Souls live consciously after death; the dead await resurrection
Churches of Christ affirm a conscious intermediate state for the dead: the souls of believers are in a place of comfort (Hades, 'paradise') while the souls of the wicked are in a place of torment (also part of Hades), awaiting the final resurrection and judgment. This is derived from the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19–31) and other passages.
Churches of Christ do not affirm soul sleep; the soul is conscious after death. The bodily resurrection at the last day is the definitive eschatological event, but the intermediate state is characterized by conscious existence, not unconsciousness. This standard Protestant position has rarely been a source of controversy within the fellowship.
Key Distinctions
- Intermediate state:
- Hadean realm — conscious existence awaiting resurrection and judgment
- Immortality type:
- inherent immortality of the soul in most Church of Christ teaching
- Bodily resurrection:
- bodily resurrection at the Last Day
Scripture References
Sources
- David Lipscomb, Salvation from Sin (1913)
- Gospel Advocate (official publication)