Did Jesus decend into hell?

[Guest]

I've been asked a question by someone and i want to be clear before i answer. I am hazy on this point and currently of course have no housegroup to discuss with. 

I know in our Apostles Creed in my Anglican church we mention this but - is there Biblical evidence that Jesus actually descended into hell? 

[Who me]

1 hour ago, Melinda12 said:

I've been asked a question by someone and i want to be clear before i answer. I am hazy on this point and currently of course have no housegroup to discuss with. 

I know in our Apostles Creed in my Anglican church we mention this but - is there Biblical evidence that Jesus actually descended into hell? 

This is a subject I know little about, so may I suggest that you search the gospel coalition for ,' is it ok to confess that Jesus descended into hell'.

I've tried to read it quickly as I need to reread it.

What I do understand from it is that Jesus did not suffer hell fire or hell's torment on the cross, and that there was no second chance for the dead.

 

What he did experience is death and burial. That his spirit was separated from his body and went some where.

This is what I need to reread. The article talks about a separet heaven for the OT saints which is where Jesus went, I think to take them to heaven proper.

Have a read and post what you think.

[missmuffet]

2 hours ago, Melinda12 said:

I've been asked a question by someone and i want to be clear before i answer. I am hazy on this point and currently of course have no housegroup to discuss with. 

I know in our Apostles Creed in my Anglican church we mention this but - is there Biblical evidence that Jesus actually descended into hell? 

Question: "Did Jesus go to hell between His death and resurrection?"

Answer: There is a great deal of confusion in regards to this question. The concept that Jesus went to hell after His death on the cross comes primarily from the Apostles’ Creed, which states, “He descended into hell.” There are also a few Scriptures which, depending on how they are translated, describe Jesus going to “hell.” In studying this issue, it is important to first understand what the Bible teaches about the realm of the dead.
In the Hebrew Scriptures, the word used to describe the realm of the dead is sheol. It simply means “the place of the dead” or “the place of departed souls/spirits.” The New Testament Greek equivalent of sheol is hades, which also refers to “the place of the dead.” Other Scriptures in the New Testament indicate that sheol/hades is a temporary place, where souls are kept as they await the final resurrection and judgment. Revelation 20:11–15 gives a clear distinction between hades and the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the permanent and final place of judgment for the lost. Hades, then, is a temporary place. Many people refer to both hades and the lake of fire as “hell,” and this causes confusion. Jesus did not go to a place of torment after His death, but He did go to hades.

Sheol/hades was a realm with two divisions—a place of blessing and a place of judgment (Matthew 11:23; 16:18; Luke 10:15; 16:23; Acts 2:27–31). The abodes of the saved and the lost are both generally called “hades” in the Bible. The abode of the saved is also called “Abraham’s bosom” (KJV) or “Abraham’s side” (NIV) in Luke 16:22 and “paradise” in Luke 23:43. The abode of the unsaved is called “hell” (KJV) or “Hades” (NIV) in Luke 16:23. The abodes of the saved and the lost are separated by a “great chasm” (Luke 16:26). When Jesus died, He went to the blessed side of sheol and, from there, took the believers with Him to heaven (Ephesians 4:8–10). The judgment side of sheol/hades has remained unchanged. All unbelieving dead go there awaiting their final judgment in the future. Did Jesus go to sheol/hades? Yes, according to Ephesians 4:8–10 and 1 Peter 3:18–20.

Some of the confusion has arisen from such passages as Psalm 16:10–11 as translated in the King James Version: “For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. . . . Thou wilt show me the path of life.” “Hell” is not a correct translation in this verse. A correct reading would be “the grave” or “sheol.” Jesus said to the thief beside Him, “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43); He did not say, “I will see you in hell.” Jesus’ body was in the tomb; His soul/spirit went to be with the blessed in sheol/hades. Unfortunately, in many versions of the Bible, translators are not consistent, or correct, in how they translate the Hebrew and Greek words for “sheol,” “hades,” and “hell.”

Some have the viewpoint that Jesus went to “hell” or the suffering side of sheol/hades in order to further be punished for our sins. This idea is completely unbiblical. It was the death of Jesus on the cross that sufficiently provided for our redemption. It was His shed blood that effected our own cleansing from sin (1 John 1:7–9). As He hung there on the cross, He took the sin burden of the whole human race upon Himself. He became sin for us: “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). This imputation of sin helps us understand Christ’s struggle in the garden of Gethsemane with the cup of sin which would be poured out upon Him on the cross.

