He Descended Into Hell

One part of the second article of the Apostle's Creed says of Jesus, "He descended into hell." This comes after he was crucified, died, and was buried, and before he rose again on the third day. The line about his descent into hell is based on 1 Peter 3:18-20. The People's Bible says that while the NIV (1984) text "made alive by the Spirit" is not wrong since the Holy Spirit was involved with Jesus' resurrection and descent into hell, the footnote is more accurate: "He was put to death in the body but made alive in the spirit, through which also he went and preached to the spirits in prison." This shows that while Jesus was in his glorified body, his descent into hell was in spirit. The reason for his descent into hell was to proclaim victory over death and evil, but not to give those who were already in hell a second chance.