Did Jesus go into hell fire when He descended into hell?
Jesus did not go into hell fire when He descended; He went down to the paradise side of hell, not the torment side. Luke 16 pictures hell as having two sides: Abraham and Lazarus were comforted in paradise, while the rich man was tormented in flame.
Les explains that people in churches using the Apostles Creed ask what it means when they repeat that Jesus died, was buried, and descended into hell. They wonder if He went down into hell fire. Les answers no; He did not go into hell fire, but He did go down to the paradise side of hell. To illustrate, Les points to Luke 16:23, where the rich man in torment sees Abraham afar off and Lazarus in his bosom. The rich man cries for Father Abraham to send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool his tongue because he is tormented in the flame. Abraham, however, is also in hell, but not on the torment side; he is on the paradise side. Abraham tells him to remember that in his lifetime he received good things and Lazarus evil things, but now Lazarus is comforted and he is tormented. The rich man then asks Abraham to send Lazarus to his father's house to warn his five brethren, lest they come into that place of torment. Abraham replies that they have Moses and the prophets and should hear them. The rich man says if one went to them from the dead, they will repent.