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Principal Point of Faith #4:
Hell and Purgatory
1. What is Hell?
(a) Hell is often believed to be a place of eternal punishment (torment) for the wicked. We do not believe the Bible supports this belief. In other words, hell, as taught in the fundamental churches, does not exist.
(b) When we read the word “hell” in the Old Testament of our Bible; it has been translated from the original Hebrew language Sheol.
The word Sheol is translated “hell” 31 times and “grave” 31 times. It means literally the “grave, destruction, pit, annihilation.”
Psalms 16:10 (NKJV)
For You will not leave my soul in [hell] Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
Ezekiel l32:27-29
And they shall not lie with the mighty that are fallen of the uncircumcised, which are gone down to hell (Sheol) with their weapons of war...
There is Edom, her kings, and all her princes... with them that go down to the pit (Sheol)
(c) “Hades” is the original word translated “hell” in most of the passages where it is used in the New Testament. Its meaning is the grave.
Matthew 11:23
And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
Matthew 16:18
And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
(d) There is no knowledge or activity in the grave, “Hades” or “Sheol.”
Ecclesiastes 9:5
For the living know that they will die; But the dead know nothing, And they have no more reward, For the memory of them is forgotten
Ecclesiastes 9:10
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.
 
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