nbcrusader said:
This theological point is not based on a literal interpretation of one verse, but rather drawn from a collection of verses that give it strong support. 1 Peter 4:6 is a great place to start, with Acts 2:31; Ephesians 4:8-10; and 1 Peter 3:18-20 completing the picture.
Here's an interesting footnote that popped up when I looked up 1 Peter 4:6
"The dead: these may be the sinners of the flood generation who are possibly referred to in 1 Peter 3:19. But many scholars think that there is no connection between these two verses, and that the dead here are Christians who have died since hearing the preaching of the gospel."
Acts 2:31 - This is referencing a psalm, that David wrote in first person about the lord saving him.
Ephesians 4:8-10 - is just Paul interpreting a Psalm that David wrote.
1 Peter 3:18-20 - This one has been debated since the beginning. There's apparently 18 major theories out there recognized by churches. Mainly because Peter quoted OT more than anything...Some use this as evidence that there is a purgatory and that "spirits in prison" referred to some intermediate state of death. Others thinks he's referring to the fallen angels of Genesis 6: 1-4.
Most of this seems to be just referencing language from the OT. No accounts of what Jesus said happened before that 3rd day.
In my mind it contradicts a lot of what people believe to a literal hell. I know a lot of people picture this sword wielding Jesus slashing through the demons and preaching to those who might just listen, but on the other hand those same people will tell you the reason those souls are in hell is because they rejected God. So why would they now accept, because it's too hot? In that case wouldn't all of hell follow? It's easy not to believe on Earth, but if you're actually living in hell and Jesus comes down and introduces himself, if anything "what's the worse that can happen?" This is why it doesn't make sense to me at all.
To me when they say he descended into hell means he was without God for 3 days.