Where Was Jesus After the Cross?

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Where Was Jesus After The Cross  Luke 23:39-46

The Apostles’ Creed after A.D. 650, includes the phrase, “he descended into hell,” meaning that Jesus, between the crucifixion and the resurrection went to the place of punishment, or possibly a place of waiting for Old Testament believers. Let us consider this in contrast to the inspired Word of God.

SCRIPTURE USED AS PROOF TEXTS  

• Acts 2:27 (Psalm 16:10)
• Romans 10:6-7 (Deuteronomy 30:12-13)
• Ephesians 4:8-9
• 1Peter 3:18-20
• 1Peter 4:6

THE OPPOSITION OF THE BIBLE

• “… because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell [sheol], neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” Psalm 16:10 KJV
  • Acts 2:27 NIV “Because you will not abandon me to the grave [hades], nor will you let your Holy One see decay”
    • Both Hebrew word, sheol and Greek word, hades, can mean “the grave” or “death”
    • Fits the context >>> Christ’s body was raised from the grave, whereas David’s was not
    • Peter’s point: David’s body is dead and buried still (v.29), David was prophesying about Jesus, a descendant of David in flesh who is indeed resurrected and seated on his throne (vv.30-31)
  • Romans 10:6-7 “Do not say, ‘Who will ascend… or Who will descend into the abyss?’ …to bring Christ up…”
    • Does not say Christ is or has been in hell >>> Rather forbids the silly questions
      • Used as an example of idea of Christ being beyond reach of human beings (He is not)
    • Ephesians 4:8-9 “… ‘He ascended,’… he had descended into the lower parts of the earth?” NIV expresses thus: “… he also descended to the lower, earthly regions?” >>> acceptable understanding of Greek  = “lower regions which are earth” (the city of Chicago = the city which is Chicago)
    • 1Peter 3:18-20 “being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and preached to spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey… in the days of Noah…”
      • Peter does not claim Jesus preached to all spirits >>> only those who formerly did not obey … during the building of the ark. That would be a small group in hell.
      • Why only those sinners? Offer second chance? Or Nanna Nanna? God takes no delight in death of wicked Eze.33:11
        • There is no second chance at salvation Luke16:26 (great chasm); Heb. 10:26-27(after rejecting Christ > no sacrifice); 9;27 (die > judgment)
        • Context = always be ready to share your hope 15 [That urgency would be diluted if there were a second chance]
      • Preaching to fallen angels? >>> some believe this would fit context of Peter encouraging folks suffering persecution >>> ≈ (1) your real persecutors are demons (2) other demons are now suffering (3) your demon persecutors will someday get what coming them
      • Best Explanation (Augustine) >>> Noah preached in the Spirit of Christ as he built the ark (2Peter 2:5). Now those who rejected are now in prison in hell.
    • 1Peter 4:6 “…why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead…” >>> No second chance at salvation THEREFORE The preaching must have been while they were still alive on earth
    • Jesus, from the cross: “Today…with me in Paradise (Lk23:43)
      • Paradise ≠Heaven? >>> 2Corinthians 12:4(v.2); Revelation2:7(vv.22:2,14)
      • Jesus had to suffer more than the cross? Jn19:30; Lk23:46
        • Jesus paid it all >>> to the last penny on the cross Matthew5:25-26 >>> the last penny is never paid in Hell (or people would be released) >>> Believers have had payment of the last penny imputed to them in Christ
        • >>> those in Hell have not paid their penalty
        • >>> those in Heaven have because they are there on the basis of what Christ did on the cross
      • Jesus Could Not Go To Hell Because He Is Already There
      • Hades / Tartarus / Limbo – A place to await eternal life or eternal punishment - Does Not Exist.
        • Jesus = Lamb slain before the foundation of the world (Rev.13:8 >>> Calvary accomplished before it was endured)
        • Old Testament (Abraham, Moses, David…) saints were saved in Christ (Rom.4:3;Gal.3:6;Jas.2:23;Jn.8:56) OR they were lost
          • Salvation in no other
        • Romans 3:25 “to be received” and “who had passed over” (it seemed)
          • In case of Abraham and David and Moses >>> born in sin and then God allows them into heaven with no propitiation for their sin
          • Seemed God was violating his own character >>> blessing rather than punishing them by “passing over” sin.
          • Jesus crucified demonstrated what God had promised before the foundation of the earth >>> Genesis 3:15
          • Nahum 1:3; Exodus 23:7 --- God never acquits the guilty
        • No one is --- neither saved completely nor lost completely
          • No categories of: “nearly or sort of saved” / “not saved but not lost”

Today, you are either lost and bound for hell or saved and a citizen of heaven, bound for your home with Christ.  You can believe God and be righteous in Christ Jesus = completely saved or…