PULPIT MESSAGES

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 29, 29 October 1934, Page 10

PULPIT MESSAGES

Wellington Churches REDEEMED TO GOD Nature and Destiny of Man “Man —His Nature and Destiny" was the subject spoken upon last evening in the 1.0.0. F. Hall, Allen Street In commencing the speaker directed attention to the Mosaic account of the creation and fall of man as recorded in Gen. 2:7 and Gen. 3: 17-23. It was submitted that contrary to widespread belief there was no support in this record for the doctrine of the immortality of the soul. True it was that in Gen. 2:7 one found the words “soul” and “breath” (spirit) but it was.explained that the Hebrew originals "nephish” for soul and “neshamah” for breath were used indiscriminately in the Scriptures in relation to both the human and animal creation. “Nephish" the Hebrew for soul in Gen. 2:7 was rendered “living creature” in Gen. 1:21, Gpn. 2.19, etc., and in these places the Reference was to the animal creation. Furthermore it was shown that the Bible frequently spoke of the soul dying (Psa. 78':50, Eze. 18:4) and being “utterly destroyed” (Joshua 11:11, Acts 3:23) which would clearly prove that the word “goul” did not imply or indicate immortality. Coming next to the word “breath” in Gen. 2:7, the Hebrew original was “neshamah” and the same original occurred in Gen. 7:22, but the latter quotation embraced the entire animal creation as well as the human. It was also explained that the Hebrew word “Ruach,” frequently translated “breath” as in Ecc. 3:19 was also often translated “spirit” as in Ecc. 12:7. If therefore the word “Breath” was substituted for “spirit” it would be seen that in such passages no support would be found for the immortality of the soul. Man Essentially Mortal. From tnese premises it was contended that man by nature was essentially mortal (Job. 4:17, Roms. 5:12, 1 Cor. 15:53) that in death his body returned to dust and his breath (spirit) returned to God who gave it and man (the living soul or creature) became -as. before birth —non-existent. Continuing it was shown that God in His infinite wisdom and love had conceived a plan whereby mortal man could be redeemed from his mortality. Paul had said, “Jesus Christ hath abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel" (2 Tim. 1:10). Other supporting scriptures referred to were Mark 16:15-16, 1 Cor. 15:1-2, Roms. 1:16. Here it was seen that salvation —for such was mortal man’s need —had 'been provided upon certain clearly defined conditions. The Destiny of Man. What, then, was man’s destiny? In answer, it was shown that mankind could be divided into three classes. Firstly, a class unenlightened and ignorant concerning the purpose and will of God as revealed in the Scriptures ; secondly, a class enlightened but disobedient to the will of God; and thirdly, a class enlightened and living and acting in harmony with the light received. The Scriptures spoke in definite and unmistakable language regarding the destiny of these respective classes.

The destiny of the ignorant and unenlightened class was clearly stated in Psalm 49:20, “Man . . . that understandeth not is like the beasts that perish,” which indicated that death for that class w-ould be the end-for ever. Other supporting Scriptures referred to were Psa. 88:4-5, Frov. 21:16, Matt. 7:13, Luke 13:3. Continuing, it was shown that, although death would also claim those members of the human family belonging to the other two classes —death for them would not be death for ever. Although whilst dead they would, because of their mortality, be non-existent, “knowing nothing” (Ecc. 9:5, Psa. 6:5, Psa. 115:17, Psa. 146:4) the Scriptures repeatedly indicated that, at the second coming of Jesus Christ, these responsible dead would be resurrected from their sleep of death to appear before Christ for judgment. In support, such Scriptures as the following were quoted: Acts •

24:15, John 5:28-29, Dan. 12:2, 2 Tun. 4:1, Rev. 11:18. The destiny of the disobedient' enlightened would bo death —“the second death”—total extinction—as could be seen-from Rev. 2:11, Roms. 6:23, Gals. 6:8, Psa. 37:20, Job. 20:5-8. etc.

Coming finally to the destiny of the third section —the obedient enlightened —many Scriptures were quoted to show that this class would experience the salvation God bad promised—redemption from their Inherent mortality. Their mortal bodies would be “changed” (Phil. 3.21), they would become possessed ’of powerful immortal physical bodies (1 Cor. 15:51-54), would be equal unto the angels (Luke 20:36), and thereby become as Jesus Christ became after His resurrection from the dead. (1 John 3:2, Luke 24:36-43). In conclusion, it was shown that this redeemed section of mankind would inherit and become co-rulers of the Kingdom of God which Christ would establish upon earth at His return, and thereby in them would be fulfilled, the inspired words of Rev. 5:9-10, “Thou (Jesus) hast redeemed us to God by Thy. blood . . . and hast made us unto our God Kings and Priests, and we shall reign on the earth." PROBATION AFTER DEATH Christian Science Churches “Probation After Death” was the subject of the lesson-sermon in all Churches of Christ, Scientist, yesterday. The golden text was from I Co. 15:26, “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” Among the citations which comprised the lesson-sermon were the following from the Bible. “Wilt thou show wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise and praise thee? Shall thy loving kindness be declared in the grave? or thy faithfulness in destruction? Shall thy wonders be known in the dark? and thy righteousness in the land for forgetfulness? (Psalm 8S: 10-12). . Also the following passages from the Christian Science textbook, “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” by Mary Baker Eddy, “In the Illusion of death, mortals wake to the knowledge of two facts: (1) That they are not dead; (2) that they have but passed the portals of a new belief. Death is but another phase of the dream that existence can be material. Nothing can interfere with the harmony of being nor end the existence of man in science.'” (pp. 251» 427 v).