The Spirit of God preceded all things, existed before time and lives eternally.
“1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was [a]formless and void, and darkness was over the [b]surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was [c]moving over the [d]surface of the waters.” Genesis 1:1-2 NASB 1995
26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” Genesis 1:26-27 7 It is important to note that God made “man” referring to human beings as male and female. He made both male and female in His image.
Since God is spirit, the image of His likeness that He created men and women in is spiritual. Man’s spiritual being does not have a physical form. Zechariah states that God not only forms the body but the spirit of man. “12 The [a]burden of the word of the Lord concerning Israel. Thus declares the Lord who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him,” Zechariah 12:1 New American Standard Bible 1995
“Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living [f]being.” Genesis 2:7 Therefore, God created the body for the spiritual being to reside in. The body which is temporary has an expiration date that only God knows.
The point of saying all this is that man was and is a spiritual being. The body was created to house the spiritual for a specific period of time. At death the body and spirit are separated. The body goes to the ground and the spirit to the Lord. The spirit of each person lives eternally.
There are at least two New Testament examples of the separation of body and spirit.
Before the death of Christ Moses and Elijah appeared to Jesus and His disciples. “17 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. 4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” The disciples recognized both men, and we know that God buried the bones of Moses in the land of Moab. We also know that God took Elijah to heaven before he died. From this scripture we can discern that we are able to recognize people in their final body. We can also see this from the resurrection of Jesus. His disciples had no problem identifying Him. Jesus also pointed out the holes in His hands and feet from the crucifixion.
As humans we think primarily in terms of our body.
What am I going to do today?
What vocation do I want?
Where will I go on vacation?
What will I eat?
What will I wear?
We work to attain a certain lifestyle.
All of these thoughts pertain to the body and its gratifications. But we are more than our body. Remember our body is temporary, we are eternal. Our spiritual man lives forever. It is important to change our point of view from the body which is temporal to the spiritual which is eternal. At some point in the future, after our body dies, our spirit will be united with a new body in the likeness of Christ’s at His resurrection.
The spiritual man will reside in one of two places after death, heaven, or hell. The choice is made while our spirit resides in the original body God gave us. Heaven and hell are discussed many times in the Bible. Hell is described in Luke 16:22-28 King James Version,
“22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.”
The Israelites understood that man has a spirit.
‘21 “Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them instantly.” 22 But they fell on their faces and said, “O God, God of the spirits of all flesh, when one man sins, will You be angry with the entire congregation?”’ Numbers 16:21-22 New American Standard Bible 1995 They were concerned that many would be penalized for one mans sin. In actuality the One Man (Christ Jesus) paid the price for all.
Later in Numbers is it said ‘16 “May the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation,’” Numbers 27:16 New American Standard Bible 1995 God appointed men, from the tribe of Levi, to be priests unto Himself. He set standards of conduct, and rules for the atonement of sins in His early relationship with the people of the twelve tribes of Israel. Much later He sent Jesus to reconcile once and for all men unto Himself. Christ became the final sacrificial lamb to atone for our sins. His death ended the need of sacrificing bulls, sheep, and goats.
Yahweh, uses the spirits of men to accomplish His purposes. “27 The [a]spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord, Searching all the [b]innermost parts of his being.’ Proverbs 20:27 New American Standard Bible 1995
The importance of recognizing the spirit of man cannot be understated in his relationship with God, Jesus, and eternity.
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