Immortal soul; conscious intermediate state; bodily resurrection and eternal life
The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel affirms the immortality of the human soul and a conscious intermediate state after bodily death. At death, the soul of a believer departs to be with the Lord in the intermediate state, awaiting the resurrection of the body. At the second coming of Christ (the 'Coming King' of Foursquare theology), the dead will be raised, the righteous to eternal life, and the wicked to judgment.
The Church emphasizes bodily resurrection as central to Christian hope — not mere spiritual immortality but the resurrection and renewal of embodied existence. Believers will dwell eternally with God in glorified bodies on a renewed creation. This hope of bodily resurrection and eternal life shapes the Church's understanding of the believer's ultimate destiny and the future that Jesus the 'Coming King' will establish.
Key Distinctions
- Intermediate state:
- conscious presence with God for believers; separated for unbelievers
- Immortality type:
- inherent immortality of soul; conscious continuation after death
- Bodily resurrection:
- literal bodily resurrection for all; renewed embodied existence forever
Scripture References
Sources
- International Church of the Foursquare Gospel Declaration of Faith
- Foursquare Church teaching on resurrection and eternal life