This is a post Easter reflection on 1 Peter 18-22 where the Scripture makes a strange statement that Christ went into hell - when he died on the cross - to preach.
There is a very broad theological discussion on what this might mean at this Zondervan site.
In my view there is a much broader reflection - whether Jesus preached to those who died without His Grace in the thousands of years BC.
Rather, it is this - what of the millions of babies and toddlers that die before being even able to understand the Grace of God through Jesus death on the cross and His resurrection.
What of those people who have died but never heard the story of Jesus.
These are related questions as the Scriptures are clear as to the path to Salvation is through Jesus’ death on the cross and into an eternity with a peace that passeth understanding.
1 and 2 Peter
These below are remarkable contributions to the canon of Scripture with some memorable verses from 1 Peter
We are kept by the power of God through faith unto Salvation - 1 Peter 1 verse 5
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious ….. though it might be tried by fire, might be found unto praise - verse 7
Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober and hope to the end …. Verse 13
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever - veres 23
But the Word of God endureth forever. And this is the Word which by the Gospel is preached unto you - verse 25
A stone of stumbling - 1 Peter 2 verse 8
For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers - 1 Peter 3 verse 12
An account
1 and 2 Peter is an account of clarity - defining the Gospel message and then setting a defining path for the recalcitrant. It is quite graphic.
So there is a two fold question
First, the Grace of God through Jesus Christ death and resurrection covers the heartache of His children - “His ears are open unto their prayers”.
Second, what of those we love or our sports heroes, or our political champions - we have had quite a number of these die in recent weeks, all in the prime of life.
1 and 2 Peter likewise sets out the pathway of Salvation.
My heart cries out to those - of whom I have been placed - encountering them as if a watchman on the wall as in Ezekiel. What of a man’s heart when it is strangely warmed. This is of the Lord.
A Northern Territory missionary story I heard years and years ago – an indigenous woman last century having heard the story of Jesus exclaimed – “I knew him, I knew Him, I just didn’t know His name.”
That to me is the best theological statement I’ve heard on 1 and 2 Peter.
Photo - Tronson du Coudray art “Desires Café”
Dr Mark Tronson - a 4 min video
Chairman – Well-Being Australia
Baptist Minister 45 years
- 1984 - Australian cricket team chaplain 17 years (Ret)
- 2001 - Life After Cricket (18 years Ret)
- 2009 - Olympic Ministry Medal – presented by Carl Lewis
- 2019 - The Gutenberg - (ARPA Christian Media premier award)
Gutenberg video - 2min 14sec
Married to Delma for 45 years with 4 children and 6 grand children