OF THE DESCENT OF CHRIST TO HELL

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STATUS CONTROVERSIAE.

Chief Controversy concerning This Article.

1] It has also been disputed among some theologians who have subscribed to the Augsburg Confession

concerning this article: When and in what manner the Lord Christ, according to our simple Christian

faith, descended to hell: whether this was done before or after His death; also, whether it occurred

according to the soul alone, or according to the divinity alone, or with body and soul, spiritually or

bodily; also, whether this article belongs to the passion or to the glorious victory and triumph of Christ.

2] But since this article, as also the preceding, cannot be comprehended by the senses or by our reason,

but must be grasped by faith alone, it is our unanimous opinion that there should be no disputation

concerning it, but that it should be believed 3] and taught only in the simplest manner; according as Dr.

Luther, of blessed memory, in his sermon at Torgau in the year 1533 has explained this article in an

altogether Christian manner, separated from it all useless, unnecessary questions, and admonished all

Formula of Concord -- Epitome

godly Christians to Christian simplicity of faith.

4] For it is sufficient that we know that Christ descended into hell, destroyed hell for all believers, and

delivered them from the power of death and of the devil, from eternal condemnation and the jaws of hell.

But how this occurred we should [not curiously investigate, but] reserve until the other world, where not

only this point [mystery], but also still others will be revealed, which we here simply believe, and cannot

comprehend with our blind reason.

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