QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

 What is man?

Man was fearfully and wonderfully created in the image and likeness of God. Man is a soul, a combination of the dust of the ground and the breath of life from the divine creator – God. The soul of man has a carrying case called the body (flesh and blood). Man is a physical entity; he was made a little lower than the angels who are spirits. Man was created as a free moral agent; he has the ability to choose, Angels are created to strictly follow orders.

Scriptural references: Genesis 1:26-28, Genesis 2:7, Psalms 139:14, Psalms 8:4-6

What else did God put in man?

God formed a spirit and placed it within man. The scripture calls it the spirit in man or the spirit of man. This spirit is not the man, but in man, and God called himself the God of the spirits of all flesh.

Scriptural references: Job 32:8, Zechariah 12, Numbers 27:16

What makes man different from animals?

The fate of all living creatures (man and animal) is death. The main difference between man and animal is that animals do not possess the spirit in man. Animal act by instinct as programmed in their brain by God who created them. Man receives the spirit in man at conception, and in connection with the brain, the human mind is formed. It is this spirit that enables man to reason within the physical sphere.

The spirit in man and the brain give man ability to use their five senses to acquire, and use physical knowledge. In essence animals have just a brain, but man has a brain and the spirit in man which forms human mind. Without the spirit in man, man will not be different from animals.

So, man is a physical entity composed of body and soul, with a non-physical component, the spirit in man. Animals are basically physical entity.

Scriptural references Genesis 2:7, 19, Ecclesiastes 3:19 

What are the functions of the spirit God put in man?

God created man to receive two different spirits for different purposes. Man receives one spirit (spirit in man) at conception, and another spirit (Holy Spirit) at conversion. Anyone without the Holy Spirit is not complete. The functions of the two spirits include the following:

  1. The spirit in man helps man to understand physical matters.
  2. God is spirit, and the means by which he communicates with man who is physical in nature is through the spirit in man, using His Holy Spirit. It should be Noted that if God needs to do things through unconverted minds, he can stir up the spirit in them to accomplish his purpose. Ezra 1:1
  3. The Spirit (Holy Spirit) to spirit (spirit in man) connection in a believer gives him inspiration from God and makes him understand spiritual matters. Simply put, the spirit in man with the help of the Spirit of God (Holy Spirit) helps him understand spiritual matters.
  4. The assurance that we are children of God comes from the Spirit to spirit connection in a believer.
  5. The spirit in man is like a cassette or memory card that records and stores all what man has ever done. It represents the characters and works of man.

Scriptural references: I Corinthians 2:9-12, Job 32:8, Rom. 8:16, Proverbs 20:27, John 4:24

What was God’s original purpose for man after creation?

God’s purpose for man was to rule the earth; to have dominion over His creation. God placed everything he had made under man, and there was nothing that was not placed under him, including the Angels.

 Scriptural references: Genesis 1:26-28, Psalms 8:4-6, Hebrews 2:6-9

What was the only commandment given to man when God placed him in the garden of Eden?

The only commandment God gave to man was not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

 Scriptural reference: Genesis 2:15-17

What is sin?

Sin is the breaking of God’ law. It means to deviate from a way, path or law; to fail to live up to a standard. It also means “to go off a path, fall or slip aside “miss the mark. When you break any commandments of God, you commit sin.

 Scriptural references: I John 3:4, 1 John 3:4 GNB

What was the ultimate result of Man’s disobedience to the commandment of God?

God says man (soul) will die if he disobeys his commandment. The ultimate consequence of disobedience is death. Death entered the human race because of the sin of one man, and death spread over all human beings. The wages one receives after sinning is death.

 Scriptural references: Genesis 2: 16-17, Romans 6:23, James 1:13-15, Romans 5:12, Ephesians 2:1, Ezekiel 18:4, 20

 What are the other consequences of Man’s disobedience to God’s commandment?

Apart from death the ultimate result of sin, other consequences sin brought to man include the following

  1. The sin of man separated him from God, he was cut off from God, Isaiah 59:1-2.
  2. Their sin made man to be cut away from the tree of life, Genesis 3:24.
  3. Their sin brought curses on man, Genesis 3:17, Deuteronomy 28:15.
  4. Their sin made man to be slaves to sin. John 8:34, Romans 6:16
  5. Their sin destroyed man’s innocence, and brought guilt, Genesis 3:6-7
  6. Their sin gave the devil access to control and manipulate man, I John 5:19, Ephesians 2:2-3
  7. Man lost his authority to rule and dominate the earth, Hebrews 2:6-9

 Scriptural references: Isaiah 59:1-2, Genesis 3:24, Genesis 3:17, Deuteronomy 28:15, John 5:7, 9, 14, Mark 2: 1-10, John 8:34, Ephesians 2:2-3, 1 John 5:19 NIV 

Who rules the earth after man lost his dominion due to disobedience?

