Where is Jesus Between His Death and Resurrection?

Where is Christ after he dies on Friday afternoon and before he rises on Easter Sunday? Both Scripture and Tradition answer this question. Consider the following from a Second Century Sermon and also a mediation from the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Today a great silence reigns on earth, a great silence and a great stillness. A great silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and he has raised up all who have slept ever since the world began. . . He has gone to search for Adam, our first father, as for a lost sheep. Greatly desiring to visit those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, he has gone to free from sorrow Adam in his bonds and Eve, captive with him – He who is both their God and the son of Eve. . . “I am your God, who for your sake have become your son. . . I order you, O sleeper, to awake. I did not create you to be a prisoner in hell. Rise from the dead, for I am the life of the dead.” [From an Ancient Holy Saturday Homily ca 2nd Century]

Nothing could be more beautiful than that line addressed to Adam and Eve: I am your God, who, for your sake, became your Son.”

Scripture also testifies to Christ’s descent to the dead and what he did: For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison….For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does. (1 Peter 3:18; 1 Peter 4:6).

Consider also this from the Catechism on Christ’s descent to the dead, which I summarize and excerpt from CCC # 631-635

[The] first meaning given in the apostolic preaching to Christ’s descent into hell [is] that Jesus, like all men, experienced death and in his soul joined the others in the realm of the dead.

But he descended there as Savior, proclaiming the Good News to the spirits imprisoned there [1 Peter 3:18-19; 1 Peter 4:6; Heb. 13:20]. Scripture calls [this] abode of the dead, to which the dead Christ went down, “hell” – Sheol in Hebrew, or Hades in Greek – because those who are there are deprived of the vision of God [1 Peter 3:18-19].

Such [was] the case for all the dead, whether evil or righteous, while they awaited the Redeemer: It is precisely these holy souls, who awaited their Savior …whom Christ the Lord delivered when he descended into hell.”[cf Psalms 89:49; 1 Sam. 28:19; Ezek 32:17ff; Luke 16:22-26]

Jesus did not descend into hell to deliver the damned, nor to destroy the hell of damnation, but to free the just who had gone before him.

[So] the gospel was preached even to the dead. The descent into hell brings the Gospel message of salvation to complete fulfillment. This is the last phase of Jesus’ messianic mission, a phase which is condensed in time but vast in its real significance: the spread of Christ’s redemptive work to all men of all times and all places, for all who are saved have been made sharers in the redemption.

Christ went down into the depths of death so that “the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.”[1 Peter 4:6] Jesus, “the Author of life”, by dying, destroyed “him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and [delivered] all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage” [John 5:25; Mt 12:40; Rom 10:7; Eph 4:9].

Henceforth the risen Christ holds “the keys of Death and Hades”, so that “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.”[Heb 2:14-15; Acts 3:15]

FR has become a place that is unwelcome to any conservative that is a Mormon. I wonder what group will be unwelcome next?
Jim, I'm pinging you on this, do you see what FR has become?

Really DU- when I started engaging you several years ago, you bragged about having the power to destroy religions. You weren't too interested in conservative values then were you. Hasn't worked out too well has it. All this in-spite of your your FR profile being dedicated to attack Christianity - maintained by this same FR.

Or did you forget when you mormons declared war on Christian opponents of mormonism and claimed that mormons were going to "hose the pigs" to eliminate Christian opposition on FR. How well did that go du? Mormon ideas and doctrine couldn't stand the examination of greater Christianity and it backfired. Classical mormon attempt to censor contrary discussion - just like Smith did with the Nauvoo Expositor and a zotted mormon windbag Greg West continues to try to rally the forces to close FR down.

Face it DU, mormonism in the religion forum couldn't hold its own. Victim card only works so many times Du.

Hi Elsie; the best of the Easter season to you and yours.

I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?

Applause. You are a man among men. Or possibly a cow among bulls, I forget which.

Acts 2: 38 Peter (said) to them, "Repent and be baptized, 7 every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call." 40 He testified with many other arguments, and was exhorting them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand persons were added that day. 42 8 They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers. 43 Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.

The Apostles taught all. Jesus had returned to Heaven and the Apostles were the foundation and pillar of all truth - and their successors are.

1 Corinthians: 14 I am writing you this not to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 5 15 Even if you should have countless guides to Christ, yet you do not have many fathers, for I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 16 Therefore, I urge you, be imitators of me. 17 For this reason I am sending you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord; he will remind you of my ways in Christ (Jesus), just as I teach them everywhere in every church. 18 6 Some have become inflated with pride, as if I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord is willing, and I shall ascertain not the talk of these inflated people but their power. 20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 21 Which do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love and a gentle spirit?

