“I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord..." - Part 2”
...he descended to the dead. / he descended into hell
This is the most controversial line on the creed. With the idea that Jesus visited hell between his crucifixion and resurrection, It is the only line without the support of many clear verses. It does not appear in the earliest versions of the creed. But it has nonetheless impaired much speculation and art. (Google the phrase “Harrowing of Hell for more info.)
The one verse that may support this idea is 1 Peter 3:19-20. Read it and see what you think. Then read 1 Peter 3:8-22 to see the larger point of the passage.
- Do you agree that this is a line in the creed that could be skipped? Why or why not?
On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
Read Acts 1:3-11, Philippians 2:5-11, and Romans 8:34.
- What did the disciples experience when they saw Jesus ascend? What promise of Jesus was fulfilled about 3 days later? (See Acts 2)
- What can Jesus do now as He reigns in heaven that he couldn’t do while he was on earth as a human?
...and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
Read Acts 17:31 and Revelation 20:11-15.
- What do these passages tell us about judgment?
- How does Jesus grace affect how we are judged?
- How does knowing that Jesus is also our judge affect how you live?
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