As Jesus neared death, He said, “It is finished” (John 19:30). His suffering in our place was completed. His soul/spirit went to hades (the place of the dead). Jesus did not go to “hell” or the suffering side of hades; He went to “Abraham’s side” or the blessed side of hades. Jesus’ suffering ended the moment He died. The payment for sin was paid. He then awaited the resurrection of His body and His return to glory in His ascension. Did Jesus go to hell? No. Did Jesus go to sheol/hades? Yes.

https://www.gotquestions.org/did-Jesus-go-to-hell.html

 

Edited June 8, 2020 by missmuffet

[Guest]

1 hour ago, Who me said:

This is a subject I know little about, so may I suggest that you search the gospel coalition for ,' is it ok to confess that Jesus descended into hell'.

I've tried to read it quickly as I need to reread it.

What I do understand from it is that Jesus did not suffer hell fire or hell's torment on the cross, and that there was no second chance for the dead.

 

What he did experience is death and burial. That his spirit was separated from his body and went some where.

This is what I need to reread. The article talks about a separet heaven for the OT saints which is where Jesus went, I think to take them to heaven proper.

Have a read and post what you think.

Thanks - where shall i find this article please? 

It's such a good question - asked by an unbeliever! It shows this person is really thinking about things and that i have so much to learn. 

[Who me]

1 hour ago, Melinda12 said:

where shall i find this article please

Sorry I can't copy and paste, so can't put the link here.

I typed, Jesus descended into hell' and looked at what came up. It should be about the 9th entry.

[BeauJangles]

6 hours ago, Who me said:

Sorry I can't copy and paste, so can't put the link here.

Allow me to teach you how to copy/paste in simple easy steps. There are two ways to do it. 

Go to the article. 

Click/hold left side of your mouse. 

Go over entire article line by line or selected portion you choose to copy. 

Release your finger hold on the mouse.

It should show up shaded blue or whatever your computer indicates if you've highlighted it correctly. 

Click the right side of your mouse. Release.  

A window should show you this information:

Cut

Copy

Paste

(ignore the rest of the info for now - focus on these features)

Click: Copy 

Go to where you want to paste.

Click: Paste

There you are! 

OR:

Follow the same procedure to highlight article. 

Press: ctrl key on your keyboard. Hold and press: C key at the same time. Release.   

Go to where you want to paste. 

Press: ctrl key on your keyboard. Hold and press: V key at the same time. Release.  

There you are!

You'll be happily copy/pasting in no time! 

Pictures cannot copy/pasted in this manner but saved to: Photos.

That takes a little work. But go from there for now. 

That's Beginner's Copy/Paste 101. 

Edited June 9, 2020 by BeauJangles

[Guest]

12 hours ago, missmuffet said:

Question: "Did Jesus go to hell between His death and resurrection?"

Answer: There is a great deal of confusion in regards to this question. The concept that Jesus went to hell after His death on the cross comes primarily from the Apostles’ Creed, which states, “He descended into hell.” There are also a few Scriptures which, depending on how they are translated, describe Jesus going to “hell.” In studying this issue, it is important to first understand what the Bible teaches about the realm of the dead.
In the Hebrew Scriptures, the word used to describe the realm of the dead is sheol. It simply means “the place of the dead” or “the place of departed souls/spirits.” The New Testament Greek equivalent of sheol is hades, which also refers to “the place of the dead.” Other Scriptures in the New Testament indicate that sheol/hades is a temporary place, where souls are kept as they await the final resurrection and judgment. Revelation 20:11–15 gives a clear distinction between hades and the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the permanent and final place of judgment for the lost. Hades, then, is a temporary place. Many people refer to both hades and the lake of fire as “hell,” and this causes confusion. Jesus did not go to a place of torment after His death, but He did go to hades.

Sheol/hades was a realm with two divisions—a place of blessing and a place of judgment (Matthew 11:23; 16:18; Luke 10:15; 16:23; Acts 2:27–31). The abodes of the saved and the lost are both generally called “hades” in the Bible. The abode of the saved is also called “Abraham’s bosom” (KJV) or “Abraham’s side” (NIV) in Luke 16:22 and “paradise” in Luke 23:43. The abode of the unsaved is called “hell” (KJV) or “Hades” (NIV) in Luke 16:23. The abodes of the saved and the lost are separated by a “great chasm” (Luke 16:26). When Jesus died, He went to the blessed side of sheol and, from there, took the believers with Him to heaven (Ephesians 4:8–10). The judgment side of sheol/hades has remained unchanged. All unbelieving dead go there awaiting their final judgment in the future. Did Jesus go to sheol/hades? Yes, according to Ephesians 4:8–10 and 1 Peter 3:18–20.

