INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE STUDENT

My Study Plan:

The book of Revelation reveals Jesus Christ and shows how God’s final Gospel Day is understood through spiritual prophecy. Preparing a Study Plan before starting this Study Guide will assist you in completing it within a designated timeframe. It also helps in developing the discipline required for studying God’s Word effectively.

Proverbs 16:3:

Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

My Study Guide Journal

Keep a record as you progress through your Study Guide, including the “Personal Responses”, for each section for future reference and goal setting.

Content

• INTRODUCTION
• THE PURPOSE OF CHRIST – TO UNDO THE DEVIL’S WORKS
• THE UNIVERSAL GOSPEL
• DID JESUS DESCEND INTO HELL
• SUMMARY OF “DID JESUS DESCEND INTO HELL”
• IDENTIFYING THE “SPIRITS IN PRISON”
• THE GOSPEL TO THE ANTEDILUVIANS
• CHRIST BRINGS THE PRISONERS OUT
• SUMMARY

Important Points:

• COGMA does not claim to be infallible or the authority.
• Infallibility and authority belong only to God and His Word.

COGMA therefore strongly advises that you prayerfully study the content of each Study Guide with the heart of a Berean: “Acts 17:10-12”.

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COGMA therefore strongly advises that you prayerfully study the content of each workbook with the heart of a Berean: "Acts 17:10-12".

INTRODUCTION

This Study Guide explores the gospel's true purpose and how it works. There is often confusion about the gospel — what it actually accomplishes and how it should rightly be shared. This Study Guide will also clarify a question many believers have wrestled with: did Jesus descend into hell to speak to the "spirits in prison" mentioned in the third chapter of Peter's first epistle?

Your Bible Has Every Answer to Life and Living

There is an old story of a man and his wife, both well on in years and yet unsaved. One evening the husband picked up the Bible and read from it for some time. Finally he laid it down, took off his glasses, and said, "Wife, if this Book's right, we're wrong."

He put his glasses back on and read a little further before saying, "Listen, wife, if this Book's right, we're lost." Then he read on again and said, "Look here, wife, if this Book's right, we can get saved."

All of this is found in the Bible.

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THE PURPOSE OF CHRIST — TO UNDO THE DEVIL'S WORKS

True Success Through the Gospel

One essential lesson from earlier studies is that the Bible interprets itself. Applying this 'Golden Rule' shows that God's Word is straightforward and holds answers for every aspect of life.

Every true, fulfilling, and lasting success in life results from the gospel. Christ's purpose is to provide life — and not just ordinary life, but life more abundantly.

John 10:10 says:

The thief (the devil) cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

To fully embrace and enjoy this new life in Christ, understanding the gospel's cause, purpose, and function — or how it works — is crucial.

Distortion of the Gospel

The gospel, while a simple concept, has been distorted by many of today's religious systems. This has led to a false gospel that fails to free individuals from sin. This counterfeit gospel lacks the power to heal and deliver, trapping many in the illusion that daily sin in thought, word, and deed is unavoidable.

The cause of this distortion is a belief in an 'inherited sin nature' attributed to Adam, claiming his disobedience caused all people to inherit this sin nature. This doctrine is known under various terms, such as the Adamic nature or inherent sin.

This belief cannot be found in the Bible. It is a false doctrine first introduced by the Gnostics in John's day and later formulated by a Roman Catholic theologian named Augustine in the fourth century. He termed this doctrine original sin, said to be transferred from father to child through procreation.

A bank teller would advise that the best way to identify counterfeit money is to become familiar with the real thing, not the counterfeit. Similarly, John states in his first epistle:

1 John 1:1 says:

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

Thus, it is through studying and applying (handling) God's Word that we can truly be free and enjoy all the life and promises found in Christ.

The Purpose of the Gospel

One of the most straightforward parts of Scripture that illustrates the gospel's purpose is found in Peter's first epistle.

