Jesus in Hell? 1Peter3:18-22

The Apostle's Creed states in the fourth tenet: “Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell;” the Athanasian Creed (article 38) says the same. The Nicene Creed leaves out, “He descended into hell.” Though we draw our teaching and authority from the scriptures rather than from creeds, these statements are not inconsequential. Many Christians have grown up in traditions that regularly quote one of these and have come to accept the statements as Biblical truth.

The bases for speaking of Jesus descending into hell include 1Peter 3:19 along with Ephesians 4:8-9, Acts 2:27(Psalm16:10), and 1Peter 4:6 (and perhaps others). We want to discern the intent as well as the content of the scripture. We can best determine what the Holy Spirit was conveying through Peter by keeping the verses in the context in which they were written.

Words in this section of scripture that stand out:

ALSO - Christ also suffered. (as you are now suffering)

BRING - Jesus ushers us into relationship with God.

PROCLAIMED - can mean just to declare something, but this sense is rare in New Testament writings. Normal in NT – “to preach the gospel”

PRISON - to some held captive, most likely as punishment

SAVED - from ___, to ____, by _____, involving ____, demonstrated by _____

SUBJECT - what source is available as we go through suffering

SOME CLASSIC INTERPRETATIONS

• Between his death and resurrection, Jesus went into hell and gathered the Old Testament people who trusted Him and released them to heaven. (The Harrowing of Hell) – Roman Catholic

• Jesus, pre-incarnate preached repentance through Noah to people of his day who would eventually be destroyed in the flood. Augustine and most reformed theologians

• Jesus preached in the interval between His death and Resurrection, proclaiming His victory to the spirits of Noah's day who are confined in the realm of the dead or

  to imprisoned fallen angels who caused trouble in Noah's day (Genesis 6:2,4) John MacArthur and others

• Jesus proclaimed His victory to fallen angels at His Ascension into heaven. Jesus preached to those who once heard Noah but were now in prison and offered them a second chance. We can rule this one out by Hebrews 9:27 ...once to die but after this judgment... and by asking, “why these of all in eternal punishment?”

MacArthur points out:

• “in spirit” (His spirit, not the Holy Spirit) alive in spirit though His body is dead.

• “He went” denotes from one place to another

• “to the spirits” the word used is pneumasin rather than psuchai, the normal designation of human spirit or soul.

• “prison” = an actual place rather then merely a condition and compares this to the abyss or pit in Revelation 9:1-2 (though not the same Greek word) and points to 2Peter 2:4

Concluding that Jesus proclaimed victory to spirits that were: 1)under Satan's command in the days of Noah and 2)spoken of as “sons of God” in Genesis 6 who corrupted marriage and perhaps possessed men who married and 3)produced especially evil offspring (Nephilim); these spirits being in particular bondage waiting their final judgment at the end of time (not to be released by Satan at the fifth trumpet of Revelation 9)

ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE

Jesus did not go to Hell (punishment) – in Psalm 16:10 (quoted in Acts 2:27)“hell” and “corruption” are synonymous and speak of the grave – because His torment was finished on the cross. Rather, He went (in spirit) to Paradise to be with His Father, accompanied by the thief until His resurrection and eventual ascension.

THE PURPOSE OF THE PASSAGE That We May Know:

Jesus' suffering ushered us (believers) to God.

God is gracious and patient, but the opportunity to accept salvation in Jesus alone, by faith alone is a limited time offer.

To reject the gospel is to choose eternal punishment.

God's instrument of judgment of the wicked in Noah's day (the flood) was God's instrument of salvation to the faithful.

Salvation is from sin and death, to life and holiness, by God, involving faith and faithfulness, demonstrated by water by which Noah was buoyed and in which believers are”buried”

Jesus, at the right hand of God, with angels, authority, and power is the reason for our hope (v.15) and our leader in victory.

Rule of Engagement 1Peter 3:13-17

We live in a world that is hostile to the worship of and obedience to Jesus (not god necessarily, but Jesus Christ). Secular humanism has beaten down the life principles of submission to the Word of God and recognition of the only Way of God, Jesus. The process has killed values and knowledge / meaning. The result has been a degenerated society, promoted decadence, celebrated depravity, and a love affair with violence for the sake of violence.

Francis Schaeffer warned in his book, How Should We then Live? , that the result of modern man's loss of meaning and values would have a result that many will overlook – that result: “...that the elite will exist. Society cannot stand chaos. Some group or some person will fill the vacuum. An elite will offer us arbitrary absolutes, and who will stand in its way?” (published by Crossway, 1976) Christians will face more and more hostility from civil authorities and from unbelievers in the increasingly ungodly culture.

What is the strategy laid out in 1Peter?

HAVE A PASSION FOR GOODNESS. “...zealous for what is good” (ESV)

l Good – agathos = goodly, benefactor, kind, kindly

l Psalm37:3 “Trust in the LORD, and do good,”; 2Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”; Galatians 5:22 “ But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

l It is not self-righteousness. It is a God-enabled zeal / intentionality and intensity which produces a godly life – the aim of all believers and which results in loss of appetite for the world's ungodly attractions.

