Immortal soul; conscious intermediate state; bodily resurrection at Christ's return
The Church of God (Anderson) affirms that the human being consists of body and soul, with the soul being immortal and surviving physical death. At death, the soul enters a conscious state awaiting the final resurrection and judgment. The righteous enter into rest and peace in the presence of the Lord, while the unrighteous experience conscious separation and suffering.
The church affirms the bodily resurrection of all people at the return of Christ. This is not merely a spiritual resurrection but a genuine resurrection of the body, transformed and glorified for those who believe and judged for those who do not. The doctrine of the intermediate state and final resurrection are fundamental to the Church of God's eschatology and understanding of God's justice and redemptive purposes.
Key Distinctions
- Intermediate state:
- conscious waiting between death and resurrection; rest for righteous
- Immortality type:
- human soul is immortal; continues consciously after bodily death
- Bodily resurrection:
- genuine resurrection of body; transformation not spiritualization
Scripture References
Sources
- Church of God (Anderson) Article VIII — The Resurrection
- Church of God (Anderson) Doctrinal Statements
- Church of God (Anderson) Statement on Heaven and Hell