We will use two key passages from the Bible, as well as some theological concepts in Christology, to more clearly understand the Bible’s teaching on this matter.
1. The Relevant Clause in the Apostles Creed
Regarding the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Apostles Creed states: “I believe in Jesus Christ… our Lord… who… was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell.” From the apostolic era onward, Christians have believed and been convinced of the fact that the Lord Jesus “descended into hell.”
2. The Assertion of Lutheran Theologians
According to the teaching of the Book of Concord and of a sermon that Dr. Luther preached in Torgau, we are convinced that Jesus Christ’s descent into hell is a great and real fact; yet at the same time, it is indeed a mystery that must be accepted by faith.
3. A Theological Interpretation of 1 Peter 3:18-19 and John 19:30
Theologically, we divide the life of Jesus Christ into two states: his state of humiliation and his state of exaltation.
Jesus’ state humiliation extends from his conception to his burial in the tomb. During this time, Jesus perfectly obeyed God’s law and paid the price for the sins of the world. When the Lord Jesus says on the cross “It is finished” (John 19:30), we know that he completed our redemption at the cost of his life. The purpose of Jesus Christ’s humiliation was already accomplished on the cross; therefore, he did not need to take a further step, descending into hell to continue suffering for humanity. Instead, Jesus’ descent into hell marks the beginning of his exaltation.
Death means the separation of soul and body. When Jesus died on the cross, he commended his spirit into the hands of the Father (Luke 23:46), while his body remained on the cross, was later taken down, and buried in the tomb. However, we must note that 1 Peter 3:18-19 presents a natural and clear fact: the exalted, resurrected Jesus descended into hell in his entire person. This means that when Jesus descended into hell, he was in a resurrected and triumphant state. Due to the “communication of attributes” between Jesus’ divine and human natures, he fully and continually exercised the attributes received from his divine nature. Christ’s soul had already been reunited with his body, no longer in the state of separation between body and soul that occurred at his death on the cross (John 19:30; Luke 23:46). Dr. Luther, as well, used Christ’s “descent into hell” to encourage people to hold on to the comfort of the Gospel.
In summary, the glorious Jesus Christ descended into hell not to suffer and complete his passion (John 19:30), nor in a spiritual or symbolic manner, but as a real descent, to proclaim his victory.
Bibliography
Hoenecke, Adolf. Evangelical Lutheran Dogmatics. Volume 3. Translated by James Langebartels. Milwaukee, WI: Northwestern Publishing House, 2003.
Kolb, Robert, and Timothy J. Wengert, eds. The Book of Concord: The Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2000.
Lange, Lyle W. God So Loved the World: A Study of Christian Doctrine. Milwaukee, WI: Northwestern Publishing House, 2005.
Lenski, R. C. H. The Interpretation of the Epistles of St. Peter, St. John, and St. Jude. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House, 1966.