The spirit of Adam - The image of God:

Hello To All:

"Thus, we are compelled to conclude that in the day of their death: it was their spirit that died."

With the above words, from our previous essay (The temple of God: our spirit - part three:) a bold statement was made concerning how it was that Adam and Eve died in the day that they ate of the forbidden fruit. The question, now before us, is: Will this conclusion stand up to the further scrutiny of the King's Book?

Let us begin that scrutiny, by returning to the Genesis text and comparing three verses:

1. (Genesis 1:27): "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them."
2. (Genesis 5:1 and 3): "This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him..." - "And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth..."

Please note the shift in emphasis from Genesis 1:27 to Genesis 5:3. In Genesis 1:27, man is referenced as being: "in the image of God." In Genesis 5:3, we find written: "And Adam...begat a son in his own likeness, after his image..." God created Adam "in the image of God." Adam bore a son "after his image;" and not "in the image of God." Are we getting this? I am not aware of any reference, in the remainder of the Old Testament of the King's Book, that speaks about man as being "in the image of God," in the present tense.

There is a reference in Genesis 9:6, that should help us in our understanding of these things. As part of His covenant with Noah (after the flood), God made this statement: "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man." Please note that the reference to man being made "in the image of God," is in the past tense. It is in reference to the past event regarding the creation of Adam, who was created "in the image of God," that God establishes part of His covenant with Noah. In this convenant, God is reminding all of us that the past event of having been created in the image of God, gives value to all of humanity for all of time: a value that we are supposed to honor and uphold. But, it is a past historical event; not the present day reality, regarding all of humanity, that many are falsely teaching.

Thus, on the basis of these texts, we can rightly conclude, that at the time of Adam's sin, "the image of God," was no longer an identifying characteristic of what it is, in the present tense, to be a man, male or female; and created by God. All of humanity, since the fall of Adam, are now born, into this world, in the "likeness" and "the image" of Adam. We can conclude then: that when Adam and Eve died, the image of God was lost to them. This is why, at the time of their sin, that their eyes "were opened, and they knew that they were naked." When the image of God was lost to them, their intimate connection with God was lost; and they immediately became self-centered: they had died; and were not even aware of their death. They were only aware of themselves.

We find further evidence of this terrible condition of being dead, recorded at First Corinthians 15:45-49. There is a context here that needs to be understood. Paul is speaking with regards to the future resurrection of believers. Verses 45-49 are part of that discussion; but, there are some inspired observations, recorded here, that have a direct bearing on our current discussion.

45. "And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit."
46. "Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual."
47. "The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven."
48. "As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly."
49. "And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly."

A comparison is being made between the "first man Adam" and "the last Adam": "The Lord from heaven": Jesus Christ. We who are earthy, bear the image of the earthy: and that image is the image of Adam. We shall, at the time of our resurrection: "bear the image of the heavenly": Jesus Christ. In verse 45, "the last Adam," that is to say, Jesus Christ is referenced as a "quickening (life giving) spirit." In the image of Adam we have death. In the image of Jesus Christ we have life. This life is evidenced by our restored spirit. Adam's spirit died. Our spirit has been made alive.

But, this is not just a reference to a future restoration, at the time of our resurrection: it also references the "newness of life," that is the reality of every disciple of Jesus Christ. Please consider these two texts, from the King's Book:

1. (Romans 6:4): "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." Some of the benefits of our future resurrection are provided for us, in the here and now, as we are given: "newness of life."
2. (Romans 7:6): "But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter." The "newness of life," from Romans 6:4, is here referenced as "newness of spirit."

In another place (2 Corinthians 5:17), this newness is described in this way: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." This "newness," is wonderfully described at Romans 6:11: "Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord." When Adam died, he became dead to God and alive to self. In Jesus Christ, we die to self and become "alive unto God." Adam's spirit died. Our spirit, referenced as the "new creature," has been made alive. Can we say thank you Jesus!

There is much more that needs to be said, regarding "The spirit of Adam - The image of God." But, that will have to wait until our next meeting. Between now and then, I leave you with the only present tense reference, that I am aware of, regarding the image of God. It is recorded at First Corinthians 11:7: "For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man." As you ponder this text, please note, that Paul is writing to believers; to those who have "newness of life;" to those who have "newness of spirit." He is not writing to the general population of all of humanity. When next we gather, we shall seek to answer the question: What is the image of God?

Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus