Visit the awmach.org Home Page. Get right with God. Read our doctrinal statement. Examine our list of available reference materials. Examine our list of available Bibles.
The Doctrine of Man
Finis Jennings Dake

The doctrine of man

The word man is found 2,576 times in Scripture. 28 Heb. and Gr. words are trans. man, meaning Adam, male, husband, mortal, mighty man, a human being.

  1. Man's creation:
    1. Inner man created (Gen. 1:26-27; 5:1-2).
    2. Body formed of dust (Gen. 2:7; 3:19).
    3. Made in God's own image bodily. Heb. tselem, shape, figure, bodily form (Gen. 1:27, 5:3; 9:6; Ex. 20:4; Lev. 26:1; Ps. 73:20; 106:19; Isa. 40:19-20; Isa 44:9-17; 45:20; 48:5; 10:14; 51:17).
    4. Made in God's own likeness bodily. Hebrew: demooth, model, shape, similitude, resemblance (Gen. 1:26; 5:1, 3; Isa. 40:18; Ezek. 1:5, 10, 13, 16, 22, 26, 28; 10:1, 10, 21-22).
      The Gr. eikon confirms the idea of bodily image and likeness (Mt. 22:20; Acts 19:35; Rom. 1:23; 11:4; 1 Cor. 11:7; 15:49; Col. 1:15; Heb. 10:1; Jas. 3:9; Rev. 13:14-15)
      Neither Dt. 4:15 nor any other scripture does away with the bodily form of God. Just because Israel did not see any form when God spoke is no proof that He is bodiless and without form any more than someone else who might be heard and whose body is not seen. Many in Israel did see God's body (Gen. 18; 32:24-30; Ex. 24:9-11; Josh. 5:13-15; Judg. 6:11-23; 13:3-23; 1 Chr. 21:16-17; Job 42:5; Isa. 6; Ezek. 1:26; Dan. 7:9-14; 10:5-6; Acts 7:56-59; Rev. 4:2-5; 5:1-7; etc.) See note r Jn. 4:24.
      There is no question but what man was made in the likeness of God in soul and spirit (Eph. 4:22-24; Col. 3:10), but this does not do away with the body image and likeness of God, as in all the above passages. All angels and spirit beings have bodies as well as souls and spirits. (The Spirit World, p. 632). Even resurrected human bodies are called spiritual (1 Cor. 15:42-44), yet they will also be material (Lk. 24:39; Phil. 3:21). Misunderstanding of this subject comes from not knowing what spirits are like. See Angels and Demons on p. 632-633.
    5. The body is wonderfully made (Ps. 139:14). It consists of various chemicals - iron, sugar, salt, carbon, iodine, phosphorus, lime, calcium, and others - about 98 cents worth. The body has 263 bones; 600 muscles; 970 miles of blood vessels; 400 cups on the tongue for taste; 20,000 hairs in the ears to tune in to all sounds; 40 lb. jaw pressure; 10,000,000 nerves and branches; 3,500 sweat tubes to each sq. inch of skin (or 40 miles long); 20,000,000 mouths that suck food as it goes through the intestines; 600,000,000 air cells to the lungs that inhale 2,400 gallons of air daily; and a telephone system that relates to the brain instantly any known sound, taste, sight, touch or smell. The heart beats 4,200 times an hour and pumps 12 tons of blood daily.
    6. Man's soul is the seat of the emotions, passions, desires, appetites, and all feelings. See Soul in Index.
    7. Man's spirit is the seat of the intellect, will, and conscience. It is capable of all divine powers only in a lesser degree. See Spirit, p. 628.
    8. The inner man, consisting of soul and spirit, is eternal. See note, 1 Pet. 3:4.
    9. Man was made a little lower than angels (Ps. 8:3; Heb. 2:7).
    10. He was created sinless, but capable of sin (Gen. 2:17; Rom. 5:12-21; 1 Jn. 3:4).
    11. He was made a threefold being -- body, soul, and spirit (1 Th. 5:23; Heb. 4:12).
    12. His flesh differs from all other creatures (1 Cor. 15:39).
    13. Both male and female are represented in man (Gen. 1:26-28; 5:2; Mt. 19:4).
    14. Material and spiritual natures of man are clearly distinguished in Scripture, as follows:
      1. Soul and spirit not dust (Gen. 2:7).
      2. Spirit leaves body at death (Jas. 2:26; Lk. 8:49-56; 16:22; 23:43; Acts 5:10; 2 Cor. 5:8; 12:3-4; Phil. 1:21-24; Heb. 12:23; 2 Pet. 1:13-15; Rev. 6:9-11; 1 Ki. 17:20-22; Job 14:10; 2 Sam. 12:19-23; Eccl. 12:7).
      3. Soul and spirit are in man's body, but are not the material of the body (Pr. 20:27; Job 14:22; 32:8; Zech. 12:1; 1 Cor. 2:11; 7:34).
