FAQ - IMMORTALITY
I read in `1 Tim. 6:16`, that the Apostle
Paul speaking of God says--"Who only hath immortality." In the same chapter,
`19th verse`, the brethren are exhorted to good works, "that they may lay hold on
eternal life." And the only place I find the word "immortal" is in `1 Tim.
1:17`, which also refers to God, and in `Rom. 6:23`, the Apostle says--"The wages of
sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Then again `Rom. 2:6,7`, shows that the gift has to be sought for--"By patient
continuance in well-doing." Therefore if immortality or eternal life is the gift of
God as a reward to those who faithfully fulfill His desires, from whence is the authority
derived by those who teach that man is now in possession of immortal life?
<ANSWER>--This is a question that is frequently asked these days by those
who are not content to accept a mere assertion without a "thus saith the Lord."
There is but one statement to be found in the Scriptures which could be construed as
teaching that man was in any sense immortal; that he would not and that he could not die.
This is found in the `third chapter of Genesis, the fourth verse`. However, we suggest
that before any one accepts this as due authority they read the passage and note carefully
who it was that made the statement!
I read in `1 Tim. 6:16`, that the Apostle Paul speaking of God says--"Who
only hath immortality." In the same chapter, `19th verse`, the brethren are exhorted
to good works, "that they may lay hold on eternal life." And the only place I
find the word "immortal" is in `1 Tim. 1:17`, which also refers to God, and in
`Rom. 6:23`, the Apostle says--"The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is
eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Then again `Rom. 2:6,7`, shows that the
gift has to be sought for--"By patient continuance in well-doing." Therefore if
immortality or eternal life is the gift of God as a reward to those who faithfully fulfill
His desires, from whence is the authority derived by those who teach that man is now in
possession of immortal life?
<ANSWER>--This is a question that is frequently asked these days by those
who are not content to accept a mere assertion without a "thus saith the Lord."
There is but one statement to be found in the Scriptures which could be construed as
teaching that man was in any sense immortal; that he would not and that he could not die.
This is found in the `third chapter of Genesis, the fourth verse`. However, we suggest
that before any one accepts this as due authority they read the passage and note carefully
who it was that made the statement!