OC | Question 42-43

42. What further advantage do we receive from Christ’s sacrifice and death on the cross?

Through Christ’s death our old selves are crucified, put to death, and buried with him,122 so that the evil desires of the flesh may no longer rule us,123 but that instead we may dedicate ourselves as an offering of gratitude to him.124

^ 122. Rom. 6:5-11; Col. 2:11-12
^ 123. Rom. 6:12-14
^ 124. Rom. 12:1; Eph. 5:1-2

43. Why does the creed add, “He descended to hell”?

To assure me in times of personal crisis and temptation that Christ my Lord, by suffering unspeakable anguish, pain, and terror of soul, especially on the cross but also earlier, has delivered me from the anguish and torment of hell.125

^ 125. Isa. 53; Matt. 26:36-46; 27:45-46; Luke 22:44; Heb. 5:7-10