Did Jesus Go to Hell?

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.” (I Peter 3:18-20)

After the crucifixion did Jesus descend into hell?

The question usually arises from the King James translation of Acts 2:27, 31 (quoting Ps. 16:8-11), that the soul of Christ “was not left in hell.” More popularly, the idea derives from the clause in the Apostles’ Creed: Christ “descended into hell” (descendit ad inferna). “Hell” in both cases refers not to the hell of eternal punishment (Gehenna), but to the realm of the dead, the underworld (OT Sheol, NT Hades). Hence modern translations of both the New Testament and the Creed read “Hades,” “dead,” or “death,” not hell.

That coupled with I Peter 3:18-20 causes some to be misinterpreting the concept. “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient….”

Regarding this I Peter 3 it means in the Old Testament time He, Jesus, by means of the Holy Spirit, went and preached to the people of Old Testament era, when Noah was building the ark, who were disobedient and didn’t repent and are now, that is at the time of the New Testament era, separate from God in hell forever. It was not that at the time of the writing of this text He preached to them in hell, but in the Old Testament era when Noah was building the ark, He preached to them.

Bottom line, He did not go to hell after His crucifixion and before His resurrection.

As an aside, why would Jesus have gone to hell after His crucifixion and preached to those there. It was too late for them to repent and be saved. Would it have been an “I told you so” message, or a “Na, na, na, na, goodbye” mocking? Neither are substantial reasons. Jesus died for our sins that we might not go to hell, where it is too late to be saved.

“For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6: 23)

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

Timothy: A Conscientious Plodder 9/5/99

I Thessalonians 3:1-3

Jesus Christ has had a loyal legion of followers on every continent in every age. The Bible chronicles the experiences of some of the first century stalwarts. Our distance from them diminishes their flaws and dramatizes their favorable qualities. However, in every age loyalist have had one thing in common and Paul was the penman who penned the announcement of it when he wrote: “We told you when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation…” (I Thessalonians 3: 4).

We are blessed and made bold by their example in the face of deprivation, destitution, distress, disaster, and difficulty. They were plodders. They looked neither to the right nor the left but kept on course. Theirs was a long obedience in the same direction.

Jesus said, “If any man will come after me let him take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). What a purpose giving invitation this is. It frees one of boredom and relieves one of monotony.

Our identity with Christ is noted in the word translated “follow.” It means to walk so closely behind that when the person leading removes his foot from one spot the following person puts his foot in that spot. In that proximity there is room for only one cross. Christ said we are to take up our cross and follow Him. If there is room for only one cross and we are to take up our cross that means the cross Christ carried is our cross.

It is not unreasonable to envision Christ struggling under the cross and physically plodding along on His way to Calvary. When we follow Him we become members of the “Society of Plodders.” What a wonderful fraternal order it is.

One of my favorite plodders of a more modern era is George Washington Carver. He was born a slave near Diamond Grove, Missouri. As an infant he along with his mother were stolen by a band of night raiders. It is said his master bought him back in exchange for a horse. He plodded along paying his way through college at Iowa State College by doing janitorial work, taking in laundry, and cooking.

He started a collection of fungus that grew to over 20,000. This earned him national fame. He came to Tuskegee University in Alabama in 1896. His discoveries were numerous.

“When I was young, I said to God, ‘God tell me the mystery of the universe,’ but God answered, ‘That knowledge is reserved for me alone.’ So I said, ‘God tell me the mystery of the peanut.’ Then God said, ‘Well, George, that’s more nearly your size.’ And He told me.”

During his illustrious career this slave child made more than 300 products from the peanut. More than 118 products from the sweet potato and 75 from pecans.

In 1916 this plodder was named a Fellow in the Royal Society of Arts in London, an honor given few Americans.

In 1951 the George Washington Carver Monument was established on 210 acres of Missouri farm land in his honor. By the time of his death some 18 schools had been named in his honor. He was a productive plodder.

