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The nature of man. Involved are not only the false doctrines of heaven, hell and purgatory but original sin and inherited legal condemnation which divide Christadelphians. Is womankind created with a nature basically good?. The nature of man. Mortal and prone to sin.
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The nature of man Involved are not only the false doctrines of heaven, hell and purgatory but original sin and inherited legal condemnation which divide Christadelphians. Is womankind created with a nature basically good?
The nature of man Mortal and prone to sin Mortal -- Genesis3:19 …for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. Mortal --Ecclesiastes12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. Psalm146:4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. Mortal – Ezekiel 18:4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. Prone to sin -- Jeremiah17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? This all is so very clear – so why so many different beliefs?
It goes back to the lie of the serpent! The Nature of Man Four key words: Soul – “nephesh”, “psuche” Spirit – “ruach”, “pneuma”
Soul – “nephesh”, “psuche” “Soul” in the Bible means primarily a “breathing creature” a “body capable of life”, - “man”, “beast”, “fish” etc. • Genesis 1:20 And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, … (literal = “having a soul of life”) • In Hebrew “nephesh” appears in v.20 but remains not translated in the KJV. • Rotherham translates V.20 “Let the waters swarm with an abundance of livingsoul, (“NEPHESH) …” • So why doesn’t the KJV translate the Hebrew word “nephesh” in Gen. 1:20? • Can you imagine Immortal mosquitoes!
Souls (“nephesh”) die! • Leviticus 21:11 Neither shall he go in to any dead body (“nephesh” soul), nor defile himself for his father, or for his mother; • Haggai 2:13 Then said Haggai, If one that is unclean by a dead body (nephesh) touch any of these, shall it be unclean? And the priests answered and said, It shall be unclean. • Ezekiel 18:20 The soul(“nephesh”)that sinneth, it shall die …
Souls (“psuche”) die! • Mark 8:35-37 For whosoever willsave hislife(5590 “psuche”)shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life(psuche)for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. [36] For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his ownsoul (psuche)?[37] Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul(psuche)? • 5590 psuche {psoo-khay'}; n f AV - soul 58, life 40, mind 3, heart 1, misc. 3; 105 • Revelation 8:9 And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea , and hadlife (“psuche”),died …
The serpent’s lie! • Genesis 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. • Who was right, God or the serpent? • Genesis 3:22 And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: What it comes down to is who we believe – the serpent or God!
The Nature of Man • The Catholic View • Lateran Council of 1513 • "Whereas some have dared to assert concerning the nature of the reasonable soul that it is mortal, we, with the approbation of the sacred council do condemn and reprobate all those who assert that the intellectual soul is mortal, seeing, according to the canon of Pope Clement V, that the soul is [...] immortal [...] and we decree that all who adhere to like erroneous assertions shall be shunned and punished as heretics."
The Nature of Man • Martin Luther (1493-1546) • Regarding Luther's position Archdeacon Francis Blackburne of Cleveland; rector of Richmond states in his "Short Historical View of the Controversy Concerning an Intermediate State" of 1765 : • "Luther espoused the doctrine of the sleep of the soul, upon a Scripture foundation, and then made use of it as a confutation of purgatory and saint worship, and continued in that belief to the last moment in his life." page 14. Martin Luther declared that it was the Pope, not the Bible, who taught that "the soul is immortal" Martin Luther, Defence, proposition 27 "Luther held that the soul died with the body, and that God would hereafter raise both the one and the other." Catholic Cardinal Du Perron, Historical View, p344
What about heaven, do we go there? John 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. • It is hard to find a more clear reference but Acts 2:29,30 can be even more convincing!
What is the Context? • Acts 2:29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. [30] Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; • Peter is showing Jesus is the Messiah. He does this by contrasting a dead David with a raised Jesus who is at God’s right hand. • Once this contrast is seen it becomes a powerful proof to show neither David or any of the faithful are alive and in heaven.