Who is the authority here? The Church (here in the person of Paul). Just as all of his successors.

Matthew 28: 18 11 Then Jesus approached and said to them, "All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go, therefore, 12 and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. 13 And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age."

The Church has the authority of Jesus, not any sort of poufy headed televangelist.

Matthew 16: 13 8 When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi 9 he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" 14 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, 10 others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 11 Simon Peter said in reply, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood 12 has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. 18 And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, 13 and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. 14 Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

The Church under its steward had the full authority of Jesus Christ. To teach and to instruct. To be the representative of Jesus on Earth until He comes again.

You and I, my brother, have laboured against the kingdom of the dancing gods which issues from Kolob. Do not Obama on me now.

Yawn Godzilla, Really, LOL!

Came back to check my mail, and saw your post, thanks for the chuckle.

I never bragged about destroying a religion, got a link? Didn't think so since you never seem to.

I was on FR for years before I ever set foot in the religion forum, not that it matters, but my participation here started with conservatism.

My page is not an attack on Christianity, since I am a Christian and am defending my beliefs, it is a defense of Christianity, your post's here, since they attack a fellow Christian, are an attack on Christianity.

Hint (Only Jesus decides who is Christian, you say you are, and I take you at your word. You seem to want to apply a set of criteria made up by men and say I am not Christian. You are not Jesus, it's not your place to say one way or the other.)

Mormons have never declared war on “christian opponents” and I have never spoken of “Hosing pigs” you may have me confused with another poster, perhaps an anti Mormon?

As for Ideas not standing the light of day, they stand the light very well, unfortunately FR is no longer an impartial and fair marketplace of ideas, the owner having posted his preference and leaning, it can't be.

I honestly have no idea who Greg West is, I'll have to google him. JFTR, I will not support anyone shuttering this site it has done a lot of good over the years, lately it has been disappointing, but it may be great again and who am I to decide it should go away? I will not promote censorship.

To my knowledge, I have never played the victim card, I merely state the facts. I do not feel victimized, I do feel less welcome than I did.

Godzilla, can you honestly state that you feel this is still a level playing field for debate? Do you expect for people (with real jobs and a real life) to post one on twenty (with people who seem to have no life but opposition here) while the ultimate moderator of this forum has stated that he is opposed to us? No?

Do you feel that the martyrdom of the Apostles proves they were wrong?

Truth, fairness and yes Christian fellowship lost on FR, IMHO it's not a happy day when that happens, YMMV.

Delph

The Church under its steward had the full authority of Jesus Christ. To teach and to instruct. To be the representative of Jesus on Earth until He comes again.

You and I, my brother, have laboured against the kingdom of the dancing gods which issues from Kolob. Do not Obama on me now.

AMEN; my separated Brethren!

Acts 17:18-19
18. A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, "What is this babbler trying to say?" Others remarked, "He seems to be advocating foreign gods." They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.
19. Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, "May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?

Acts 18:11
So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.

Romans 15:4
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Romans 16:17
I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.

1 Corinthians 4:17
For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.

1 Corinthians 11:2
2. I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the teachings, just as I passed them on to you.

Ephesians 4:14-15
14. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.
15. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

2 Thessalonians 2:15
So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

2 Thessalonians 3:6
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.

1 Timothy 1:3-4
3. As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer
4. nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God's work--which is by faith.

1 Timothy 1:7
They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.

1 Timothy 2:7
And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle--I am telling the truth, I am not lying--and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles.

1 Timothy 4:1-2
1. The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.
2. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.

1 Timothy 4:6
If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.

1 Timothy 4:11
Command and teach these things.

1 Timothy 6:3-5
3. If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching,
4. he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions
5. and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

2 Timothy 1:13
What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 2:15-17
15. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
16. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.
17. Their teaching will spread like gangrene.

2 Timothy 3:16-17
16. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
17. so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 4:3-4
3. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
4. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

Titus 1:11
They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach--and that for the sake of dishonest gain.

Titus 2:1
You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.

Titus 2:15
These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

Hebrews 13:9
Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings.

2 Peter 2:1-3
1. But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them--bringing swift destruction on themselves.
2. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.
3. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

2 John 1:10
If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him.

I never bragged about destroying a religion, got a link? Didn't think so since you never seem to.

