Dear Probe, I have studied the Gospels. My question is: Did Jesus Christ preach Immortality? If so for certain ones or for all?
Thanks for your letter. Jesus taught that salvation (including eternal life) was freely available to all men through faith in Him alone (see John 3:16; 14:6). Technically, Jesus did not preach the Greek doctrine of the immortality of the soul. Rather, he taught that all men would be raised bodily from the dead, some to glory and everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting death in the lake of fire (See John 5:28-29; Revelation 20:11-15). Of course, there is an intermediate state between death and resurrection in which the physically dead experience personal, conscious existence (presumably in a disembodied state), but this is not man’s final state of existence. The final state is the resurrection of the body.
I personally believe that Christ died for all men and that all men are offered eternal life through faith in Him (See 1 Tim. 2:4-6; 2 Pet. 3:9). Unfortunately, not all men will avail themselves of this gift. Therefore, some will be condemned to eternal separation from God in the lake of fire (the second death).
I hope this is helpful.
Shalom in Christ,
Michael Gleghorn
© 2008 Probe Ministries
Related Posts
"Why Was Jesus Crucified Outside Jerusalem?"What is the meaning behind Jesus being crucified outside Jerusalem? There is an interesting passage in Hebrews 13:10-14 which speaks of Jesus suffering "outside the gate" of Jerusalem. Since this…
"Christ Was Around Before Satan?"In your essay on angels it states that Christ created the angels, wouldn't that mean that Christ would have to have been around before Satan? It states somewhere in the…
"Is Soul Sleep Biblical?"I am writing to seek clarification on the rather thorny issue of life after death. In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 Paul outlines how the process of judgment will take place. He says,…
"Why Isn't Jesus Called Joshua?"I was born of Jewish parents, but never confirmed in the Jewish faith. I was baptized at a Billy Graham rally in 1952. I have questioned why writings about Jesus…
"How Old Was Jesus When He Died?"Until now I've been told that Jesus died at the age of 33 years of age. However your Christmas Quiz says 37 to 38 years old. . .? Please help.…
Probe Articles Answering The Da Vinci CodePremier article: Redeeming The Da Vinci Code Michael Gleghorn Secret Gospels? Gospel of Judas Dr. Patrick Zukeran The Gnostic Matrix Don Closson The Dead Sea Scrolls Dr. Patrick Zukeran Was…