      4. The body can be killed but not the soul (Mt. 12:28; Lk. 12:5).
      5. The spirit can be willing; the flesh powerless to execute (Mt. 26:38-41).
      6. Both flesh and spirit are to glorify God (1 Cor. 6:20).
      7. Both flesh and spirit can be filthy or holy (2 Cor. 7:1).
      8. The inner man is eternal; the body mortal (2 Cor. 4:16-18).
      9. The inner man is fully conscious after leaving the body (Mt. 10:28; 17:3; Lk. 16:19-31; 20:38; Jn. 11:25-26; Acts 2:27; Eph. 3:15; 4:8-10; 2 Cor. 5:8; 12:1-4; Phil. 1:21-24; Heb. 2:14-15; 12:23; note, 1 Pet. 3:4; Rev. 6:9-11).
      10. The spirit and soul are not the breath (Job 34:14-15). To prove this try substituting breath for spirit and soul in scriptures and see how ridiculous it is. Try this with Ps. 19:7; 106:15; Lk. 12:19; Acts 23:8-9; Rom. 2:29; 1 Cor. 2:11; 5:5; 6:20; 7:1; Gal. 5:25; 1 Th. 5:23; Heb. 4:12; 10:38-39; Rev. 6:9-11.
      11. Souls can be dead while the bodies are alive (Mt. 8:22; Eph. 2:1-9; 1 Tim. 5:6; Rev. 3:1).
      12. Souls of the righteous have eternal life even after the body dies (Jn. 3:16; 5:24; 6:47, 53, 63; 11:25-26; 14:19).
      13. Souls of the wicked are also conscious after the body dies. (See Hell p. 620-622)
      14. Resurrection of the dead refers to the bodies coming to life again, not the souls (Dan. 12:2; Jn. 5:28-29; 1 Cor. 15:35-54; Rev. 20:11-15).
      15. Souls of the righteous go to heaven at death (2 Cor. 5:8; Eph. 3:14-15; Phil. 1:21-24; Heb. 12:23; Rev. 6:9-11). Their bodies go to graves (Jn. 5:28-29; Dan. 12:2).
      16. Souls of the wicked go to hell while the bodies go to the grave (Lk. 16:19-21; Isa. 14:9; Rev. 20:11-15).
      17. The body is the house of the inner man (1 Cor. 2:11; 2 Cor. 5:1-8; Phil. 1:21-24; 2 Pet. 1:13-15; Job 4:19; 14:22; 32:8; Zech. 12:1). The soul and spirit design; the body executes. Man through his body has material or world-consciousness, through the soul, self-consciousness; and through the spirit, God-consciousness.
      18. Man has a body but he is not a body; a soul but he is not a soul; and a spirit but he is not a spirit being (1 Th. 5:23).
      19. Man has a will, making him in every sense a free moral agent and a responsible being (Jn. 3:16; 7:17; Rom. 7:18; 1 Cor. 7:36-37; 9:17; 2 Pet. 1:21; Rev. 22:17).
      20. The body can be put off and put on again (2 Cor. 5:1-8; 2 Pet. 1:14). This requires a separate inner man from the body itself.
      21. Souls are now immortal (note m, 1 Pet. 3:4); bodies are not.
  2. Man on probation:
    1. Given dominion over the earth and other planets (Gen. 1:26-28; Ps. 8:3-8; 72:8)
    2. Commanded to multiply and replenish the earth formerly plenished by the pre-Adamites (Gen. 1:26-28; Cp. 9:1)
    3. Given responsibility to dress the garden and to keep out all enemies (Gen. 2:15, note)
    4. Given full liberty but with one restriction (Gen. 2:16-17; 3:1-3)
    5. Given eternal life and glory on condition that he not sin (Gen. 2:16-17; Rom. 3:23)
  3. The fall of man (Gen. 3):
    1. Man was created sinless, but capable of sin or transgression of law (Gen. 2:16-17; 1 Jn. 3:4).
    2. Tempted by Satan through the serpent (Gen. 3:1-8; 2 Cor. 11:1-3).
    3. Eve was deceived to commit sin, not Adam (Gen. 3:6; 1 Tim. 2:14).
    4. Sin was a voluntary act of the will, but instigated from without (Rom. 5:12-21). There was no sin in human nature. Inbred sin is the spirit and nature of the devil working in men (note f, 2 Cor. 5:17).
    5. Sin came through a denial of the divine will and the elevation of the will of man over the will of God (Gen. 2:16-17).
