Did Jesus descend into hell?

[BlindSeeker]

The short answer to this question is: "No." The biblical authors were more accurate in their use of words than some of our Bible translators or creed writers. There are two Greek words for the abode of the dead. (Greek is the language in which the New Testament of the Bible was originally written.) Hell (Geenna in Greek, also called the lake of fire and the eternal fire) was made for the Devil and his minions (Matthew 25:41) and will be occupied by all the unrighteous after the last judgement (Revelation 19:20-21 and 20:10-15). There is no biblical evidence that anyone has gone there or will go there until after Jesus' Second Coming (Revelation 19:11-16). This includes Jesus Himself.

The other Greek word is Hadas (from which we get the English word Hades). This is the region of the dead. Before Jesus' ascension, the spirits of all people went to Hades. After His ascension, only the spirits of unbelievers go to Hades, while the spirits of believers go directly to be with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:1-8). It is into this region that Jesus entered after His crucifixion (Acts 2:25-31 in which Peter quotes from Psalm 16:9-10). Ephesians 4:8-10 says that Jesus, "had descended into the lower parts of the earth." This may also speak of Jesus' visit to Hades before His ascension. Finally, Romans 10:7 refers to Jesus in "the abyss" while He was among the dead. After the final judgment, Hades will be cast into Hell (Revelation 20:14). Therefore, the longer answer is: "Yes, Jesus descended into Hades but not into Hell."

My understanding of Romans 10:7 is submitted below. It too was a post from the other thread.

Ro 10:6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)

De 30:12-13

7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again

[raise]

from the dead.)

Just as it is impossible for a man by his own ability to

[Atonement]

On things such as this we should allow Scripture to speak for itself..

Eph 4:9 Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

Eph 4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.

Trust in God's Word

[BlindSeeker]

Growing up I had always thought they were the same place and no one came along and set me straight until much later in my life. The man that became my husband dared me to take a look at the words and I was more than surprised to learn they were not all the same. One theory I have heard mentioned more than a few times is that Christ went down and 'preached' to the fallen angels, basically saying that all was on schedule just as had been planned. I don't understand it all either but each discussion I read it appears that most don't have the full understanding of it either so I feel like I am in good company.

That is why it is good to take a good look at things. There are teachings out there that say it was necessary for Jesus to go and suffer the agonies of hell in order to pay for our sins . . . because they think the scripture say Jesus went to hell. But that teaching does not agree with scripture -

Col 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross;

15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it [His cross].

[BlindSeeker]

On things such as this we should allow Scripture to speak for itself..

It does . . . it is our place to prayerfully seek understanding of what it is saying.

What things in the Bible should only be read out loud from the pulpit? What things can can be used to openly preach? What can be openly reasoned and what should only be repeated as fact?

Should we return to Greek, or Latin and merely read what was once written . . . without pursuing the true intended meaning of the original author? Of course not.

Ephesians 4:9&10 are not to be subject to private interpretation . . . meaning to be understood apart from the rest of Holy writ. That could be as subject to error as saying we should not work because Jesus said labor not for the meat that perishes . . . or Paul saying women should not wear clothes because he said,

[Guest shiloh357]

Wherever He went, He went there for us.

Good word, Mr. Man!

The plan of redemption was completed on the cross. It was finished the minute Jesus died, so He would not have gone anywhere on our behalf.

There are those who teach that Jesus continued to atone for sin in hell, but that is contrary to the message of the finished work of Christ on the cross.

[traveller]

Interesting thread William.

[Guest man]

Wherever He went, He went there for us.

Good word, Mr. Man!

The plan of redemption was completed on the cross. It was finished the minute Jesus died, so He would not have gone anywhere on our behalf.

That's why I'm not concerned about where He went or didn't go.

It doesn't matter.

[BlindSeeker]

Wherever He went, He went there for us.

Good word, Mr. Man!

The plan of redemption was completed on the cross. It was finished the minute Jesus died, so He would not have gone anywhere on our behalf.

There are those who teach that Jesus continued to atone for sin in hell, but that is contrary to the message of the finished work of Christ on the cross.

Exactly.

It is not enough that we have Christian beliefs, but that we know and believe the truth. It is the truth and the truth alone (in Jesus) that sets men free indeed. Yet meaning claim and declare they are free simply because they have a belief system, a religion, a Holy Writ which they cling to and yet they have no clue that they really are not free at all.

John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?

34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.

36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

If one is off a little in the beginning of their theology they will be way off the more they build upon the principles (beliefs) of their faith. As a contractor, if I start of out of square, un level and out of plumb, the further I build away from my starting reference point the further off I get.

It is the same with the tenants of faith in Christendom. I am persuaded that it is the devil's plan to saturate Christendom with theologies that are mostly true . . . or to say, the best lie is the one with the most truth in it. That way, those with little understanding and knowledge of God's word will recognize some aspects of the truth and accept that their ignorance is why they understand it all. But they will still embrace the whole of a theology because they recognize some truth in it.

The primary utility in the Christian armor "to be able to withstand in the evil day" is "having your loins girt about with truth."

Paul did not say "Prove some things," he said "Prove ALL things." The worst posture one can take is

[BlindSeeker]

Interesting thread William.

Hello Sweet Sister.

Nice to see you.

(You made me smile again . . . )

[mizzdy]

Growing up I had always thought they were the same place and no one came along and set me straight until much later in my life. The man that became my husband dared me to take a look at the words and I was more than surprised to learn they were not all the same. One theory I have heard mentioned more than a few times is that Christ went down and 'preached' to the fallen angels, basically saying that all was on schedule just as had been planned. I don't understand it all either but each discussion I read it appears that most don't have the full understanding of it either so I feel like I am in good company.

That is why it is good to take a good look at things. There are teachings out there that say it was necessary for Jesus to go and suffer the agonies of hell in order to pay for our sins . . . because they think the scripture say Jesus went to hell. But that teaching does not agree with scripture -

Col 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross;

15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it [His cross].

I dismissed Christ suffering in hell theology the first time I ever read it. I suppose to those who tend to think that way must feel that the cross wasn't enough. I have always felt that if I am supposed to have understanding of any scriptures then that understanding will be given but I do feel we are only given any understanding when God feels we should have it. I love those 'lightbulb' moments when something I have been struggling to understand is finally revealed to me.