Descent Into Hell

The Apostles’ Creed, a classic summary of Christian belief, states that between Jesus’ burial and resurrection “He descended into hell.”

This puzzles many people—why would the sinless Jesus be in hell, even if it was only temporary? The problem is one of translation: The Creed, written in Greek, says Christ descended into Hades, the Greek word for the region of the dead, not a place of eternal punishment.

(It has the same meaning as the Old Testament word Sheol. See 869.) Paul, in Ephesians 4:9, says that before He ascended into heaven, Christ “also first descended into the lower parts of the earth.” So, “descended into hell” is more accurately translated “descended into Hades” or “descended into the realm of death.” Many churches solve the difficulty by simply omitting “descended into hell” from the Creed.

But “descended into the realm of death” is important, reminding us that Christ did indeed die a normal human death before God raised Him.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Holy Hatred of Sin

John MacArthur

We desperately need to recover a holy hatred of sin. We need to do this corporately as a church, but we also need to do it individually as believers. Sin is surely not a pleasant subject to study or preach on, but it is necessary.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Calm And Quiet

David Jeremiah

According to medical researchers at Duke University, there is a “vicious cycle” involving insomnia, anxiety, and depression. It’s sort of a “which came first: the chicken or the egg?” scenario.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

The Rope of Prayer

David Jeremiah

Daniel was a man who communicated with heaven. He prayed fervently, consistently, and for the will of God. He knew nothing of praying only before meals, at bedtime, and when he really needed God’s help.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

The Initiative Against Depression

Oswald Chambers

A human being is capable of depression, otherwise there would be no capacity for exaltation. There are things that are calculated to depress, things that are of the nature of death; and in taking an estimate of yourself, always take into account the capacity for depression.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

The Inspiration of Spiritual Initiative

Oswald Chambers

When the inspiration of God does come, it comes with such miraculous power that we are able to arise from the dead and do the impossible thing. God does not give us overcoming life; He gives us life as we overcome.