The Descent of Christ into Hell

Abstract

Matthew D. Zehms’ essay presents a thorough exegetical, historical, and comparative study of the doctrine of Christ’s descent into hell, focusing on 1 Peter 3:18–20. Zehms affirms the traditional Lutheran understanding that Christ’s descent was a triumphant act of exaltation, not further suffering, occurring after His death and before His resurrection. He analyzes the Greek text in detail, emphasizing the aorist tenses and datives to support the view that Christ descended in His glorified body as true God and true man. The essay surveys historical interpretations, including those of Luther, the Lutheran Confessions, and various creeds, and contrasts them with Reformed, Roman Catholic, and contemporary theological positions. Zehms concludes that the descent is a source of comfort and confidence for believers, demonstrating Christ’s victory over hell and affirming the success of His atoning work. Abstract prepared with the assistance of Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4).