I believe that the “descending into Hell” in the Apostles Creed, often characterized as a “preaching to the dead,” comprises a kind of *formal * procession of the saved into Heaven, as opposed to the informal event most experience.
We can see these formal and informal events at various places in Scripture…
BAPTISM
Formal institution: 13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.
14 John tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?”
15 Jesus said to him in reply, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed him.
16 After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened (for him), and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove (and) coming upon him.
17 And a voice came from the heavens, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:13-17.
Informal institution: When Jesus is explaining to the Apostles why he must allow their feet to be washed by Jesus, and so refers to being “bathed” (baptized) and “washed” (through the Sacrament of Reconciliation): ** 10 Jesus said to him, “Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed, for he is clean all over; so you are clean, but not all.”** John 13:10.
THE EUCHARIST
Formal Institution: 19 Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.”
20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you. Luke 22:19-20.
Informal Institution: Note the use of the “blessed and broke” language: 12 As the day was drawing to a close, the Twelve approached him and said, “Dismiss the crowd so that they can go to the surrounding villages and farms and find lodging and provisions; for we are in a deserted place here.”
13 He said to them, “Give them some food yourselves.” They replied, “Five loaves and two fish are all we have, unless we ourselves go and buy food for all these people.”
14 Now the men there numbered about five thousand. Then he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of (about) fifty.”
15 They did so and made them all sit down.
16 Then taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing over them, broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd.
17 They all ate and were satisfied. And when the leftover fragments were picked up, they filled twelve wicker baskets. Luke 9:12-17.
There are more instances of formal/informal action by Christ.