Christ's Descent into Hell

Where was Jesus between His death and resurrection?

He tells the thief on the cross that he will be with Him in paradise that day, so He went to Heaven, right?  But the Apostles' Creed and 1 Peter 3:18-22 seem to say that He was in Hell.

Hm.

Here are all the options I've heard about:

1. Calvin said Jesus experienced Hell on the cross, forsaken by His Father.  The weakness of this is that it messes up the chronology of the Creed: died, buried, descended to Hell.  Did Jesus descend to Hell, die, then burial?  If so, it avoids all the messy questions below!
2. Jesus went to Hell briefly to announce His victory, then went to paradise (Heaven) with the thief on the cross.
3. Jesus went to Hell to announce His victory, and was there until His resurrection.
4. Jesus went to Hell to announce His victory, and brought all believing saints from Sheol up to Heaven.
5. Jesus went to Hell for a final fight with demons and Satan.

Paradise
Most people assume this means Heaven.  However, in the Greek worldview, paradise is the good section of the underworld where the good dead go.  This also seems to fit with the Old Testament view of Sheol.  When OT believers died, we assume they went straight to heaven, but the OT doesn't talk that way (Job 17:16; Psalm 16:10; 86:13; Prov. 1:12; Sheol and Hades appear to be the same, when you compare Isaiah 14:14-15 with Matthew 11:23).  The OT doesn't mention purgatory, or a waiting time or soul sleep, of course, and what I'm advocating here doesn't either.  Once they died, they were conscious and blessed, but not fully united with Christ, nor in the immediate presence of God.  That waited for the arrival of Christ in 1 Peter 3:19-20.  This theory is a real possibility, but I'm not going to die fighting on this hill, either.  Ecclesiastes 12:7 looks like the strongest argument against it (our spirit returns to God when we die).  Over at the Gospel Coalition, Gavin Ortlund repeats the standard Protestant belief - "the idea that Old Testament saints were consigned to some form of hell prior to Christ’s death and resurrection... is not acceptable."  I'd like to see some reasons why, beyond rejecting purgatory, a state of limbo, etc.


Plundering Hell
IF Jesus went to Hell, He either (1) only announced His victory to demons, or (2) also took believers with Him to His Father (assuming from above that they were there!).  George Grant takes the latter view, and he is a Protestant like Gavin Ortlund, who deliberately rejects purgatory, soul sleep and all the standard Roman or liberal errors.  Grant quotes Ephesians 4:8-10, which also mentions Christ's descent into Hell.  The captivity Christ leads out and up are the OT saints.  I take Grant's view, remembering that this is not a "second chance" for those who died outside of Christ.  His preaching in Hell is not to gain converts, but to announce His victory, the release of the OT saints to greater glory with Him, and the condemnation of the rest of Sheol's inhabitants.  Jesus meant this when He said, "how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house" (Matthew 12:29).


Fighting?
I've recently heard of view #5 above and it must be rejected.  It arises out of charismatic contexts that love extra-biblical, sensational experiences of spiritual warfare.  The idea is that Jesus engaged in a further fight or temptation with Satan after He descended to Hell.  This denies the finality of the cross.  Jesus descended to Hell as a conqueror at this point, not one with more fights to wage.


Conclusion
So my preference is for view 4 above, while not denying Calvin's view that Christ suffered the ultimate torment and punishment of Hell on the cross: forsaken by His Father.  We should keep this line in the Apostles' Creed.  Although we don't know the details about it, it reminds us that Christ won a victory over Satan and evil that we cannot fully comprehend.


Colossians 2:13-15
"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, 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. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it."

Deuteronomy 26-27

When you pay your tithe, bring it to the priest, recount the Exodus and entry into Canaan, and rejoice before God.  State that you have paid your tithe from your house, and ask God to bless you.  He will!

When you enter Canaan, set up stones on Mount Ebal and have a ceremony calling down on yourself curses for disobeying the Law, and blessings for obeying it.

How this is about Jesus

• Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek, when He received income from fighting in the land.  Hebrews says this foresees Levites paying tithes to Jesus (Hebrews 7:1-10).
• Jesus took the curse of the Law for our disobedience, when He died on the cross, so we could have the blessing promised in the Law, which we don't deserve (Galatians 3:13-14).

Application

• We have lots of practical questions about tithing: all to the local church?  Net or gross income?  Etc.  But ultimately it comes down to devotion to Jesus.  Are you giving Him the first place in your heart, your schedule, and in your checkbook?
• As those delivered from spiritual bondage (not Exodus but forgiveness in Christ), and are ready to enter the Promised Land, we must resolve to live according to God's Word.

Galatians 3:13-14

"Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."

