Many Catholics have questioned me about the Apostles’ Creed in which we profess that, “He descended into hell.” Many are scandalized by the very faith that we profess. Many faithful are scandalized by the Apostles’ Creed. Some faithful have expressed their shock about Jesus’ descent into hell. Hell is believed to be the eternal abode of sinners and evil doers. In his parable about Lazarus and the rich man, Jesus indicates that once a person descends into Hell, the person cannot crossover to Heaven (Lk 16: 26).
This article of the Apostles’ Creed troubles many believers. The statement that “Christ descended into Hell” is both biblical (in the Bible) and theological (faith seeking understanding). Jesus Christ was buried in the tomb and he descended into Hell. The New Testament affirms several times that Jesus was "raised from the dead" (Mt 28: 1-20; Mk 16: 1-20; Lk 24:1-49; Jn 20: 1- 21:25; 1 Peter 3:19). This presupposes the crucified Lord went to the realm of the dead prior to his resurrection on the Third Day.
Jesus went to Hell to liberate souls who have been held in prison. The task of Jesus in descending into Hell was for liberation of the Old Testament holy people. Some theologians explain that Jesus Christ went into Hell to experience the full rigor of suffering, which is the full impact for human sin, so as to give a comprehensive atonement for the sin of humanity.
Jesus descended into Hell as the Savior, proclaiming the Good News of salvation to the souls that were imprisoned there before his Resurrection. All souls awaited the Redeemer. Jesus Christ redeemed the holy souls who awaited in Abraham's bosom (Ps 89:49; 1 Sam 28:19; Ezek 32:17-32; Lk 16:22- 26). Jesus Christ was the first person to be raised from the dead (Rom 8:23; 1 Cor 5: 7-8; 16: 8).
Jesus’ descent into Hell brought the Gospel message of salvation to definitive fulfilment. Jesus’ descent into Hell for a redemptive purpose was the last phase of Jesus's messianic mission. That is Christ's redemptive work to all people of all times and places. The Risen Christ holds "the keys of Death and Hades (Hell)" so that "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,inheavenandonearthandundertheearth”(Rev1:18;Phil2:10).
I hope this reflection helps us grow and mature in our faith.