Contemporary sports figures are dramatic examples of plodders. Lance Armstrong overcame cancer’s death sentence to win the world of cycling’s most grueling contest, the Tour de France. He said, “I am responsible to tell my story. To encourage others to fight on.” He plodded the often debilitating path of cancer.

Jim Abbot was born without a right hand. Courageously he concentrated on his left and minimized the absence of a right hand. He overcame his limitation to become quarterback of his high school football team. He excelled in baseball batting 427.

In Korea he was a pitcher on the U.S. Gold Medal baseball team.

He broke into the major leagues with the Angels in 1989. He pitched in 263 major league games. In 1991 he was 18 – 11 with an ERA of 2.89. Most remarkably of all while pitching with the New York Yankees this one armed phenomenon pitched a no- hitter.

He said, “My career wasn’t always great, but it was wonderful.” What a productive plodder!

Plodders know toward what they are plodding. They have an objective, goal, or gateway. Create an environment that keeps yours before you.

Strategically placed post-it notes can be used as self-reminders. Post them on your refrigerator, in your bedroom, at your place of play, work, or business.

Record your statement of calling or goals on cassette tape and replay it for yourself often.

Put them on the screen saver of your computer.

Isaac Newton was asked how he discovered the law of gravity and replied, “By thinking about it all the time.”

What are the spiritual goals toward which you are plodding. State them, record them, and repeat them to achieve them.

For examples of traits of a conscientious plodder turn to your New Testament. Timothy is tracked in his faith from his childhood. From him we can learn additional traits of a plodder.

HE WAS A LEARNER
Timothy was evidently reared in a single parent home. His mother and grandmother are identified but no reference is made to his dad (II Timothy 1: 5). Both his mom, Eunice, and grandmother Lois were followers of Christ who served as his maternal mentors.

From infancy they taught him Scripture (II Timothy 3: 15).

Scripture is a curriculum for a course of a joyous life well lived. That is true because it comes from God.

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God…” (II Timothy 3: 16).

Meaning, “Every single part of the whole is given by God.” I have studied textual criticism, form criticism, and higher criticism, which as most often taught are designed to destroy one’s confidence in Scripture. It only confirmed my confidence in it as God’s Word.

A perfect God would have had no problem giving us a perfect Bible. Every single part of it is given “by inspiration of God.” This means “every single part of the whole is breathed out by God.” As we exhale breath from our lungs so every part of the Bible proceeded from the mind of God.

If you want a faith that keeps on keeping on “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (II Tim 2:15).

HEAR God’s Word, READ God’S Word, STUDY God’s Word,

MEMORIZE God’ Word, MEDITATE on God’s Word, DO God’s Word.

Establish a personal program of daily Bible study. Set aside a time and place to go through this regimen.

Inevitably you will miss a day. If so don’t quit. If you miss a meal do you give up eating all together? No, you look all the more forward to the next one and resume. Do the same in Bible study.

Note the advantages of studying Scripture.

It is “profitable for doctrine,” that is it deals with forwardness.

It is affords “reproof,” meaning it relates to falsehoods.

It is suited for “correction.” Apply it for faltering.

It is reliable “for instruction in righteousness. It guides us in making God first.

Plodders need instructions on the right route.

Let God’s Word be your standard for life. Many people are looking and listening to learn what’s “in.” The “everybody is doing it” mantra is a mandate for meritocracy.

That sage, President Harry Truman, who defied the polls said: “How far would Moses have gone if he had taken a poll? What would Jesus Christ have preached if He had taken a poll in the land of Israel? What would have happened if Martin Luther had taken a poll? It is isn’t polls or public opinion of the moment that counts. It is right and wrong and leadership.”

One plodding after the heart of God gets marching orders from the Word of God. Timothy did.

A LABORER
Paul describes Timothy as his “fellow laborer” (I Thes. 3:2).

In the day when the dignity of labor has been debased we do well to have a Labor Day on our national calendar to pay tribute to those who labor.

