Affirms
The soul is conscious after death; believers await resurrection with Christ
The ICOC affirms the mainstream Churches of Christ understanding of a conscious intermediate state after death. Believers who die are present with the Lord in a place of comfort; the unrighteous are in a state of torment in Hades, awaiting the final resurrection and judgment. Soul sleep is not taught.
The ICOC's intensive discipling culture creates a strong focus on the urgency of the present life — evangelism, discipleship, and obedience — shaped in part by the reality of eternal consequences for every person's choices.
Key Distinctions
- Intermediate state:
- soul consciously present with God (or separated from God) immediately after death
- Immortality type:
- inherent immortality of the soul; the soul does not die
- Bodily resurrection:
- bodily resurrection at the Last Day; glorified body reunited with soul
Scripture References
Sources
- ICOC Statement of Belief
- Gordon Ferguson, Prepared to Answer (1995)