- Like CT Studd and the Cambridge Seven to China Inland Missions, then speaking then Central Africa http://www.traveltheroad.com/missions/missionaries/studd.php

= Lottie Moon from Virgina Plantation to North China died 50 pounds in harbor of Kobe, Japan 24 December 1912 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lottie_Moon

HAVE A WILLINGNESS TO SUFFER FOR RIGHT OR WRONG. “...if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed.”

Some examples of willingness to suffer for right or wrong:

l John Gibson Paton (1824-1907) Missionary to the New Hebrides:

Mr. Dixon, an elder in the church, told Paton, “Cannibals will eat you!”

(This was only nineteen years after two missionaries to the New Hebrides Islands were clubbed to death and eaten as soon as they landed, still within sight of the ship they disembarked from.)

To which Paton replied, “Mr Dixon, you are advanced in years now and your prospects are to soon be laid in the grave and there to be eaten by worms. I confess to you, if I but live and die by serving and honoring the Lord Jesus, it will make no difference to me whether I be eaten by cannibals or by worms And in the Great Day, my resurrection body will rise as fair as yours in the likeness of our risen Redeemer” http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Biographies/1482_You_Will_be_Eaten_by_Cannibals_Lessons_from_the_Life_of_John_G_Paton/

l Shonnie Moore's dad... heard to pray in the waiting area of the emergency room where Shonnie was taken paralyzed from her shoulders down... “Lord, we thank you for the events of this day...knowing that you are a loving Father and you will get glory from this...”

“ ...Have no fear of them, nor be troubled...”

HAVE A DEVOTION TO CHRIST “...but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy...”

Nate Saint, Jim Elliot, and Ed McCully, three college friends working as missionaries in Ecuador, had a burning desire to follow Jesus' command to take the gospel message into all the world. They had prayed for years for this primitive group that had never heard the redemption story of peace with God through the death of Christ. Now the men began to feel they should act soon or perhaps lose the opportunity for peaceful contact. The three men rounded out their team with two more: Pete Fleming and Roger Youderian.

Here were five common young men whose unifying distinction was less their inherited abilities or acquired skills than their commitment to seek God's will and to carry out his purposes for their lives. They were aware of the risk they were taking but felt it was justified, though they could have had no idea of the impact their martyrdom would someday have. www.atanycost.org/DidTheyHaveToDie.htm

Rachel Saint (Nate's sister) and Elizabeth Elliott (Jim's wife) stayed in Ecuador and lived among those who killed their loved ones and led those killers to Jesus.

HAVE A READINESS TO DEFEND THE FAITH “... prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,”

l Ready (convinced and standing by) Luke 22:33 (Peter);

l A defense – apologia, - an answer; and an account – logos -word

gentleness and respect – reverence for God and regard for His truth

You be ready God will do it.

- Don and Carol Richardson --- warring tribes give sons to enemy http://www.traveltheroad.com/missions/missionaries/richardson.php

HAVE A PURE CONSCIENCE “... having a good conscience” A pure conscience is possible when your actions and attitudes line up with God's Word. 1Timothy 1:5,19

l The only purifier of conscience - Hebrews 9:14; 10:19-22

Playing Tennis with Hand Grenades 1Peter2:13-3:12

Have you ever heard someone say (or maybe said yourself), “I don't get mad, I get even.” Have you heard of what you can do “after you turn the other cheek?” Have you looked for a bracelet with the letters: WWJWD (what would John Wayne do)? Do you believe Bruce Willis has really survived all those times of “getting even with the bad guy?”

If you answered “Yes.”...

...Then you could be the next contestant on the reality series: PLAYING TENNIS WITH HAND GRENADES*. In this game, an enemy of yours lobs a potentially destructive object, such as a hand grenade or an accusation or a half truth about you or someone/thing you love...and you respond by batting it right back at him. Only, then, he lobs it back at you. So you set up and really slam it over the net. ...But he still has time to return it... Do you attempt another volley and risk the explosion? ...Are you sure you can get him back. ...Will you be a chicken if you just run and take cover?...

*“Don't play tennis with hand grenades of evil; defuse them and chuck something good back.” from Rob Lacey, The Word on the Street, Zondervan 2004

CHRISTIAN, SUBMIT YOURSELF

• To the authority in Society 2:11-14

  • Your are free so use your freedom to submit.

  • By this God is glorified.

• To authority at Work 2:18-20

  • You are called (by name) to this. v.21

  • God commends you in it. v.19

  • Jesus set the example. vv.21b-24

• To authority in Family 3:1-7

  • This is how you grow in Christ (2:2) as a family.

PRACTICE AMONG BELIEVERS 3:8-ff

• Be Harmonious (same think)

• Sympathetic (suffering together)

• Be Kin / brothers (serving out of phileo)

• Be Kindhearted (literally: “have strong bowels”)= love deeply

• Be Humble enough to be courteous.