1 Peter 4:6 says:

For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

The term 'this cause' can also mean 'this purpose or reason'. The literal version translates it as 'For to this end the gospel was preached'. The reason 'the gospel was preached' is explained in the previous verse:

1 Peter 4:5 says:

Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.

In this verse, Peter is referring not to physically dead individuals but to those who are spiritually alive or spiritually dead. Paul sheds more light on this in his letter to the Ephesians:

Ephesians 2:5 says:

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

The cause or purpose of the gospel aligns with Christ's cause, as John's first letter shows:

1 John 3:8 says:

He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

The Greek word 'touto', used by Peter for cause, is the same word John uses for purpose. The literal version reads:

1 John 3:8 (LITV) says:

The one practicing sin is of the devil, because the devil sins from the beginning. For this the Son of God was revealed, that He might undo the works of the devil.

Reflect on your own experience of being born again. What initial work did the gospel do in you? Jesus undid the effects or works of the devil in your life. The devil's works are sin and its impact on a person's life. Yet, the ongoing occurrence of sin indicates that the devil's works are still active.

Freedom from Sin

A born-again believer is freed from sinning and its consequences by the grace and power of God, imparted by the Spirit of Christ indwelling, as Jude declares:

Jude 1:24 says:

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

Thus, reading 1 Peter 4:6 and 1 John 3:8 together, it is clear that the gospel's cause — and Christ's purpose — is to undo or destroy the works of the devil by judging the quick and the dead. The works of the devil are sin and its effects.

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Examining Peter's Letter

Returning to Peter's letter, let us examine it more closely:

1 Peter 4:6 says:

For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

Firstly, consider the phrase 'the gospel preached also to them'. Who is Peter referring to? The pronoun links back to the third chapter of his letter, referring to 'the spirits in prison' in verse 19.

Secondly, that these spirits in prison heard the gospel suggests its universality and consistency through time. It has never changed. The gospel in the days of Adam, Noah, and Abraham was the same, because its cause, or purpose, has never changed.

Thirdly, the gospel's message serves to judge people in their earthly lives so they can live in harmony with God in the spirit — fulfilling their lives in the will and purposes of God, above sin, in holiness.

The following lessons will examine these three points more thoroughly.

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THE UNIVERSAL GOSPEL

The Eternal Nature of the Gospel

The gospel — the good news about Christ — has been constant throughout time. It was not initiated only in the New Testament but has existed since the dawn of time. Peter explains this in the first chapter of his first letter:

1 Peter 1:18-20 says:

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

Symbolism of Christ in the Old Testament

In the literal sense, Jesus Christ did not appear as the Saviour in Adam's time, but His role was symbolised then in type:

• When God provided a pure, innocent animal for Adam and Eve's sin, it foreshadowed the true Lamb, Jesus Christ.
• In Noah's time, his preaching of righteousness pointed to the Lamb of God.
• In Abraham's day, when the ram was caught in the thicket, Abraham recognised 'Jehovah Jireh', signifying that the Lord Himself would provide the sacrifice.

The True Meaning of Jehovah Jireh

Although some interpret 'Jehovah Jireh' as a promise of God's provision in areas such as finances or health, its true meaning refers specifically to the future sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Abraham saw a foreshadowing but understood that the true Lamb, Jesus Christ, would ultimately sacrifice Himself on Calvary. Remember, a shadow can only exist when cast by something real — the reality.

Therefore, Peter indicates that the gospel preached today is the same as that which has been preached since the beginning of time. God remains unchanged; consequently, His Word remains constant.

Hebrews 13:8 says:

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.

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DID JESUS DESCEND INTO HELL

The Common False Belief

Like many, you may have been taught that when Jesus died on Calvary, He descended into hell to preach the gospel. This belief is part of the 'Apostles Creed' and is based on Peter's words in Acts 2:27 and 1 Peter 3:19.

