Chapter VI — On the fifth article

1. What does the fifth article — "He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead" — teach us?

The fifth article of the Creed teaches us that the soul of Jesus Christ, once separated from the body, went to the Limbo of the holy Fathers, and that on the third day it was united again to His body, never to be separated from it again.

2. What is meant here by hell?

By hell is meant here the Limbo of the holy Fathers, that is, the place where the souls of the just were detained, awaiting the redemption of Jesus Christ.

3. Why were the souls of the holy Fathers not led into heaven before the death of Jesus Christ?

The souls of the holy Fathers were not led into heaven before the death of Jesus Christ because, on account of Adam's sin, heaven was closed, and it was fitting that Jesus Christ, who reopened it by His death, should be the first to enter it.

4. Why did Jesus Christ will to defer His resurrection until the third day?

Jesus Christ willed to defer His resurrection until the third day in order to make it evident that He was truly dead.

5. Was the resurrection of Jesus Christ like the resurrection of the other men who were raised?

No, the resurrection of Jesus Christ was not like the resurrection of the other men who were raised, because Jesus Christ rose by His own power, while the others were raised by the power of God.