THE SPIRITS IN PRISON
WHO WERE THEY?
BY: OSCAR HENDERSON
MALAKOFF TEXAS
MARCH 1915
THIS IS TAKEN FROM A PAMPHLET WHICH
MY GRANDDAD, OSCAR HENDERSON, HAD PRINTED, IN 1915. YES, 110 YEARS AGO. I found this in some of my Grandad’s things which I have kept. This was a copy of a pamphlet which he had printed and it had been scotch-taped together before the copy was made. It was up to me, his grandson, Don Henderson, to change his article into a Microsoft Word doc. It was with some difficulty which I have attempted to do. My feeble attempt to preserve this pamphlet is because I know my Grandad’s words and scripture references could open another thought about who were, “THE SPIRITS IN PRISON”? I submit to you a version which I believe has much validity and truth when compared to biblical scripture. The following is what my Grandad wrote, March of 1915.
INTRODUCTION By Oscar Henderson, Malakoff, Texas, 1915
I feel grateful for the opportunity of sending forth this pamphlet for this reading public. I have no apologies nor excuses to offer for doing so.
Many minds have been perplexed on, “who were the spirits in prison”? Many answers have been given by great and good men, but I believe they missed the mark. In these few pages you find an answer which has never been given by any man. Bible writers excepted.
You may scarcely be impressed to read this work, because of reading so many articles and discussions in religious papers on the matter, all failing to give a clear, substantial answer; but read this with an unbiased mind and rejoice in the solution.
The pamphlet doesn’t cover every fact relative to the subject, for the subject is broad.
“If ye continue in the faith, grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard and which was preached to every creature, which is under heaven,” He shall “Present you holy and unblameable in His sight”. (Col. 1:22,23)
Yours in Christ,
Oscar Henderson, Malakoff, Texas, March 1915
The Spirits In Prison
WHO WERE THEY?
(1Pet. 3:18-20)
It is certainly a pleasure for me to sound the keynote to the above subject. Many minds have grappled with one another in an effort to give a scriptural solution to whom the Spirits in prison were but failed. Speculation in theories hinders the truth. Minds are still perplexed and wandering on the subject. Preachers, Priests, and Elders discuss the matter…. to them. It’s a problem: with God, it’s a revealed fact.
The Gospel of God is the power. It may be described as a hammer. If so, it hammered two nations together who were afar off. The Jews were the chosen people of God. The Gentile worlds were “Aliens” –cut off from God—out in the darkness, rebellious and convicted sinners or prisoners for many years, and their only hope and opportunity for freedom from prison was the coming of Christ with his gospel which made no difference between Jew nor Gentile but he made all one by faith in Christ.
“I the Lord have called thee (Christ) in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and thee a covenant of the people for a light of the Gentiles. “To open the blind ones, to bring out the prisoners from the prison and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. (Isa 42:6,7) This prophecy reveals that the Gentiles were the spirits in prison, and the Messiah was to come with his gospel and open the prison doors and set them free, thus bringing Peace and Union to both nations. He first reclaimed the backsliders of the Jewish world, and then removed the partition wall from the Gentile World. “And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and Kings to the brightness of thy rising.” “Isa. 60:3)
“A light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel” (Luke 2:32)
The Gentiles could not see the way out of prison until they had a light (gospel) to guide them. Without this gospel, they had no way out of prison or to God. Their coming into the fold was to be a glorious honor to Israel (Luke 2:32); (1 Pet. 3:18-19, 20-21.) “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit. By which also he went and preached unto the Spirits in Prison, Which sometimes were disobedient, when once the long sufferings of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was preparing, wherein few, that is eight should, were saved by water. (I Pet 3:21) The like figure whereunto, Baptism doth also now save us.”
The 19th and 20th verses are merely a comparison of ways devised by God. “When” refers to the antediluvian period (word means “Before the Flood”, Time between the creation of the world and the Biblical flood), when many were disobedient, and but few saved (by water—-THE OLD WAY.) The new way—-Whereunto Baptism doth also NOW save us.
“Enter ye in at the straight gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go thereat. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matt 7:12-14)
“When” refers back to Noah’s day when people were preached to, and few saved, and compared that period to our day.
