We know that the wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23). So what exactly is it that dies according to scripture?

“The SOUL that sins shall die.” (Eze 18:4)

It doesn’t say the BODY dies. It says the SOUL dies. So what is the scriptural definition of a soul?

“And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” (Gen 2:7)

Some churches teach that man is a triune being, formed in the image of a triune God, consisting of body, soul, and spirit. But according to scripture, we ARE living souls, consisting of a) a body and b) a spirit. And at the point of death this process is reversed: The spirit returns to God and the DUST (a symbol for man) returns to the earth (Ecc 12:7).

When Jesus was dying on the cross, what were the last words He uttered?

“Father, into your hands I commit My spirit.” (Luke 23:46)

The Greek word for “spirit” here and just about every other place in the NT is “pneuma” (G4151) and means, according to Strong’s Concordance: a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ’s spirit, the Holy Spirit.

Now all of that can be difficult to sort out, but in the context of the scriptures in question, I hope you would agree that “pneuma” could simply be defined as the “vital life force”. In other words, it is that gift from God which gives life to a lifeless body. Remember, Adam (which is Hebrew for “mankind”) did not become a living soul until God breathed the precious breath of life into him..

“In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.” (Job 12:10)

And at death God takes back the precious breath of life and both body AND soul die. Without the spirit (the vital life force) man ceases to be a living soul.

“His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.” (Psa 146:4)

Which brings us to an interesting point about Jesus. What happened to Jesus on the cross? Did He really DIE? Or was it only Jesus’ BODY that died? Remember, when the Son of God came to this earth as a man He was just as human as you or I. I like the way the NLT puts it:

“Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born AS A HUMAN BEING [emphasis added]. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.” (Php 2:6-8)

I firmly believe that when the scriptures speak of Jesus dying for our sins they mean exactly what they say: He DIED! His (supposed) immortal soul did not continue to live on after His death and descend into “hell” and preach the gospel to imprisoned spirits residing there. Jesus preached to imprisoned spirits while He was still alive and walking upon this earth, and He still preaches to imprisoned spirits even to this very day through scripture. Those imprisoned spirits are US, for we are, as Paul puts it, SLAVES TO SIN. And Jesus’ descent into “hell” was nothing more than his departure into His grave from which His Father resurrected Him three days later.
http://www.bible-history.com/smiths/H/Hell/

Consider this.. If Jesus did not really die as most churches would have us believe, but rather it was only His BODY that died, then that would essentially make the Savior of the world nothing more than a CADAVER, a dead body which was brought back to life..

For a more detailed account of the timing of our resurrection, please check out my article “The Secret Rapture Myth”
http://hell-fact-or-fable.com/2010/04/the-secret-rapture-myth/

Peace

This is an honest question.

I note you said in one of your email exchanges the following: ““Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in their graves will hear His voice and come forth – those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation [judgment].” (John 5:28,29) According to Jesus, you will notice that, contrary to orthodox Christian church doctrine, at the time of the resurrection, those who had previously done good were still in their graves, and not in heaven. These will remain dead [asleep] until the time of the resurrection, when “…even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” (I Corinthians 15:22) [For a more in-depth look at this subject be sure to read Does Man Have an Immortal Soul? by Ken Eckerty]”

In particular I am interested in this part of your reply:

“According to Jesus, you will notice that, contrary to orthodox Christian church doctrine, at the time of the resurrection, those who had previously done good were still in their graves, and not in heaven.”

Does this not refer to the body that the spirit has departed from? I was taught that the body goes down into the grave but the spirit goes to God. “That which is of the flesh is flesh and that which is of the spirit is spirit.

Am I missing something here?