He Descended into Hell (Sadler's Church Teacher's Manual)

He Descended into Hell (Sadler's Church Teacher's Manual)

He Descended into Hell is Section XXII of The Church Teacher's Manual of Christian Instruction, Michael Ferrebee Sadler's 1872 expansion of the Church Catechism in question-and-answer form.

Summary

Sadler explains the descent into hell in the older sense of Christ's descent to the realm of the departed. The section distinguishes this confession from the notion that Christ suffered the torments of the damned after death.

Sadler's Text

Sadler's catechetical treatment of this topic is anchored in the statement, "He descended into hell, i.e., into Hades, the unseen place; the receptacle of departed spirits." He further explains the section by saying, "We know nothing of it, except that the souls of the righteous are in rest and bliss in one part of it, separated by an impassable gulf from the abodes of the wicked."

Theological Themes

• Descent of Christ
• Intermediate state
• True human soul
• Christ's triumph

Scripture References

The following references are representative biblical texts used or implied in this section of Sadler's catechetical exposition:

• Luke 16:22-23
• Acts 2:31
• Ephesians 4:9
• 1 Peter 3:18-19
• Luke 23:43

Anglican Context

This section belongs to Sadler's exposition of the baptismal promise to believe the articles of the Christian faith. It is especially connected with the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the use of the creeds in Anglican public worship. Sadler's treatment reflects nineteenth-century Church of England catechesis and should be read as a historical Anglican source alongside current provincial formularies and catechetical resources.

See Also

• The Church Teacher's Manual of Christian Instruction
• Apostles' Creed
• Nicene Creed
• Church Catechism
• Anglican Doctrine