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One thing we try to do through this online ministry is answer the tough questions to the best of our ability. If you have a question, comment or concern you would like to have answered or discussed you can contact us by clicking here. We want to provide this opportunity for you to interact with us and we want to do our best to the Glory of God to bring Him glory in the name of Jesus. Therefore, do not hesitate to reach out to us through our “ASK ANYTHING” link.

Moreover, this is a very good question and is a VERY complicated question; however, I will try to keep it a simple as possible. Now, I want to be clear this is not a divisive doctrine; rather it is one to be discussed and debated. It is not a “closed fist doctrine” meaning, the understanding of this doctrine is not contingent upon your salvation or visa versa. With that said, let us look to the scriptures.

This question is based upon the scripture 1 Peter 3:18-19, which states:

For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water.

Most people know Jesus died and three (3) days later rose from the dead. So people surmise, from this passage, that Jesus died and went to Hell to preach the gospel. Others may quote the Apostles Creed:

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
the Maker of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:

Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried;

He descended into hell. [See Calvin]

The third day He arose again from the dead;

He ascended into heaven,
and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost;
the holy catholic church;
the communion of saints;
the forgiveness of sins;
the resurrection of the body;
and the life everlasting.

With that said, I want to look at a gathering of scriptures and put together something that will fulfill our appetites for this thought process.

Jesus taught about a “holding place” for the saved (Abraham’s Bosom) and for those unsaved (Hades) where they were held captive Luk 16:19-31

Furthermore, we know the Old Testament saints did not receive what was promised (i.e. salvation) but was approved (For salvation) by their faith (Hebrews Chapter 11); for the purpose of perfecting us (NT Saints) with them (OT Saints – who are a great host of witnesses) Hebrews 11:39-40

With that said, we know that it is Jesus who is the author and perfecter of faith Hebrews 12:2. Therefore, in a “chronological sense” Jesus’ blood has not been shed prior to 33 ad; therefore, sin had not been atoned for. Hence, when Jesus died He perfected our faith (Both OT and NT).

When Jesus descended He led a host of captives as He ascended. Ephesians 4:8-10

In “those times” when a war was complete in a city and there was a victor, the victor would capture all those from the “losing” city and lead them to the victor’s city and ultimately “convert” those “losers” into “winners/victors” (You see this conversion in progress in Daniel Chapter 1).

We know that Jesus defeated Death in victory 1 Corinthians 15:55-57. In doing so, we too have been perfected in a “positional” sense from sin; that is, sin has no more reign or power over us – but it is the power of Jesus working in us to “progressively” sanctify us into “perfect sanctification” upon our death.

Those in Hades will not go to “Hell” until after the “Great White Throne Judgement” Revelation 20:11-15

Therefore, when someone died prior to Jesus’ crucifixion they went to this “Holding Cell” that has two sides. One side is Abraham’s Bosom, the other Hades. Because Jesus had not “chronologically” died; thus sin had not been chronologically atoned for. So, all who died prior to the crucifixion went to a holding cell, or prison.

When Jesus died, He went to this “Holding Cell” and preached the gospel to both sides of the “Holding Cell”. Jesus preached victory over death and sin. When Jesus resurrected from the dead, Jesus opened up Abraham’s Bosom and opened the doors to heaven and Jesus led a host of captives into victory over death and sin into Heaven. (Jesus’ home/city). This makes Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith. It appears from Hebrews 11:39-40 – God did not want to save/propitiate/justify the OT Saints in a “different way” from the NT Saints; therefore, God through Jesus’ death perfected all those with faith. Hebrews Chapter 11.

All those who die without faith in God/coming messiah (OT) or Jesus (NT) will all go to Hades (A very bad place) and wait there until the great white throne judgement is complete ,

Revelation 20:11-15

Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them.And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds.And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds.Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Therefore, did Jesus descend into Hell? I am contending – No. Hell is the second death, the lake of fire as outlined in Revelation 20. None will enter hell until Revelation 20. Rather who die apart from faith in Jesus will be held in Hades until the great white throne judgment.
All Glory to God Alone, You Are Loved

Judson