If David didn’t go to heaven, how much chance do we have of going to heaven? • Acts 2:34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, [35] Until I make thy foes thy footstool. • The CONTEXT’s point! • If David had an immortal soul and have gone to heaven, Peter wouldn’t have used this contrast. David’s tomb is thought to be still in Jerusalem and can be seen.
Why is Doctrine so divisive? • Luke12:51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: 52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. 53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. • This is one of the ways God test our love for each other while at same testing if we will uphold and not compromise the Truth. • What is our goal in contending for the truth? Dan 12:3 • Advice – when young it is wise to recognize Lk.12:51 and not let this contention turn you off of God’s offer of salvation.
What about the Nature of Man for this aspect has divided us for 100 years! • The roots of this division are in Catechism of the Catholic Church which says: • “By his sin Adam, as the first man, lost theoriginalholiness and justice he had received from God, not only for himself but for all human beings.” • “Adam and Eve transmitted to their descendants human nature wounded by their own first sin and hence deprived oforiginalholiness and justice; this deprivation is calledoriginal sin". • The Catholic Encyclopedia says: • “Original sinis (1) the sin that Adam committed; (2) a consequence of this first sin, the hereditary stain with which we are born on account of our origin ...” • The Council of Trent, Sess, V.can..V says • “…whilstoriginal sin is effaced bybaptism concupiscence still remains in the person baptized …”
What happens when a Bible FIRST PRINCIPLE is corrupted • Biblical FIRST PRINCIPLES connect together so that a false understanding in one affects other first principles. • False doctrine acts like leaven, Mt. 16:12; 13:33; and a little leaven leavens the whole, Gal.5:9. • O.K. lets now bring this close to home! • The Nature of Man is corrupted by the doctrine of “Original Sin” which is similar to the U.A. doctrine of “Inherited Legal Condemnation” which effects the nature of man, Christ, baptism, devil, atonement and resurrection. Resurrection Atonement baptism Devil Nature of man Nature of Christ Inherited legal condemnation (Adamic sin) Original Sin
The way we contended in the past is seen in the responsibility question! Is it baptism or knowledge that makes man responsible to resurrection and judgment? • BASF #24 (“ … namely, those who know the revealed will of God, and have been called upon to submit to it”) will be raised and summoned before his judgment seat. This is the reason for the amendment for it is easier to see and answer at the tip of the iceberg then at the root. • John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. • Jn. 11:24; 6:39,40,54 • 1 Peter 4:3-5 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: [4] Wherein they think it strange that yerun not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: [5]Whoshall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. Resurrectional responsibility Baptism Nature of man Nature of Christ Atonement Devil Inherited legal condemnation (Adamic sin)
The Exhortation • Jude3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation (both to Jew and Gentile), it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. • “contend” - root is “agonizomai” from which is our word “agonize”. AV - strive 3, fight 3, labour fervently 1; 7 • In Greek the definite article is there. See 1Tim. 6:12 – “agonizou” … tei pistei) = agonize the good fight of thefaith. • When one, let alone six first principle doctrines are corrupted we are really exhorted to “earnestly contend for THE faith.” We do this by contending as Jonathan did with Saul for he wanted Saul to be in God’s kingdom.
Summary Mankind is born with a mortal dying nature that is naturally self seeking and prone to sin. Mankind’s nature must be countered and destroyed. Mankind unlike the animals has been given the opportunity to understand God’s marvellous plan of salvation. With opportunity comes responsibility to obey and live or disobey and die. Mankind is born with a mortal, sin prone nature but this nature is not with “original sin”.
What about the Rich Man and Lazarus? Luke 16:19-21 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: [20] And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, [21] And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
The popular belief in Jesus’ day (Josephus (Ch.1, pp 530-531) • They also believe “that souls have an immortal vigour in them, and that under the earth there will be rewards of punishments, according as they have lived virtuously or viciously in this life; and the latter are to be detained in an everlasting prison, but that the former shall have power to revive and live again;"
This is said to not be a parable since in no parable is an individual named. • Luke 16:22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; [23] And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. • Not true, i.e. Isaiah 14:4 That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, … 12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!
