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Who are the spirits Jesus Christ went on to proclaim to in 1 Peter 3:19?



      

1 Peter 3:19

ESV - 19 In which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison.

Clarify Share Report Asked March 07 2014 Mini Anonymous

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Q jcryle001 JD Abshire Supporter
Looking at the context, 1 Peter 3:20 describes and identifies the spirits in v. 19 as those disobedient in the days of Noah. I believe Jude 6 is also referring to these same spirits. "And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day."

We know that not all spirits are bound so this is concerning a specific group from the days of Noah that were and are bound. These are the angels, spirits which because of their actions prompted God to destroy mankind with the exception of Noah and his family. (Another story, see Genesis 6, especially v. 1-4)

We can only speculate as to what Christ preached but I firmly believe it was a proclamation, a pronouncement of judgment on these fallen angels.

To suggest that Christ had no power to communicate within the spiritual realm outside of his material and physical body proposes that when he died his eternal spirit ceased to function. We need to remember that Jesus Christ is the eternal "I am". He has always been God and existed as spirit prior to his incarnation. Matter of fact "whoever" the spirits or fallen angels were, our blessed Lord and Savior made them!

March 07 2014 2 responses Vote Up Share Report


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1618589714 Adekunle Olaitan Supporter Assistant Resident Minister (Curate),Chapel of the Transfig
I agree with JD Abshire and disagree with Bruce Lyon: we must remember that it is the body that sleeps, as taught by the Bible. The spirit and soul do not sleep. The body may lie in the tomb, the soul/spirit are elsewhere--where the person faces or experiences judgement (pending the ultimate judgement) one way or the other. How much more the eternal I Am veiled in flesh. 

The fact is, as His body hung on the cross and lay in the tomb after expiration, He went and proclaimed/preached to the spirits in prison (Hell), whomever they might be (most likely fallen angels who 'kept not their first estate', but went into the daughters of men), pronouncing and advertising the defeat of Lucifer and all his horde! 

Our creed proudly affirms and states "He descended into hell...". He descended before He ascended into heaven. Hallelujah!

February 23 2017 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


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Data Bruce Lyon Supporter Elder: Restoration Fellowship Assembly
First let's understand that Jesus did not preach to anyone or any being while he was dead in the tomb for 3 days and 3 nights. Dead people cannot communicate with anyone. (Eccl:9:5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.

So he preached to them after his resurrection and before he met with his disciples in the upper room. He preached to them as a resurrected triumphant glorified man.

March 07 2014 3 responses Vote Up Share Report


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