Luke 7

Jesus heals a Roman centurion's servant.  The centurion knows Jews aren't supposed to enter Gentile homes, and believes Jesus can heal without doing so.  Jesus also raises a man back to life from the dead.  This results in fear, glorifying God, and spreading Jesus' popularity even more.

John sends to ask if Jesus is really the Messiah.  (He probably doubts because John remains in prison.)  Jesus responds by healing people in front of John's messengers, and validating John's ministry of announcing Him.

A Pharisee invites Jesus to eat, but a woman with a reputation shows up the Pharisee in treating Jesus more like people should.  Because she has much to be forgiven for, while the Pharisee seems to be trying to treat Jesus as just another teacher like them.


Application

• Do we believe Jesus can heal our hurts?  From heaven?  With no Benny Hinn like exciting experience for us to woo over?
• Do we come to Jesus and interact with Him fervently and ardently, as those who have much to be forgiven?  Remembering that He is the one to forgive?  Or do we just admire His sacrifice (what a man) or His teaching (what wisdom)?

Luke 6

Tension skyrockets as Jesus plucks grain and heals a withered hand on the Sabbath.  He heals while they plot His destruction... on the Sabbath.

Jesus picks 12 apostles from among His disciples.  He heals and teaches the sermon on the mount.
Blessings and curses, just like Deuteronomy 28.  Love your enemy.  Don't condemn, but forgive.  A good man will do good, not evil.  Doing what Jesus says sets a solid foundation for your house.


Application
Don't condemn people for breaking tradition, if there is nothing against it in Scripture.
Interesting that the sermon on the mount has so much about enemies, being persecuted, and judging - right when He has developed serious enemies.  Love your enemy is not an abstract principle.

Luke 5

Jesus teaches from Peter's boats, then sends them out to fish.  They catch tons, an obvious miracle.  Jesus calls them to fish for men as His disciples from now on.

Jesus heals a leper and sends him to the temple according to the Law (Leviticus 14).

His popularity is high.  Pharisees and scribes send delegates to check Him out.  Jesus claims the authority to forgive sins and heals a paralytic as a sign of it.

He calls Levi (Matthew) a tax collector to be His disciple.  He throws a party, and the visiting scribes and Pharisees don't like the riff raff.  But Jesus is here to save the riff raff!  They don't like the exuberance of Jesus' group, either.  But you don't put on a somber, pietistic show when the bridegroom arrives.  Standard forms of piety aren't going to fit well when the Messiah comes to His own.

Application

• Reverence results when we see real miracles.
• We should seek to follow God's Word, even in extreme circumstances, like the coming of the Messiah (vss. 14).
• The way we come up with for how to obey God's Word shouldn't become a sacred cow, and may be off base (like frequency of fasting, or separation from "sinners").  But real obedience is required.

Luke 4

Jesus fasts for 40 days in the wilderness, and Satan tempts Him to take for Himself instead of relying on God.  He resists temptation with Scripture each time.

He begins teaching through Galilee.  At Nazareth He quotes Isaiah 61 and says it is fulfilled in Him.  They like this until He rebukes their presumptuous spirit ("hometown boy's gonna do us some miracles!") with Scriptural examples of God going to Gentiles instead of to Israel.

In Capernaum, demons shout at Him but He rebukes and exorcises them, and heals people, including Peter's mother-in-law (Peter was married!).  He goes to all the cities, doesn't just stay in the popular places like Capernaum.

Application

• Some outward practices like fasting can be helpful to remind us we depend on God more than food - Jesus did this.
• Know your Bible (mind) and love it (have it in your heart) so that when you are tempted, it comes to you.
• Familiarity breeds contempt.  When the hometown boy claims to be the Messiah, they just take pride in that He's one of their own.  Watch for God to teach you through those you tend to look down upon: your children, employees, students, etc.
• Don't seek popularity, but to actually help people (vs. 43).

What's a Maundy?

Today is Maundy Thursday in the Christian church.

Maundy is an old English word from the Latin "mandatum," which means commandment.  It remembers that Jesus gave His disciples a new commandment in the Upper Room on this day (John 13:34).

Many churches have a worship service that is Passover and/or Communion focused, some with a foot-washing ceremony.

John 13:1-18:27 gives us the words of Jesus, His prayer and arrest in Gethsemane, which all happened on this night.  Read it, and weep.

Luke 3

The word of God came to John when Tiberias, Pilate, Herod, Anna's and Caiaphas ruled.  He called for repentance and preparation according to Isaiah 40.  "Don't be greedy or exploit people financially, but share from your extra with others.  I am not the Christ, but go before Him."  Herod arrested him when he rebuked Herod for his unlawful marriage.

