-------------------------
In the course of explaining what happened after Jesus died, the author repeats some commonly beliefs held by Calvinists/Reformists. We will take issue with these as they come up in his presentation.
But more importantly, the author never really tells us the answer to the question contained in the title. It seems like he wrote the article as an excuse to talk about other things.
We will try to sort this out below. In the meantime, we must deem this Bad Bible Teaching.
------------------------
There are few questions in Christian theology that generate as much confusion and curiosity as this one: Did Jesus go to hell between His death and resurrection?
For many, the idea seems familiar, sometimes even assumed. Some people may recall the phrase “He descended into hell” from the Apostles’ Creed, depending on their liturgical background. Others have heard sermons or teachings suggesting that Christ spent three days suffering in hell before rising again because the cross was insufficient.
But what does the Bible actually teach? And why does this question matter for how we understand the gospel?
I want to argue that the answer is both clear and deeply comforting: No, Jesus did not go to hell to suffer after his death. Instead, he fully endured the wrath of God on the cross and declared his work finished. (Jesus did not endure the wrath of God at all. There is no verse in the Bible that tells us this gruesome theory.
There are few questions in Christian theology that generate as much confusion and curiosity as this one: Did Jesus go to hell between His death and resurrection?
For many, the idea seems familiar, sometimes even assumed. Some people may recall the phrase “He descended into hell” from the Apostles’ Creed, depending on their liturgical background. Others have heard sermons or teachings suggesting that Christ spent three days suffering in hell before rising again because the cross was insufficient.
But what does the Bible actually teach? And why does this question matter for how we understand the gospel?
I want to argue that the answer is both clear and deeply comforting: No, Jesus did not go to hell to suffer after his death. Instead, he fully endured the wrath of God on the cross and declared his work finished. (Jesus did not endure the wrath of God at all. There is no verse in the Bible that tells us this gruesome theory.
It seems the author believes that the Father only transferred His wrath to Jesus, which would mean Jesus' sacrifice was irrelevant.)
Where Does the Idea Come From?
The belief that Jesus went to hell often arises from a few biblical passages and the Apostles’ Creed. For example:
The Cross Was Enough
At the heart of the my understanding about this is a simple but profound truth: Jesus accomplished the full work of atonement on the cross.
Think about his final words in John 19:30 “It is finished.”
That was not a statement of partial completion. Jesus did not mean, “I’ve done most of the work, and whatever is left I’ll deal with in hell.” He meant exactly what he said, the work of redemption was complete.
On the cross, Christ bore the full weight of God’s wrath against sin. (The author repeats his claim and contradicts himself in the space of two sentences. If indeed the cross was enough, then there was no need for the Father to punish Jesus. If Jesus' sacrifice was insufficient, requiring His further punishment, then the cross was not enough.
The author needs to explain this contradiction.)
In those hours of darkness, Jesus endured what hell ultimately represents, the righteous judgment of God against sin. The cross was not merely physical suffering, it was substitutionary judgment. (This of course is false. Jesus did not receive substitutionary judgment. He did not die in our place. He was not punished for our sin.
(...)
Why This Matters for You
This isn’t just a theological technicality. It goes to the very heart of the good news. If Jesus fully absorbed God’s wrath on the cross, then: there is nothing left for you to pay, your forgiveness is complete, and your salvation is secure. (There was never anything we had to pay. We didn't owe anything. We were dead [Ep. 2:1] and condemned [Jn. 3:18] We were not in debt.
He endured something far more profound: the full judgment of God in the place of sinners on the cross.
And because he did, all who trust in him will never have to. That is not a small theological detail. That is astonishingly good news.
Where Does the Idea Come From?
The belief that Jesus went to hell often arises from a few biblical passages and the Apostles’ Creed. For example:
- Acts 2:27 (quoting Psalm 16): “You will not abandon my soul to Hades…”
- 1 Peter 3:19: Christ “went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison”
- The phrase “He descended into hell” in the Apostles’ Creed (This third item is the only one the author will discuss. He never mentions the first two items again.)
The Cross Was Enough
At the heart of the my understanding about this is a simple but profound truth: Jesus accomplished the full work of atonement on the cross.
Think about his final words in John 19:30 “It is finished.”
That was not a statement of partial completion. Jesus did not mean, “I’ve done most of the work, and whatever is left I’ll deal with in hell.” He meant exactly what he said, the work of redemption was complete.