When a person sees his or her job as a ministry then it takes on a holy glow. When they conceive of themselves as doing what they are doing as though Jesus were their on job boss life sparkles. Then Colossians 3: 23 becomes a by-word for life: “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.”

Perform and produce to an audience of one, Jesus.

Few figures are as much in the spotlight as athletes in America today. I am pleased to associate with many of the greatest athletes in the world by virtue of being Chairman of the National Board of Trustees of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Many of them measure their effectiveness not by boos or cheers of the crowds but by whether they have performed in a manner pleasing to Christ. They know Christ to be plodding every step with them.

John Wooden, perhaps the greatest coach of any sport, who won unprecedented number of National Championships with UCLA, said, “Sometimes I wonder if the Lord isn’t almost as much the coach as I am.”

Tom Landry observed, “Knowing your job isn’t the most important thing in your life relieves a lot of pressure. And because I felt I was doing God’s will in my life, I knew I didn’t have to do it all in my strength.”

Bobby Bowden who has enjoyed unprecedented success with his football program at Florida State, in speaking of his life growing “more Christian- patterned,” said, “At least I hope I have grown in my Christian life through the years. I’ve tried to be a better example to my players.”

Tom Osborne whose Nebraska Cornhuskers ranked among the top 24 in the nation for 30 years, from 1969 to 1998, and 21 times in the top ten, is a man of great personal faith. His newly released book, Faith in the Game, is punctuated with accounts revealing his deep personal faith in the sufficiency of Christ.

Grant Teaff, Executive Director of the American Football Coaches Association, told me he has made a long time study of the crucifixion of Christ because His was the ultimate sacrifice. Any sacrifice he asked of himself and his players was measured against that.

Like these men the labor of Timothy was to establish and encourage people in their faith. Everybody needs strengthening and encouraging. Modern behaviorist Dale Carnegie said, “Three- fourths of the people you will ever meet are hungering and thirsting for sympathy. Give it to them, and they will love you.”

Timothy and Paul, like many today, had an unusually difficult assignment. They were to be living examples of the sufficiency of Christ in adversity. Don’t read I Thess. 3: 3 with glazed eyes: “that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.”

They were “appointed” to suffer for Christ.

Benjamin Franklin said, “The things that hurt instruct.”

Paul had a thorn in the flesh with which he lived. Timothy had digestive problems. For this reason he was counseled to “take a little wine for the stomachs sake.” Wooooe!

Many take this as license for consuming alcohol noting the Bible says do it. If you are going to be Biblical about it be Biblical about it all the way. The medical standard of the era is revealed in the word “little.” There was a formula for this. Sanitation and water purification in that era wasn’t good. To compensate for this they added one part wine to 20 parts water. So if you are going to use this as your proof text be sure to follow that formula and you won’t become an alcoholic.

HE WAS A LOYALIST
Pollster George Gallup, Jr., concluded in his book Saints Among Us that approximately 13% of Americans live their lives out of deep, authentic, spiritual commitment. He found they are more compassionate, more conscious of God’s presence, and led happier and more joyful lives.

Throughout the Book of Acts Timothy is found being dispatched to a different difficult area to share the love of Christ. He was part of the vanguard that put out the altar fires in the pagan temples and light the gospel torch in the palaces of Caesar. We too have a similar assignment.

Eighty years ago England was the most churched country in the world. Today many churches are closed. Those who do reach people for Christ average baptizing 1?2 person per year.

In 1958 America was the most churched country in the world. Today, 40 years later, we are half-way to where England is.

Loyalist like Timothy must be raised up to plod into the fields that are indeed white unto harvest, over ripe.

Paul described Timothy as “my beloved and faithful son in the Lord” (I Cor. 4: 17). With such identity Timothy was sent to the divided church in Corinth to be God’s instrument of reconciliation. Plodders go where they are supposed to go and do what they are assigned to do.

Timothy’s message and life are confirmed as positive. Paul said, “Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by … Timothy—- was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes. For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us” (II Corinthians 1: 19, 20).

