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317. "He Descended Into Hades"

1 Peter 3:18-22
Key Verse: "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God."
1 Peter 3:18B

Too often, I think that we mistakenly think that Christ's death is only good for those sins that had not yet been committed at the time of His crucifixion.  We think that His death is only meant to be applied to the future, to those who would make up His church. After all, how can those who have already died be forgiven? Isn't their death already the payment for the sins they committed while they were alive?

In Jesus’ first sermon, based on Isaiah 61:1-3, (the one He preached to His own people at home, that got Him in so much trouble), He said, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your presence." (Luke 4:25B) This scripture, which He refers to, says: "The spirit of the sovereign Lord is on Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom to the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion, to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair." (Is. 61:1-3A) 

We often think that this statement only describes the ministry from that day to His crucifixion. However, Jesus visited no prisons before His death. He healed and fed and preached the Kingdom of God, but Peter seems to say that this passage in Isaiah also refers to what Jesus did between His death and resurrection.  Our own Apostle’s Creed, which many believers recite before taking communion states "He descended into Hell." When? Before He rose again.

Peter says, "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God." (1 Peter 3:18) Christ's Spirit never died, but many believe that He went to preach to the spirits in prison, all the way back to before Noah. This does not mean that all were forgiven. Perhaps many who refused the preaching of Noah still refused the forgiveness that Christ offered, but to so many who had, "slept with their Fathers," those who had been faithful, the great cloud of witnesses referred to in Hebrews 12:1, who believed, He set free. Christ's death paid for their sins as well and His coming resurrection conquered their deaths as well. Christ did not die again and again. Nor does His death only count for future sinners. He died once, for all sin, to set those who believed when He preached to them, free indeed.

This applies to all people, all over the world, both before and after Jesus came, who never had a chance to hear the gospel preached to them but whose hearts would respond in faith if they did hear it. This does not eliminate the need for mission work. Wherever the gospel is preached to living souls God's Kingdom takes root. Life gets better. Society is elevated. More people hear and believe and live accordingly to add blessing to blessing and take dominion over territory long held by satan.

 When Jesus appeared to John on the Island of Patmos, He said of Himself, "Do not be afraid. I am the first and the last. I am the living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hell." (Rev. 1:18-19) Only He can set the captive free, but if He sets us free, we are free indeed.

Hymn: Once for All, by Paul Baloche

 Apostle's Creed, as sung by John Michael Talbot  The words aren't in it, but you KNOW these words! I think you'll really love this beautiful music!

 One more, more modern: We Believe, by the Newsboys

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