Spirits in Prison

Article 2

SPIRITS IN PRISON. The words under consideration occur in 1Pet.3.18-1Pet.3.20, and the same thought is suggested in 1Pet.4.6. Some use these and other verses to support a doctrine of a limbus patrum, or borderland place of confinement of the patriarchs who died before the time of Christ. They see Eph.4.8ff. as teaching that, at his ascension, Christ took the patriarchs from this limbus to heaven. Matt.27.52-Matt.27.53 is sometimes referred to as well, and the phrase “He descended into Hades” in the Apostles’ Creed is also brought in.

Scripture does not warrant the idea that people will hear the gospel after death.——JOB