What Is Man?

INTRO

Good morning, friends, we’re so glad you have tuned in to hear God’s Precepts and Promises this morning brought to you by the Rome Church of Christ.

VBS

We’re examining Christianity systematically--taking all the Bible has to say on a subject and putting it together as best as possible. Letting the Bible speak

We have completed our study about the doctrine of the Bible—its inspiration, what books it is comprised of, its theme, etc—now we want to discuss God’s creation, man. We’re moving in the direction of Christ and the Cross, but we first need to see the reason for Christ’s coming: the redemption of man.

So we want to discuss the Biblical doctrine of man. David asked, “What is man?” (Ps 8:4). We want to try to answer that question today and in the coming weeks.

Let us say a word about “man.” It has become politically incorrect to refer to human beings in general as “men.” Some would prefer the term humankind over mankind, person over man. But the Bible uses the term man to refer to both men and women in general.

Gen 5:1-2 “created man” Adam. This can refer to males but here the word is used in the generic sense.

The same is true in the NT. The Greeks had words that we render “man” in English. anthropos though it can refer to a male, typically refers to human beings in general without reference to one’s being a male or female. Mt 4:19; 1 Cor 15:39; Gal 1:10 and many others. While the word aner is gender specific: males. Mt 14:21; Lk 1:34 1 Tim 2:12

So as we discuss the study of man, we will refer to human beings as men.

So let us discuss the creation of man.

DISCUSSION

God made man at the beginning

Jesus taught that man was made at the beginning (Mt 19:4)

It was the 6th day (Gen 1:31)

We have dealt with evolution in previous lessons so we will not deal with that again here

No allowance for macroevolution in the Bible.

Evolution makes man to be just another animal, a higher ape. No soul, nothing special about him.

Lloyd-Jones said:

Great Doctrines of the Bible, Volume 1: God the Father, God the Son Chapter 14: The Creation of Man

The whole biblical case for salvation rests upon the fact that man, who was made perfect, fell and became imperfect—which is the exact opposite of the doctrine of evolution. So we really must fight at this point. The doctrine of the evolution of man from the animals, and the denial of his special creation by God, involves us at once in a denial of the doctrine of the Fall, and therefore puts us in serious trouble with regard to the doctrine of salvation.

If man were just a higher animal, then there is nothing special about him. Nothing needs to be saved.

God made man in His image (Gen 1:26).

Image (צֶלֶם) and likeness (דְּמוּת)

Image: likeness (HALOT), resemblance (DCH), that which is a pattern, model, or example of something.

Likeness: similarity in appearance, character, or nature between persons or things (LALHB)

While much disagreement exists over what it means to be made in the image and likeness of God, it has to mean that man has been patterned after the nature of God.

So in what ways is man like God?

To be made in His image is to be a spiritual being. Gen 2:7; Jam 2:26; Lk 8:55

To be made in His image is to be a moral being.

WE have a conscience (Rom 2:14-15; 2 Cor 4:2)

Eph 4:24

Moral law (Gen 2:16-17)

To be made in His image is to be a relational being.

Gen 2:18, 22-25

ID AND Q & A

You’re listening to Precept and Promise presented by the Rome Church of Christ. For more info about the Rome church of Christ email us at [e-mail]. Text your question or request for Bible study to 615-549-5838. Check out our website at churchofchristatrome.com. VBS June 5, 9 am. John Chowning. Classes all ages.

Q:Is evolution a fact?

A: No, macroevolution is not a fact. It is something that can never be a fact. It has never been demonstrated in the laboratory and will not ever be able to. Microevolution, small changes happen, but this changes never result in the creation of a new species.

EXHORTATION

Next week: We will continue our study of man.

VBS

Until then, we encourage you to hear His precepts and trust Him promises.