The Apostles’ Creed is the oldest, and most widely accepted statement of faith in Christianity. It wasn’t written by the Apostles (Jesus’s companions) but it became accepted in the early centuries as a faithful summary of what the Apostles taught. In this week's sermon, we are looking the often misunderstood (and sometimes overlooked) part of the Creed which talks about Jesus' descent into the dead and resurrection from the grave. What we will see from this section of the Creed is that Jesus' victory over sin and death gives us a secure hope for human souls and human bodies.
“The resurrection introduces something radically new into the fabric of the universe and into our understanding of the possibilities and limit of our wold, transforming the Christians way of inhabiting reality … It is as significant as the creation of the universe, for it parallels that first creation with what the Bible calls the"new creation" (2 Cor 5:17) …The resurrection of Christ is not simply proof that there is life beyond death, nor again is it simply proof that the cross was effective and that all those who trust in Christ can have their sins forgiven. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the first glimpse of the shafts of breaking dawn that will one day flood the sky with brilliant light in the new heavens and the new earth.”- Christopher Watkin

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/christs-descent-dead/
https://rts.edu/resources/he-descended-into-hell/

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 

When was the first time you encountered the reality of death? Think back to that time-- how did it make you feel? What questions did you have? 
What are differences between the two words translated "hell' in the Gospels : "Gehenna" (Matthew 18:9) and "Hades" (Matthew 16:18)? 
Read Acts 2: 24. Why was it not possible for Jesus to be held by death? (compare John 10:18, Hebrews 2:14, Revelation 1:17)
Read Acts 2: 36-37. According to Peter, who does the resurrection prove Jesus to be? What did that mean for his audience in Acts 2? 
Read 1 Cor 15:12-19. What are all the things that are "in vain" if Jesus is not really risen? 
Read 1 Cor 15: 20, Romans 13:11-14. According to Scripture, if Jesus has been raised, what difference should it make to your life?

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