He descended to the dead.
The phrase in the creed is sometimes worded as “he descended to hell.” Contrast the concepts of “Hell” and “Sheol.”
Jesus proclaimed the gospel to people throughout time who are awaiting their full deliverance.
Read 1 Peter 3:18-20
“…even the ancient people heard the gospel.”1
Jesus accomplished full victory over Satan and the powers of evil.
Sometimes called the “Harrowing of Hell.”
Read Colossians 2:15; Revelation 1:18
Jesus unifies the saints of all time in his ascension.
Read Ephesians 4:8-10
“It is clear that…the descent into the place of the dead is crucial to our overall understanding of the way the death and resurrection of Jesus is able to have such far-reaching implications in redeeming the world and defeating Satan and his comic forces.”2
Additional scripture references:
1 Peter 4:6; Acts 2:27 (Psalm 16:10)
The Winding Path 