There is to be no vacillating. The expression “amen” is an expression of confirmation.

As a leader in the emerging church Timothy was martyred during the reign of Domitian trying to stop an indecent heathen act. Thus, this God-honoring plodded sealed his testimony with his blood.

“Fame is a vapor, popularity is an accident, riches take wings. One thing endures and that is character.” (Horace Greeley)

Ours Is a Victory in Jesus: Part Two

Hebrews 2: 17, 18

Because of Christ’s suffering on the cross, He is our companion in our pain and problems. We all suffer. There is no immunity. He too suffered. He did so not to keep us from suffering but to make our suffering like His so we can relate to each other.

The same shaking that makes polluted water stink makes perfume aromatic. For some people, suffering makes them bitter. Others, it makes them better. It depends on your nature.

Jesus Christ can relate to you in your suffering, and in your temptation. “We do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4: 15)  He can relate. 

Jesus Christ was the firstborn son of an oppressed teenage girl. As a lad He walked the streets that were occupied by foreign Roman troops. He knew what it was like to deal with arrogance. As a teen He knew the frustration of having parents who didn’t understand His nature. Every Biblical evidence is that His paternal guardian, Joseph, died when He was a child. If so, as the elder son He knew the burden of providing for a family. He can relate to those of you who suffer because of unreasonable demands for service. He felt the rising tide of political hostility and recognized the pressure of the anti-spiritual vice that eventually squeezed the breath out of Him. He knew what it was like to be unjustly accused and unfairly condemned. He knew what it was like to experience physical pain and exhaustion as He hung on the cross and His bones pulled out of their sockets while the relentless heat slowly dried His blood as it drained on His brutalized body. He knew what it was like to experience an isolation that made it appear God the Father was nowhere near. Indeed, He was one of us.

Tears fell from His eyes when sorrow gripped His heart. A smile curled His lips when gladness entered His thoughts. His stomach ached when He experienced hunger. He perspired when physically extended. He knew gnawing grief. He had to act in faith. He knew temptation to its extreme.

Never can we cry out, “God, You don’t understand!” He does.

Ours is not merely an indifferent cosmic God. He not only knows when you hurt and feel pain – He did the same.

Athletes are encouraged to have a coach who was an athlete.

When you are sick it helps to have a good doctor who has been sick and knows what it is like.

The cross is the centerpiece of Christianity. There Jesus Christ overcame Satan and set us free. 

Jesus assumed responsibility for all of our spiritual debts and assumed responsibility for us.

There, by His suffering, He became our perfect Savior and sympathetic friend.

Ours Is a Victory in Jesus: Part One

Hebrews 2: 17, 18

Our sin has opened an enormous gap between us and God. Sin violates His holiness and merits His wrath. How then can we come close to God?

To accomplish this of Jesus it is said, “He had to be made like His brethren.” He had to become our Comrade.

Suppose a large company bought a small company that was in deep financial difficulty. As soon as the large company takes over, it becomes responsible for the debts of the business it has purchased. Once the past debts are paid off then the future responsibility for the small company is that of the large company.

Our text uses another term that illustrates the same principle. We are called His “children.” We are by adoption. When a child is adopted, the new parent assumes responsibility for that child. 

Adoption goes a step further. It establishes a kinship relationship between two individuals equivalent to natural descent. 

Adoption is different from fostering. Fostering is temporary. Adoption is permanent. In fostering you get support. In adoption you get support and status.

Hebrews 2: 11 states, “He is not ashamed to call them brethren.” That same verse emphasizes our oneness with Christ. It makes reference to being sanctified. This means to be set aside as holy for His use. This verse means all Christians are holy. You may think you aren’t and you may not act it, but you are. The word sanctified translates the Greek word “hagios” which means “to make holy.”

This is not talking about your practice, but your position. The Bible speaks of positional and practical truth. Positionally, you are in Christ — holy. The more closely your position and your practice parallel each other, the more content, fulfilled, and happy you are. 

