Q:I know that when Jesus died on the cross, He took on the sins of the world and that when He first appeared He said do not touch me as I am unclean - was this to Mary? But where does it say in scripture that He descended into Hell? I have never really understood that one sentence in the Apostle's Creed; however, I do believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God.

A:Following his resurrection, in John 20:17, Jesus says to Mary, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father." This command appears to mean that Mary would have opportunity to see Jesus again before his ascension and therefore has no need to desperately cling to him before a "final goodbye." These words to Mary do not conflict with what Jesus says to Thomas in John 20:27: "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side." This is meant to serve as an invitation to Thomas to freely and fully investigate the evidence for as well as engender faith in Jesus' bodily resurrection, the very linchpin of Christianity.