Did Jesus descend into hell?

[Guest man]

The worst posture one can take is

[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].

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.

Jesus suffering in hell, and even the teaching that He died spiritually there is taught by Kenneth Copeland and some of those at TBN. Copeland taught that it was as a born again man that Jesus defeated the devil in hell and even went on to say how that meant that he too could have done the same . . . an many, many people out there believe him . . .

Certainly bits of understanding, like those light bulb moments, are given by God at times to us to help us in certain situations, , but I am inclined to believe that it is something that He wants us to pursue aggressively through "study" and "rightly dividing the word of truth." Too many believers settle for a trickle-down-understanding instead of wholeheartedly thirsting for river of it.

Ps 119:99 I have more understanding than all my teachers for thy testimonies are my meditation.

Ps 119:34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

Pr 2:6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

Mt 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

Jas 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

I do not know of one positive promise of God made to the passive, halfhearted seeker. Nevertheless, they often seem to be the one's wanting to claim them all . . .

[Xan]

Jesus suffering in hell, and even the teaching that He died spiritually there is taught by Kenneth Copeland and some of those at TBN. Copeland taught that it was as a born again man that Jesus defeated the devil in hell and even went on to say how that meant that he too could have done the same . . . an many, many people out there believe him . . .

How sad.

[BlindSeeker]

The worst posture one can take is

[Guest man]

John 16:13 Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come.

I don't understand how this verse or the other 2 you quoted to me has anything to do with whether Christ went to hell or not.

As I stated earlier, if where He went upon His death was an important ingredient to our understanding of His Word, it would have been included in the Word. It was not, therefore it is not crucial to ones understanding.

Nonetheless, the correctness of one's understanding regarding Jesus and hell may not be crucial to one's salvation, but it is to ones growth in understanding and maturity as there are many doctrines in Christendom that are influenced by it.

All those doctrines are what's wrong with the church today. There is only One doctrine, One truth. Everything else is manmade.

Contentment with godliness is great gain, but contentment with immaturity and ignorance is the height of folly . . . However, like the people of the world, there are some believers who do not wish to grow up or accept responsibility and resent those that do or would. To call such believers

[Xan]

Christ died and rose on the third day. I accept and believe that. Can you show me where that is not enough?

I think that is exactly the point William is trying to make. False doctrines are built on an assumption Jesus went to hell. William is showing through his posts that it is important people understand this did not happen and that the finishing atonement was made on the cross, not anywhere else. Normally, I try not to speak for other people, but I think I have the gift of speaking in Blindseeker.

[Guest man]

Christ died and rose on the third day. I accept and believe that. Can you show me where that is not enough?

I think that is exactly the point William is trying to make. False doctrines are built on an assumption Jesus went to hell. William is showing through his posts that it is important people understand this did not happen and that the finishing atonement was made on the cross, not anywhere else. Normally, I try not to speak for other people, but I think I have the gift of speaking in Blindseeker.

Since you have the gift of speaking in Blindseeker, perhaps you can enlighten me as to why he directed these comments toward me.

Nonetheless, the correctness of one's understanding regarding Jesus and hell may not be crucial to one's salvation, but it is to ones growth in understanding and maturity as there are many doctrines in Christendom that are influenced by it.

Contentment with godliness is great gain, but contentment with immaturity and ignorance is the height of folly . . . However, like the people of the world, there are some believers who do not wish to grow up or accept responsibility and resent those that do or would. To call such believers

[BlindSeeker]

John 16:13 Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come.

I don't understand how this verse or the other 2 you quoted to me has anything to do with whether Christ went to hell or not.

They don

[BlindSeeker]

Since you have the gift of speaking in Blindseeker, perhaps you can enlighten me as to why he directed these comments toward me.

Nonetheless, the correctness of one's understanding regarding Jesus and hell may not be crucial to one's salvation, but it is to ones growth in understanding and maturity as there are many doctrines in Christendom that are influenced by it.

Contentment with godliness is great gain, but contentment with immaturity and ignorance is the height of folly . . . However, like the people of the world, there are some believers who do not wish to grow up or accept responsibility and resent those that do or would. To call such believers

[Leonard]

I'm sorry, but do not the older forms of the Apostles' Creed include the phrase "He descended into hell...."? I believe it is only in the newer forms that it is softened to "He descended to the dead........"