Jesus was baptized, and God announced Him as His Son.  He was 30 then, descended from David, Judah, Abraham and Adam.

Application
John didn't just call for general repentance, but got very specific, about our money and our marriages.  This is where the rubber hits the road.

Deuteronomy 23-25

Those excluded from worship: those with defective genitalia, illegitimately born, Ammonites and Moabites.  Bury your body waste outside the camp.  Runaway slaves can stay free if they come to you; do not return them.  No prostitutes or perverts.  Don't charge interest to fellow Israelites.  Don't  delay to pay vows.  Feel free to hand pick and eat when you pass through a neighbor's field, but don't use a tool.

Respect your neighbor's stuff, whether his wife, equipment, family, borrowed stuff, wages owed, legal rights, and needs of the poor.

Limit legal punishment and carry it out in front of the judge who decides it.  A brother should marry his brother's wife if they have not had children, to provide descendants for his brother.  If he won't, shame him.  Don't fight dirty.  Don't cheat.  Destroy Amalek once you are settled in Canaan.


How this is about Jesus
He hand picks and eats on the Sabbath - not forbidden!
He clarifies that a man can't divorce his wife for just any reason.
By His sacrifice, He brings about fruit in Israel/Church, where His elder brothers (prior rulers and shepherds) were fruitless due to faithlessness.

Deuteronomy 20-22

How to engage in battle.  The priest speaks to the army; the officers release any with certain obligations or who are fearful.  Offer peace to a city, first.  If they accept, let them serve you.  If not, kill all the men and keep the rest as plunder.  In Canaan, though, destroy all that breathes, as their punishment for idolatry and to keep you from falling into it.  Don't cut down trees when the seige of a city is long.

When you have an unsolved murder, the elders of the nearest city make atonement with a heifer.  When you take a woman captive as plunder, let her mourn for a month before going in to her.  If you don't want to keep her, don't treat her as a slave.  The firstborn gets the inheritance, regardless who your favorite child is.  Parents should take rebellious children who won't repent to the elders, and he will be stoned.  If you execute someone by hanging, don't keep them on it overnight, since that is a cursed punishment.

Help your neighbor and animals maintain his stuff and life.  Don't cross-dress.  Don't mix different kinds of seeds, cloth and animals in work.  If a new groom publicly accuses his wife of not being a virgin at their wedding (!), the elders will examine the wedding bedsheets to see if it is so.  If not, the man is whipped, fined and stuck with her.  If it's true, she is stoned.  Execute adulterers, both man and woman, unless the woman cried for help and no one could hear.  Sex before marriage means a heavy fine to the father of the girl, and they get married and stay married.


How this is about Jesus!
Every knee will bow to Jesus.  If it's unwilling submission, condemnation & spiritual death results.

In John 8, Jesus does not allow carrying out the penalty as described here.  Not because it is an unfair or brutal law - it is not.  But they accuse hypocritically, and Jesus advocates a transformation of the penalties of the law.  Instead of capital punishment, God's people now use excommunication - a pronouncement of spiritual death - for unrepentant and high-handed sins.

Written Word of God

John Frame's Systematic Theology
Chapter 25 - God's Written Words

Just as the prophets spoke God's Word with the same level of authority as God's voice at Sinai, so His written Word has the same level of authority as His audible voice or His prophets.  The revealed Word is meant to be permanent, not momentary - passed down to the next generation - 1 Cor. 15:3; 1 Tim. 6:20.

The Old Testament
The OT asserts and assumes throughout that it is the written Word of God.  This idea didn't begin in the 1900's with fundamentalism!  Ex. 31:18; Josh. 1:8; Deut. 31:26-28.  This culminates in Psalm 119, where God's words are an object of praise and a means of carrying on a personal relationship with God.  Jesus quotes the OT as authoritative, says it can't be broken, and calls a Psalm "your law," (Ps 82; John 10:34; Matt 5:17-19).  The apostles had the same view.  When they quote it, you often can't tell if they mean God or Scripture ("it says" - who? God and Scripture are interchangeable).  Paul tells Timothy it is breathed out by God, which means it is His speech.  1 Peter 1:20-21 means that the origin of Scripture is God, not the human authors.

The New Testament
No text comes out and asserts directly that it is God's word.  But it is required reading for the church (Col 4:16), must be obeyed as from an apostle who is from God (2 Thess 3:14-15; 1 Cor 14:37-38), and quotes other parts of the NT as Scripture like the OT (1 Tim 5:17-18 quotes Luke 10:7; 2 Pet 3:15-16 quotes Paul).