The spirits in prison were not included in that class or particular people or nation that Noah preached to.
The spirits in prison were preached to after Christ was put to death in the flesh (I Pet.3:18-19) They were preached to by the Spirit, after he had made his advent on Pentecost (I Pet 3:18)
Again, I will mention “When” merely refers to the time that “eight souls were saved by water. The like figure where unto even Baptism doth also now save us.”
Some may wonder how Christ preached to the Gentiles if they were the spirits in prison. Yet is not so strange when we understand that the Christ now speaks to us through the New Testament. This gospel was preached to the Gentiles at the house of Cornelius (Acts 10:24-48) The minds of the Apostles were guided by Holy Spirit, Christ through the Spirit did the work.
The Jews for centuries had been the accepted nation of God—the Gentiles were “aliens” from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. (Eph 2:12-17) Until the coming of Christ, God had been a respecter of nations (Acts 10:34-35) But the gospel of Christ brings glad tidings to all nations (Luke 8:1)
Christ came to remove the middle wall of partition between Jew and Gentile (Ephe. 2:14)
The light was already in the Jewish department or world. Just at this time the disciples are forbidden to preach to the Gentiles. Jesus says, “Go NOT into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not. But go rather to the sheep of the house of Israel” (Mat. 10:5-6) Many were reclaimed. The house of God was cleansed and made ready for the NEW work. “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the common word from Israel and STRANGERS from the covenant or promise, having no hope and without God in the World. But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were afar off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our PEACE, who hath made both ONE, and hath BROKEN DOWN THE MIDDLE WALL OF PARTITION BETWEEN US. Having abolished in his flesh the enmity even the laws of commandment contained in ordinances for to make in himself of TWAIN one NEW MAN. And that he might reconcile BOTH UNTO God in ONE BODY by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby. And came and preached peace to you which were afar off and to them that are nigh.
For through Him we both have access BY ONE SPIRIT unto the Father (Eph 2:12-18) The Spirits in Prison (Gentiles) were preached to by the SPIRIT through the Apostles (Eph. 3: 1-5) They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues as the SPIRIT gave them utterance” (Acts 2:4)
“But quickened BY THE SPIRIT; by which also HE (The Spirit) went and preached unto the SPIRITS IN PRISON”
Paul was one of the Apostles chosen to carry the name of Christ to the Gentiles (Spirits in Prison)
“Unto me, who was less than the least of all saints is this grace given that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ”. (Eph 3:8,9)
That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs and of the same body, and partakers THIS (Christ) promise in Christ by the Gospel to the Gentiles prisoners (Isa.42:6,7)
Joel measures THE SPIRIT’S part in doing the work (Joel 2: 28-29)
THE SPIRIT came and began His mission on Pentecost. (Acts 2:4) Then broke down the middle wall of partition between the Jews and Gentiles at the house of Cornelius (Acts 10: 16-35). Now the two nations have peace. Christ prayed that they might be one. “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world ma believe that thou has sent me. (Jon 17:20,21)
Now “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female; for ye are all one in Christ. “Gal 3:28) When they learned this, they were glad (Acts 13:48).
For many centuries there was a dividing line, called the middle wall of partition between the Jews and Gentiles.
The Gentile prisoners were behind the enclosed wall (Isa. 42:6-7); (Eph. 2:12-18).
The Gospel of Christ took away this MIDDLE WALL, It was no longer unlawful for a Jew to keep company with “Gentile prisoners” (Act 10:28).
Their old names were blotted out. They were no longer Jew nor Gentile. But they were called CHRISTIANS first in Antioch (Acts 11:26)
Christ came to the Jew and Gentile alike. His mission was to bring a Gospel that would unite two nations and make one. His work was to be done by THE SPIRIT, through his Ambassadors. “I will not leave you comfortless, but I will pray to the Father and He will give you another Comforter, even the Spirit of Truth…..But the Comforter which is the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (Jon 14:16-26). “But tarry ye in the City of Jerusalem until ye be endued with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49)
Again let us repeat; Paul was one of the Apostles chosen to carry the name of Christ to the Gentiles. “Unto me who am less than the least of all Saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by THE GOSPEL.” (Eph 3: 6-8)
“Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto His holy Apostles and Prophets by THE SPIRIT.” (Eph. 3:1-5)
“Which things also they speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the HOLY SPIRIT teacheth.” I Cor. 2:13)
“It is not ye that speak, but the SPIRIT of your Father which speaketh in you.” (Matt 10:20)
(The Jew and Gentile worlds were as a house with a partition wall and the Jewish department had light.
