Went to church for 1st time on Sunday. Questions Questions......

[FaithinQuestion]

Well, the last time i went to Church was when I was about 6. Was christened CofE and remember going to sunday school. Then we moved area and that was it didnt go again. Now I am 39. Was interested in duality god/goddess pagan type stuff for about 15 years, but I felt it seemed to me to be all "borrowed" (neo-pagan)and lacked scripture - something definately written down. I then started reading the new testament and felt that yes I could identify with these teachings and Jesus. So I went along to the local cofE church. I liked it and have started reading some of the Anglican books in use. like Book of common prayer/common worship.

Now I have questions..... like in one of the creeds (in old fashion language) it says that Jesus died, was buried and descended to hell before resurrecting..... If Jesus was a good man... why did he descend into hell? I thought that was where you went if you were a sinner - a bad person?

can someone explain to a newbie please?

Have you thought about doing an Alpha course? Can't answer your questions I'm afraid but an Alpha might...

It is difficult to explain in a few sentences, (and I'm not an expert in Anglican creeds) but..

Jesus went to Hell to pay the punishment we deserve. (He went to Hell in our place) He was perfect and sinless, but we are not. We deserve to go to hell, but he didn't. That is the good news of the Gospel. He died a horrible death and went to Hell so that we don't have to; (as long as we believe it)

All we have to do is believe that He is the Son of God, that he died, served our punishment for us, and then rose from the dead and went to Heaven, and is alive today...and then we spend eternity with God.

Being a Christian is acknowledging that, and living a life of gratiitude.

I think an Alpha course is a very good idea.

Hope that helps.

Jesus' going into hell is traditionally called the "harrowing" of hell. Harrowing is an agricultural term meaning to turn soil over, to break it up so that it may be planted with crops.

So my view is that Jesus went down into the darkest, rottenest place imaginable and broke up the nastiness - like going into a filthy kitchen with an industrial size bottle of Cillit Bang! Or a more eco-friendly alternative... So for me as a christian that gives me huge hope and confidence for the dark times in my life and in the world - He is the one who comes into those dark times and transforms them into something that is ready to be re-planted with a good new crop. Mixed metaphors there, but that's Anglicans for you!

Any other questions, just fire away...

this is interesting - apparantly harrowing is a military term as well. Ooooh, multi-layered imagery! I love it!

The wages of sin is death.

Jesus, who was sinless, substituted himself to pay the ultimate price for our sins. He had to die 'fully' in order to do this - ie he descended to the dead.

On the third day, he rose again, and conquered death for all time. His death and resurrection freed us to have a right relationship with God, and to have everlasting life.

This is the doctrine of penal substitution.

There is a different atonement doctrine which says that when Jesus descended to the dead, he did so to gather up all those who had died to take them up to heaven with him.

I'd recomend Christianity Explored course...........

I just love the fact that you went to church after so long and that you have spent your time finding out more and more about Jesus - and I know God loves it too!! Hooray - well done you! Questions are good - hope the answers you already have received have been helpful.

Thanks everyone,[ grin ] that explains it - the harrowing of hell! Now I get it. Will be looking into an alpha course or similar i think.