Do humans have a spirit?

[shava]

I say yes, because the bible says so. Ecclesiastes 12:7, King James Bible
Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

 

[rusra02]

I say yes, because the bible says so. Ecclesiastes 12:7, King James Bible
Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

The spirit is the life force in both animals and humans, IMO. (Ecclesiastes 3:19,20) I believe the spirit returns to God in the sense that any future life for the dead person now rests with God, who can return the person to life again, or not.

 

[jonathan180iq]

The spirit is an illusion of our consciousness. It was nothing before you were born and it will be nothing again after you die.

 

[djhwoodwerks]

I say yes, because the bible says so. Ecclesiastes 12:7, King James Bible
Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

Yes we do! Much like God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, the Trinity, we were made in God's image, after His likeness, a triune being. The witnesses don't believe it, but that's what the "Bible Really Teaches"

Matthew 10:28 (ESV Strong's) 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 (ESV Strong's) 23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 4:12 (ESV Strong's) 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

 

[moorea944]

I say yes, because the bible says so. Ecclesiastes 12:7, King James Bible
Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

The Hebrew word for "spirit" in this verse means breath. That's all. Just like "soul" means a living, breathing frame or person, someone who is alive. We are not given a soul, we are a soul. Same with spirit. Spirit, like soul, can also be written in many different ways. But never something that is given us. Spirit can also be written as mind or a way of thinking too.

 

[Deeje]

Yes we do! Much like God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, the Trinity, we were made in God's image, after His likeness, a triune being. The witnesses don't believe it, but that's what the "Bible Really Teaches"

Sorry, but the whole immortal soul scenario is a product of Plato, not God's word.
At Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10, Solomon clearly states that "the dead know nothing"...they can't plan or use knowledge or wisdom nor can they perform any activity.

"For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten..... Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going" (ESV)

"Sheol" (Hebrew) is translated as "hades" in the Greek. We all go to this "hell". So "sheol" (hades) is no more frightening that a deep sleep in bed....it is the common grave of mankind.

Matthew 10:28 (ESV Strong's) 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Perhaps you should have highlighted the more relevant portion of that scripture....

"And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell." [a]

Footnotes:

1. Matthew 10:28 Greek Gehenna

See the Footnote says "gehenna", not " hades". Souls are not tortured in this "hell"....they are DESTROYED. Look up "destroy" in the dictionary.

"Gehenna" means eternal death....the opposite of eternal life.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 (ESV Strong's) 23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In context, this scripture is not saying what you think it is. Who is Paul talking to?

"We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.

23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."(ESV)

"Paul was referring to the spirit, soul, and body of the composite Christian congregation, which included spirit-anointed Christians in Thessalonica. Instead of simply praying that the congregation be preserved, he prayed for the preservation of its “spirit,” or mental disposition. He also prayed for its “soul,” its life, or existence, and for its “body”—the composite body of anointed Christians. (1 Cor. 12:12, 13) The prayer thus highlights Paul’s intense concern for the congregation." ('08 WT)

Hebrews 4:12 (ESV Strong's) 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Again you demonstrate no understanding of what Paul is saying. He was a Jew and therefore held no belief in an immortal soul. The "soul" to a Jew was a living breathing creature....man or animal. It never meant a disembodied spirit.

The word of God is a divider of people, as we see so clearly on these boards. When you divide a soul from its spirit, that is another way of saying that this is the difference between life and death. Piercing a joint to expose the bone marrow is cutting deep to expose what is in a person's heart and motives. God knows our true intentions because he sees the real "us". We can fool ourselves, but not him.

 

[moorea944]

Sorry, but the whole immortal soul scenario is a product of Plato, not God's word.
At Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10, Solomon clearly states that "the dead know nothing"...they can't plan or use knowledge or wisdom nor can they perform any activity.

"For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten..... Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going" (ESV)

"Sheol" (Hebrew) is translated as "hades" in the Greek. We all go to this "hell". So "sheol" (hades) is no more frightening that a deep sleep in bed....it is the common grave of mankind.



Perhaps you should have highlighted the more relevant portion of that scripture....

"And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell." [a]

Footnotes:

1. Matthew 10:28 Greek Gehenna

See the Footnote says "gehenna", not " hades". Souls are not tortured in this "hell"....they are DESTROYED. Look up "destroy" in the dictionary.

"Gehenna" means eternal death....the opposite of eternal life.



In context, this scripture is not saying what you think it is. Who is Paul talking to?

"We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.

23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."(ESV)

"Paul was referring to the spirit, soul, and body of the composite Christian congregation, which included spirit-anointed Christians in Thessalonica. Instead of simply praying that the congregation be preserved, he prayed for the preservation of its “spirit,” or mental disposition. He also prayed for its “soul,” its life, or existence, and for its “body”—the composite body of anointed Christians. (1 Cor. 12:12, 13) The prayer thus highlights Paul’s intense concern for the congregation." ('08 WT)



Again you demonstrate no understanding of what Paul is saying. He was a Jew and therefore held no belief in an immortal soul. The "soul" to a Jew was a living breathing creature....man or animal. It never meant a disembodied spirit.