Question: How was the preaching done?
Answer: Through the Ambassadors of Christ by the Holy Spirit.
Q. Who were the Gentiles
A. “Prisoners” Isa. 42:6-7 (All who were NOT Jews)
Q. Where?
A. “In Prison”
Q. Where was the prison located?
A. “Behind the middle wall of partition”
Q. What was enclosed behind the middle wall of partition?
A. “The Gentile world shut off from God.”
Q. What was the result of this enclosure?
A. “Darkness”
Q. How may this darkness be removed?
A. “By breaking down the middle wall.”
Q. How can this be done?
A. “By preaching the Gospel.”
Q. By whom?
A. “The Ambassadors of Christ.”
Q. Give the result?
A. “The prisoners set free.” (Eph 2: 12-18)
Paul says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation, to everyone that believeth, to the Jew first, and ALSO to the Greek (Gentile)” (Rom 1:16)
Notice the distinction made of ALSO; the Spirit through the Apostles, preached to Jews first, then to the Gentiles.
“By which ALSO He went and preached to the spirits in prison.” (I Pet 3: 18-19)
“Is he the God of the Jews only? Is he not ALSO of the Gentiles? Yes, of the GENTILES ALSO.” (Rom 8:29)
For through him we both have access by one spirit unto the Father (Eph 2: 18)
“That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the spirit through faith.” (Gal. 3:14)
“For ye are ALL the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. “
“For as many of you have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
“There is neither Jew nor Greek (Gentile); there is neither BOND nor FREE; there is neither male nor female; for ye are ALL ONE in Christ Jesus.” (Gal. 3:26-28)
Peter, teacher in I Peter 3: 18-19, that the gospel by the Spirit was preached to a different class of people or nation than had been the custom; and makes the distinction by the word ALSO— “By which also He (the spirit, verse 18) went and preached unto the spirits in prison.”
Peter was the man that was made to know and realize this distinction. He thought the Jews were still the only chosen people or nation of God. But his vision of clean and unclean animals convinced him that, “what God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.” Read the 10th Chap of Acts.
From hence forth, Peter preached, that God was “no respecter of persons; but in EVERY NATION he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him” (Act 10: 34-35)
“Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, it was necessary that the word of God should have been spoken to you (Jews); but seeing you put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of ever lasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord commanded us saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.” (Acts 13:46-47)
“Then thou shalt see, and flow together and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged, because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee. And the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee. (Isa 60:5)
Prison signifies that spiritual slavery “and bondage in which sinners are kept by Satan and their own lusts. Thereby being cut off from God for a season (Gentiles)
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the CAPTIVES, and opening of the prison to them that are bound.” (Isa. 61:1)
“It is a light thing that thou shoudest, be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel. I will give the (Christ) for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.” (Isa. 49:6)
That thou mayest say of the PRISONERS, GO FOURTH; to them that are in darkness, shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways and their pastures shall be in all high places.” (Isa. 49:9)
“That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the spirit through faith.” (Gal 3:14)
And the scripture foreseeing that God would justify the heathen (Gentiles) through faith preached before the Gospel unto Abraham, saying, in thee shall all nations be blessed” (Gal. 3:8)
One mission of the gospel of Christ was to right the Jewish and Gentile nations. The Gentile nations were heathen prisoners and away from God. When the disciples had given one another the right hand of fellowship, they departed, some preaching to the heathen and others to the Jews. (Gal. 2:9)
Kingdom Divided
“Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city our house divided against itself shall not stand.” (Matt. 12:25)
Jews and Gentiles had been divided many years before the coming of Christ. For good reasons, the Gentiles were not allowed the opportunity to serve God, as were the Jews, and therefore, were cut off from God. But afterwards the Gentiles became more favorable to God, and God determined to make a way by which the Gentiles could serve him. To do this, the old Covenant had to be abolished and replaced by the new.