Acts 2:27 says:

Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

It is commonly taught that Jesus went to hell between 'Good Friday' and 'Easter Sunday' to proclaim His victory over evil powers and to rescue the souls of the righteous, such as Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, and all those mentioned in Hebrews chapter 11. However, correctly interpreting the Word of God shows that this is a false narrative that has led many into false doctrine and the worship of a false Christ.

The Pagan Origin of Easter

From your studies in the module 'The Language of the Bible', you understand that the Easter story is unrelated to Jesus Christ but is a pagan celebration of the rebirth of the sun god, representing the worship of a false Christ.

When Jesus was confronted by unbelieving religious leaders asking for a sign to prove He was the promised Messiah, He responded that the only sign to authenticate Him was the sign of Jonah.

Matthew 12:39-40 says:

But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Despite Jesus providing a clear sign, countless millions of professing Christians ignore His words and instead teach that He was crucified on a Friday and resurrected on a Sunday morning. That totals two nights and one day in the 'heart of the earth', whereas Jesus expressly stated 'three days and three nights'.

Regrettably, when the falsehood about Easter is repeated often enough, it becomes accepted as truth. A tradition forms and assumes the status of divine law. Those ensnared in this deception are afflicted with a spirit of delusion from God because they reject or overlook the truth. Paul addressed this issue in his second letter to the Thessalonians:

2 Thessalonians 2:12 says:

And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

The problem today, as throughout the gospel day, is that only a few love the truth enough to stand by it regardless of the cost.

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Jesus' Promise to the Thief

There is not one record where Jesus said that after His death He would go to hell. In fact, He told the thief beside Him on the cross that they would be together in paradise.

Luke 23:43 says:

And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

From your studies in the module 'The Language of the Bible', you know that 'paradise' symbolises the kingdom and church of God. Jesus' reply to the repentant thief directly related to the kingdom of God.

Luke 23:42 says:

And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

It would be erroneous for a Christian to suggest that the kingdom of God is hell. Yet it is taught and believed that Jesus, upon giving up His spirit, went directly to hell until His resurrection.

The truth is that on the 14th of Nisan, 31 A.D., when the thief and Jesus died, they both entered paradise — the kingdom of God — on the same day, exactly as Jesus said. When a lie is repeated enough times without the conviction to uncover the truth, the lie becomes the perceived truth.

The enemy of souls often leads people to find exceptions rather than the harmony in Scripture. He draws people to Peter's words in Acts chapter 2.

Scrutinising Peter's Words in Acts Chapter 2

Acts 2:27 says:

Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

Peter's words in Acts chapter 2 suggest that Jesus went to hell, so this needs closer scrutiny. There appears to be a contradiction between the words of Peter and Jesus. However, you must accept Jesus' word as correct, because He is God and cannot lie. How then do Peter's words, which seem contradictory, actually align with Jesus?

You know from your studies that the Bible never contradicts itself; it is harmonious from Genesis to Revelation. From 1 Corinthians 14:33, you understand that 'God is not the author of confusion.' As the Author, God did not design His Word to cause confusion. If confusion exists, it is because His Word has been wrongly divided.

Proper Bible Study

Proper study involves:

• Firstly, laying 'precept upon precept' and 'line upon line' as per Isaiah 28:13.
• Secondly, when encountering obscure or unclear Bible verses, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide you to the 'companion' verses. God uses these companions to bring understanding, as stated in Isaiah 34:16.
• Thirdly, defining the time period and audience to whom Peter was speaking is crucial.

Returning to Peter's words in Acts chapter 2, he addresses exclusively Jewish people and uses the Hebrew Scriptures to convey the truth concerning Christ. He quotes Joel, David, and the Psalms. When Peter speaks in Acts 2:27, he is quoting from Psalm 16.

Psalm 16:10 says:

For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

This seems to contradict Jesus' words, as we have two first-person quotes by the Word of God — 'wilt not leave my soul in hell' and 'with me in paradise.' Psalm 16 directly references Jesus Christ.

