Christ Went to Hell

Dr. Couch, I still hear there are teachers that argue Christ went to hell when He died. Where do they get this idea? ANSWER:  Most use 1 Peter 3:19 that reads: Christ "also went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah ..." They say "the prison" was hell where the unsaved were confined.    Some charismatics argue that He had to go to hell because He was a sinner and had to suffer there to placate God in order to rid us of our sins. Those who take this position or argue that the Lord was confined for a period in hell miss the context completely. "Made proclamation" is "karruso" and is the common word "to preach, proclaim."  He did this with those who were disobedient (or disbelieving) while the ark was being constructed by Noah. Check out the full context of the passage. So this is not a general statement that indicates Christ is somehow being judged or seen as a sinner in hell. The "prison" could be the place of waiting for the final stage of judgment for the lost. The Lord is not being confined there as if He is a sinner.    By the way, "to proclaim" can mean "to herald," "to cry aloud." The Lord Jesus was making clear what the disobedient people in Noah's time had given up. Christ was telling them this.    The "spirits in prison" have been interpreted as confined evil angels in relation to Genesis 6:1-4. I am glad to see the comments of William Baker in my Commentary series on 1 & 2 Peter. We agree that these spirits in prison are humans and not fallen angels.    Baker writes what I hold to: He says "My opinion is that Genesis 6:1-4 is connected primarily with Genesis 5, which lists the genealogy of Adam and his descendants; thus, the reference to 'sons of God' and 'daughters of men' is to Adam's descendants." Baker goes on and writes: "Based on my interpretation of Genesis 6:1-4, I reject the interpretation of 'spirits in prison' as angels and understand them to be human beings who were disobedient during the period of Noah's preaching."    To conclude: Christ was sharing what was true with the generation that was rejecting the revelation of Noah, but this does not mean He was somehow "judged" or confined in hell, as some try to argue.    It is good to see Bible scholars "think" and not just follow what they've heard others say!    This 1 Peter passage is difficult but my interpretation, along with Baker's, is right and makes common sense. Do not go to the flamboyant and "way-out" interpretations, and don't simply quote what someone else has said.    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (8/10)

Strongholds and the Christian Life

Dr. Couch, what are the "strongholds" in our lives? And is it accurate to describe these in understanding how the Christian life works? ANSWER:  The expression comes from 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. In the NAS it reads "for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh; but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations, and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God."    The charismatics use this passage and say the strongholds have to do with the flesh. While this is true they often do not get to the solution. What Paul is concerned about are the "lofty things" that come against knowing God. This is how we defeat the tug of the flesh. Dan Mitchell in our commentary series writes: "If Paul did not possess divine authority, he could not possess divine power. The real war in which we are engaged today is the war of ideas." The charismatics often do not see the Word of God as the final answer to the pull of the flesh. They hold on to some kind of "power" they think that have within themselves and therefore, they remain defeated. It is the study of God's Word that liberates—the knowledge of (or about) God! The charismatics have "an irrational system, which is beyond the capacity of reason to discover or to fathom to its depth," says the great Greek scholar Nicoll. They work from emotion and not from the objective knowledge of Scripture, and thus fly off in all directions—to mysticism.    Hope this helps.    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (1-10)

Man Leave Family to Pray and Blames God

Dr. Couch, I heard the other day of a fellow who believes God speaks with him, and told him to travel the earth and go about praying over everything. He leaves his wife and children and just travels! What do you think? ANSWER: Don't be fooled by pious activities. In a certain reverse way, this is what the monks of the Middle Ages did. They hid themselves away and simply prayed night and day. First of all, God does not speak to this man. It is either indigestion or the influence of demons. God has given us all the revelation He has for us, for all of us! We need no more messages than what we have in Scripture. Notice how our flesh responds when we hear of such piety! "Oh, he must be so holy and Godly"! In my opinion, "What a waste of time!" He could instead be giving a clear message of salvation in plain language to a dying world that needs clarity about spiritual things.    In Paul's criticism of those who gibbered in tongues, he said, "If a harp, flute, or bugle does not produce a clear sound … it is like speaking into the air!" (1 Cor. 14:7-9). "So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air" (v. 9). If you think God is directly speaking to you and giving you messages, it's probably because of the bowl of chili you had last night! In a sense, what Paul says fits somewhat as to what this fellow is doing. He's going nowhere! (I wonder if charismatics have read these verses?)    Don't be fooled by foolish foolishness!    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch

What is the Difference Between a Pentecostal and a Charismatic?

Dr. Couch, what is the difference between a Pentecostal and a Charismatic? 

 

    Some of the differences have to do with practice and not doctrine. The Charismatics are "modernized" Pentecostals. The Jim Bakkers had a Pentecostal heritage but "came out of the closet" with Tammy Fay wearing make up and dressing extremely flashy. Many Pentecostals still believe in no makeup and dress in sackcloth and ashes! Doctrinally they are the same as far as I can tell. However, the Pentecostals really dislike the teaching that you can materialize what you want to just saying it. The name it and claim it thing! 

    I had a distant relative who was Pentecostal, who disliked Charismatics. He thought they were too showy. He felt if he sinned he would lose his salvation. He lived constantly in fear, studied the Bible only on the surface because he repudiated "the learning" of the Scriptures. I was influencing him and believe he was changing doctrinally. In a short time he would have given up his false tongues speaking, but he passed away before that happened. It was a terrible thing to see how shallow he was in terms of scriptural study. They all are. He had a lot of problems in his life, which they all do, though they try to deny this lest they lose their salvation. 

    Two of the best Bible teachers in America were charismatic, whom I will not name. They both have authored many, many books. You would know the names right off if I mentioned them. Before I met them they had given up their tongues speaking. I asked them why and they answered, "Because of the study of the Word of God. They saw what we were doing was wrong, was emotional and not biblical!" Sitting around the dinner table they would "speak" in tongues to show how they could turn it off and on at will! 

    Thanks for asking.

    Dr. Mal Couch,