THE STANDARD: JESUS; THE SUBSTITUTE: JESUS; THE SHEPHERD: JESUS 2:21b-25

IT STARTS IN THE CHURCH AND EXTENDS TO THE WORLD 3:9-12

A CORROBORATION FROM THE APOSTLE PAUL Romans 12

Rom 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Rom 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

...Rom 12:17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.

Rom 12:18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Rom 12:19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord."

Rom 12:20 To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head."

Rom 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

The idea of heaping burning coals on the head of your enemy is not for the purpose of causing them pain (though hot coals would certainly cause pain) but for the purpose of reshaping your enemy to the image of Christ as a blacksmith would use hot coals to reshape iron.

Your enemy, seeing your consistent good works will eventually glorify God. And if he doesn't, that is God's business and his punishment is God's business.

You might say:

“THAT'S EASY FOR YOU TO SAY.” YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT WRONG I HAVE SUFFERED AT THE HAND OF _________.”

“If I act kindly toward him, it will look like what he did was not bad.”

“This was real wrong. If I just 'let it go,' it will look like God and the universe are amoral.”

The question:

IS GOD REALLY TRUSTWORTHY? 1Peter3:12 - For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

If that person has not been punished the way they deserve to be punished, you lay it down before God (Romans 12:19) and you leave God two possibilities:

1. That sin will be punished at the cross of Jesus when that person repents or

2. That sin will be punished in Hell when he refuses to repent.

And you can confess to God that you cannot improve on either of those two. (John Piper http://www.desiringgod.org/)

Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

*“Don't play tennis with hand grenades of evil; defuse them and chuck something good back.”

1Peter 1: 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

Some of Peter's earlier words: Acts 3:19-20 Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, ...

DEMONSTRATION OF DISCIPLINE 1Peter2:12-3:7

NOTE: The Holy Spirit seems to have impressed upon Peter that the distinct lifestyle of believers can be used to draw people to

Christ (here in verse 12 and 1Peter3:1-2). Jesus taught likewise (Matthew5:16)

This is NOT to say that we have no need to be ready to give a verbal testimony of our Hope in Jesus alone by faith alone(1Peter3:15); but when the word are spoken, the demonstration will be used of God to bring people to Himself(1Corinthians14:24-25)(2Corinthians9:11-12).

• Your Deportment (outward) should demonstrate your Discipline (inward). We will have to live lives that are more than just good. People here can out “good” you. Our action must be motivated by the blood of Jesus, God's love, His calling, and submission for the commendation of the Lord.

  • Citizens of heaven – by heavenly authority...but...Sojourners on earth – authorities here are (as with everything) heaven-appointed Romans13:1-7. vv.13-14

  • Submit yourself (hupotasso) v.13 for the purpose of showing-off Jesus. Submission is missing from most goodness, especially worldly goodness.

    • Lining yourself up in formation under the commander.

• Free – made so by the Son of God John8:32,36...but...Willing servants of God v.16 Colossians3:24; Ephesians6:6 (from the heart – the new one given you when you received Jesus as Savior)

  • Honor all

  • Love the brotherhood

  • Fear God

  • Honor the king/ruler v.13

Submission - What does it look like? Where do you do it...in what situations? Can you live that way today? What difference does it make?

• What does it look like?

  • Philippians 2:4-8 Jesus made himself an obedient servant.

  • John 13:3-16 Jesus took a towel, a basin, and water and began to wash His disciples' feet.

  • 1Peter 2:22-24 Jesus committed Himself/entrusted Himself to God, who judges righteously.

It looks like confidence enough in the wisdom, power, judgment of God to make yourself line up under someone else.

• Where do you do it?

  • Under earthly government v.13

  • to an employer v.18

  • to a husband 1Peter 3:1

  • to church elders Hebrews 13:17

  • to one another Ephesians 5:21

• Can you live that way today? What about Galatians 3:28? In terms of function, not essence or value.

  • 1Corinthians 11:3 versus John 10:30; John 1:1 Jesus says: “All authority is given to Me in heaven and in earth.” Matthew28:18 But also says: “My food is to do the will of Him that sent Me.” John 4:34 God's design demanded that the Son's function be to submit to the Father in the beautiful act of humiliation,though in essence and nature Christ and God are the same.

  • In marriage, husband functions as head ... though there is mutual submission and complimentarianism. 1Corinthians7:3-Husband render due benevolence. Ephesians5:22, 1Peter3:1- “your own husband.” - not all men but to the one you possess.

• What difference does it make?

  • Testifies to unbelievers and glorifies God 1Peter2:12, 3:1

  • Precious / of great price to God 3:4 (I.e. Mark13:3 alabaster box)

  • Reverses the curse of Genesis 3:16 (see Genesis 4:7)

  • Unites the body of Christ, the church (universal and local) 1Corinthians 11:33(the instruction); 1Cor.10:16-17(the aim)

  • Follows Jesus' command and His example

  • Salvation and participation in the kingdom and body of Christ when you submit His plan for your life. Mark 8:34,ff