Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

To: nickcarraway

Confusing use of “Hell” when Christ went there after His Resurrection:

When the Apostles’ Creed states that Jesus “descended into hell,” Catholics teach that He did not go to the place of the damned. Instead, He descended into a realm of the dead often referred to as the Limbo of the Fathers or Abraham’s Bosom.

“This specific realm differed completely from the eternal Hell of punishment in several ways:

Before Jesus opened the gates of Heaven through His death and resurrection, no human soul could enter into the direct presence of God.

The righteous souls from the Old Testament (like Adam, Eve, Moses, David, and the prophets) were held in this peaceful waiting place, free from torment but separated from the Beatific Vision.

Jesus did not go there to suffer or be punished. According to Catholic tradition (detailed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church), His descent was a triumphant victory. He brought the Good News of salvation to the righteous dead and broke the bonds of death.”

—Catholic.com

Note: I am not a Catholic myself.


7 posted on 05/22/2026 4:55:20 PM PDT by frank ballenger (There's a battle outside and it's raging. It'll soon shake your windows and rattle your walls. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]


To: frank ballenger
When the Apostles’ Creed states that Jesus “descended into hell,” Catholics teach that He did not go to the place of the damned.

This is my understanding as well. Jesus descended into the underworld, not Hell as we think of it.
I'm not sure why the Apostle's Creed says "Hell", except that it is shorter and easier to say than "underworld".

17 posted on 05/22/2026 5:56:33 PM PDT by chud
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson