My pastor was doing a sermon on this and it made me understand something that I'd never quite understood before.
So, first thing: when Christ died, his three parts (spirit, soul, and body) went to three different places. Obviously, his body went into the tomb. His spirit went up to Heaven to be with his Father. "And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, ha gave up the ghost." (Luke 23:46)
His soul however, went elsewhere. His soul went down into Hell, which I knew before my pastor said that. What my pastor cleared up for me was that Hell is split into two parts: Hell as everyone thinks of it, and Abraham's Bosom. I'd always thought of these as two separate entities before, which they are in terms of what they're like, but they're both "the underworld". Abraham's Bosom is also called paradise, so when this occurs:
"And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condition? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man has done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:39-43)
Jesus is saying that he and the thief are going to Abraham's Bosom, to paradise. I'd never quite understood how this fit in with Jesus going down into Hell before because I when I heard he went into Hell, I thought only of the place of torment. But this cleared the matter for me, showing me that the two places are both Hell, but one is place of comfort, and that Jesus went into that place of comfort.
The image of Jesus being in a place of torment had always confused and bothered me, because of John 18:30. "When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost." I'd never understood why he'd be going through more torment if it was already finished. Fortunately, my pastor made everything clear and now there's no more confusion about his death in my mind.
I hope this helped someone else! :)
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Bible Study and Insights
Документальная прозаThis is for anyone else like me who struggles with reading and studying their Bible. I figure if I give myself an audience, i might have a better chance sticking with it. In here I'll just be noting various things I've noticed on my own or that have...