Perhaps you've forgotten fluffy too. Doesn't change the truth.

My page is ~~not~~ an attack on Christianity, since I am a ~~Christian~~ mormon and am defending my beliefs, it is a defense of ~~Christianity~~ mormonism, your post's here, since they attack a ~~fellow Christian~~ mormon, are an attack on ~~Christianity~~ mormonism.

there, fixed the confused thinking for you.

Mormons have never declared war on “christian opponents” and I have never spoken of “Hosing pigs” you may have me confused with another poster, perhaps an anti Mormon?

You wish - but no you joined right in. Feigning ignorance - typical.

Hardly - Just another voice pointing out that mormonism isn't Christian.

To my knowledge, I have never played the victim card, I merely state the facts. I do not feel victimized, I do feel less welcome than I did.

Ohhh save the watches, its getting deep in here.

Godzilla, can you honestly state that you feel this is still a level playing field for debate?

Yes, but mormons can't handle a level playing field.

Do you feel that the martyrdom of the Apostles proves they were wrong?

Woops, you let your victim card slip again.

Perhaps you've forgotten fluffy too. Doesn't change the truth.

Honestly, your name calling in the name of Converting the confused has not entered my mind in quite a while, it's not important. Now that you mention it... you thought you were funny then too.

there, fixed the confused thinking for you.

Editing someone else's post to reverse it's meaning is a tried and true anti tactic used by the opponents of more religions than I'd care to count. I am disappointed you can't do better than that... Then again, who cares? your logic is illegitimate, why shouldn't your tactics be?

You wish - but no you joined right in. Feigning ignorance - typical.

Guilt by association (was tried on Jesus too...) Joined right in with what? Defending against attacks? Guilty as charged for having a back bone! I remember once before you complained that we wouldn't just lie down and be walked upon.

Hardly - Just another voice pointing out that Mormonism isn't Christian.

Again, Only Jesus can decide who is his and who is not, he employeth no hireling there.

Romans 14:10-14

10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.

14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

Only Jesus can judge who is his. Stop trying, you only condemn yourself, according to the very Bible you profess to believe.

Yes, but Mormons can't handle a level playing field.

I'd love to debate you on a level playing field, one where you had to present evidence that meets the same criteria that you demand. a debate with one to one contests, not one to twenty. A debate where the moderator was resolutely detached, impartial and fair.

Sadly, I would fear you would never attend such a debate, knowing your defeat was sealed before you set foot in the room.

Delph Do you feel that the martyrdom of the Apostles proves they were wrong?

Godzilla Woops, you let your victim card slip again.

Here we are again, you said in the post I was responding to that Mormonism can't hold it's own. I think we have done better than just "holding our own". You imply that this "loss" that you perceive proves us wrong. I point out that The Church of Jesus Christ is not a Church of this world and his messengers are often martyred which seals their testimony with their blood. You claim I am playing the victim card. Do you think the Apostles were victims? Do you think that all who have died for a testimony of Jesus were victims?

I boldly declare that all who die for their testimony of Jesus are not Victims, but Victors! I boldly declare that all who are persecuted for the sake of their faith in Jesus Christ be they Mormon, Catholic or Protestant or Copt are victors, not victims. I boldly declare that I believe in Jesus Christ.

Godzilla, I am sure you will find some nit to pick at. I'm sure you will post some "rejoinder" and claim something outrageous. Know that when you do, you condemn you self according to the Bible and that I will pray for you.

God bless and keep you and teach you his ways in righteousness.

Delph

Honestly, your name calling in the name of Converting the confused has not entered my mind in quite a while, it's not important. Now that you mention it... you thought you were funny then too.

Then you remember you boasting, thanks.

Defending against attacks? Guilty as charged for having a back bone!

Oh, selective memory time - so you consider the mormon attempt to force Christians off FR as 'defending'. Typical twisted mormon logic - totally what is expected from you du.

Again, Only Jesus can decide who is his and who is not, he employeth no hireling there.

Jesus also taught the apostles to guard the doctrines he taught which identify his followers. I don't think you'll like Jesus' decision on mormonism -

Lu 13:27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.

AFA Rom 14 - as a mormon you are not my brother - pretty simple. And why - because you follow another gospel - one perverted by smith and warned about by Paul-

Ga 1:8* But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Ga 1:9* As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Stop trying, you only condemn yourself, according to the very Bible you profess to believe.

And a Bible your religion confesses not to believe except as long as it is correctly translated - Is Romans 'correctly translated' du?

