Not at all.
"I believe these believers were being contained in Abraham's bosom by the "gates of hell" and after the crucifixion these same gates could not contain those held in Abraham's bosom. I believe this understanding is more consistent with Scripture than the idea that some "gates" are attacking an institution."
This approach seems to respect the "timeline" effect of the Scriptural story. That is, you are noticing the unfolding plot as it reveals a little at a time. The captives had not yet been "freed". If readers would take this approach with the rest of the four Gospels, they would be shocked to find Jesus is not teaching "Christianity", but the Law. "You have heard that the ancients were told,'Thou shalt not commit murder'...But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court...enough to go into the hell of fire." Hmmm.
This section is the context of the so-called "Lord's prayer" which many folks recite as if it is appropriate for Gentile believers. They fail to read the ending..."For if you do not forgive men, then your Father will NOT forgive your transgressions." Is this the Gospel? Perhaps in Rome.
Great point!
We often try and impose what occurs during the Church Age (after Pentecost) on earlier periods. When Jesus Christ was carrying out His ministry He only went to the Jews (with a few exceptions). He preached the Gospel of the Kingdom and it was only after Pentecost that the Gospel of Grace was taught and extended to the Gentiles. Yet there is a large school of thought within Christianity that thinks there is no difference in either period.
If the latter were true where were the pre-Crucifixion believers? If their sins had already been paid for why would we need a Crucifixion in the first place.
Eph. 4:9 Now that He Ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
When Jesus was crucified he told the thief that believed, "today you will be in paradise". He did not say you will be with me and my Father in Heaven. We see the same confusion when Matt. 16:18 and "the gates of Hell" are misinterpreted to benefit a large institution.