hi , my wife was emailed the other day informing her that Jesus didnt descend into hell after his crucifiction.What is your take on this?.....Thanks, David

I read this in Zac Poonen's book A GOOD FOUNDATION Chapter 10. This seems to settle the issue:

"While on the cross, Jesus told the repentant thief that he would be with Him in paradise that very day. Both Jesus and that thief went to paradise as soon as their souls left their bodies. Jesus had said that after His death, He would be in `the heart of the earth' for 3 days and 3 nights (Matt. 12:40). From this we know that paradise, at that time, must have been in the heart of the earth. But when Christ was resurrected "from the lower parts of the earth.... and ascended on high.. He led captive a host of captives" (Eph. 4:8,9). He took paradise and all the souls in it up to the third heaven.
In 2 Corinthians 12, when we compare verses 2 and 4 together, we see that paradise is now located in the third heaven. This is where the disciple of Jesus goes as soon as he dies (Phil. 1:23)."

Hi,
just like to agree with the analysis below of the thief on the cross and add that when the women entered the tomb and saw Jesus he said touch me not for I have not yet ascended;which means paradice must have been below.The sacrafice could not be touched on the way into the holy of holies.In this case Jesus.
[i][size=xx-small]
"While on the cross, Jesus told the repentant thief that he would be with Him in paradise that very day. Both Jesus and that thief went to paradise as soon as their souls left their bodies. Jesus had said that after His death, He would be in `the heart of the earth' for 3 days and 3 nights (Matt. 12:40). From this we know that paradise, at that time, must have been in the heart of the earth. But when Christ was resurrected "from the lower parts of the earth.... and ascended on high.. He led captive a host of captives" (Eph. 4:8,9). He took paradise and all the souls in it up to the third heaven.
In 2 Corinthians 12, when we compare verses 2 and 4 together, we see that paradise is now located in the third heaven. This is where the disciple of Jesus goes as soon as he dies (Phil. 1:23)."[/size][/i]
Rgds Staff

Hi
I don't want to get into an argument here. But just one small point of disagreement with Jeanette. Joseph of Arimathea's tomb was on the SURFACE of the earth, not in the HEART of the earth. Jesus meant EXACTLY what He said: "the heart (centre) of the earth". It was not "figurative", as Jeanette states. Also Jesus Himself was NOT in the tomb for 3 days. Only His body was there. He was ALIVE in paradise in the centre of the earth for those 3 days - just as Jonah was alive in the fish's belly.
So I would not be so quick to categorise what a godly man has said as "talking rubbish" (to quote Jeanette again).
I shall not be continuing this discussion.
God bless you all and may we all meet in paradise one day, when we shall get clear answers.
CThom

He was assigned a grave with wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.

Yet it was the Lord's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.

After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied, by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.
Isaiah 53:9-11

_________________
Steve

Hi Jeannette,
Just one thing to add that to the best of my understanding,paradise was also called Abraham's Bosom and was a compartment within hell.So was hell below?You would have to get into hebrew and greek for that one.Jesus said today you will be with me in paradise;so he definitely went to paradise.What did he do there?Paradise was captive in hell.He led captivity captive.But for the rest of the time?
Rgds Staff

hi cthom,I seem to agree with Zac.I was taught this many many years ago and never ran into any altenative teaching untill recently.Actually thought it was clear doctrine, But its good to get challenged!I still have no reason as of yet to believe any differently due to scriprure.It seems clear at this point that Jesus did descend into hell and it seems clear he stripped the devil and took those patriarchs in the adjacent area [paradise] with him to heaven.I know one creed has this and one doesnt Not that it really matters but I wonder why they would leave it out? Does anyone know?........Thanks, David

Hi David,
I had planned to exit from this discussion, but want to come back to make just one clarification. Jesus finished the work of our redemption on Calvary. He said so on the cross: "It is finished". He defeated Satan on the cross itself (Col.2:15 and Heb.2:14). Jesus never went to Hell at any time. The word HADES (Greek) and SHEOL (Hebrew) have been wrongly translated as "Hell" in the KJV. HADES is "The place of departed spirits" and has two sections - Hell (where the rich man went) and Abraham's bosom (or paradise, where poor Lazarus went). Jesus and the repentant thief went to HADES, but to the PARADISE section of HADES. The proclamation Jesus made to the demons about their final defeat (1 Pet.3:19) was made from the Paradise section of Hades. When Jesus ascended, He took Paradise up to the third heaven.
Finally, the important thing is that we all endure to the end and meet in paradise one day. May it be so for all who are in this discussion.
CThom