Evidence that the Rich man and Lazarus is a parable • Matt. 13:34,35 "All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them." • It begins like many parables: "There was a certain rich man”, i.e. Mt. 13:3 “… behold a sower went forth to sow.” • This parable doesn't fit the popular idea of souls in hell for the "rich man", "Lazarus", and "Abraham" all have bodies that includes "eyes", "finger", "tongue" and "bosom".
How could anyone take this literally, Well some do! Luke 16:24-26 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. [25] But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. [26] And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
What scriptures contradict this? • Psalm 146:4 His breath (“ruwach”) goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. • John 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. • My, father Abraham sure has a big bosom!
Interpreting the parable of the rich man and Lazarus • SETTING:Parable given by Christ in Perea, East of Jordan where news of Lazarus death came to him. (Jn.11:6 with 10:40; 1:28) • RICH MAN:Caiaphas (Sadducees) who were "clothed in purple and fine linen". (Luke 16:19 with Ex. 39:2,24,29) "have not heard Moses and the prophets" The Sadducees had not heard Moses on adultery or the prophets on the resurrection. (Luke 16:29 with Deu 24:1-4; Dan. 12:2) "For I have five brethren". Caiaphas was son-in-law to Annas, and according to Josephus had five sons, (Lk.16:28 read). • LAZARUS:Lazarus types the publicans & sinners who were not given even the spiritual crumbs. . • BACKGROUND:Lazarus died but raised by Christ, John 11:1-44. • HELL This parable takes the popular belief as described by Josephus (Ch.1, pp 530-531) and shows the Pharisees that though one rose from the dead the Sadducees wouldn’t believe.
Interpreting the parable of the “Rich man and Lazarus” • NATIONAL INTERPRETATION: • SETTING:Christ spoke in parables which contained the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven because the people's hearts waxed gross, and their ears dull and their eyes were closed. (Matt.13:11-15) • RICH MAN = Israel, appointed a priestly kingdom with the responsibility to so act and let God's light shine forth, (Exo.19:5,6). • LAZARUS = the Gentiles, associated with dogs, (Matt. 15:26,27) but within Abraham's bosom. (James 2:5) • HELL: After Christ's death, the Jewish position was reversed and after AD 70 it was hell on earth for them.
The Nature of Man • William Tyndale (1484-1536), • In 1530 responding to Sir Thomas More's objection to Tyndale’s belief that"all souls die and sleep till doomsday" he vigorously replyed.” • "And ye, in putting them [the departed souls] in heaven, hell and purgatory, destroy the arguments wherewith Christ and Paul prove the resurrection...And again, if the souls be in heaven, tell me why they be not in as good a case as the angels be ? And then what cause is there of the resurrection ?” --An Answer to Sir Thomas More's Dialogue” (Parker's 1850 reprint), bk.4, ch.4, p.180. ) Tyndale was strangled and burnt at the instigation of ‘the church’.
What about the spirit? • Psalm 146:4 His breath (“ruach”) goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. • Eccles. 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit (“ruach”) shall return unto God who gave it. • When the life power of God is removed, man like every moving thing returns to the dust much like pulling the cord on a lamp. returns to dust
From an United minister stating why he doesn’t belief souls are immortal??? • Eccles. 9:5 • For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. • Psalm 6:4-5 • Return, O Lord, deliver my soul (“nephesh”): oh save me for thy mercies' sake. [5] For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks? • Psalm 115:17 • The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence.
There is hope but it is the hope of the resurrection! • 1 Cor. 15:42-46 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: [43] It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: [44] It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. [45] And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul (“psuche”); the last Adam was made a quickening spirit (“pneuma”). [46] Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. • When are we made a “living spirit”? When we are resurrected