Positionally you are perfect. “For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.” (Heb. 10: 14)

Positionally someday you will stand before God. If you have trusted Christ as Savior, you will stand there as pure as He. The reason is that you have had the righteousness of Christ credited to your account.

He is not ashamed to call us His brothers and sisters. Should we not be proud to call Him our Brother? We do well to pray, 

“Dear God, help me never to be ashamed of Jesus.”

We can, with the writer of Hebrews, recite from Psalm 22, “I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the congregation I will sing praise to You.” (Heb. 2: 12) 

We can say with Samuel, “I will put my trust in Him.” (Heb. 2: 13)

Jesus bought us with a price (I Cor. 6:20). As a result He paid all of our spiritual debts. Now He has made all of our problems His problems. He has given all of His resources to be our resources.  He is our Comrade.

If you believe that, let your actions indicate that you do.

It’s About Time 1/17/99

Ephesians 5:15-18
Come Alive Bible Page 1712

JESUS CHRIST stepped across the portals of eternity onto the stage of time to demonstrate to us the proper use of time. He was time-conscious. As a child, He said, “I must be about my Father’s business.” “My time is not yet come…” was a statement frequently on His lips. We need to gain His perspective and appreciation for time.

Swiss Clock:
When as a child, I laughed and wept
Time crept.
When as a youth, I dreamed and talked
Time walked.
When I became a full grown man
Time ran.
When older still I grew
Time flew.
Soon I shall find in traveling on
Time gone.

Benjamin Franklin said, “Do you love life? Then do not squander time, for it is the stuff of which life is made.”

We do tend to squander time with trivial engagements. A “U.S. News and World Report” recorded the following use of time. In a lifetime the average American will spend:
Six months at stop lights.
Eight months opening junk mail.
One year looking for lost objects.
Two years unsuccessfully returning phone calls.
Four years doing housework.
Five years waiting in line.
Six years eating.

We would do well to pray with the Psalmist, “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).

We are born time conscious. If you doubt it take a trip with a young child and you will hear: “Are we there yet? How much longer?”

Unfortunately, too soon we lose the sense of importance to time and begin to waste it.

In His wisdom God described some people in this manner: “Some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies” (II Thessalonians 3:11).

An alleged interview with God went like this.
“God what is a million dollars like to you?”
“A million dollars is like a penny to Me.”
“God what is a million years like to you?
“A million years is like a second.”
“God will you please give me a million dollars?”
“In a second.”

Ask the Lord to help you order your time. With just 15 minutes a day in a year you can:
-Read the entire Bible.
-Learn to play a musical instrument.
-Plant and cultivate a small garden.
-Learn a foreign language.
-Become physically fit.
-Write a book.

I. DON’T RELIVE YESTERDAY WITH BITTERNESS THAT STAINS TODAY
Don’t pull yesterday’s clouds over today’s sun.

Evidence of time misspent: 7.5 billion sleeping pills per year, 19 million shaky hands each night reach for help. 11 million Aspirin, 7.5 Billion headaches. That’s 50 headaches/head/year. Two factors that can cause this bitterness:
– Glory behind. Don’t live like a peacock whose glory is behind.

– Guilt behind. In marriage counseling, I find many things that are causing problems happened three or more years ago.

You can’t drive to a desired destination looking in the rear-view mirror. Don’t try to live a progressive life looking back. Learn from the past that you might live will in the present.

II. DON’T WASTE TODAY BY WORRYING ABOUT TOMORROW
Don’t waste today. Let Mary tell you her story and perhaps it will help you get today …. everyday in focus.

Mary says she stood with her brother-in-law and watched as he took out of the dresser drawer a tissue wrapped package. As he unfolded it he said, “This is not a slip. It is lingerie.” It was beautiful silk handmade and trimmed with cobwebbed lace.” He continued speaking of my sister, “Jan bought it when we were going to New York 8 or 9 years ago. She never wore it. She was saving it for a special occasion. Well, this is a special occasion,” he said as he turned and placed it on the bed along with Jan’s other clothes he was taking to the undertaker.

