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In His Image

In His Image. Genesis 1:26-27. What Is Man?. Evolution – man is a highly evolved animal Psychology / Sociology – man is the product of his surroundings or brain waves New Age – man is God The Bible – man is made in the image and likeness of God.

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In His Image

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  1. In His Image Genesis 1:26-27

  2. What Is Man? • Evolution – man is a highly evolved animal • Psychology / Sociology – man is the product of his surroundings or brain waves • New Age – man is God • The Bible – man is made in the image and likeness of God

  3. The Image and Likeness of GodPreliminary Observations • Key Points from Genesis 1 and 2… 1. Divine (Godhead) decree and purpose – “let us make man…” • God and angels? • God and earth? • God and his attributes (plural of majesty)? • God and other gods (polytheism)? • God, Jesus and the H.S. (3:22; 11:7)?

  4. The Image and Likeness of GodPreliminary Observations • Key Points from Genesis 1 and 2… 2. Unique creation – “breathed life…” 3. Sexes of mankind were formed differently and at different times – “one of his ribs…” 4. “Male and female,” not “after their kind…” 5. Mankind alone is made in God’s “image” 6. Mankind alone has dominion over creation 7. Mankind alone is given responsibilities and work

  5. The Image and Likeness of GodPreliminary Observations • Key Points from Genesis 1 and 2… 8. Mankind alone is given responsibilities and work 9. Both male and female (“them, 1:28) were blessed, pointing to equality of design 10. Mankind is the crown of God creation (timing, special wording, God’s image, a garden prepared, dominion over all)

  6. The Image and Likeness of GodPreliminary Observations • “Image” and “Likeness” Are the Same • The word “and” in some English versions (Gen. 1:26) is not in the Hebrew text • Some say “image” ref. to the physical side of man and “likeness” ref. to the ethical side • “Image” (Heb. tselem) = representation • “Likeness” (Heb. demuth) = similarity • “Image” and “likeness” are used interchangeably (Gen. 1:26-27; 5:1-3; 9:6)

  7. The Image and Likeness of GodPreliminary Observations • “Image” and “likeness” apply to both male and female (Gen. 1:27-28; 5:1-3) • What is the “image” of God? • Some look to themselves for the answer: everything we are is like God • This approach leads to conflict with Scripture (body? sexual differences?) • We must look to the Bible for the answer

  8. The Image and Likeness of GodWhat It Does Not Mean • Man is God • Satan first suggested this (Gen. 3:5) • Deification of self is the central message of the New Age Movement • We are not made in the “essence” (nature) of God, we are made in the “image” of God • We are not God (Ezek. 28:2; Ac. 12:21-23; 14:11,15), but Jesus is (Heb. 1:3)

  9. The Image and Likeness of GodWhat It Does Not Mean • Man Looks Like God • The Heb. tselem (“image”) in some contexts can refer to physical appearance • Animals have similar physical features (eyes, ears, hands, etc.), but are not made in God’s “image” • God is a noncorporeal spirit (Ex. 20:1-4; Deut. 4:15-16; Jn. 4:24 [Lk. 24:39])

  10. The Image and Likeness of GodWhat It Does Not Mean • Man is Sexual Like God • Sexual distinction is also found in animals, but they are not made in God’s “image” • Sexuality and gender distinction are not found among spirit beings (Lk. 20:35-36) • The Bible nowhere speaks of the sexual orientation of God, Jesus and Holy Spirit

  11. The Image and Likeness of GodWhat It Does Not Mean • Man Has Dominion Like God • It has been suggested that man’s function, not his nature, is like God • Dominion over creation is the result or consequence of being made in God’s “image,” not the “image” itself (Gen. 1:28; Psa. 8:4-6)

  12. The Image and Likeness of GodWhat It Means • Man is a social being (Gen. 2:18) • Man can speak and write (Gen. 2:20) • Man has an innate desire to worship a “higher being” (Gen. 4:1ff) • Man is creative (Gen. 4:21-22) • Man has a capacity for volition - free-will (Josh. 24:15) • Man possesses an immortal soul (Eccl. 12:7; Heb. 12:9)

  13. The Image and Likeness of GodWhat It Means • Man has the ability to reason (Isa. 1:18) • Man can discern right and wrong (Heb. 5:14) • Man possesses a conscience (Rom. 2:15) • Man experiences heart-felt emotion (1 Jn. 4:7ff) • Summary: Mankind is a “personal” being (2 Cor. 4:16) like God (Ex. 3:14)

  14. The Image and Likeness of GodWhat It Destroyed by Sin? • Many protestant commentators view the “image” of God as man’s original righteousness (“spiritual perfection”) • destroyed by the first sin? • damaged by the first sin?

  15. The Image and Likeness of GodWhat It Destroyed by Sin? • Bible Answer: • Man’s reasoning / volition remained after the fall • Gen. 9:6; 1 Cor. 11:7; and Jas. 3:9 refer to man after the fall

  16. The Image and Likeness of GodPractical Lessons • We must not harm our fellow man • By murder (Gen. 9:6) • By words (Jas. 3:9) • We must not make idols (Ex. 20:4; Psa. 106:19-20; Rom. 1:23) • We are the “offspring” of God, let us act like it (Acts 17:29; see Lk. 3:38) • Male headship must be respected (1 Cor. 11:7)

  17. The Image and Likeness of GodPractical Lessons • Christians have a special “image” to live up to… • Jesus is the “image of God” (2 Cor. 4:4-6; Col. 1:15; Heb. 1:3; see Jn. 14:9) • Christians are the “image of his Son” (Rom. 8:29; 2 Cor. 3:18; Eph. 4:24; Col. 3:10) • “born of” (Jn. 3:3-5) • “divine nature” (2 Pet. 1:4)

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