Canon
What writings are God's words?  This is the question of canon.  As early as 170 A.D. there were lists with just a few books missing from the current list.  Early documents that were excluded have gotten a lot of press lately (Gospel of Thomas, e.g.), but it's simple to argue that they were regarded by the church as heretical and thus excluded.  The ultimate assurance and criteria of the NT canon is supernatural: God testifies to the church that the texts are indeed His Word.  We do not rely on the church alone for this assurance.  Some objective criteria we apply are that the texts must be apostolic, ancient, used in worship, and orthodox.  The canon is closed, since God has spoken ultimately in Christ.  Though He added to Scripture Himself through the centuries, He won't anymore because Christ has finally spoken.

Divorce / Gays in Charge / I Have Decided

The grounds for divorce: Biblical, short and clear

Rod Dreher says the media and cultural furor over the Indiana religious freedom law is the real story, not the law itself.  "Patrick Deneen gets what’s really going on here: 'Any cause [i.e., the homosexual lobby] with the active support of Apple, NCAA, Wal-Mart and the Kochs is not a beleaguered minority, but the ruling elite.' "

Singing "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus"
"Not all music was written in the context of debates about God’s role vs. people’s work in salvation."

Deuteronomy 17-19

In determining guilt, 2 or 3 witnesses are needed, not just one.  Death for idolaters, and those who disregard the judges' rulings for them.  Have a supreme court in the appointed place of worship.  When you have a king, make sure it isn't a foreigner, and he may not gather many horses, wives or gold.  Instead he should copy this law by his own hand.

Give the priests their due in each town.  If a priest comes to the capital to serve, give him a position and a portion.  Don't let sorcerers live.  God will send a prophet for you to heed.  You will know it because what he says will come true.

Set up cities of refuge close to all your territory and easy to get to with good roads, so an accidental killer can flee there.  The judges there determine if it was accidental.  If not, they turn him over to the victim's avengers.  Don't move boundaries.  If a false witness arises, do to him what would have happened to the one he slanders.

How this is about Jesus

He knew the law, as a faithful king should (chpt 17).

He tells us to establish matters by 2-3 witnesses, if needed (Matt. 18:15-18).

He is the prophet God sent (18:15).  Luke 19:41-44 is one example of Jesus predicting something that came true, besides His own death and resurrection.

He was falsely accused before the Sanhedrin (Matt. 26:60).

Application

Don't believe one side in a dispute, without hearing the other side.  This perverts justice.

Listen closely to the words of Jesus!

Deuteronomy 14-16

Don't be like the nations around you in how you mourn the dead or in what you eat.  Take your tithe to God's appointed place each year.  Every third year, keep it in your town to give to the Levite and widow there.

Every 7 years, forgive all debts owed to Israelites.  Give generously to the poor without taking advantage of them.  Also don't profit from your firstborn animals - sacrifice them to God.

Feasts reviewed: Passover and unleavened bread, Weeks, and Tabernacles are the three feasts all the men need to attend (16:16), and they are meant for the whole family (16:11, 14).  Do justice with judges in every town.  Don't plant trees or set up pillars (signs of fertility) near the appointed worship space.

How this is about Jesus

• He speaks of having an evil or good eye, and 15:9 explains what that means: generosity and compassion.
• He said we will always have the poor with us, a nearly direct quote of 15:11.  Many read this as a callous disregard of the poor on Jesus' part, but the context shows it is just the opposite.

Application

• We can be very stingy in our giving to God and to the poor.
• Our giving to God should include our time in going to worship Him with His people regularly.  Lest any argue that three times a year is often enough, see Leviticus 23:3 for the command to assemble WEEKLY.

Deuteronomy 11-13

Moses is talking to the adults who saw (when they were children) God save them from Egypt, who saw with their own eyes what happened to Dathan and Abiram.  The land you are entereing is very fertile - more than Egypt was - so be careful not to forsake God.  If you are faithful, the land will stay fertile, and you will drive out the Canaanites.  If not, you will be cursed.

Don't sacrifice to God anywhere you want, in Canaan, but only the one place God appoints.  You can eat meat anywhere (not the blood).  Do not copy the nations in how they worship their gods.

Don't tolerate false prophets who lead you away from God.  Even if your closest friend or wife suggests worshiping other gods, put them to death.  If you hear of a nearby city in Israel that has gone after other gods, go investigate.  If it's true, kill everyone and burn it to the ground.

How this is about Jesus
He was tempted to idolatry by Satan, and quoted Deut. 6, to worship God alone.
He is the true prophet who leads us TO God, not away from Him.

Application
We have not seen the Exodus or crucifixion with our own eyes.  We are the children of those who did, and have their writings in the Bible.  Like this text, those writings are not just Moses' or the apostles' words, but God's very words (see Deuteronomy 31:9-13).