The he turned and looked at me and said, “Don’t ever save anything for a special occasion. Every day you are alive is a special occasion.”

Ever since he said that “Some day” and “One of these days” are two expressions that have lost their grip on me. I awake every morning realizing this is a special occasion.”

Don’t rush by today to get to tomorrow. Even in Sanskrit it is noted: “Look well to this one day, for it and it alone is life. In the brief course of this one day lie all the verities and realities of your existence; the pride of growth, the glory of action, the splendor of beauty. Yesterday is but a dream and tomorrow is but a vision. Yet, each day, well lived, makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and each tomorrow a vision of hope. Look well, therefore, to this one day, for it and it alone is life.”

Philip Dormer Stanhope, the Earl of Chesterfield said, “Know the true value of time. Snatch it, seize it, enjoy every second of it. No laziness, no idleness, no procrastination; never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.”

Don’t get so busy today that you fail to properly use your time. When the text speaks of “redeeming the time” it is appealing for us to get the true value from it. We do this by living each moment filled with the Holy Spirit. If you become so busy you don’t have time for God you are not in compliance with His will for you. That means you aren’t getting done what He wants you to do.

God never frustrates His people. If it appears you have more work than you can do, it is obvious God didn’t give you part of it.

If the devil can’t make us bad he will make us busy.

Dr. Smiley Blanton: “Thousands upon thousands of people either destroy their lives or frustrate them because of their preoccupation with anxiety, fear, and worry.” Don’t worry away your time– redeem it.

I Peter 5:7 “Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He careth for you.”

III. DON’T RUIN TOMORROW BY GUILT CAUSED BY TODAY
I will not do anything today that will mess up tomorrow. Remember a pickle can never be a cucumber again. You can’t unscramble an egg. Sand can’t run uphill in an hourglass.

These vital reasons are given for redeeming the time.

The days are evil. Read the signs of the time with bifocal lenses and you can see the days are evil. Christianity is not a religious escape from history. Our faith is a fortress against the powers and principalities of this world.

It is also an embassy of God’s kingdom set in the midst of a crooked and perverse people.

The moral decay of modern society can never be used as an excuse for lowering our sense of justice, righteousness, and truth.

Redeem the time. HOW? The Scripture answers: “By being filled with the Holy Spirit.”

WHAT does that mean? To be controlled by Christ. Serve Jesus as Lord. “Be not drunk with wine…”

In their worship of the goddess Dionysus, the Greeks used alcohol. They looked at the wine in a chalice and saw the bubbles rising. Movement in the wine caused them to conclude there must be life in the cup. The content of the cup influenced their feelings and behavior. Therefore they assumed the movement in the challenge was caused by a god in the wine. They named that god Bacca.

As Bacca influenced ones walk and talk so does the Holy Spirit. Don’t let your life be under the control of any controlled substance for even a moment. Let it constantly be under the influence of the Lord Jesus Christ.

You can’t fake it. To be filled with the Spirit one must have Christ in the life.

HOW can one be filled?

You don’t have to beg God to do what He wants to do. He commanded us to be filled (vs. 18). It is His will for all of His children to be filled. Remember it means to live the Christ controlled life.

Begin by desiring it: “Blessed are they which hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled (Matthew 5:6).

Confess and be cleansed: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9).

We must model our lives after the life of Christ. John 1:1 gives insight into the punctual nature of our Lord: “Before time began to begin the Word was…” There never was a time when Jesus wasn’t. There was a time when there was no time. Time was a part of creation.

We live “in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began” (Titus 1:2). “Before time began….”

There will be a time when time shall be no more. In this brief capsule of time we live and make our decisions regarding eternity.

When the director of the play steps on stage the play is over.

Scripture alerts us to the expediency of immediate response to the love of Christ: “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (II Corinthians 6:2).