Some of the confusion has arisen from such passages as Psalm 16:10–11 as translated in the King James Version: “For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. . . . Thou wilt show me the path of life.” “Hell” is not a correct translation in this verse. A correct reading would be “the grave” or “sheol.” Jesus said to the thief beside Him, “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43); He did not say, “I will see you in hell.” Jesus’ body was in the tomb; His soul/spirit went to be with the blessed in sheol/hades. Unfortunately, in many versions of the Bible, translators are not consistent, or correct, in how they translate the Hebrew and Greek words for “sheol,” “hades,” and “hell.”

Some have the viewpoint that Jesus went to “hell” or the suffering side of sheol/hades in order to further be punished for our sins. This idea is completely unbiblical. It was the death of Jesus on the cross that sufficiently provided for our redemption. It was His shed blood that effected our own cleansing from sin (1 John 1:7–9). As He hung there on the cross, He took the sin burden of the whole human race upon Himself. He became sin for us: “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). This imputation of sin helps us understand Christ’s struggle in the garden of Gethsemane with the cup of sin which would be poured out upon Him on the cross.

As Jesus neared death, He said, “It is finished” (John 19:30). His suffering in our place was completed. His soul/spirit went to hades (the place of the dead). Jesus did not go to “hell” or the suffering side of hades; He went to “Abraham’s side” or the blessed side of hades. Jesus’ suffering ended the moment He died. The payment for sin was paid. He then awaited the resurrection of His body and His return to glory in His ascension. Did Jesus go to hell? No. Did Jesus go to sheol/hades? Yes.

https://www.gotquestions.org/did-Jesus-go-to-hell.html

 

Hi

Thank you so much. This is a very good explanation. 

It leads me to conjecture as to where Jesus was between the whole time between dying and ascending to heaven? He appeared to a lot of people until final departure. 

This would make a great evening's discussion for our housegroup which i miss so very much! I am glad i have this forum. 

[DeighAnn]

21 hours ago, missmuffet said:

Question: "Did Jesus go to hell between His death and resurrection?"

Answer: There is a great deal of confusion in regards to this question. The concept that Jesus went to hell after His death on the cross comes primarily from the Apostles’ Creed, which states, “He descended into hell.” There are also a few Scriptures which, depending on how they are translated, describe Jesus going to “hell.” In studying this issue, it is important to first understand what the Bible teaches about the realm of the dead.
In the Hebrew Scriptures, the word used to describe the realm of the dead is sheol. It simply means “the place of the dead” or “the place of departed souls/spirits.” The New Testament Greek equivalent of sheol is hades, which also refers to “the place of the dead.” Other Scriptures in the New Testament indicate that sheol/hades is a temporary place, where souls are kept as they await the final resurrection and judgment. Revelation 20:11–15 gives a clear distinction between hades and the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the permanent and final place of judgment for the lost. Hades, then, is a temporary place. Many people refer to both hades and the lake of fire as “hell,” and this causes confusion. Jesus did not go to a place of torment after His death, but He did go to hades.

Sheol/hades was a realm with two divisions—a place of blessing and a place of judgment (Matthew 11:23; 16:18; Luke 10:15; 16:23; Acts 2:27–31). The abodes of the saved and the lost are both generally called “hades” in the Bible. The abode of the saved is also called “Abraham’s bosom” (KJV) or “Abraham’s side” (NIV) in Luke 16:22 and “paradise” in Luke 23:43. The abode of the unsaved is called “hell” (KJV) or “Hades” (NIV) in Luke 16:23. The abodes of the saved and the lost are separated by a “great chasm” (Luke 16:26). When Jesus died, He went to the blessed side of sheol and, from there, took the believers with Him to heaven (Ephesians 4:8–10). The judgment side of sheol/hades has remained unchanged. All unbelieving dead go there awaiting their final judgment in the future. Did Jesus go to sheol/hades? Yes, according to Ephesians 4:8–10 and 1 Peter 3:18–20.

Some of the confusion has arisen from such passages as Psalm 16:10–11 as translated in the King James Version: “For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. . . . Thou wilt show me the path of life.” “Hell” is not a correct translation in this verse. A correct reading would be “the grave” or “sheol.” Jesus said to the thief beside Him, “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43); He did not say, “I will see you in hell.” Jesus’ body was in the tomb; His soul/spirit went to be with the blessed in sheol/hades. Unfortunately, in many versions of the Bible, translators are not consistent, or correct, in how they translate the Hebrew and Greek words for “sheol,” “hades,” and “hell.”

