One interesting passage in 1 Peter refers to the time when Jesus preached to "those who are now dead." Since Christians believed and taught that faith in Jesus the Christ is essential for salvation, the question arose concerning the fate of those who died without having the opportunity to know or even hear of Jesus. Could they be saved? If they could not, then the justice of God would be brought into question; if they could, then faith in Jesus would not be essential for salvation. In order to meet this dilemma, the idea to which this passage refers was developed.
According to this conception, Jesus, between the time of his death and his resurrection, descended to Sheol, where, according to ancient Hebrew tradition, all persons go after death. There, Jesus preached to all those who had died, thus giving to them a chance to accept or to reject his message. The influence of this idea can be recognized in that portion of the Apostles' Creed that reads, "He descended into hell."
