Greetings Brethren:
Let it be written
that those that claim to be believers that BURN the dead commit one of the
greatest crimes that exist against God. We are not afraid or ashamed of the Gospel.
We pray that those that seek Truth and respect God will pay heed to these
words. Please look at the scriptures we note for further study. Also please
warn others that BURNING the body at death will guarantee an additional Fire in
Hell.
Peace and Love,
Carl Patton writing
for the FreedomJournal September 1, 2003 in the year of our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ.
CREMATION AND THE SPIRIT
PART 3: REFLECTIONS ON THE BODY, SOUL
& SPIRIT
In
the name of God master of the universe, Ruler of the earth.
Beloved we are
grateful today for the birth, death, resurrection and grace of our Savior Jesus
Christ. Thus to God our Father we pay the ultimate Glory, Praise and Tribute.
Our realization of many things spiritual rests in the divine guidance of the
Holy Spirit in which we are also eternally grateful.
As the messengers of
God continue to follow through with their assigned tasks many doubt and
question their authority to bring a report. However God has forewarned us of
the lonely and desolate road of the Truth-seekers and we are not dismayed.
Meanwhile we bear witness that we are never alone. God our Father is always
with us and so is Jesus Christ and as always our company keeper the Holy Spirit
guides and directs our path. Therefore we can confront all things with
confidence when we see God.
Our report continues
brethren regarding those that claim to be Christians that desire to burn the
dead and make a premature call to Hell. We have three terms that beg to be
explained in regard to our primary question of Cremation yes or no? For the
record those weak in the faith and consumed by Satan argue that the body is
useless thus we can do anything with it in death. Therefore burning the body is
of no consequence. Meanwhile these same mis-guided fools argue that the Spirit
is what is important. But before we get to a discussion about the spirit and
soul we need to bring some clarity to what the Bible says about the body. We
note for the record that we (FreedomJournal) have no interest in promoting our
philosophy, opinions etc. We only seek to discern what the inspired writers say
about any discussion we undertake.
Brethren can
Christians really conclude that we can do anything with our bodies in death?
Again we note where did this thinking come from? From our review of scripture
it surely does not come from the Bible. As you know if we are to get the free
gift of salvation we must follow the Bible consistently and pay heed to God’s
laws. So what is the body? Also why is the body as important as the soul and
spirit?
The secular
definition of body notes: The whole material part of a man, animal, or plant.
The word body is used in the following sentence as an additional definitive
statement. This is taken from a standard dictionary. “This boy has a strong,
healthy body.” Why do you think that there is an emphasis on the condition of
the body? Also what about the condition of the body in death? Just consider
that as we proceed and give it thought and mediation?
Body is also noted as
a dead person or corpse. So is it normal behavior, common sense and within the
laws of God to take care of the living body but destroy the dead body?
The Old Testament is
derived from the efforts of various Semitic people and languages. The record
shows that the Hebrew, Arabic, Aramaic, Phoenician and Assyrian languages or
people made a limited distinction between the physical and spiritual aspects of
human existence. Therefore the Old Testament contains no word which means body
in the way it is used during these days and times.
Meanwhile the New
Testament (for the record we presently live under the Christian Dispensation of
the New Law and New Testament times) makes a distinction between body and
flesh. Soma is the Greek word for body and sarx is the Greek word for flesh.
Although both refer to the external substance of the body soma is more
inclusive of the entire body than the latter.
(See Mathew 5:29, 6:22; Mark 15:43; Romans 8:11; Hebrews 13:11.
As we continue we see
the distinction between the physical nature (body) and the spiritual or soul.
Turn with us to the Book of Matthew.
Matthew 10:28. “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.”
In reading this verse
those that dispute the Divine nature of the body could try to justify
destroying the body after death. However here we see that God teaches us that
although man in his shallowness maybe able to kill the body; however our soul
is intact when we know God and we will have everlasting life. The call from the grave will not be one of
dust or ashes. Nor will it be solely the soul or spirit as we will have the
form of a body in Peace and Paradise. But what will be left of the body, soul
and spirit in Hell? Now turn to 1
Thessalonians for an additional word.
1 Thessalonians 5:23.
“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole
spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord
Jesus Christ.”
This is the only
place in the Bible where the three parts of the human being are noted in one
sentence. There is not much difference between soul and spirit because they are
often used interchangeably throughout scripture. In Genesis 2:7 we see the
origin of the body and soul of man. However in Zechariah 12:1 we see God
forming the spirit within man.
Furthermore to distinguish the three parts we see the body as that part
that is composed of the ground, and in the form of an animal. The soul is the
part that makes him a living animal and the spirit is the part that makes him a
human living animal. We also note that
God intended this to be an eternal existence beginning with the stay on earth.
Now for some powerful
scripture taken from II Corinthians. Who attempts to destroy the body and go to
Hell?
II Corinthians
12:2-5. “I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago (whether in the body,
I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an
one caught up to the third heaven. “
“And I knew such a
man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)’
“How that he was
caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful
for a man to utter. “
“Of such an one will
I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.”
The man in Christ
that Paul knew was caught up which means that he was transferred from one place
to another by Divine power. (See Acts 8:39). An explanation of the 1st,
2nd and 3rd heavens reveal the following: The 1st
heaven is the region where the birds fly (Genesis 1:20). The 2nd is
where the stars are held (Genesis 22:17). And the 3rd heaven means
where God’s throne is. In the body or out of the body means alive and dead.
However Paul did not know the particular condition of the man at this time.
Also it is very
important to note that Paul writes that the man heard voices while caught up.
Yet he did not know whether he was in the body or out. This shows that the
being will be conscious after the death of the body. This refutes the theory by
the Cremationist that the body is of no use. It also means that burning your
body will result in a premature Hell fire that you will feel.
Cont. Part 4: What Is The Body of Christ?
Peace and Love, Carl
Patton writing for the FreedomJournal August 12, 2003 in the year of our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ.
carl@freedomjournalpress.comcastbiz.net