Man; creation and composition

A. ORIGINALLY CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD 

  • So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. (Gen 1:27).

Man was created in the image/likeness of God. Both man and woman resembled God. Man and woman together, best resembled God for they were created somewhat differently to supplement one another.

  • And you should put on the new man, who according to God was created in righteousness and true holiness. (Eph 4:24).

 Man was originally created as a righteous and holy person.

B. MAN’S COMPOSITION 

  • Man Consists Of Spirit, Soul And Body

And may the God of peace Himself sanctify you, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blamelessly at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1Th 5:23).  

For the Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing apart of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Heb 4:12).   

  • The Difference Between Soul And Spirit

Some teach that the soul of man consists of his intellect, will and emotions only.

There are however many Scripture references in which the word “soul” is used to denote the whole inner man including his spirit both in this life and in life hereafter.

 And it happened as her soul was departing (for she died) that she called his name Ben-oni. But his father called him Benjamin. (Gen 35:18).  

 God, who is Spirit, also speaks of HIS soul:

Then Jehovah said to me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before Me, My soul could not be toward this people. Send them out of My sight, and let them go out. (Jer 15:1).  

And I will set My tabernacle among you. And My soul shall not abhor you (Lev 26:11).  

 “Soul” can, in certain texts, also be seen to denote a person’s life.

One should therefor rather conclude that the word “soul” denotes the whole inner man.

  • The Holy Spirit Connects With Man’s Spirit

It also seems reasonable to say that since God is essentially Spirit, it is the spirit part of man with whom He interacts and where his Holy Spirit comes to dwell when man opens up his life for Him.

God is a spirit, and they who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth. (Joh 4:24).  

Man is to worship God from his spirit.

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