    6. Sin came through unbelief of God's Word (Gen. 2:16-17; 3:4-6).
    7. Sin came through rebellion against God's Word (Gen. 2:16-17; 3:1-8).
  4. Effects of the fall -- man became:
    1. Separated from God (Isa. 59:2)
    2. Depraved in nature (Eph. 2:1-3)
    3. Ignorant and blind (Eph. 4:18)
    4. Evil in conscience (Heb. 10:22)
    5. Corrupt and deceitful in heart (Jer. 17:9; Mk. 7:19-21)
    6. Obstinate and rebellious (Acts 7:51; Rom. 8:7; Isa. 28:14)
    7. Evil in thoughts (Gen. 6:5)
    8. Lustful and ungodly (Jn. 8:44; Rom. 7:5-23; 1 Cor. 6:9; Gal. 5:19)
    9. Dominated by Satan (Jn. 8:34, 44; Eph. 2:2; 1 Jn. 3:8)
    10. Servants of sin (Jn. 8:34; Rom. 1:18-32; 6:16-23)
    11. Dead in sin (Eph. 2:1-9)
    12. Doomed to eternal hell without God or hope (Eph. 2:12; Rom. 6:23; Ps. 9:17; Mt. 25:46; Rev. 14:9-11; 20:11-15)
    13. Short of God's glory (Rom. 3:23)
    14. Subject to suffering and death (Gen. 3:17-19; Rom. 8:21-23)
    15. Cursed of God to hard labor (Gen. 3:11-24)
    16. Mortal, imperfect, and weak (Job 4:17-21; Ps. 39:4-5; 103:14-15; Mt. 6:27; Gal. 6:3)
    17. Universally sinful (Rom. 3:9-23)
    18. Sinners by birth and practice (Rom. 5:12-21; Eph. 2:1-3; Ps. 51:5)
    19. Children of the devil (Jn. 8:44; 1 Jn. 3:8-10; 5:19; Mt. 13:38)
    20. Subject to sickness, disease, pain, and all present evils of earth (Ex. 15:26; Dt. 28:15-68; Jn. 10:10; Acts 10:38; Rev. 21:3-7; 22:3)
    21. Short-lived. Life is compared to:
      1. A pilgrimage (Gen. 47:9)
      2. Water spilled on the ground (2 Sam. 14:14)
      3. Wind (Job 7:7)
      4. A passing cloud (Job 7:9)
      5. A weaver's shuttle (Job 7:6)
      6. A shadow (Job 14:2; Ps. 144:4)
      7. Flowers that fade away (Job 14:2; Ps. 103:15; Isa. 40:6-8; Jas. 1:10; 1 Pet. 1:24; Cp. note 1, Ps. 90:5)
      8. Grass that dies (Ps. 37:2; 90:5-6; 1 Pet. 1:24)
      9. Green herbs that wither (Ps. 37:2)
      10. Nothing (Ps. 39:5)
      11. A dream (Ps. 73:20)
      12. Sleep that is soon over (Ps. 90:5)
      13. Vanity (Ps. 144:4)
      14. A vapor (Jas. 4:14)
    All this will end in the New Earth (Rev. 21:3-7; 22:3-5). Brevity of life can be lengthened by obedience and faith. There is no set day for man to die (Ex. 20:12; Pr. 3:16; 9:11; Ps. 91; 1 Cor. 11:30; Eph. 6:2; 1 Pet. 3:10-11).
  5. God's appraisal of man:
    1. God has given the revelation of Himself, His creation, and His plan for man, so that man might know his origin, present responsibility, and destiny. The Bible is the record of this revelation (2 Tim. 3:16; Heb. 1:1; 4:12).
    2. God appraises man as the highest of creation. Man is worth:
      1. Making him lord of creation (Gen. 1:26-31; Ps. 8:3-8).
      2. All of millenniums of effort to redeem him (Heb. 1:1-3; 2 Pet. 3:9).
      3. More than the whole world (Mk. 8:36).
      4. Giving of God's only begotten Son to redeem him (Jn. 3:16; Rev. 22:17).
      5. Restoring to his original dominion as eternal ruler of creation (Dan. 7:18, 27; Rev. 5:10; 22:4-5).
      6. Trusting with eternal authority and life to help God administer the affairs of the universe (Rom. 8:17-18; Rev. 2:27-28; 5:10; 22:4-5).
      7. Placing him on an equal basis with Jesus Christ in redemption -- as to righteousness (1 Jn. 3:7), provision by promise (1 Cor. 3:22-23; 2 Cor. 1:20; Heb. 8:6), nature (2 Pet. 1:4), works (Jn. 14:12), inheritance (Rom. 8:17), sufferings and future glory (Mt. 10:24-25; Rom. 8:18; 2 Tim. 2:12; 1 Pet. 2:21; 4:1; Rev. 2:26-27; 5:10; 22:4-5).
      8. Making provision for body, soul, and spirit, here and hereafter. See N.T. Promises.
  6. Man's part in redemption:
    1. Man is commanded to repent and obey the gospel (Mk. 1:15; 16:15; Lk. 13:3, 5). See N.T. Commands.
    2. Man has a part in the new birth, salvation, the continuation of Christian life, works, and conformity to the gospel (Col. 2:6-7; 2 Pet. 1:4-10; 3:18).
  7. Man's destiny:
    1. Man charts his own destiny by his conformity or non-conformity to the gospel (Mk. 16:15-16; Lk. 13:3, 5).
    2. Eternal life with God in heaven and on earth is the destiny of those who conform to truth (Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Th. 4:13-18; Rev. 5:10; 22:4-5).
    3. Eternal hell and punishment is the destiny of those who refuse to obey truth (See Hell p. 620 Lk. 12:5, note; Mt. 25:41, 46; Mk. 9:43-49; Rev. 14:9-11; 20:11-15; Isa. 66:22-24).
This information is taken from Dake's Annotated Reference Bible, © 1961, 1963 by Finis Jennings Dake, and is reproduced on our web site with permission from representatives of Dake Publishing.