The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Descending into Hell

In your churches when reciting the Apostles' Creed, what do you do with the phrase, 'He descended into Hell'? We put a footnote that He did not literally desdend into Hell, but one of our Elders points out that most people do not read the footnote, and we should cut that phrase out, or reword it. What say you?

NO, the phrase should remain as is. What it is saying is that He died, dead as do all humans due to the penalty of unremitted sin. So, how do you deal with the possible misunderstanding of the phrase? Easy, IMO as with all such matters... The Apostle's Creed should be preached and explained and/or the creed should be a matter taught in Sunday School(s) and bible studies. Education is part of the responsibility of the Church; the "upbuilding of the saints".

John C. if you do a site search, you will find where this has been addressed over the years both in discussions and in the confessional sections. There are a few ways of doing that. 1. is go to the main site and put in your question in as few words as possible. i.e. "descended into hell". or by clicking on the magnifying glass and opening up advanced search features.

The Heidelberg addresses it well, which you can find in the confessional forum. It says
Question 44: Why is there added, "he descended into hell"?

Answer: That in my greatest temptations, I may be assured, and wholly comfort myself in this, that my Lord Jesus Christ, by his inexpressible anguish, pains, terrors, and hellish agonies, in which he was plunged during all his sufferings, (a) but especially on the cross, has delivered me from the anguish and torments of hell. (b)

(a) Ps.18:5,6 The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.
Ps.116:3 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.
Matt.26:38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
Heb.5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
Isa.53:10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. Matt.27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

(b) Isa.53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

The exposition that follows may be of much help to you. You can find it here Christ's descent into hell

Per the best Greek texts, Jesus actually went into Hades , the grave

I don’t think he descended into hell, the lake of fire, as others have stated. I believe His body went to the grave, to be bodily resurrected three days later.

Are you saying you disagree with the Reformed confessions about this?

If so, please explain.

Can you provide Reformed Confessional statements that disagree what "SovereignGrace" wrote? The Heidelberg which Chestnutmare provided seems to agree with what was stated, i.e., Christ suffered the torments and agony which one in hell does experience but it doesn't say that Christ actually was cast into hell or the Lake of Fire. Me thinks it is akin to "Him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in him." (2Cor 5:21) Jesus was not actually and factually made to be sinFUL, i.e., an actual sinner; one who transgressed the law of God, but rather He bore the penalty AS IF HE WAS as sinner in our place. However, are you taking the position that the Son of God, the incarnate Christ, actually was cast into Hell, the place where all the reprobate existed at that time? And, that the Reformed Confessions take that view as well? Just curious......

Oops I think I misunderstood SovereignGrace. I thought it was referring to what others have said in this thread.

Sorry, my mistake.

Tom

Let’s just say I don’t believe what mainstream Christianity teaches concerning the compartment theory, that hades and heaven were separated until Christ resurrected and took them out of there. I’ll admit 1 Peter 3:18ff is a difficult passage to navigate. That reeks of some sort of purgatory theory to me.

Due to the KJV mistranslation of that term, as should have been Hades