OTHER BIG QUESTIONS- OTHER BIBLE SOLUTIONS

1 Peter 3:15-22

Pastor Rick Jackson

Located within these verses are two unnecessarily complex questions with rather simple but strong Biblical solutions. I am reminded of how Jesus once told the Sadducees, "Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God." This is somewhat the case herein. Having heard the off-the-wall explanations of some early interpreters others repeated the same mistakes until they snowballed into semi-widely held viewpoints that are unreasonably mystical and unmistakeably unscriptural. Just because a large number of people believe something doesn't make it accurate. Most lost people in the world believe Heaven can be attained by some sort of good works but they are wrong. Salvation is the "gift of God" [Rm. 6:23, Eph. 2:8-9].

I. BIG QUESTION #1 - DID JESUS GO TO HELL TO PREACH? [18-20]

Variations of this theme have Jesus suffering in Hell for 3 days, being beat up for 3 days by the Devil and his demons, being locked up for three days and then demanding the keys and leaving. A further view has paradise and hades both together in the center of the earth but segregated. Jesus later moving paradise to Heaven and taking with Him a contingent of others.

Forgetting for the moment the weirdness of these many views let us look at the one thought to be taught here exclusively. That is the view that Jesus, sometime after His death, before His resurrection, went to Hell and preached to the lost souls that had lived in Noah's day.

1. The problems are immediate!

-what would be preached to lost souls in Hell? Another chance of salvation? Or was this a "ha ha, look at you, you blew it!"
-why just those particular spirits--- why not all the lost in Hell?
-this view also opens the door for many weird views (some already mentioned)

2. The solution is Biblical!

The Bible is always the best interpreter of the Bible. Apply basic laws of Biblical interpretation here (as well as everywhere else). #1 Check the context. #2 Compare Scripture with Scripture #3 If the plain sense makes good sense seek no other sense. #4 Always interpret unclear passages by clear passages not vice-versa.

Here's the solution: Christ, by the spirit, preached through Noah while Noah was building the ark. This puts the time in place in Noah's lifetime. Christ through the Holy Spirit offered salvation to a lost and dying world for 120 years. Their refusal of God's mercy culminated in the flood.

Does this meet the rules of hermeneutics mentioned. Yes! On all counts.

I Peter 1:10-12 establishes the Spirit of Christ was in the Old Testament prophets

Heb. 9:27 establishes there are no second chances after death

Rev. 20:11-15 establishes when the lost will be judged (not made fun of) for their sin

Lk. 23:43, 46 establish Christ went to paradise and was in the hands of the Father not the devil

Mt. 25:41, Rev. 20:10 establish when the Devil is cast into Hell and that he won't be in charge there "Better to rule in Hell than serve in Heaven is not Biblical nor true!

Mt. 10:28, Rev. 1:18 establish Christ has always had the keys to Hell and death

Jn. 19:30 establishes that Jesus finished paying for our sins on the cross and didn't have to go to Hell for three days

the raptures of Enoch (Gn. 5) and Elijah ( 2 Kings 2) establish the abode of the saved dead "up" in Heaven rather than in the belly of the earth even before Christ's resurrection

Mt. 10:1, Rm. 15:19, I Co. 2:4, 5:4; II Tm. 2:7 establish this power is still given unto men

other Scriptural interpretations of Eph. 4 are possible without resorting to fanciful speculations

II. BIG QUESTION #2 - DOES BAPTISM WASH AWAY SINS? [21]

The problems are immediate & the solution is Biblical!

Simply put, baptism is a work of righteousness [Mt. 3:15, Titus 3:5]

Christ's blood (not baptismal waters) wash away sin [Rev. 1:5]

Baptism is not part of the saving Gospel (Rm. 1:16, I Cor. 1:14-17, 15:1-4)

The verse expressly says it doesn't get rid of sin!

21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

As usual, the Bible had the answer!