
Christ’s Descent into Hell
Lutheran Essentials meets in the undercroft of the church on Wednesdays at 7pm. You can reach the undercroft by going around to the back parking lot of the church and descending the staircase to the kitchen. Knock on the door if it is closed and some one will let you in. You can also join us remotely via our livestream. We are currently studying the Epitome of the Formula of Concord. We are handing out copies of the Book of Concord and the Lutheran Service Book for free.
We will open class with Psalm 141 and our catechism lesson which is on Confession. We will read Article IX: The Descent of Christ to Hell. We will talk about how the descent into hell is part of Christ’s exaltation not his humiliation. We will then sing the hymn “Christ is the World’s Redeemer” (LSB 539).
Next we will read Article X: Church Practices. We will discuss what is meant by adiaphora (“things neither commanded nor forbidden”) and how certain practices can be adiaphora depending on context. However, in a state of controversy practices related to that controversy are no longer adiaphora due to the need for a proper confession of faith. We will also discuss what God requires of us with respect to our Church Practice. We will close with the hymn “Lord Jesus Christ the Church’s Head” (LSB 647).
As always new people are always welcome to this study at any point during the class. Please talk to the Pastor, Elders or Paul Edmon if you have any questions.