You are undoubtedly aware that you are a 'compound being', meaning you possess both a physical and a spiritual nature. Your spirit, or as we might say your soul, resides within your physical body.

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Understanding the True Nature of Jesus

Jesus was similar in that His Spirit dwelled within His physical body. When Jesus passed away on Calvary's cross, He entrusted His Spirit into 'the Father's hand', while His body remained on the cross until Joseph of Arimathaea took it for burial.

To comprehend Psalm 16:10 properly, you must consider, from a biblical perspective, who the real 'you' is. Are you essentially your physical form? Or are you fundamentally your soul or spirit?

Psalm 139:13 says:

For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.

David is speaking of himself before any physical form existed.

Psalm 139:14 says:

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

The real 'you' is the soul. While we have a physical body made from the earth's dust, our true essence is the soul or spirit.

The Nature of the Soul and Body

At conception, there are no physical features such as arms, legs, fingers, or toes — no physical body as we know it, but it begins to develop. However, at conception, God instils a soul or spirit.

The real you is a spirit inhabiting a physical body. One day, when you die, your body will return to dust, and your spirit or soul will return to God.

Ecclesiastes 12:7 says:

Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

You came from God, and to God you will return. When Jesus told the thief on the cross, 'today shalt thou be with me in paradise,' who is the real 'me'? Obviously, Jesus was referring to His soul, as His body was going to Joseph of Arimathaea's tomb.

John 19:38 says:

And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore and took the body of Jesus.

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Resolving Apparent Contradictions

So how do we resolve the apparent contradiction between the words of Jesus and Peter? The Hebrew word for 'soul' is nephesh, which has two meanings: the first is a 'breathing creature' or physical life; the second is the 'inner being' of man, or spiritual life.

To determine which meaning is used, you must apply two rules: context, as it relates to a verse's use in a given passage, and harmony, as it relates to the overall Word of God.

In Psalm 139:14, nephesh refers to the 'inner being', but in other places it refers to the 'physical being'.

Genesis 12:5 says:

And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.

Genesis 12:5 is a clear reference to the physical use of nephesh, as these are living people.

Genesis 2:7 says:

And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Genesis 2:7 refers to Adam when God 'breathed into him the breath of life; he became a living soul'. Here nephesh is used, but the context relates to the 'inner being' and the spiritual.

The Importance of Accurate Translation

It is crucial to understand that the Word of God is inerrant and infallible, but translations, including the King James Version, are not. As a student, you must study the words, especially regarding points of doctrine and belief. Numbers further illustrates the complexity:

Numbers 6:6-7 says:

All the days that he separateth himself unto the LORD he shall come at no dead body. He shall not make himself unclean for his father, or for his mother, for his brother, or for his sister, when they die: because the consecration of his God is upon his head.

Here 'body' in Hebrew is nephesh, referring to the dead physical body. This indicates that nephesh in Psalm 16:10 refers to Christ's physical body. We know from Jesus' own words in Luke 23:43 that His soul went to paradise.

In Psalm 16:10, the word 'hell' is the Hebrew word sheol. In the Old Testament, the King James Version translates sheol as 'grave' literally thirty times and 'hell' spiritually thirty-one times. To determine its usage, follow the rules of context and harmony.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 says:

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

Here 'grave' is sheol, but it refers to the literal grave of dead physical bodies.

Isaiah 5:14 says:

Therefore hell hath enlarged herself and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.

In this verse, the Hebrew word for 'hell' is again sheol, but it is referring to the place of the unrighteous dead.

Context and Harmony

Understanding the different meanings of words in the Bible requires adhering to the principles of context and harmony. This approach ensures accurate interpretation. Reflecting on Isaiah 5:14, if this verse describes a place of torment for those who die without Christ, it raises a question: how could God not foresee the size or extent required for hell? This is especially curious when considering Isaiah 46:10, which states that God knows the end from the beginning.

