According to the Apostles Creed, Jesus “descended into hell” after his crucifixion. However, he told the repentant thief on the cross next to him that “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise." Which is the correct account?
Jesus Christ had a long day on his hands when he died, and he could well have gone to Heaven as well as Hell, but you have a good point there.
(1) The realm into which Jesus descended is called Hell, in long-established English usage, but Sheol or Limbo by some Christian theologians to distinguish it from the hell of the damned. (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrowing_of_Hell)
(2) Sheol/Hades was a realm with two divisions—a place of blessing and a place of judgment (Matthew 11:23; 16:18; Luke 10:15; 16:23; Acts 2:27–31). The abodes of the saved and the lost are both generally called “Hades” in the Bible. The abode of the saved is also called “Abraham’s bosom” or “Abraham’s side” in Luke 16:22 and “paradise” in Luke 23:43. The abode of the unsaved is called “hell” or “Hades” in Luke 16:23. The abodes of the saved and the lost are separated by a “great chasm” (Luke 16:26).
When Jesus died, He went to the blessed side of Sheol and, from there, took the believers with Him to heaven (my emphasis, Ephesians 4:8–10). The judgment side of sheol/hades has remained unchanged. All unbelieving dead go there awaiting their final judgment in the future. Did Jesus go to sheol/hades? Yes, according to Ephesians 4:8–10 and 1 Peter 3:18–20. Source: Did Jesus go to hell between His death and resurrection?"
(3) Therefore, Jesus did go to hell (Sheol), but he also went to heaven. How he could do all this in one day is beyond me, but after all, he’s God’s kid.
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