"Jesus Christ died for our sins. God's justice demanded it, and His burial testifies to it. Jesus did not swoon or slip into a coma or fall asleep on the cross. He died--stone cold dead and buried....Christ's death not only pays for our sins and assures us of sinless eternal life, it also means that our sinful natures have been put to death in this life. Progressive sanctification is built on the atonement. We have been crucified with Christ. We have been buried with Him. We died to sin in His death. This doesn't mean the fight for holiness is over but rather that the fight can now begin. It is only Christ's fininshed work on the cross that frees us and inspires us to a life of good works, piety, and gratitude." Kevin DeYoung. The Good News We Almost Forgot. 86.

Question 40: Why did Christ have to go all the way to death?

Answer: Because God's justice and truth demand it: Only the death of God's Son could pay for our sin.

Question 41: Why was He "buried"?

Answer: His burial testifies that He really died.

Question 42: Since Christ has died for us, why do we still have to die?

Answer: Our death does not pay the debt for our sins. Rather, it puts an end to our sinning and is our entrance into eternal life. 

Question 43: What further advantage do we receive from Christ's sacrifice and death on the cross?

Answer: Through Christ's death our old selves are crucified, put to death, and buried with Him, so that the evil desires of the flesh may no longer rule us, but that instead we may dedicate ourselves as an offering of gratitude to Him.

Question 44: Why does the creed add, "He descended to hell"?

Answer: To assure me in times of personal crisis and temptation that Christ my Lord, by suffering unspeakable anguish, pain, terror of soul, and the turning away of the Father, especially on the cross, has delivered me from the anguish and torment of hell.