Isaiah 46:9-10 says:

Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

Considering God's limitless knowledge, imagine the implications if He lacked the foresight to design a place for those eternally lost. Clearly, when you look at both the context and overall harmony, the verses in Isaiah refer to a literal grave.

Accurate Interpretation

The accurate interpretation of Psalm 16:10, aligned with Jesus' words in Luke 23, should be understood as: 'For thou wilt not leave my body in the grave; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.' Neither the Psalmist nor Peter in Acts chapter 2 were indicating that Christ went to hell. His body was in the grave, but He was in paradise, exactly as He had said He would be.

The widespread belief in many religious circles that Jesus went to hell is a misconception that has misled millions. When you correctly interpret the Word of God — acknowledging that, according to John 17:17, 'thy word is truth' — you find consistency and harmony throughout all Scripture.

Summary of Key Points

Because of the complexity of this section, and because it touches on beliefs ingrained by religious leaders who have not rightly divided God's Word, it is worth highlighting the main points:

• Many believe Jesus descended into hell after His death to preach and rescue souls. This belief rests on the 'Apostles Creed' and certain passages such as Acts 2:27 and 1 Peter 3:19 — but this interpretation leads to a false narrative and false doctrines.
• The Easter story is a pagan celebration unrelated to Jesus Christ. Jesus gave the sign of Jonah to authenticate His Messiahship (Matthew 12:39-40), and the traditional Good Friday to Easter Sunday timeline contradicts His own prophecy of three days and three nights in the earth.
• Jesus promised the repentant thief they would be together in paradise that same day (Luke 23:43). 'Paradise' symbolises the kingdom and church of God, contradicting the idea that Jesus went to hell.
• Peter's words about Jesus' soul in hell (Acts 2:27) need careful interpretation. The Bible is harmonious; any perceived contradiction results from misinterpretation.
• Proper study involves comparing Scripture with Scripture and seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance, understanding context and audience for accurate interpretation.
• Jesus' spirit and body were separate after His death. Psalm 16:10 is rightly understood in context: His body was in the grave, His spirit in paradise.
• The Hebrew word for 'soul' (nephesh) can mean physical life or the inner being, and 'hell' (sheol) in Psalm 16:10 often means 'grave'. Context and harmony within the Bible determine the correct interpretation.
• Correctly interpreted, Psalm 16:10 indicates Jesus' body was in the grave, not hell, and His spirit was in paradise, consistent with His promise to the thief on the cross.

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IDENTIFYING THE 'SPIRITS IN PRISON'

The Spirits in Prison

Returning to Peter's words in chapter 4, let us continue our study to identify who the 'spirits in prison' are.

1 Peter 4:6 says:

For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

Whom does the pronoun 'them' refer to? The answer is revealed in the previous chapter, indicating the people from Noah's time. These individuals are also known as 'antediluvians', meaning they lived before Noah's flood.

1 Peter 3:18-20 says:

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

If you refer to the King James Version, note that verse 17 ends with a full stop, and verses 18 to 20 then form one single sentence. These three verses are therefore connected with a common thread running through them — the disobedient people in the days of Noah.

1 Peter 3:20 says:

Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

Peter is addressing the disobedient people before Noah's flood, also referred to as antediluvians. The question then is: what is the noun to the relative pronoun 'which' in verse 20? The answer is obviously 'the spirits in prison'.

1 Peter 3:19 says:

By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

The pronoun 'he' in verse 19 refers to Christ.

1 Peter 3:18 says:

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

Physically or Spiritually Dead?

From 1 Peter 4:6, we understand that the 'spirits in prison' are dead. The question then becomes: are these spirits physically or spiritually dead? Applying the rules of context and harmony, along with companion Scriptures, will provide clarity.

It makes no sense to preach the gospel to physically dead people — a practice known as necromancy, which is abominable to God.

Deuteronomy 18:10-12 says:

There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.

Clearly, the 'dead' in 1 Peter 4:6 refers to those who are spiritually dead, as we were before being born again.

