The Bible teaches that when Jesus became alive in His tomb, He descended into hell and showed Himself to all His enemies as the triumphant conqueror of all the mighty forces of darkness. Jesus did not, therefore, descend there to suffer, but to proclaim His victory. It was a powerful proclamation of the Law, by which He disarmed His enemies and publicly shamed them.
1 Pet.3:18,19: Christ... being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit, by which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison.
Eph. 4:9,10: Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.
Col. 2:15: And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
