I N D E X
descent, but not the Sepulchre (i.e. the burial)...Nor is this
be ευαγγελιξω (evangelizo). But is is χήρυσσω (kerusso), to
observable only in these two, but also in the Creed made at
proclaim as a herald, to make proclamation, and the context
Sirmium, and produced at Ariminim" (A.D. 359).
shows that this paragraph about Christ is intended as an
By the incorporation of the words "he descended into hell" in
encouragement. It begins with verse 17: "For it is better, if the
the "Apostles' Creed" and the retention of the word "buried",
will of God be so, that ye suffer for well-doing than for evil-
Tradition obtained an additional "article of faith" quite distinct
doing. For Christ also suffered for sins, the just for the unjust,
from the fact of the Lord's burial. This is not a matter of opinion,
that he might bring us to God." Then it goes on to explain that as
but a matter of history. Not only are these historical facts
Christ suffered for well-doing, and not for evil-doing, they were
vouched for by Bishop Pearson, but by Archbishop Ussher, and
to do the same; and if they did they would have, like Him, a
in more recent times by the late Bishop Harold-Browne in his
glorious triumph. For though He was put to death in the flesh,
standard work on the Thirty-Nine Articles.
yet He was made alive again in spirit (i.e. in a spiritual body, I
Those who have been brought up on "The Apostles' Creed"
Cor. 15:44): and in this He made such proclamation of His
naturally read this spurious additional article "he descended into
triumph that it reached even to Tartarus, and was heard there by
hell", into Luke 23:43 and I Peter 3:19, and of course find it
the angels reserved in chains unto judgment. Never mind,
difficult to believe that those passages have nothing whatever to
therefore, if you are called to suffer. You will have a like
do with that "descent". They are thus led into the serious error of
glorious triumph."
substituting man's tradition for God's revelation. This tradition
No other explanation of this passage takes in the argument of
about "the descent into hell" led directly to a misunderstanding
the context; or complies with the strict requirements of the
of I Peter 3:17-22. But note:
original text. Thus the support for the tradition about Christ's
(1) There is not a word about "hell", or Hades, in the passage.
"descent into hell" as distinct from His being buried, vanishes
(2) The word "spirit", by itself, is never used, without
from the Scriptures. Eph. 4:9 also speaks of the Lord's descent
qualification, of man in any state or condition; but it is
"into the lower parts of the earth" before His ascension "on
constantly used of angels, of whom it is said, "He maketh his
high". But this word "of" here is what is called the genitive of
angels spirits", i.e. they are spiritual beings, while a man is a
apposition, by which "of the earth" explains what is meant by
human being.
"the lower parts" and should be rendered "the lower parts", that
(3) In spite of these being "in-prison spirits", they are taken to
is to say "the earth". For example: "the temple of his body"
refer to men; notwithstanding that in the next Epistle (II Pet. 2:4)
means "the temple", that is to say "his body" (John 2:21). "A
we read of "the angels that sinned", and of their being "cast
sign of circumcision" means "a sign", that is to say
down to Tartarus (not Hades or Gehenna), and delivered into
"circumcision" (Romans 4:11). "The first fruits of the Spirit"
chains of darkness to be reserved unto the judgment of the great
means "the first fruits", that is to say "the Spirit" (Romans 8:23).
day". It is surprising that, in the face of these two passages (II
"The earnest of the Spirit" means "the earnest", that is to say
Pet. 2:4 and Jude 6, 7), which speak of angels (or spirits) being
"the Spirit" (2 Cor. 5:5). "The bond of peace" means "the bond",
"in chains", anyone should ever have interpreted the "in-prison
which is "peace" (Eph. 4:3). "The breastplate of righteousness"
spirits" of I Pet. 3:19 as referring to human beings!
means "the breastplate", which is "righteousness" (Eph. 4:14).
(4) Moreover, the word "preached" does not, by itself, refer to
So here it should be rendered "He descended into the lower parts
the preaching of the Gospel. It is not "evangelize", which would
(that is to say) the earth". If it means more than this it is not true,