Today’s church is becoming less theologically literate.

Rediscovering the Good News that We Dare Not Forget!

‘11

129 questions and answers

52 Lord’s Day Readings

The Heidelberg Catechism (1563)

The Good News We Almost Forgot: Rediscovering the Gospel in a 16th Century Catechism by Kevin DeYoung.

Rediscovering the Good News that We Dare Not Forget!

‘11

Descending into Hell and Rising from the Dead

The Apostles’ Creed

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:

The Apostles’ Creed

Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell.

The Apostles’ Creed

The third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in the Holy Spirit;the holy catholic church;the communion of saints;the forgiveness of sins;the resurrection of the body;and the life everlasting.

Amen.

The Apostles’ Creed

He descended into hell. The third day He arose again from

the dead.

What to do with, “He descended into hell?”

1. Remove it.2. Retain it, understanding ‘hell’ to

mean “hades” (grave).3. Retain it, understanding ‘hell’ to

mean the final place of judgment.

Luke 23:34Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

What to do with, “He descended into hell?”

1. Remove it.2. Retain it, understanding ‘hell’ to

mean “hades” (grave).3. Retain it, understanding ‘hell’ to

mean the final place of judgment.4. Retain it, understanding ‘hell’ in a

spiritual sense.

Isaiah 53:5-6But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

“Surely no more terrible abyss can be conceived than to feel yourself forsaken and estranged from God; and when you call on him not to be heard” (John Calvin)

Matthew 27:46About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”)

Q. 44 Why does the Creed add, "He descended into hell"?

A. 44 To assure me in timesof personal crisis and temptation that Christ myLord, by suffering

unspeakable anguish, pain, and terror of soul, especially on the cross but also earlier, has delivered me from the anguish and torment of hell.

If Jesus Christ faced the wrath of God and experienced

‘hell’ for you, then you can count on HIM to sympathize with you in your

‘hellish’ moments ‘here’ and ultimately deliver you from the judgment that awaits humanity

‘there.’

Hebrews 4:15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.

If Jesus Christ faced the wrath of God and experienced

‘hell’ for you, then you can count on HIM to sympathize with you in your

‘hellish’ moments ‘here’ and ultimately deliver you from the judgment that awaits humanity

‘there.’

The Apostles’ Creed

The third day He arose again from the dead.

Evidence for the resurrection. . .

Transformed lives of disciples!Before?After?

What is the relevance and the significance of the resurrection?

God’s “AMEN!” to His Son’s earthly life and ministry!

The Resurrection

Affirms our faith

The Resurrection

Christ’s resurrection. . .

1 Corinthians 15:14And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.

1 Corinthians 15:16-19For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

1 Corinthians 15:20aBut Christ has indeed been raised from the dead!

“He is risen . . .”

Affirms our faith

Manifests His deity

The Resurrection

Christ’s resurrection. . .

John 10:30I and the Father are one.

Matthew 16:21From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

Romans 1:4Who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

Affirms our faith

Manifests His deity

Establishes our destiny

The Resurrection

Christ’s resurrection. . .

Hebrews 9:27Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment . . .

1 Corinthians 15:20-23But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

1 Corinthians 15:21-23For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.

1 Corinthians 15:55-57“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Affirms our faith

Manifests His deity

Establishes our destiny

Neutralizes the Enemy

The Resurrection

Christ’s resurrection. . .

Colossians 2:15And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Hebrews 2:14Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil.

Affirms our faith

Manifests His deity

Establishes our destiny

Neutralizes the Enemy

The Resurrection

Christ’s resurrection. . .

Make time to reflect on the gospel records of the many appearances

of the resurrected Christ. For help, go to our Deeper Blog.