Hell
Jesus descended into hell before he rose from the dead so that sinners would not have to receive the justice due for their sins. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound.In today’s culture it is not popular to acknowledge and consider the reality of the Biblical concept of hell. This is due primarily to a failure of human beings to understand the holiness and goodness of God and also the sinfulness and depravity of mankind. In short, man is considered to be ‘basically good’ and God is thought of as not being very serious about sin and as loving sinners unconditionally. God’s unconditional love implies that sinners do not have to worry about the consequences of sin or even make an effort to refrain from sin. This is an unbiblical concept of sin and God’s character. God is love and does not want to punish sinners, but he is also just and must punish sin to remain true to his character traits of truth, justice, and holiness. This sin is punished in hell as Jesus himself pointed out many times. The parable of Lazarus mentioned above is an example. Jesus, in his atonement, not only died a physical death to pay the penalty for sin, he also descended into hell and received the punishment of eternal death to pay the spiritual penalty for the sins of the redeemed. Through the atonement of Jesus, God executed his justice on sin in the person of Jesus Christ and justified those who have faith in Jesus …. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—26he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus (Romans 3:25-26). Jesus went to hell for those sinners that put their faith in him. Sinners who do not put their faith in the atonement of Jesus for their sin debt will have to make the one way trip to hell and pay their own penalty for sin. The sentence duration is eternity and there is no pardon or parole provisions. The better choice is to accept, through faith alone in Christ alone, God’s offer to be declared not guilty on judgment day.
7 comments:
Jazzycat,
You sure do sound like a good Baptist in this post my friend. Or do maybe sometimes I sound like a good Presbyterian?
A lot of my friends are Baptist. One of them says that we Presby. are just fancy Baptists.
Jazzycat
oh my!
you say:
"Jesus, in his atonement, not only died a physical death to pay the penalty for sin, he also descended into hell and received the punishment of eternal death to pay the spiritual penalty for the sins of the redeemed."
What is your source or foundation for this statement?
Thank you for visiting my blog.
I know you haven't had a chance to respond to my last question but I thought I would go on anyway..
Seeing in other posts references to being Presbyterian, (my childhood church) and your profile acknowledging the Branden Presbyterian Church I will take the liberty of this excerpt from the Westminster Confession:
CHAP. VIII. - Of Christ the Mediator.
4. This office the Lord Jesus did most willingly undertake; which that He might discharge, He was made under the law, and did perfectly fulfill it; endured most grievous torments immediately in His soul, and most painful sufferings in His body; was crucified, and died, was buried, and remained under the power of death, yet saw no corruption. On the third day He arose from the dead, with the same body in which He suffered, with which also He ascended into heaven, and there sitteth at the right hand of His Father, making intercession, and shall return, to judge men and angels, at the end of the world.
When Jesus said "It is finished." all work was done. I prefer not to intrusively go on in depth, but if you would like I can give a complete overview.
malchymist,
The Apostles creed states
IV. Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell;
When Jesus said 'It is finished' he had descended into hell and come back. Since paying the penalty for our sin involves punishment in hell, how could he pay the penalty for our sin without going to hell for a brief period? Since he is of infinite value the time duration was not long.
I would like to hear your complete overview.
Jazzycat
Christ's Descent Into Hell
Did Jesus Suffer in Hell or "die spiritually" ?
The sixth of seven final word(s) of Christ from the cross was "It is finished."
ALL work necessary for the redemption of mankind by Jesus was complete there. What was only left necessary was the confirmation and declaration of His righteousness by God the Father through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.
As I posted previously the section from the Westminster Confession only says that he descended into hell. It seems anything "necessary" regarding His further suffering would have been included here if true. (and again I chose it as source in respect to your Presbyterian faith)
I will divide into two sections:
1. "And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43).
It is hardly possible for Him to be in paradise that day while at the same time either suffering or "dying spiritually."
We may review the story (technically not a parable) of Abraham and the rich man.
Luke 16:19-26
19There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23And in hell [hades] he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
From this has developed the concept of the division of hell into two parts: Paradise, also known as "Abraham's Bosom," and Tartoros, or hell, the place for the wicked dead.
Today Abraham's Bosom is empty as all those righteous dead in Christ have been raised in Him and seated at the right hand of God. The wicked dead remain until the dead when they shall all be brought forth for judgment at the Great White Throne.
--I just remembered you may believe in "Soul Sleep." The following all still applies in that case. --
Acts 2:21-27
21And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. 22Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: 23Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and
foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 24Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. 25For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: 26Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: 27Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
2. The Old Testament sacrificial system was established to show the truth regarding the sacrificial death of Jesus.
Leviticus 17:11 (King James Version)
For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.
Hebrews 10:10
"By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all".
Colossians 1:21,22
"And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight"
Colossians 2:13,14
13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
1 Peter 2:24
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
Eternal life was bought for us by the shed blood of Christ on the Cross. Search church history and you will find this to be the central truth. It is the work of Christ on the cross, not any alleged work in hell which has gained us eternal life.
Closing: Sadly the idea of the suffering or need for "spiritual dying" of Christ has been promoted by leaders of the "word of faith" movement. I have both heard and read these teachings by them. I must tell you these messages contain utter blasphemy and falsehood.
Not knowing your source of belief I tried to enter softly.
I hope this overview has been helpful.
Malchymist,
It appears my conception of this point was in error although not to the extent of the Word of Faith movement.
My belief was that Jesus's soul briefly went to hell at the moment of saying, "My God why has thou forsaken me." The more I review this, I think I was wrong and am in the process of studying it more.
I appreciate your pointing it out to me. Let me assure you that you did me a service in doing so and I will look over your last comment to aid me in getting it right.
Thank you,
W.H. (Jazzycat's human servant)
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