IF JESUS IS HOLY WHY WAS HE DESCENDED INTO HELL, AS ARTICULATED IN THE APOSTLE’S CREED?

Basically, when encountering the word hell, one instantly think of the place of eternal damnation for those who have rejected God in this life and have committed mortal sins without repentance.

Nevertheless, in the Old Testament, hell (or sheol in the Hebrew texts or Hades in Greek texts) referred to "the place of the dead," the netherworld, a region of darkness- for both the good and the bad, the just and the unjust.

In the subsequent  writings of the Old Testament, a well-defined peculiarity is made between where the good dwell in hell and where the bad were, the two being detached by an inaccessible abyss. The partition for the unjust was called Gehenna, where the souls would go through never-ending suffering by fire.

Jesus confirms this comprehension of hell as in Luke 16:19ff wherein when Lazarus (the poor beggar, who sat at the gate of the rich man traditionally called Dives) dies and was taken to the "land of the dead" (the original Greek text uses the word Hades) and is comforted at the bosom of Abraham.

Dives, the rich man, also dies and was taken to the "land of the dead"; but, he found undying torment, being tormented in flames. Dives notices Lazarus and called out Abraham for release.

But Abraham responded, 'My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.' (Luke 16:25-26) 

Our Lord Jesus also highlighted the "eternal punishment" of hell as He said " And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth'(Matthew 25:30), endangering to the fires of Gehenna" for grave sins like anger and hatred (Matthew 5:22), adultery and impurity (Matthew 5:27)

In connection with this, the Church believes that the sin of Adam and Eve had closed the Gates of Heaven. The holy souls anticipated the Savior in the “land of the dead, or hell”. Jesus submitted Himself to the perfect sacrifice for all sin by enduring the excruciating pain on the cross, the liberating act that touches all people of all times, past, present and future. He was then buried.

At that occasion, Jesus descended among the dead. As St. Paul wrote, "'He ascended', meaning that He had first descended into the lowest regions of the earth. The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things (Ephesians 4:9-10).

Jesus’ descent among the dead generated completion of the proclamation of the Gospel (for G-OD gave His O-NLY begotten S-ON so that everyone who believes in Him might not P-ERISH but have E-TERNAL L-IFE) and set free those holy souls who had long expected their Savior.

The Gates of Heaven were now unlocked, and these holy souls entered eternal paradise being blessed with sublime foresight. Jesus neither released those souls damned to eternal retribution in hell nor did He destroy hell per se.