ARE YOU A RIGHTLY DIVIDING CHRISTIAN?

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. Some, having heard the off-the-wall explanations of some early interpreters repeated the same mistakes until they snowballed into semi-widely held viewpoints that are unreasonably mystical and unmistakably unscriptural. Just because a large number of people believe something doesn't make it accurate. Most people wrongly believe Heaven can be attained by good works. Salvation is the "gift of God" [Rm. 6:23, Eph. 2:8-9].

 

I. 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. Another 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 Bible interpretation mentioned. Yes! On all counts.

-1 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

it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

 

-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.

v. 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise…   v. 46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

-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!

-Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

-And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

 

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

-And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

-I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

 

-Jn. 19:30 and Luke 23:46  establish that Jesus finished paying for our sins on the cross and didn't have to go to Hell for three days

-When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

-And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

 

-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

 

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

 

II. DOES BAPTISM WASH AWAY SINS? [v. 21]

 

The problems are immediate & the solution is Biblical!

 

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

 

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

 

3. Baptism is not part of the saving Gospel [Rm. 1:16, 1 Cor. 1:14-17, 15:1-4]

 

4. The verse expressly says it doesn't get rid of sin! [v. 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:

 

III. ARE YOU AN OBEDIENT CHRISTIAN?

 

1. Are You Rightly Dividing the Bible [2 Timothy 2:15]

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

 

2. Do You Understand the Meaning of Baptism? [Rm. 6:1-12]

 

3. Have You Obeyed the Lord and Been Scripturally Baptized After Being Saved? [Mt. 28:18-20]