left His body for three days. It does not mean His Deity or humanity ceased to exist, but that it was not in His physical house. He died for you.

Have you accepted His death as your only salvation? There is no other way. John 14:6.

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

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Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen