Immortality of the Soul
Do the Dead Really Die?

One of the widely accepted beliefs of Christendom is that you go to Heaven, Hell or Purgatory when you “die.” This doctrine, though unbiblical, is preached from the majority Christian pulpits and is the central focus in most funeral proceedings. To teach this is to say, “When you die you don't really die, you go somewhere else.” At the core of this belief is the unbiblical doctrine of Immortality of the Soul. However, over the many centuries since Christ, The doctrine of the Immortality of the Soul has been intermingled with texts and passages of Scripture to the extent that it is difficult, but not impossible, to tell what is and isn't biblical. The multitude of “biblical" interpretations fostered by this system of belief greatly confuses the Christian experience, and minds are "carried about with every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:11). [1] As is testified in Ephesians, the Christian experience is not to be one of double‑mindedness, [2] but one of unity and one‑mindedness.[3] The Bible exposes the dangerous deceptions that this belief system and its teachings represent and the Bible itself speaks out against it. 1Timothy 6:15 states,

“...in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.”

God warned Adam and Eve of the consequences of transgressing His law. He had told them in Genesis 2:17,

“But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”

And in Genesis 3:4, is recorded,

“...the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die...”

Satan's statement to Eve, regarding immortality of the soul was, and still is, in direct conflict with what is recorded in Genesis 2:17. The Bible clearly states that God alone has immortality.

“Ye shall not surely die.” are the words uttered by the enemy of souls and was the first deception of Satan. The first lie that Satan ever told, therefore, regarded the "unbiblical" doctrine of Immortality of the soul. Anyone that teaches “Ye shall not surely die” is a liar and in direct conflict with the Word of God.

The Lord does not leave us in doubt regarding where, how and when we might obtain immortality. Christ, Himself taught, saying,

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. 25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. 26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; that we may have immortality bestowed upon us.” (John 5:24-26)

The word used in the Bible to describe immortality is eternal Life, and within its pages, the Bible teaches many things concerning this wonderful gift of God. [4] Throughout Scripture, prerequisites/conditions for receiving the gift of eternal life are enumerated. For instance:

    “...If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." Matthew 19:17

    “...Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. 28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.” Luke 10:27-28

    “...whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:15

    “Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 5:64

    “To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life... [is given .ed]” Romans 2:5

    “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”

    “...after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.” Titus 3:4-8

    “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” 1John 5:10-13

    “We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. 19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. 20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” 1John 5:18-20

These and many other texts and passages of Scriptures testify that eternal life (immortality) is not something that all mankind possesses. Eternal life is "available" only through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Those who choose not to follow the plan that God has prescribed will not receive eternal life, because the wages of is death, and continuing to live a sinful life will reap that reward.

Eastern systems of Religion also teach Immortality of the Soul. The belief in re-incarnation advocates the belief that "Ye shall not surely die,” but rather, that when you die, you become “something else.” Others teach that you advance to a higher or lower form of life, depending on whether or not you have become enlightened in your current life. Any system of belief that teaches, "Ye shall not surely die,” is not of God and is in direct conflict with the Biblical teaching of Eternal Life in Christ.

Footnotes:

[1] Ephesians 4:11-15, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”

[2] James 4:7, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded."

James 1:5, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”

[3] Philippians 2:1, “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”

[4] Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”