The devil now controls the earth and the kingdoms in it; he also has the power to influence and manipulate man. Christ Jesus did not contest about the devil’s ownership of the earth during his temptation; Jesus also made this clear when Pilate was interrogating him that his kingdom is not of this world.  The devil’s mission is to steal, kill, and to destroy, and he is referred to as a thief (John 10:10).

 Scriptural references: Luke  4:6,1 John 5:19 NIV, John 12:31, John 16:11, John 14:30, II Corinthians 4:4, John 18:36

 Does God judge the sin of others in us?

Even though sin entered the world through Adam and all have sinned, every man will answer for the sins he has committed.

 Scriptural references: Romans 3:23, Romans 3:10, Jeremiah 31: 30, Ezekiel 18:4, 20, II Corinthians 5:10,  Romans 14:12, Revelation 20:13

What happens to man at death?

At death man returns to dust from where it came from, the same happens to animals

Scriptural references: Genesis 3:19, Ecclesiastes 3:19-20

What is the state of man (soul) at death?

The following are the description of the state of man at death.

  1. The thoughts of man end immediately when they die. Psalm 146:3-4
  2. The dead do not know anything, they are not aware of their surroundings.

Ecclesiastes 9:5

  1. The dead do not praise God, they are in silence. Psalm 115:17
  2. The dead do not remember God (no conscious memory of God) and do not give thanks to God. Psalm 6:5

People who have died are without any awareness, they cannot think nor do they have any ideas. They neither praise God, nor have life in another place. The death has nothing to do with the living. When people die, they stay in the grave awaiting resurrection.

 Scriptural references:  Psalm 146:3-4; Ecclesiastes 9:5, Psalm 115:17, Psalm 6:5, Job 14:21

Does man have an immortal soul?

The soul can be lost, it can die and be destroyed by God.

 Scriptural references:  Genesis 2:16-17, Ezekiel 18:4, 20; Matthew 10:28; Romans 6:23, Matthew 16:26

What is death?

Death means absence of life and is not life in another place. When God told Adam that he will die when he disobeys his commandment, the death God was referring to is of two types.

  1. Physical death

End or absence of physical life; total and permanent loss of all vital functions of man or any organism. It is appointed for men to die once, Hebrews 9:27

Physical death is also described as

  1. Falling asleep (perpetual sleep, Jeremiah 51:39), I Thessalonians 4:13, Acts 13:36, I Thessalonians 4:14
  2. Being unclothed, II Corinthians 5:3-4
  3. Destruction or Dissolution of our earthly house or tabernacle or tent, II Corinthians 5:1
  4. Putting off this tent or tabernacle, II Peter 1:13-14
  5. Taking away of breath, Psalms 104:29
  6. The return of the dust to the earth, Ecclesiastes 12:7
  7. Spiritual death

This is eternal separation from God; absence of everlasting life. It is spiritual death following physical death (Revelation. 20:14, 21:8). It is also referred to as the second death, this means that after someone has died physical death, raised up at resurrection to face judgment, and then burned up in the lake of fire.

Those who will not experience the second death are those who are part of the first resurrection, those who their names are written in the book of life (Revelation 20:15), and those that endure persecution, and are killed (Revelation 20: 4-6,15; 2:11).

Scriptural references:  Hebrews 9:27, I Thessalonians 4:13, Acts 13:36 , I Thessalonians 4:14, II Corinthians 5:3-4, II Corinthians 5:1, II Peter 1:13-14, Psalms 104:29, Ecclesiastes 12:7, Revelation. 20:13-15, Revelation 21:8, Revelation 20: 4-6,15, Revelation 2:11.

What is the hope of man in death?

Resurrection from the dead is the only hope man has to live again, and without it man has no chance of coming to life again. According to the reference scriptural passages, the foundation of hope for Christian resurrection lies in the resurrection of Christ, and this was one of the fundamental doctrines of the Apostles, 1 Corinthians  15: 12-23, I Peter 1:3, Acts 24:15, Hebrews 6:1-2, Acts 4:33

David is expecting his resurrection, Psalms 17:15. Job has the understanding of what resurrection means, Job 14:14-15. Daniel has the understanding too, Daniel 12:13. Jeremiah prophesied it, Jeremiah 30:9. Paul prayed for it, Philippians 3:10-11. The apostles preached it, Acts 4:33, and Martha believed it, John 11:24.

The bible says if there is no resurrection from the death, then believers are the most miserable, their faith futile, and still in their sin. I Corinthians 15:12-23

 Scriptural references:  I Corinthians 15:12-23, I Peter 1:3, Acts 24:15, Hebrews 6:1-2, Psalms 17:15, Job 14:14-15, Philippians 3:10-11, Acts 4:33, John 11:24

 Who shall be resurrected?

Everyone who had ever lived will be resurrected, both just and unjust at different times and with different outcomes.

