QUESTION 49:
Man is a soul. At death the soul ceases to think or feel and returns to the dust from which it was made. Genesis 2:7, Genesis 3:19, Psalm 146:3-4, Ecclesiastes 9:5 Ecclesiastes 9:10, Ezekiel 18:4, Ezekiel 18:20, How can you teach life after death?

ANSWER:
It is easy to take a few verses out of context and teach what you like while ignoring many others that are contrary. (Genesis 2:7, Genesis 3:19), does not teach that man's soul was made from dust. His body was formed from dust, and God breathed life in him and he became a living soul. Psalms 146:3-4 speaks of trusting in mighty men. It simply says they can't help you after they die. Psalms 146:4, "His breath goeth forth (where?; not in the ground) he returneth to the earth" (that is, his body). Ecclesiastes 3:19-20; Ecclesiastes 9:5; and Ecclesiastes 9:10, are talking about all the "vanity under the sun." This phrase is mentioned 29 times in that Book. "...but the dead know not any thing (touch them or speak to them and they will not respond), neither have they any more reward (of all their labour under the sun); for the memory of them is forgotten." Ecclesiastes 9:5;. "Forgotten" means "to cease to care'.

Did the rich man of Luke 16:25, remember? Read it and see. Is Abraham living today? (Read Matthew 22:32). Read it and see. Was Paul wrong when he said, "...absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord?" 2 Corinthians 5:8.


Was Jesus wrong when He said, "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Matthew 10:28. If man is a soul, how could this be? Man is composed of three distinct parts; spirit, soul, and body. (1 Thessalonians 5:23). When the spirit and the soul leaves the body, the body dies. The spirit returns to God who gave it. Ecclesiastes 12:7 but the soul (the real you) goes to hell (Hades), or it goes to be with the Lord, if you are saved.

Don't be lulled to sleep in your sins by such false teaching. Repent of your sins and be saved today. Jesus is the only door. (John 10:9). He is the only way. (John 14:6). Trust Him today.

All comments and questions to:Harold Smith

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Updated January 2008, by Shelly Allen