EP 96 | Human Beings: Made in the Image of God (Our Doctrinal Statement) | Redeeming Truth

<p>EP 96 | Human Beings: Made in the Image of God (Our Doctrinal Statement) | Redeeming Truth</p> <p> </p> <p>Human Beings. We teach Adam and Eve, the parents of the entire human race, were real people who were created in innocence, without sin and with the capacity, desire and mandate to glorify God in all things. All human beings, whether in the womb or out, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or level of health, are images of God and are, therefore, inherently valuable and worthy of respect and protection. All human beings begin to exist as individuals at the moment of conception. Thus, we strongly oppose abortion and euthanasia as well as all kinds of research and procedures that destroy unborn children. We teach that while the highest goal for humanity is still to glorify God, in Adam’s sin the whole human race fell, inherited the guilt of his sin and a sinful nature, becoming spiritually dead, enslaved to sin and alienated from God so that all people are now sinners both by nature, inclination, choice and action. We teach that humanity is guilty before God, completely infected by sin and incapable of saving himself from his depraved condition, leaving every human that has ever lived (except for Jesus) hopelessly lost and destined for God’s wrath for their sins. This understanding leads us to reject all concepts of universal salvation. We also teach that for those who are trusting in Jesus for their salvation, at the moment of physical death their souls go immediately to heaven and remain there in sinless, conscious bliss until their resurrection when their souls and bodies are reunited forever. For those who do not trust in Jesus for their salvation, at the moment of physical death their souls go to hell and remain there in conscious misery until their souls and bodies are reunited at their resurrection. At that time, they will be judged, found guilty and cast into the Lake of Fire, eternally separated from God in conscious punishment. We reject all forms of reincarnation, purgatory, soul sleep, spirit pri