Therefore it was against them that Paul, at contrary, preached a crucified Christ.
So I wonder how can a crucifixion-that-was-not-a-crucifixion be conceived in celestial terms, i.e. as one happened in outer space.
The answer may be that, as later according to Valentinians, the celestial "crucifixion" in outer space was the mere crossing of a celestial Limit.
The animal and carnal Christ, however, does suffer after the fashion of the superior Christ, who, for the purpose of producing Achamoth, had been stretched upon the cross, that is, Horos, in a substantial though not a cognizable form. In this manner do they reduce all things to mere images — Christians themselves being indeed nothing but imaginary beings!
http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0314.htm
But, in truth, the passion of Christ was neither similar to the passion of the Æon, nor did it take place in similar circumstances [i.e. in OUTER SPACE].
https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0103220.htm
So Paul would have insisted that it was not a mere celestial crossing, it was a real crucifixion in outer space.
In both the cases, not a historical crucifixion.