He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to hell.
In Session Three, you will learn more about the death and burial of Jesus Christ as we break down the next line of the Apostles’ Creed: “He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended to hell.”
We will do this by:
Seeing that Jesus suffered for our sins.
Understanding what the death and burial of Christ accomplished.
Part 1
Jesus Suffered Under Pontius Pilate
Key Points from Part 1
Jesus Suffered Under Pontius Pilate
This roots the sufferings of Christ into a real and specific moment of history.
The death of Christ was painful - emotionally, spiritually, and physically.
Review Questions
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Becuase it grounds the events of Christ's suffering and death in a real time and place.
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He chose to suffer to save His people. John 10:18 - “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”
Key Points from Part 2
Crucified, Dead, and Buried
Penal Substitutionary Atonement - Penal refers to the penalty Jesus paid for our sin. Substitutionary refers to the fact that He died in our place. And Atonement refers to the fact that Jesus atoned for our sin, He paid for our sin and satisfied God’s wrath toward us.
The cross is the place where Jesus Christ absorbed all the sin of His people, extinguished the wrath of God toward our sin, and demonstrated the unfathomable depths of His love for His people.
Jesus was buried in order to show that He truly did die - His death wasn’t an illusion.
Review Questions
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Penal refers to the penalty Jesus paid for our sin. Substitutionary refers to the fact that He died in our place. And Atonement refers to the fact that Jesus atoned for our sin, He paid for our sin and satisfied God’s wrath toward us.
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The death of Jesus was essential for our salvation because it allowed God to punish our sin while offering forgiveness to sinners.
Key Points from Part 3:
He descended into Hell
Jesus went to the place referred to in the Old Testament as “Sheol” and in the New Testament as “Hades.” Both of these words describe the realm where someone goes after they die.
Review Questions
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Jesus did not go to Hell to suffer torment in the same way that a sinner who dies without Christ will go to Hell to suffer torment. It’s not the same. Jesus didn’t go to the Lake of Fire described in Revelation.
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He went to the place referred to in the Old Testament as “Sheol” and in the New Testament as “Hades.” Both of these words describe the realm where someone goes after they die.
Questions for Further Discussion
Is it important that Jesus actually suffered at a real point in history? Would the story of Jesus be as compelling if it were simply a myth?
Read Isaiah 53:4-11. What stands out to you in this passage? How does it elaborate upon the suffering Jesus endured for our sake?
How would you answer someone who said this: “God killing His Son to pay for sins sounds brutal and medieval?”
How would you explain 2 Corinthians 5:21 to a family member or friend who does not know much about Christianity? Consider what we discussed previously regarding penal substitutionary atonement.