Jackson on Articles III, IV: Of the going down of Christ into Hell; Of the Resurrection of Christ

The word ‘“‘ Hell,’’ here, does not mean the place of punishment, but the place of departed spirits. The meaning of the Article is that the soul of our Lord passed at death into the place of departed spirits (Luke xxiii., 43 and Acts ii., 27-31), so that there is no depth of human ex- perience which He has not fathomed (Heb. ii., 17, and Rom. viii., 39).

ARTICLE IV. Or THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST.

The fact of the Resurrection was the accepted belief of the first Christians. | This is clearly shown by the records of the Evangelists (Matt. xxviii. ; Mark xvi. ; Luke xxiv.; and John xx. and xxi.); by the preaching of the Apostles (e.g., Acts iv., 2, 10, 33); and by the writings of St. Paul (e.g., 1 Cor. xv., 1-8). The character of these witnesses and the circum- stances under which their evidence was given leave no ground for the supposition that they were either deceivers or deceived. Their ob- viously straightforward character precludes the idea that they were deceivers. The absence of any expectation that Jesus would rise makes it most unlikely that they were deceived. And the fact that most of them suffered for their testi- mony to the Resurrection argues against both theories.

• And took again his (suum) body with flesh, bones, and all things appertaining to the perfec- tion (integritatem) of Man’s nature.’”’ This refers to the nature of our Lord’s Resurrection. It was a real, bodily resurrection. He rose in

the fulness of human life, taking again the very body which had been laid in Joseph’s grave. In what way that body was changed through resur- rection it is impossible to say precisely. But -two things at least are clear from the Gospel narratives. First, our Lord’s Resurrection body was a real, human body (Luke xxiv., 39 and John xx., 27), possessing really human powers, such as walking, talking and eating (Luke xxiv., 15, 17, 48, and Acts x., 41). Second, it retained its former appearance sufficiently to be almost at once recognised by those who had known Him (John xx., 16 and xxi., 7).

(b) The Ascension, Session, and Return “ Wherewith he ascended into Heaven, and there sitteth, until he return to judge all Men at the last day.’? Here is the present and future work of Christ, and both are closely affected by the permanence of His human nature. As He rose, so He is now in His ascended life, and so He will be at His return. He is and will be “this same Jesus ’’ (Acts’i.). He has carried with Him to His heavenly office of Mediator (1 Tim, ii., 5), Intercessor (Heb. iv., 15, and vii., 25), and Ruler (Acts v., 31), the knowledge of human experience and an abiding sympathy with human need. So it will be when He returns for judgment.

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