On the cross, Christ bore the full weight of God’s wrath against sin. (The author repeats his claim and contradicts himself in the space of two sentences. If indeed the cross was enough, then there was no need for the Father to punish Jesus. If Jesus' sacrifice was insufficient, requiring His further punishment, then the cross was not enough.
The author needs to explain this contradiction.)
He became a curse for us (Galatians 3:13). (Correct.)
He was crushed for our iniquities (Isaiah 53:5–10). (Correct.)
He experienced the forsakenness we deserved (Matthew 27:46) (Incorrect. Jesus was never forsaken. Let's quote the verse:
Mt. 27:46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” — which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Jesus quoted Psalm 22:1. A careful Bible student would ask, "Why Psalm 22:1?" And, the careful Bible student would actually read it.
Psalm 22 is dense with prophetic messianic statements:
- Ps. 22:7 All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads
- Ps. 22:8 “He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.”
- Ps. 22:14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me.
- Ps. 22:15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death.
- Ps. 22:16 Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet.
- Ps. 22:17 I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me.
- Ps. 22:18 They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.
Jesus quoted the first verse of this psalm because that's how Scripture was identified. There were no chapters or verse numbers back then. He quoted this verse to point to the contents of Psalm 22 because it described what was happening right at that moment.
In addition, we need to attend to one more verse in the psalm:
Ps. 22:24 For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.
There it is. The author's statement is directly contradicted by the Psalm itself.)
In those hours of darkness, Jesus endured what hell ultimately represents, the righteous judgment of God against sin. The cross was not merely physical suffering, it was substitutionary judgment. (This of course is false. Jesus did not receive substitutionary judgment. He did not die in our place. He was not punished for our sin.
Jesus' death was sacrificial.
The cross was enough, as the author himself asserted.
Jesus' death was not substitutionary, because we must die too:
Ro. 6:6-7 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin — 7 because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.
Col. 3:3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
Surely the author knows these things?)
To suggest that more suffering was required afterward is to imply that the cross was insufficient. Scripture never allows that conclusion. (??? The author ironically denies his own doctrine! Yes, yes, the cross was enough, which means both punishment in hell and punishment on the cross are attempts to add to the finished work of the cross.)
To suggest that more suffering was required afterward is to imply that the cross was insufficient. Scripture never allows that conclusion. (??? The author ironically denies his own doctrine! Yes, yes, the cross was enough, which means both punishment in hell and punishment on the cross are attempts to add to the finished work of the cross.)
(...)
Why This Matters for You
This isn’t just a theological technicality. It goes to the very heart of the good news. If Jesus fully absorbed God’s wrath on the cross, then: there is nothing left for you to pay, your forgiveness is complete, and your salvation is secure. (There was never anything we had to pay. We didn't owe anything. We were dead [Ep. 2:1] and condemned [Jn. 3:18] We were not in debt.
Further, Jesus didn't pay for our sins, He washed them away [He. 9:12-14]. He paid for us:
1Co. 7:23 You were bought at a price...
Jesus' death was sacrificial, it was not a transaction with the Father [or the devil].)
You don’t need to wonder whether enough has been done. You don’t need to fear that something remains unfinished. Jesus didn’t just start your redemption, he finished it.
The Glory of the Gospel
When we see clearly that Jesus did not go to hell to continue suffering, but instead bore hell on the cross, the gospel becomes even more glorious.
On the cross justice was satisfied, wrath was exhausted, sin was defeated, and full redemption was accomplished.
And when Jesus rose from the dead, it was not to complete salvation but to announce its victory.
So, did Jesus go to hell?
No.
You don’t need to wonder whether enough has been done. You don’t need to fear that something remains unfinished. Jesus didn’t just start your redemption, he finished it.
The Glory of the Gospel
When we see clearly that Jesus did not go to hell to continue suffering, but instead bore hell on the cross, the gospel becomes even more glorious.
On the cross justice was satisfied, wrath was exhausted, sin was defeated, and full redemption was accomplished.
And when Jesus rose from the dead, it was not to complete salvation but to announce its victory.
So, did Jesus go to hell?
No.
He endured something far more profound: the full judgment of God in the place of sinners on the cross.
And because he did, all who trust in him will never have to. That is not a small theological detail. That is astonishingly good news.
No comments:
Post a Comment