Ephesians 2:4-6 says:

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

A Spiritual Grave

When we were 'dead in sins', we were in a spiritual grave — a type of prison. Only God's voice could release us from that prison.

John 5:25, 28 says:

Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

Contrary to what you might have been taught, your physical body, upon death, returns to the dust or earth from which it came. It stops existing as a living entity and will never reunite with your spirit.

Ecclesiastes 12:7 says:

Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

Paul, speaking of physical death, said concerning the body that it would be dissolved.

2 Corinthians 5:1 says:

For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

The word 'dissolved' is the Greek word kataluo, derived from 'kata' and 'luo', meaning to destroy or dissolve, where the object 'comes to naught'. It ceases to exist. Thus, Jesus in John chapter 5 was not suggesting preaching the gospel to physical graves.

The time would come, on the day of Pentecost, when Christ, through His Spirit, would speak to those imprisoned in a 'spiritual grave'. The companion Scripture to Jesus' words in John chapter 5 is found in Isaiah, prophesying about the One who would free the prisoners.

Isaiah 42:6-7 (LITV) says:

I, Jehovah, have called You in righteousness, and will hold Your hand, and will keep You, and give You for a covenant of the people, for a Light of the nations; to open blind eyes, to lead out the prisoner from the prison; those who sit in darkness from the prison.

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Children of Disobedience

Those unsaved, without Christ, dwell in the darkness of prison. They are spiritually dead, being 'children of disobedience'.

Ephesians 5:6-8 says:

Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

Noah's Message and Our Experience

Returning to Peter's letter, it is clear he likens Noah's message to our experience. Noah heeded God's Word by faith and was saved from destruction, just as we are saved by believing and acting on God's Word. But those outside Noah's family in his time did not accept God's Word and were not saved from the flood.

1 Peter 3:18 says:

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

This verse tells us we are 'brought to God' by being 'quickened by the Spirit'. Jesus suffered for our sins and opened the way to God through His death, but He brought us to life through salvation when we were born again by the Holy Spirit. This verse speaks of the two manifestations of Christ — one physical, and the other spiritual, when He returned on the day of Pentecost.

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Who Preached to the 'Spirits in Prison'?

The next verse about the 'spirits in prison' states:

1 Peter 3:19 says:

By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

The question arises: who preached to the 'spirits in prison'? It is evident that Christ preached to these spirits 'by the Spirit'. Jesus did not preach the gospel in person or physically, but through the Spirit, as He continues to do today.

In our time, the gospel day, Jesus commanded His disciples to preach the gospel after being filled with His Spirit.

Acts 1:8 says:

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

We can preach the gospel and teach God's Word, but only Jesus, by His Spirit, can reveal it to the hearts of men and women who are in a spiritual grave.

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THE GOSPEL TO THE ANTEDILUVIANS

Christ Preached Through Noah

How then could Christ preach the gospel to the antediluvians by His Spirit? He did so through Noah, the builder of the ark, who was also a preacher of righteousness.

2 Peter 2:5 says:

And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly.

The Bible does not detail Noah's preaching beyond 'righteousness'. In its simplest form, righteousness means 'the right way'. The gospel is this 'right way' for all humankind, from the beginning of time to its end.

The gospel was established from time's beginning, with Christ as the Lamb 'foreordained before the foundation of the world'. Jesus has always been, and always will be, the 'right way'.

John 14:6 says:

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Jesus in the Old Testament

Jesus is not just a New Testament revelation. Isaiah 9:6 describes Him as the 'mighty God' and 'everlasting Father'.

To the Jews, Jesus declared, 'before Abraham was, I am.' In the Gospel of John, Jesus is revealed as the Word of God and Creator.

God's Intent for Humanity

God's intent was never for any individual to perish at any point in history or the future, but rather for all to be saved and come to the knowledge of Christ.