One resurrection will take place at Christ second coming, and it involves the resurrection of the dead in Christ with a spiritual, incorruptible, and immortal body. Second death has no power over those that experience the first resurrection, it is a resurrection to life everlasting (eternal life)

The other resurrection will take place after the millennial reign of Christ on earth. It is the resurrection to judgment and second death in the lake of fire.

Scriptural references:  Acts 24:15,  John 5:28-29 , Revelation 20:5-6, Revelation 20:13-14

 What does resurrection entail for believers in Christ?

The key words used to describe resurrection from the dead are: call, quicken (give life), awake, arise, change, raised incorruptible, put on immortality, the image of the heavenly, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.

Putting all the descriptive terms in the scriptural references together, the resurrection of believers in Christ involves calling the dead believers from their sleep, and giving them life. The dead then wake up and rise from the grave, and suddenly changed to incorruptible, immortal, and spiritual being as the last (seventh) trumpet sounds.

At this time, believers are changed to be in the likeness of the resurrected Christ. This sudden change or transformation to spiritual being is what it means to be truly born again. Though believers may die a physical death, they will be born again at the resurrection with immortal and spiritual body to live eternally. The immortal, incorruptible, and spiritual body is the body with which one can enter the kingdom of God.

 Scriptural references:  Psalms 17:15, Job 14:14-15, Romans 8:11, I Corinthians 15:49-53, I Thessalonians 4:15-17

 How many saints are in heaven, and how many sinners are in hell now?

According to the scriptures, the dead do not go to heaven or hell, but stay in the grave (Sheol or Hades) until the time of resurrection. It has been the devil’s idea from the beginning to make man believe that he will not die, but be like God, Genesis 3:4-5. Man is mortal being, and when he dies, he is not living another life somewhere else.  It is only God and his son that has immortality, I Timothy 6:15-16.  God must give man immortality for him to become immortal through his son, Jesus Christ at resurrection Romans 8:11

Jesus said no one has gone to heaven, John 3:13. Peter said David has not gone to heaven, Act 2:29;34, he will be resurrected at Christ coming, Jeremiah 30:9. Job said he will wait (in the grave) until the time he will be changed into the likeness of Christ, Job 14:14-15, and the prayer of Paul is to experience the power of resurrection, Philippians 3:10-11.

If people go to hell when they die and are conscious of the pain and suffering there, or go to heaven singing forever more, and are aware of the joy there, it means they are not dead, but experiencing life in another place. If the Saints of old are now in heaven, then resurrection has no purpose and Christ died for nothing. Also regarding hell, God does not send any one to hell before judgment, it will be against His word, Hebrews 9:27, Rev. 20:11-15.

To say or believe that the dead are having life in another place, is to say or believe Christ has not come in the flesh and did not really died, the scriptures says this is the spirit of antichrist, 1 John 4:1-3. What Christians are seeking is immortality (eternal life), Romans 2:7, the reason we accept Christ sacrifice and believe in him, and no man can receive it (eternal life) unless it is given to him at the resurrection. That is why the scriptures says at resurrection, mortal must put on immortality for those who believed in Christ. No sinners are in hell, and no saints in heaven now.

 Scriptural references:  John 3:13, Acts 2:29, 34, Job 14:14-15, Romans 2:7, I Timothy 6:15-16, II Peter 2:9, Hebrews 9:27, Revelation 20:11-15, I John 4:1-3, Romans 8:11, Jeremiah 30:9, Philippians 3:10-11, Genesis 3:4-5.

When will the resurrection of the dead in Christ be?

The dead in Christ will be resurrected first upon the blast of the last (seventh) trumpet at Christ second coming, and then they will be given a spiritual body together with the believers who may be alive. This transformation will take place in the twinkling of an eye. This is the exact time when the begotten sons of God dead or alive are given birth to (born again) with a new heavenly body – for flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. To live again eternally, you must be born again “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” and “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:3, 6).”

It should be noted that the only people who will not experience death are the believers in Christ who are still alive at his second coming, Mark 9:1. They will be suddenly transformed from a physical being to a spiritual being at sound of the last (seventh) trumpet. At the sound of the seventh trumpet, the mystery of God changing mortal man to immortal, spiritual being will be finished.

Scriptural references: 1 Thessalonians 4:13 -18; 1 Corinthians 15: 50-52, Revelation 8:1-2, Revelation 11:15-18  , Revelation 10:7

How will the dead be raised to life?

Jesus declared that He is the resurrection and the life, and will raise all those who believed in Him by the power of the Holy Spirit, John 11:25. Those that must be resurrected must have the Holy Spirit in their life, an identity of a true Christian, Romans 8:11. Jesus demonstrated his power to give life on his earthly ministry, when he raised Lazarus from the dead, John 11:43.

Scriptural references: John 6:44, John 6:54, John 1:4, John 5:26, 1 John 5: 11-12, John 3:15, Romans 6:23, John 14:6, John 11:25, Romans 8:11 , I John 5:11-12, John 11:43.