It’s Holy Saturday. No Meanderings so instead I will post about a traditional understanding of Holy Saturday. The Eastern Orthodox Church has a major emphasis on Good Friday through Easter and the emphasis is on what is sometimes called the "harrowing of hell," the descent of Christ into hell between the Cross and the Resurrection. The idea is that Christ entered into Hades after his death and raided hell to ransom the righteous of the Old Testament.
Scot, what is your take on the premise that the "spirits in prison" Peter refers to in 1 Peter 3 are angels? My understanding is that almost without exception in the NT, the word ‘spirit’ in the plural refers to angels, not human beings. The only exception is Hebrews 12:23 where we read about ‘the spirits of the righteous made perfect.’
The addition of the word ‘righteous’ clearly indicates that humans are in view. Nowhere in the Bible are humans ever referred to as ‘spirits’ (that I can see) without some qualifying word or phrase. But every time it is used without a qualifying word or phrase it clearly refers to angels or demons. Furthermore, the word "prison" is nowhere used in the Bible (that I can see) to refer to the place of punishment for human beings after death. It is used, however, in Revelation 20:7 to refer to the place where Satan is "imprisoned."
So, could it be possible that the imprisoned spirits are fallen angels who disobeyed God in the days of Noah, and now are consigned to permanent imprisonment until the day of judgment? Jesus, after his resurrection, proclaimed or announced his declaration of victory over these fallen angels and the demonic realm?
Given the text in 1 Peter that those in prison who were gospelized were the ones who were disobedient at the time of the flood, it could be inferred there was a chance for salvation for those souls. This would exclude positions of the harrowing of hell being salvation only for the OT saints or the elect - but all believers in Christ (assuming those who heard the gospel came to believe). The question then arises is what about those who didn’t believe? Are they still in hell? What about those who die after the harrowing of hell? Do they also get a chance to hear the gospel for salvation (perhaps for the first time for many)?
1 Peter 4:6 has an interesting parallel with 1 Corinthians 5:5. It conjures up many questions, but it leads me to wonder if the second death is not final and could be reversed by Christ by faith. The flesh could be destroyed in this life, and perhaps in hell and/or the lake of fire, and the soul still receive a spiritual life/body by God.
The listing of the various early church leaders and positions is very helpful. Thanks.
Scot, what is your take on the premise that the "spirits in prison" Peter refers to in 1 Peter 3 are angels? My understanding is that almost without exception in the NT, the word ‘spirit’ in the plural refers to angels, not human beings. The only exception is Hebrews 12:23 where we read about ‘the spirits of the righteous made perfect.’
The addition of the word ‘righteous’ clearly indicates that humans are in view. Nowhere in the Bible are humans ever referred to as ‘spirits’ (that I can see) without some qualifying word or phrase. But every time it is used without a qualifying word or phrase it clearly refers to angels or demons. Furthermore, the word "prison" is nowhere used in the Bible (that I can see) to refer to the place of punishment for human beings after death. It is used, however, in Revelation 20:7 to refer to the place where Satan is "imprisoned."
So, could it be possible that the imprisoned spirits are fallen angels who disobeyed God in the days of Noah, and now are consigned to permanent imprisonment until the day of judgment? Jesus, after his resurrection, proclaimed or announced his declaration of victory over these fallen angels and the demonic realm?
Given the text in 1 Peter that those in prison who were gospelized were the ones who were disobedient at the time of the flood, it could be inferred there was a chance for salvation for those souls. This would exclude positions of the harrowing of hell being salvation only for the OT saints or the elect - but all believers in Christ (assuming those who heard the gospel came to believe). The question then arises is what about those who didn’t believe? Are they still in hell? What about those who die after the harrowing of hell? Do they also get a chance to hear the gospel for salvation (perhaps for the first time for many)?
1 Peter 4:6 has an interesting parallel with 1 Corinthians 5:5. It conjures up many questions, but it leads me to wonder if the second death is not final and could be reversed by Christ by faith. The flesh could be destroyed in this life, and perhaps in hell and/or the lake of fire, and the soul still receive a spiritual life/body by God.