The word of God is a divider of people, as we see so clearly on these boards. When you divide a soul from its spirit, that is another way of saying that this is the difference between life and death. Piercing a joint to expose the bone marrow is cutting deep to expose what is in a person's heart and motives. God knows our true intentions because he sees the real "us". We can fool ourselves, but not him.

Wow, well said!!! Not only did Paul not believe in an immortal soul, he also preached the resurrection. Why would Paul preach the resurrection if he really did believe in an afterlife? Doesnt make sense. It's funny, people are so afraid of death. They dont want to be told, when your dead, your dead.... We wait for the resurrection... People want to hear that life goes on and everything will be fine... And that is nowhere found in scripture! Christianity has changed so much since the org teachings of Christ and the apostles.... So sad. Even the use of "soul" and "spirit". Totally taken out of context.

Great posts, thanks!!

 

[12jtartar]

I say yes, because the bible says so. Ecclesiastes 12:7, King James Bible
Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

Shaba,
You are perceptive to have noticed what is said at Ecclesiastes 12:7. Allow me please to explain this a little more, because many do not understand what this means.
First, God is a Spirit, so He does not touch material things to move them, He moves things with His mind. Consider Genesis 1:2, which says that God's spirit was moving over the waters of the earth. That means that He was preparing the earth for life.
Now, consider what happened when God created Adam, at Genesis 2:7. God formed the man from the dust of the ground, then blew into his nostrils the breath of life and the man BECAME a living soul. So men was not given a soul, but was a soul. The same is true with the breath of life, or the spirit. Man was activated by the spirit of God which causes all men to live, move and act. Notice a few scriptures about how the spirit accomplishes what God wants it to, Psalms 104:29,30, Job 32:18.
Notice especially Job 34:14,15, which says; if He gathers their spirit to himself all would die, and return to the dust.
So, here is the explanation, we do not have a spirit ourselves, but it is God's spirit that is operating on us. Consider how this concept is described at 1Corinthians 12:13, where it is speaking of the powerful gifts of the Holy Spirit that was showered down on the early Christians. The spirit caused many things to happen, but it was always the same spirit.
At Ecclesiastes 12:7 the spirit of God stopped acting on him when he died, so that power returned to God who showered the spirit on the person when he was alive.

 

[james2ko]

I say yes, because the bible says so. Ecclesiastes 12:7, King James Bible. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

The spirit in man is a force placed by God within each human body (Job 32:8; 1 Co 2:11). It works interdependently with the physical brain to produce intellect, logic, self-consciousness, creativity, and other traits.

I think of the spirit as a dvd and the body a dvd player. Neither one can have cognition independently. Just as you need both dvd and player to experience the contents of the recording, you similarly need both body and spirit to display the contents of our life's recording. The dvd is what Solomon proposed would be returned to God.

 

[Ben Avraham]

I say yes, because the bible says so. Ecclesiastes 12:7, King James Bible
Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

I agree with you but, the term "spirit" in Ecclesiastes 12:7 is a spiritual emanation as it refers to the breath of life which the Lord breathed into the nostrils of man when He formed him from the dust of the earth. (Genesis 2:7)

 

[Ana.J]

I say YES because I feel that we do

 

[ukok102nak]

~;> as they say
:read: (as it is written)
1 Corinthians 15:44
It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body and there is also a spiritual body.
45 So also it is written, "The first man, Adam, became a living soul."
The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
46 However that which is spiritual is not first, but that which is natural, then that which is spiritual.
47 The first man is of the earth, made of dust. The second man is from heaven.
48 As is the one made of dust, such are those who are also made of dust; and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
49 As we have borne the image of those made of dust, we willg also bear the image of the heavenly.

thats why
theres a spirit in man
that is within him
as it is written
:read:
Job 32:8
But there is a spirit in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding.

and what about this
:read: (so as it is written)
Job 27:3
(For the length of my life is still in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils);

and also this
so as it is written
:read:
Psalms 11:5
The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked and him who loves violence his soul hates.

Hebrews 10:38
But my righteous one will live by faith. If he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him."

see the difference between the verses
of
Psalms 11:5
and
Hebrews 10:38


:ty:




godbless
unto all always

 

[029b10]

The spirit in man is a force placed by God within each human body (Job 32:8; 1 Co 2:11). It works interdependently with the physical brain to produce intellect, logic, self-consciousness, creativity, and other traits.

I think of the spirit as a dvd and the body a dvd player. Neither one can have cognition independently. Just as you need both dvd and player to experience the contents of the recording, you similarly need both body and spirit to display the contents of our life's recording. The dvd is what Solomon proposed would be returned to God.

Yep but without a power cable and an a live electrical outlet also, your DVD player will never play nor record Marvel not that you must reassemble your DVD player with the supplied power cable and plug it into the live outlet before it will record or play in the real world.