2 Peter 3:9 says:

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

It may be complex to grasp, but all humanity, from Adam's children onwards, enters this world spiritually alive. Yet, through their actions and choices, they become spiritually dead. Even Solomon, with limited understanding, recognised this:

Ecclesiastes 7:29 says:

Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.

Noah's Preaching of the Right Way

With the knowledge he had, Noah preached that the right way was God and Christ. Although Noah did not experience being born again as we understand it, he was moved by the Spirit of God to preach the gospel. Peter describes how the gospel was proclaimed before Calvary:

2 Peter 1:21 says:

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Even in the dark and evil days of Noah, there was light and truth because Noah 'found grace.'

Genesis 6:5-8 says:

And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

Noah found grace, showing that the gospel has never changed. It remains the gift of God.

Ephesians 2:8 says:

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

The Faith Heroes and the Church of God

Like the faith heroes in Hebrews 11, Noah was justified before God and became part of the church of God on the day of Pentecost in 31 A.D.

Therefore, based on our study so far, 1 Peter 3:19 should be understood as follows:

'By which (by the Spirit) also He (Christ) went and preached (through Noah by the Spirit) unto the spirits in prison.'

In the light Noah had, he preached Christ and the gospel, as Peter mentioned in 1 Peter 4:6 concerning the antediluvians: 'the gospel preached also unto them.' Though people in Noah's time might not have had much truth, they had sufficient light to be saved from the flood.

The Simplicity of the Gospel

The message of Christ need not be complex, as Paul mentioned the 'simplicity that is in Christ' in 2 Corinthians 11:3. To be saved, one does not need to grasp all theology; it is enough to seek refuge from the coming wrath. However, if one does not believe and act on God's Word, they perish and, like the antediluvians, remain in darkness — a form of bondage.

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CHRIST BRINGS THE PRISONERS OUT

The Liberating Power of the Gospel

This darkness is akin to a prison that only the gospel can liberate from. Isaiah described it when prophesying about Christ.

Isaiah 42:5-7 says:

Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

Regarding Christ, Isaiah also prophesied:

Isaiah 61:1 says:

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

The 'meek' here are the afflicted, needy, poor, or depressed. Those with a 'broken heart' are the lost, unsaved, and sinners. 'To bind up the brokenhearted' means to heal those with a broken heart — a healing that is spiritual, and comes through the grace of God by the preaching of the gospel by the Holy Spirit.

Christ Preaches by the Spirit

How does Christ, by the Spirit, preach today? In the same way He has throughout time.

Romans 10:14-15 says:

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

And how is the preacher sent? The example of Paul and Barnabas illustrates this.

Acts 13:2 says:

As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

Just as Christ sent Noah in his day, by the Spirit of God, to preach to the antediluvians, Christ sends out preachers today by His Spirit to preach the gospel to 'spirits in prison'.

The Fulfilment of Prophecy

When Jesus began His earthly ministry, He echoed the words of Isaiah, prophesying about Himself.

Luke 4:18 says:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

Notice that even Jesus preached by the Spirit. It was not the physical man, but the spirit within a man, that is anointed.

When did Jesus say this deliverance would happen? When were the prisoners, or the 'spirits in prison', to be set free? Was it after His death and descent into hell? No.

Luke 4:21 says:

And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

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Clarifying Misconceptions

It should now be clear that the 'spirits in prison' were a metaphor for the disobedient people in Noah's time.

Jesus did not deceive the repentant thief on the cross; they met that day in paradise, symbolising the kingdom and church of God.

Jesus did not descend into hell as a place of the unrighteous dead — a notion that misunderstands the true nature of His mission.

The Misconception of Purgatory

The doctrine of purgatory, as promulgated by the Roman Catholic religion, argues for a place where departed souls undergo purification and judgement to be made ready for heaven. This falsehood, steeped in pagan religion and influenced by writings such as those of Plato, suggests an intermediary state after death.

A similar belief is held by some Protestant denominations, including Pentecostals, who believe in a 'holding place' where the souls of the righteous dead wait for the second coming of Christ to be reanimated in their resurrected physical bodies.

