Christ's Descent into Hell

The article on Christ's descent into hell, found in the Apostles' Creed, is notably shorter than previous articles and did not ignite extensive theological debate. The Formula of Concord authors included this article to affirm the belief that Jesus, after his burial, descended to hell, thereby conquering the devil and asserting His power over evil. This distinction is significant in Lutheran teachings, as it differentiates between the burial of Christ and His descent into hell, where His entire person—both divine and human—was involved. This theological stance counters Reformed Christology, which asserts a limitation of Christ’s human nature during this period, providing clarity on Christ's continuous presence and activity even in the afterlife.