Jesus descended into the dead?

[Joecusack]

In the Apostles’ Creed, it says “(Jesus) descended to the dead (or hell)”. My understanding that this meant that He went to the dead (maybe limbo?) to release from there the souls of all those who died prior to Jesus’ resurrection so that they may now see God, because no soul could go to heaven before Jesus’ resurrection. Is this still the belief, now that “limbo” does not exist? Is this Catholic dogma? Or do the majority of theologians now believe that those who died before the Resurrection (and were good) could go to heaven (and see God)?

 

[Reginald_Plum]

Joe,

This link should explain what is meant when we say Jesus descended to Hell. If you have any further questions or concerns that are not answered by this link, please contact Catholic Answers directly.

Recommended Reading:
In the Creed what is the place of “the dead”?