The Bible's Teaching on the Afterlife

According to the Bible, there is no second chance after death. The decision regarding one's eternal 'spirit home' must be made while still living in the physical body. As expressed in the book of Ecclesiastes, the finality of one's destiny is certain, much like a fallen tree that remains where it falls.

Ecclesiastes 11:3 says:

If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.

In Luke 16, Jesus provides a window into eternity with the account of Lazarus and the rich man. Immediately upon their physical deaths, they found themselves in their eternal dwellings:

• Lazarus entered heaven, while the rich man found himself in hell. Notably, even the rich man did not entertain the illusion of a second chance — a realisation each of us will come to understand clearly on our own 'death day.'

The state of your heart, your spiritual condition, cannot be altered after physical death; your eternal fate is sealed.

Luke 16:26 says:

And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

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SUMMARY

This Study Guide has explored the gospel's purpose and how it works, clarifying misunderstandings about its goals and the proper way to share it — including whether Jesus went to hell to speak to 'spirits in prison', as mentioned in 1 Peter 3.

Purpose of the Gospel

Christ's primary mission was to undo the devil's works and provide an abundant life. However, the gospel has been distorted by some religious systems, leading to a false gospel that fails to free individuals from sin. This distortion stems from the belief in an inherited sin nature — a doctrine not found in the Bible, but introduced by Gnostics and later formulated by Augustine as 'original sin'.

True Gospel and Freedom from Sin

A true understanding of the gospel reveals that Christ came to destroy the works of the devil, which are sin and its consequences. Born-again believers are freed from sinning by the grace and power of God. The purpose of the gospel, as illustrated in 1 Peter 4:6 and 1 John 3:8, is to undo the devil's works by judging the quick and the dead.

Did Jesus Descend into Hell?

A common belief is that Jesus descended into hell after His crucifixion, based on the 'Apostles Creed' and passages such as Acts 2:27 and 1 Peter 3:19. However, careful study of the Bible shows this interpretation is incorrect. Jesus promised the repentant thief on the cross that they would be together in paradise (Luke 23:43), contradicting the idea that He went to hell.

Interpreting Peter's Words

Peter's words about Jesus' soul not being left in hell (Acts 2:27) need careful interpretation. The Hebrew word for 'soul' (nephesh) and 'hell' (sheol) can mean different things depending on context. Proper study reveals that Jesus' body was in the grave while His spirit was in paradise, consistent with His promise to the thief.

The Spirits in Prison

The 'spirits in prison' mentioned by Peter refers to the disobedient people of Noah's time, who were spiritually dead. Christ preached to them through Noah by His Spirit, as Noah was a preacher of righteousness. The gospel, unchanged from the beginning of time, was preached by Noah to the antediluvians.

The Universal Gospel

The gospel has always been the same, symbolised in the Old Testament by events such as God providing a pure, innocent animal for Adam and Eve's sin, pointing to Christ, the true Lamb. The gospel's eternal nature is affirmed by passages such as 1 Peter 1:18-20 and Hebrews 13:8.

Clarifying Misconceptions

Misconceptions such as Jesus descending into hell arise from misinterpretation. The doctrine of purgatory, and of a second chance after death, is also unfounded in Scripture. Instead, one's eternal fate is sealed upon death, as illustrated in Luke 16:26.

Conclusion

In summary, the gospel's purpose is to provide life and freedom from sin, aligning with Christ's mission to undo the devil's works. Accurate understanding of Scripture clarifies that Jesus did not descend into hell but was in paradise after His crucifixion. The gospel, preached from the beginning, remains the pathway to eternal life in Christ.

The next Study Guide continues 'The Cause of the Gospel', addressing why the doctrine of inherent sin is another misleading teaching stemming from Roman Catholic tradition.

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SUBMISSION TO COGMA FOR APPRAISAL

Instructions