Apostles Creed-Need guidance

[goforgoal]

Sorry, if this question was asked and I don’t mean to be rude. I just need guidance on this prayer.

I was teaching my 8 year old nephew how to pray the Apostles Creed.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

My nephew looked at me with questioning eyes and asked, “Jesus went to hell?” The part where it states Jesus descended into hell. I’ve asked my other family members about that part of the prayer and they seem to be confused.

I suppose my question (although I admit silly). Did Jesus go to hell? I noticed on different Apostles Creed it states descened to the dead. When did they change that? Why?

Thank you for your guidance
goforgoal

 

[Godfollower]

Before the Resurrection, both Heaven and Hell were closed. After you died, you went to the abode of the dead (a/k/a Sheol or Hades, which both translate as Hell) and awaited the judgment. When Jesus died, He actually died and went to the abode of the dead to preach there.

That’s not the same place as the place of eternal punishment – the Hell you and your nephew are thinking of. Jesus didn’t go there; there wouldn’t be any point. Rather, He went to the abode of the dead to free the righteous ones.

There was no real change to the Apostles’ Creed; it’s just a language thing that has crept in over time. Jesus went to the place Scripture calls Hell, but He didn’t go to the place we call Hell. One is basically a waiting room for all the dead (both the damned and the righteous); the other is the place of eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

Hope this helps.

 

[Viki63]

Rather, He went to the abode of the dead to free the righteous ones…

Just want to second this explanation - well put.
The prophets and other faithful people had been waiting in Sheol since their deaths, and Jesus showed up and led them to heaven, since He opened the gate for humanity.

 

[Benedict108]

The explanation of the creed above is correct. I just wanted to try and answer your question about the changing of the prayer language. Jesus did descend to Hell and CCC 633 discusses that, but the newer translation that is sometimes heard is the British Commonwealth version of the creed. That translation has caught on in recent years, but the version that states Jesus descended into hell is still proper.

Pax tecum.