 

[james2ko]

Yep but without a power cable and an a live electrical outlet also, your DVD player will never play nor record Marvel not that you must reassemble your DVD player with the supplied power cable and plug it into the live outlet before it will record or play in the real world.

Mar_14:62 Jesus said, "I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven."
​

"Power" cord and "live" outlet are included.

 

[12jtartar]

Ana.J,
What a person feels or believes is usually wrong, that is why we are warned about letting our heart guide us, Jeremiah 17:9,10. Consider what Proverbs says at Proverbs 28:26. These Scriptures show that listening to our heart is now wise, unless it has been trained but a study of God's word, Hebrews 5:13,14.
The Bible tells us that we should trust in God with all our heart, and not lean on our own understanding, Proverbs 3:5,6. Meditate on what the Bible says at Proverbs 1:22-33, 2:1-12.
The only place on earth to find truth is The Bible. The Bible has words that are alive and powerful, Hebrews 4:12,13. Man's words are very likely to lead a person away from God's word, 2Peter 2:1-3, 3:15-18, Colossians 2:8. Jesus gave warning about false teachers, Matthew 7:15-20. Paul gave the same warnings, Acts 20:29,30, 2Timothy 4:3,4.
Study God's word every day if possible!!!

 

[Ben Avraham]

~;> as they say
:read: (as it is written)
1 Corinthians 15:44
It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body and there is also a spiritual body.
45 So also it is written, "The first man, Adam, became a living soul."
The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
46 However that which is spiritual is not first, but that which is natural, then that which is spiritual.
47 The first man is of the earth, made of dust. The second man is from heaven.
48 As is the one made of dust, such are those who are also made of dust; and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
49 As we have borne the image of those made of dust, we willg also bear the image of the heavenly.

A spiritual body is a paradox. Spirits are incorporeal. The raising of a spiritual body is a Pauline forgery to undue arguments in the Tanach against his doctrine of bodily resurrection.

 

[Deeje]

A spiritual body is a paradox. Spirits are incorporeal. The raising of a spiritual body is a Pauline forgery to undue arguments in the Tanach against his doctrine of bodily resurrection.

Actually Paul did not undo the Tanach's teaching of a bodily resurrection. What he did was clarify something that was not revealed to Jews until Messiah came. Their priesthood and temple arrangement pictured something heavenly, not earthly. Just because Jesus taught that a chosen priesthood would go to heaven, is not contrary to the Tanach's teaching of a bodily resurrection.

This heavenly Kingdom with Kings and Priests will rule over earthly subjects......most of whom will be resurrected back to this earth, as Jesus said. (John 5:28-29) The apostle John said that Jesus will call the dead from their tombs, back to life here where God first located humankind. Most Christians will NOT go to heaven. The majority will live on earth, just as God stated in Isaiah 55:11. People of all faiths who died without knowledge of God, will be brought back to life to live under Messiah's rule. They will learn about the God of Israel and join millions in true worship on an Earth restored to paradise conditions, such as Adam enjoyed at the start.

 

[Ben Avraham]

Actually Paul did not undo the Tanach's teaching of a bodily resurrection. What he did was clarify something that was not revealed to Jews until Messiah came. Their priesthood and temple arrangement pictured something heavenly, not earthly. Just because Jesus taught that a chosen priesthood would go to heaven, is not contrary to the Tanach's teaching of a bodily resurrection.

This heavenly Kingdom with Kings and Priests will rule over earthly subjects......most of whom will be resurrected back to this earth, as Jesus said. (John 5:28-29) The apostle John said that Jesus will call the dead from their tombs, back to life here where God first located humankind. Most Christians will NOT go to heaven. The majority will live on earth, just as God stated in Isaiah 55:11. People of all faiths who died without knowledge of God, will be brought back to life to live under Messiah's rule. They will learn about the God of Israel and join millions in true worship on an Earth restored to paradise conditions, such as Adam enjoyed at the start.

Paul could not undo what does not exist. There is no teaching in the Tanach about bodily resurrection. (II Samuel 12:23; Job 7:9; Isaiah 26:14; Psalms 49:12,20; etc. all those texts in the Tanach state the fact that once dead, no one will ever return from the grave. And what Jesus say about them is that he came to confirm all down to the letter. (Mat. 5:17-19; Luke 16:29-31)

 

[james2ko]

Paul could not undo what does not exist. There is no teaching in the Tanach about bodily resurrection. (II Samuel 12:23; Job 7:9; Isaiah 26:14; Psalms 49:12,20; etc. all those texts in the Tanach state the fact that once dead, no one will ever return from the grave. And what Jesus say about them is that he came to confirm all down to the letter. (Mat. 5:17-19; Luke 16:29-31)

Are you sure?

Eze 37:12 Therefore prophesy and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.

 

[Smart_Guy]

Spirit a in Soul?