Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq, Jan. 1, 2025 By AimanAbir18plus – Own work, CC BY 4.0, Wikipedia
Introduction
The teaching contained in “Door Number Twelve” from the Religion of Peace and Light, affiliated with Imam Ahmed Al-Hassan, denies the historic, physical crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. This doctrine, cloaked in Gnostic language and mystical speculation, asserts that Jesus only appeared to die on the cross and that another man—often identified as Simon of Cyrene or a “Joseph” figure—actually died in His place. Additionally, it introduces fantastical ideas of soul transfers and shape-shifting. This article will carefully examine the biblical, theological, and historical errors in this teaching, exposing its dangerous heretical roots and affirming the orthodox Christian doctrine of the crucifixion and atoning death of Jesus Christ.
1. The Reality of Jesus’ Physical Death on the Cross
The Cult’s Claim and Quote
The cult asserts:
“In this Gnostic account of the Crucifixion of Christ, we see that Jesus (PBUH) says that he did not die in reality but that it was only in appearance…”
“It was another, Simon, who bore the cross on his shoulder… It was another upon Whom they placed the crown of thorns.”
Biblical Refutation
This teaching mirrors the ancient heresy known as Docetism, which denies the true humanity and physical suffering of Christ. Docetism was condemned by the early Church Fathers, including Ignatius of Antioch and Irenaeus, for undermining the gospel’s core.
The New Testament plainly attests to the reality of Jesus’ death:
- John 19:33-34 states, “But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one soldier pierced his side with a spear, and blood and water flowed out.” The flow of blood and water is a clinical sign of death, confirming Jesus’ physical demise.
- 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 records the apostle Paul’s summary of the gospel: “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, and was raised on the third day.” The death was not a mere appearance but a real event fulfilling prophecy.
Theological Importance
If Jesus only appeared to die, then the entire doctrine of substitutionary atonement collapses. The gospel depends on Jesus’ real death as the sin-bearing sacrifice (Isaiah 53:5-6). Without a real death, there is no atonement, no justification, and no salvation (Romans 4:25). Thus, the cult’s claim is not merely mistaken but soteriologically fatal.
2. Simon of Cyrene’s Role and the Myth of Soul Transfers
The Cult’s Claim and Quote
The cult states:
“Jesus escaped and entered into Simon, and from Simon to another body, and then another, and then yet another until he escaped.”
“Simon of Cyrene, who was honored in the Bible as being the only man who carried the cross of Jesus… The soul of Joseph descended into this Egyptian man who helped Jesus carry his cross.”
Biblical and Theological Refutation
The Bible confirms that Simon of Cyrene helped carry Jesus’ cross (Mark 15:21) but nowhere suggests Simon was crucified or died instead of Jesus. Carrying the cross was a forced act of mercy or necessity, not substitution.
The idea that Jesus’ soul “jumped” between bodies is Gnostic speculation with no biblical support. Scripture teaches the hypostatic union — Jesus is fully God and fully man in one person. He did not abandon His body but suffered and died on the cross (Hebrews 9:14; 10:10).
This doctrine distorts the incarnation and substitutionary atonement by positing a multiplicity of “bodily” incarnations or soul transfers, which the Bible does not teach. It promotes a dualistic worldview alien to orthodox Christianity.
3. Reliance on Gnostic Texts and Heretical Sources
The Cult’s Claim and Quote
The cult draws upon rejected texts such as The Second Treatise of the Great Seth:
“Jesus (PBUH) says: ‘I did not die in reality but in appearance…’”
Refutation of Source Authority
The Gnostic gospels and writings cited were rejected by the early Church for their doctrinal errors, including denial of Jesus’ real humanity, His physical death, and resurrection.
Church Fathers such as Irenaeus (Against Heresies) and Tertullian strongly opposed these texts and teachings. These writings stem from Gnostic dualism that views matter as evil and thus denies Christ’s true incarnation.
Using these non-canonical and heretical texts as authoritative sources to reinterpret the crucifixion is an attempt to confuse believers and undermine biblical truth. Scripture alone is the final authority (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
4. The False Doctrine of a Joseph Substitute on the Cross
The Cult’s Claim and Quote
They claim:
“The soul of Joseph descended into this Egyptian man who helped Jesus carry his cross… The body of Jesus was crucified with the soul of Joseph in him.”
Biblical Refutation
No biblical or historical record supports the idea of a “Joseph” who took Jesus’ place on the cross. This notion is foreign to orthodox Christian theology and echoes Islamic views that Jesus was not crucified but saved by God.
The Bible teaches that Jesus alone is the sinless mediator and perfect sacrifice (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 10:10). Substituting another figure contradicts the uniqueness of Christ’s atoning work and confuses the gospel with human inventions.
5. Misinterpretation of Mary Magdalene’s Encounter After Resurrection
The Cult’s Claim and Quote
“Mary Magdalene saw him for the first time, she thought he was simply a gardener… and she asked him to point her towards the body that was there.”
