Humans, created male and female in God's image and mortal, are physical beings whose life is in the blood. However, God imparted a spirit essence to humans, empowering man with intellect and setting him far above the animals. This human spirit enables God to join His Spirit with man's so he might become a child of God. When a man dies, his conscious thoughts cease, his spirit returns to God who gave it and his body returns to dust. God's purpose for man is that he enter the Family of God by means of a spiritual birth upon baptism and receipt of the Holy Spirit, and later be changed to spirit in a resurrection from the dead to immortality and glory.

Scripture References:

Genesis 1:26-27; 2:7, 17; 3:19; Psalm 146:3-4; Ecclesiastes 3:19; Ezekiel 18:4, 20; Job 32:8; Zechariah 12:1; I Corinthians 2:11; Hebrews 12:28; I Timothy 6:15-16; Romans 8:29; I Corinthians 15:44, 50-54



From the Library: God's Purpose

Human Will and God's Sovereignty (Part Three)

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

God-designed personalities, having His character, will make up God's family, not self-made personalities created by human will. We must yield as He creates.


God's Sovereignty, Ecclesiastes, and God's Will

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

God knows the end from the beginning, but He does not give us all the details at once, except as they are necessary for us for His purpose to be worked out.


God Has the Last Word

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

We need to realize the seriousness of the times, waking ourselves out of our zombie-like slumber, casting off the works of darkness.


The Sovereignty of God: Part Eight

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

If God is manipulating everything in His sovereignty, why pray? What does prayer teach us? Here is why God commands us to come before Him in prayer.


The Sovereignty of God: Part Six

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

The overriding issue of life is to whom we will give ourselves in obedience. Will it be ourselves, society, business, Satan or God?


Fully Accepting God's Sovereignty (Part One)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Most converted Christians realize that God is sovereign. But sometimes the Bible reveals something about God that makes us uncomfortable. Can we accept it?


The Faithfulness of God (Part One)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

God has a very real concern for us, promising to never leave us. We have to strongly believe in His faithfulness to build a relationship with Him.


God the Father (Part 2)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Throughout Christ's life, the relationship between Him and His Father exemplified perfect, reciprocal, unconditional love, providing a perfect template.


For more resources, please see the library topic for God's Purpose