“For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel (Jews) and with the house of Judah.” (Heb 8:7,8) And then “I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people.” (Heb 8: 10)
A new covenant, he hath made the old. (Heb 8:13)
“By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh.” (Heb 10: 20)
“Behold my servant (Christ), whom I have chosen; my beloved in whom my soul is well pleased; I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles….A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send fourth judgment unto VICTORY, and in his (Christ) name shall the GENTILES trust.” (Matt. 12: 18-21)
The preceding shows that Christ was to come to the Gentiles and that the old covenant was to be abolished, and that they may come to him.
The Gentiles trusted to the name of Christ and reached victory. The Gentile prison doors were first opened at the house of Cornelious. The Gentiles were no longer prisoners—a nation cut off from God.
Peter gladly assures the Jews that the Gentiles had ALSO received the word of God. Although the Jews accused and contended with him. But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning and expounded it by order unto them. “What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common…and as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, as on us at the beginning” (Acts 11: 1:16)
“God gave THEM the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I that I could withstand God?) (Acts 11:17)
Note: The following “The Gospel” is a poem my Grandad wrote to describe The Gospel.
THE GOSPEL
The gospel was preached afore time,
By old Testament men.
It was not written in rhyme,
but by spirit and pen.
Isiah reveals the history
When with the truth he smites;
The New Testament clears the mystery
When the Gentiles she invites.
THE PRISONERS are the Gentiles
And there can be none other.
So, the prophet Isiah cries:
What do you say, contending, Brother?
The Prophet silences the surging waves,
In future ONENESS he confides:
For he determines these inspirational days
To the gospel for the Gentiles.
THE PRISONERS are moved from their forsaken place
Cast away old garments, and set free—
Who would declare them to be other than the Gentile race?
Do you? If so, name the nation for me.
The gospel of Christ is as a looking glass;
In it we may look.
The Holy Spirit carved the entire pass
Oh! May I imitate the book?
The Holy Spirit directed the minds of the Saints
To preach for the Gentile prison,
For to stop their envying complaints
The gospel is the solution striven.
“I the Lord have called thee into righteousness, and will hold thine hand and keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; To open blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. (Isa. 42: 6,7) “The Lord knoweth them that are his.” (2 Tim 2:19)
Christ, “Hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; (Eph 2:14), “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make himself of twain one new man, so making peace.” (Eph 2:15)
They were called Christians first in Antioch (Acts 11:26)
“Quickened by the Spirit; by which also, He (Christ) through the Spirit went and preached unto the Spirits in prison.” (1 Pet 3:18-19)
Read this again so that you may fully understand the scriptural interpretation.
“There is one body, and one spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all, and in you all.” (Eph 4:4-6)
The word “body” is used interchangeably with the word “Church”, and there “the one body” is used to represent the united Jews and Gentiles in Christ. “So, we, being many, are one body in Christ, and everyone members one of another. “(Rom. 12:5) (One body, –(I cor. 10:17), (Eph.1:22-23) One Church (Eph 5:23-24)
The Jews and Gentiles have become one body, one Church, one-fold, and one Shepherd. Christ is that great shepherd of the sheep.
David said, “The Lord is my shepherd.” Christ said in John 10: 7-9: “I am the door of the sheep; by me if any man enters in, he shall be saved and shall go in and out and find pasture. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one-fold and one shepherd.” “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” (Rom 8:14)
“Unto them which are called, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ by the power of God.” (1 Cor 2:24)
“To them that are without the law, (but under the law to Christ) that they might gain them that are without the law.” (1 Cor 10:21)
The Gentiles were without the law until Christ came with his gospel unto these “aliens” and “strangers.”.
“Now, therefore, ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets. Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone in whom all the building fitly framed together, groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Eph 2:19-20)
Christ removed the enmity between the Jews and Gentiles and led the Gentile prisoners from darkness to light, from prison to freedom. “That he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby.” (Eph 2:16)
Therefore, the union is completed and there is “one body” a building that is united together. And “builded together for an holy nation of God.” “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, and holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Which in time past were not a people but are now the people of God: which had now obtained mercy.” (I Pet 2: 9,10)
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