Biblical Clarification
The Gospel of John (20:14-17) explains Mary’s failure to recognize the resurrected Jesus as resulting from grief and divine mystery, not because Jesus was shape-shifting or possessing different bodies.
Mary’s experience affirms a bodily resurrection, not an apparition or soul transfer. Jesus was physically present, yet not initially recognized due to her emotional state.
This passage cannot be twisted to support claims of form-changing or multiple incarnations.
6. The Absurdity of Shape-Shifting Claims
The Cult’s Claim and Quote
“I was altering my shapes, changing from form to form… when I was at their gates, I assumed their likeness… I passed them by quietly…”
Biblical Refutation
There is no biblical support for Jesus changing shapes or forms. The New Testament repeatedly confirms Jesus’ visible, bodily presence during His earthly ministry and post-resurrection appearances (Acts 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:5-8).
Claims of shape-shifting are Gnostic fantasies that deny the incarnation’s reality and promote mystical speculation contrary to Scripture.
7. False Comparison with Martyrdom of a Disciple
The Cult’s Claim and Quote
“The look-alike was one of the disciples of Jesus, he is a martyr who sacrificed himself for Jesus the son of Mary (PBUH), just as Al-Hussein sacrificed himself for the Qaim.”
Biblical Refutation
Christian doctrine centers on one unique sacrifice: Christ’s death for sin (Hebrews 7:27). No disciple substituted for Jesus, nor could any human martyr’s death replace the Savior’s work.
Drawing parallels with non-Christian figures like Al-Hussein is irrelevant and confuses the Christian gospel. The cross of Christ is sufficient and final.
8. Misuse of the Transfiguration Event
The Cult’s Claim and Quote
“Jesus… was accompanied by almost all of the major Prophets and Messengers in his time… One of those Prophets was Prophet Joseph… And Joseph ransomed himself for Jesus and was crucified in his place.”
Biblical Refutation
The Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-3) reveals Moses and Elijah appearing with Jesus in a glorified vision to Peter, James, and John. This event affirms Jesus’ divine glory but does not imply soul swapping or bodily substitution on the cross.
No Scripture suggests Joseph or any other prophet took Jesus’ place on Calvary.
9. The False Appeal to Imam Ahmed Al-Hassan’s Authority
The Cult’s Claim and Quote
Imam Ahmed Al-Hassan endorses these ideas:
“Yes my son, that is what happened without a shadow of a doubt.”
“Great job my son, great job.”
Theological Refutation
The Bible alone is the supreme authority in all matters of faith (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Appeals to any human leader, especially one promoting heresy, are idolatrous and dangerous.
Christians are commanded to test all teachings by Scripture (Acts 17:11) and reject false teachers (2 Peter 2:1).
Summary Table of Errors
| Cult Claim | Biblical Truth | Why the Claim is False/Dangerous |
|---|---|---|
| Jesus did not really die but only appeared to die | Jesus truly died physically (John 19, 1 Cor 15) | Undermines substitutionary atonement and resurrection |
| Simon of Cyrene was crucified instead of Jesus | Simon helped carry the cross but was not crucified (Mark 15:21) | Denies the unique sacrifice of Christ |
| Jesus’ soul jumped between bodies to escape death | Jesus was incarnate God who suffered and died once for all (Hebrews 10) | Promotes unbiblical soul/body dualism and docetism |
| Use of Gnostic texts to explain crucifixion | Gnostic gospels are heretical and non-canonical | Leads believers away from the true gospel |
| Joseph substituted and was crucified for Jesus | No biblical support; Jesus alone is sinless sacrifice | Contradicts uniqueness of Christ’s work |
| Shape-shifting and bodily form changes | Jesus’ resurrection body was real and physical (Luke 24, John 20) | Absurd and unbiblical mystical claims |
| Martyr disciple substituted for Jesus | Christ’s one sacrifice is sufficient (Hebrews 10:12) | Confuses salvation with human martyrdom |
| Transfiguration shows soul swapping | Transfiguration confirms Jesus’ glory, not substitution | Misinterpretation of biblical vision |
| Imam Ahmed Al-Hassan’s authority | Scripture alone is authority | Promotes false teaching and idolatry |
Conclusion
The teaching presented in “Door Number Twelve” of the Religion of Peace and Light regarding Jesus’ crucifixion is a dangerous heresy that denies the core Christian truths of the incarnation, substitutionary atonement, physical death, and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. It borrows from ancient Gnostic heresies, Islamic denial of the crucifixion, and unbiblical mystical speculations.
Orthodox Christianity affirms the historical reality and theological necessity of Jesus’ physical death on the cross for the forgiveness of sins and salvation of sinners. To deny this is to reject the gospel and place souls in eternal peril.
Believers are urged to reject such false teachings and remain faithful to the inspired, inerrant Scriptures as the sole authority on the person and work of Jesus Christ.