I point out that The Church of Jesus Christ is not a Church of this world and his messengers are often martyred which seals their testimony with their blood.

Who du? Your missionaries come into areas of the world AFTER Christian missionaries have moved in and the population doesn't kill them any more. How many mormons are listed on "Voice of the Martyrs" du? LOL, how many 'brave' mormon missionaries go into unreached people groups? (crickets)

You claim I am playing the victim card. Do you think the Apostles were victims? Do you think that all who have died for a testimony of Jesus were victims?

Hey everyone - get zotted and become a martyr for joseph smith - just like the Apostles who were killed. LOL - what a flimsy strawman du. Non-existant mormon martyrs, FR mormons and the Apostles all lumped together. Now that is really special.

Godzilla, I am sure you will find some nit to pick at. I'm sure you will post some "rejoinder" and claim something outrageous. Know that when you do, you condemn you self according to the Bible and that I will pray for you.

du, you are very blissful, but your prayers won't avail for me - you are not praying to my God or my Savior but a construct of the man, joseph smith. You rely upon your works - so how goes it du - are you completely repentant? Are you perfect as Jesus commanded? You have lots of nits to pick DU, as long as you remain a mormon.

Hmmmm...thread title: "Where is Jesus Between His Death and Resurrection?

200 posts later, a loose consensus emerges from various faiths, with much excellent sourcing. Enter a mormon with a question, who in subsequent posts tries to avoid the exposure of mormon doctrine...and no wonder!

II. The Spirit World

According to LDS scripture, immediately upon Jesus’ death, his spirit left his body and ascended to the Spirit World. Jesus begins to metamorphose.

While in Palestine, Jesus preached among the sinners and outcasts.

Yet Mormon prophet Joseph F. Smith saw Jesus’ recently departed spirit go “not in person among the wicked and the disobedient” but to the righteous, such as Adam, Eve, many of Eve’s faithful daughters (apparently names weren’t provided), Abel, Seth, Noah, Shem, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Elias, Malachi, and many more, even the prophets who dwelt among the Nephites. (D&C 138:29, 38-49).

After a visit back to Jerusalem, Jesus became resurrected meaning that his spirit reentered his body. He spent some time teaching his disciples.

III. The Americas

Meanwhile, in the Americas, a different stage has been set. Immediately upon the crucifixion of Jesus, tempests, earthquakes, fires, whirlwinds, and physical upheavals rage for three hours.

The Book of Mormon tells: The city of Zarahemla was set on fire; the city of Moroni sunk into the depths of the sea, and the inhabitants were drowned; the earth was carried up upon the city of Moronihah; and many great and notable cities were sunk, and many were burned, and many were shaken till the buildings thereof had fallen to the earth, and the inhabitants thereof were slain, and the places were left desolate; And there were some cities which remained; but the damage thereof was exceedingly great, and there were many in them who were slain.

The destruction was followed by darkness upon the face of the land and there was great mourning and howling and weeping among all the people.

(3 Nephi 8).

Who caused this massive destruction and death? The survivors would immediately know the culprit in the form a Voice.

The Voice chides America’ inhabitants proclaiming:

“Behold, that great city Zarahemla have I burned with fire, and the inhabitants thereof. And behold, that great city Moroni have I caused to be sunk in the depths of the sea, and the inhabitants thereof to be drowned. And behold, that great city Moronihah have I covered with earth, and the inhabitants thereof, “

“And behold, the city of Gilgal have I caused to be sunk, and the inhabitants thereof to be buried up in the depths of the earth:

And building momentum, the Voice continues:

“Yea, and the city of Onihah and the inhabitants thereof, and the city of Mocum and the inhabitants thereof, and the city of Jerusalem [the America city, not the one in Palestine, he left that one alone] and the inhabitants thereof.”

“And behold, the city of Gadiandi, and the city of Gadiomnah, and the city of Jacob, and the city of Gimgimno, all these have I caused to be sunk, and made hills and valleys in the places thereof; and the inhabitants thereof have I buried up in the depths of the earth.”

“And behold, that great city Jacobugath, which was inhabited by the people of king Jacob, have I caused to be burned with fire.”

“And behold, the city of Laman, and the city of Josh, and the city of Gad, and the city of Kishkumen, have I caused to be burned with fire”

(3 Nephi 9: 2-10)

After itemizing his destructions, the Voice tells the people the name of their Destroyer:

“Behold, I am Jesus Christ the Son of God.”

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