Some have the viewpoint that Jesus went to “hell” or the suffering side of sheol/hades in order to further be punished for our sins. This idea is completely unbiblical. It was the death of Jesus on the cross that sufficiently provided for our redemption. It was His shed blood that effected our own cleansing from sin (1 John 1:7–9). As He hung there on the cross, He took the sin burden of the whole human race upon Himself. He became sin for us: “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). This imputation of sin helps us understand Christ’s struggle in the garden of Gethsemane with the cup of sin which would be poured out upon Him on the cross.

As Jesus neared death, He said, “It is finished” (John 19:30). His suffering in our place was completed. His soul/spirit went to hades (the place of the dead). Jesus did not go to “hell” or the suffering side of hades; He went to “Abraham’s side” or the blessed side of hades. Jesus’ suffering ended the moment He died. The payment for sin was paid. He then awaited the resurrection of His body and His return to glory in His ascension. Did Jesus go to hell? No. Did Jesus go to sheol/hades? Yes.

https://www.gotquestions.org/did-Jesus-go-to-hell.html

 

   

I just want to add a few verses to an already good explanation though I don't know where the apostles creed is.  (The scripture is for those like me who don't know much of it by heart but after 1000 times searching it out and posting it, just might). 

Ecclesiastes 12:6 Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.
(when our flesh body dies, we "step out of it" into our celestial/heavenly/spiritual body)

1 Corinthians 15:35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?
1 Corinthians 15:36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:
1 Corinthians 15:37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:
1 Corinthians 15:38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.
1 Corinthians 15:39 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.
1 Corinthians 15:40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.
1 Corinthians 15:41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
1 Corinthians 15:42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
1 Corinthians 15:43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
1 Corinthians 15:44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
 

Ecclesiastes 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
our flesh body, (our soul and spirit done with it forever), goes into the grave and returns to dust - that's why it doesn't know anyone or anything, is just a decaying carcus, and has no more to do with that individuals story.
Us,our soul and spirit now in our celestial body, returns back to God who gave it in the first place.

So all return to God.  And to one side or the other of Paradise as explained
 

Luke 16:21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
Luke 16:22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
Luke 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
Luke 16:24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
Luke 16:25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
Luke 16:26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
Luke 16:27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:
Luke 16:28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
Luke 16:29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
Luke 16:30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
Luke 16:31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

 
We have to remember that before CHRIST, the Lamb of God, when you died you were under the law.  There was no "last minute" in your heart and mind repentance and forgiveness through the blood of Christ. YOU had to be PERFECT.  That was the problem with the law.  It couldn't do anything but draw that line in the sand and depending on where you fell the moment of death, you went to  the good side or the bad side.  How lucky those who had just killed the best of their flock and had their sins forgiven, to die on the way home.  How Unlucky for the one who was on their way to sacrifice their sacrifice to be forgiven as they died in all those sins and the law once again, only drew the line in the sand.  

So those 3 days Jesus went to the "other" side of paradise was for those who, had they lived as we live now, would surely have repented and been washed clean by the Blood of Christ, whos' blood is infinitely more precious than even the very best of the flock that was sacrificed.

Many people today do not realize what "the ordinances" were nailed to the cross and how it "lightened" the yoke. Having your sins forgiven before Christ was not in anyway an easy (I have no word) or light yoke. It was heavy.  It was full of rituals that had to be done, other people involved, a priest.  
As an animal lover, taking my best and therefore most loved animal to shed its blood for my sins would have been (I don't have any word for this either)

For me, knowing all that was involved in having sins forgiven makes me appreciate our Saviour all the more.  I understand the lightness of His yoke because I understand the heaviness of "the doing it under the laws yoke". 

I do not believe that Jesus became sin.  I believe that He became, as the name implies "The Lamb" the sacrifice for sin. The perfect and without spot or blemish, the best of the flock, and with blood of infinite value did/accomplished in that one death, that one sacrifice, what all the animals of forever could never do. His blood carries in it more value than could ever be required should every sin ever committed be repented of to be washed clean. That is why His sacrifice was only needed the one time.  Its value is capable of covering the past, present and future sins of the world, though only the sins repented of by the individual are washed clean by it. 

 

[George]

Just a point of clarity ... while Jesus went to "Hades", I believe it was not to suffer ... it was to openly proclaim victory and to take the keys of hell and death.

These are a few passages for your consideration ...

Rev 1:17  When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 
Rev 1:18  and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. 

Eph 4:8  Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” 
Eph 4:9  (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 
Eph 4:10  He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 

Col 2:15  He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. 

God bless,

George

 

[Who me]

On 6/9/2020 at 1:54 AM, BeauJangles said:

Allow me to teach you how to copy/paste in simple easy steps. There are two ways to do it. 

Go to the article. 

The limitation is part of my tablet, it will not copy and paste.

Thank you for your kind offer.