When We Die??

[Angieh]

:wave: Hi All! I have a question. I was raised in a wonderful Baptist church in Upstate NY and left that church when I moved to Maine 11 years ago. It took us years to find a church up here.... However, we finally did find one and have been in this church for almost 7 years... This church believes that when we die we sleep until Christ returns. Now, I have always believed that when the Bible says when our soul leaves the body it is with Christ, which in my intrepretation means we don't sleep but we join others in heaven. I won't become a member of this church because I can't say that "yes" I agree with this (it's in the membership paperwork that we all believe this way) I love this church and the people, they are my family.... This is the only issue that has ever differed from my beliefs.... As Christians, can we also agree to disagree when it comes to something like this?
Thanks,
Angie

[SumTinWong]

I would say Paul said to be absent from the body is to be with Christ, and even Jesus told the guy next to him that today he would be wit him in paradise.

I don't know of any Baptist churches that teach this. What are there views on the Bible and on other important matters?

[mesue]

I would say Paul said to be absent from the body is to be with Christ, and even Jesus told the guy next to him that today he would be wit him in paradise.

I don't know of any Baptist churches that teach this. What are there views on the Bible and on other important matters?
That's what my church teaches, if you're saved,
so, now you know at least one Baptist church that teaches this.
and BTW
It's a wonderful Baptist church in Upstste NY
2 Corinthians 5:8

[Maeyken]

One of my friends in highschool was a Seventh Day Adventist, and this sounds very similar to what they believed about death and after. I have not heard of it in any other denominations, but my knowledge of other denominations is admittedly limited. :)

[12volt_man]

:wave: Hi All! I have a question. I was raised in a wonderful Baptist church in Upstate NY and left that church when I moved to Maine 11 years ago. It took us years to find a church up here.... However, we finally did find one and have been in this church for almost 7 years... This church believes that when we die we sleep until Christ returns. Now, I have always believed that when the Bible says when our soul leaves the body it is with Christ, which in my intrepretation means we don't sleep but we join others in heaven. I won't become a member of this church because I can't say that "yes" I agree with this (it's in the membership paperwork that we all believe this way) I love this church and the people, they are my family.... This is the only issue that has ever differed from my beliefs.... As Christians, can we also agree to disagree when it comes to something like this?
Thanks,
Angie

There are several verses that tell us that we are conscious between the time we die and the time our bodies are resurrected, such as Paul telling us that "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord" and Jesus telling the thief on the cross, "today you will be with Me in Paradise". But the truth is, as much as I disagree with what this church is teaching, it's a non-essential that Christians have the liberty to disagree on. This is what Paul called "disputable matters".

If you feel called to be in this church and if they're holding to orthodoxy in other areas, I don't see any reason why you should feel that you have to leave.

[SumTinWong]

That's what my church teaches, if you're saved,
so, now you know at least one Baptist church that teaches this.
and BTW
It's a wonderful Baptist church in Upstste NY
2 Corinthians 5:8We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Sorry I meant that I did not know of a Baptist church that taught soul sleep :)

Yeaaaaaah Upstate!

[Angieh]

Thanks you all!! I guess I didn't clarify that I'm not attending a Baptist Church right now.. We don't have one close to our home... This is an Advent Christian Church and I have to say that the word is taught the way I have always known it in the Baptist Church... With, of course, the exception to the sleeping in Christ thing.. hmmm

To Uncle Bud!!!! I love Upstate NY as well!!!! Wish I still lived there!!! Do you know Seneca Falls???

[SumTinWong]

Yep actually we live just East of Syracuse (Chittenango:which means, water run North), and are very familar with that area :)

[mesue]

I http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/29/29_2_5.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZSzeb001) NY

[Metanoia02]

I would say Paul said to be absent from the body is to be with Christ, and even Jesus told the guy next to him that today he would be wit him in paradise.

I don't know of any Baptist churches that teach this. What are there views on the Bible and on other important matters?Why is it most people misrepresent this Scripture:
2 Corinthians 5:8
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

This says nothing about what happens when we die. Paul is making a statement about being confident that we would rather be with Christ in Heaven rather then being in here on earth, even if we can't see heaven from here. This passage is immediately precededed by by another favorite We walk by faith not by sight.

[SumTinWong]

Do you like this one better?
"I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better." Philippians 1:23

From here we can see (from Albert Barnes):
1. It was his strong love to Christ.
2. Paul believed that the soul of the Christian would be immediately with the Saviour at death.
3. the soul does not sleep at death. Paul expected to be with Christ, and to be conscious of the fact - to see him, and to partake of his glory.

[Metanoia02]

Uncle Bud,

The problem I have is that people use the Corinthians verse to explain what they believe, but that verse does not say what they believe.

[SumTinWong]

I know Metanoia, I was just being a smart aleck. I used that second verse to give an idea of what Paul felt about what death would be like.

I don't understand why you do not think that this means what we think it means:
"So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. "
2 Corinthians 5:6-8

I don't know why this does not mean that when we are away from the body we are with the Lord. Will you elaborate?

[mesue]

Why is it most people misrepresent this Scripture:
2 Corinthians 5:8
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

This says nothing about what happens when we die. Paul is making a statement about being confident that we would rather be with Christ in Heaven rather then being in here on earth, even if we can't see heaven from here. This passage is immediately precededed by by another favorite We walk by faith not by sight.I don't think it is misrepresented. I suppose I could say the same of you of whom you are to only post fellowship posts in this particular forum unless directly asked.

[Metanoia02]

I know Metanoia, I was just being a smart aleck. I used that second verse to give an idea of what Paul felt about what death would be like.

I don't understand why you do not think that this means what we think it means:
"So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. "
2 Corinthians 5:6-8

I don't know why this does not mean that when we are away from the body we are with the Lord. Will you elaborate?
Sure, if I am allowed to explain without violating any rule here.

Let's use an analogy:

I live in Tennessee. My mother lives in Florida. I could make the statement, that I would rather be in Florida with my mother, instead of living here in Tennessee.

But from that statement you can not say that to be away from Tennessee is to be in Florida. That would be making an incorrect statement.

[Angieh]

Hey Uncle Bud,
My sister and her family are in Syracuse, actually Marcellus.... They attend a Baptist Church in Mattydale I believe... Small world.

[SumTinWong]

Sure, if I am allowed to explain without violating any rule here.

Let's use an analogy:

I live in Tennessee. My mother lives in Florida. I could make the statement, that I would rather be in Florida with my mother, instead of living here in Tennessee.

But from that statement you can not say that to be away from Tennessee is to be in Florida. That would be making an incorrect statement. Yeah I asked you it is okay. I hope anyway :)

Here is what Paul said. Hey man while I am in this body I am away from the Lord(physically), because I live by faith and not by sight. But we have great courage and would rather be away from this body and home with the Lord (physically).

I am at a loss at how this corresponds with your analogy. As Christians we are in this body living in faith that we are with the Lord. When we leave this body we will in fact BE with the Lord, which gives us courage to press on. In fact we would rather be absent from the body and with the Lord. Right?

You are using an example that does not match what Paul said. To match you shoud have said: My mother lives in Florida and I live in Tennessee (nice state by the way), but my heart is in Florida with my mom. But I take courage because one day I will be with my mom in Florida.

Even that doesn't work because Paul was saying that by faith he was here and yet with Christ and you can't say by faith you are with you mom. Well you could but the padded truck might show up :)

See what I am saying?

[SumTinWong]

Hey Uncle Bud,
My sister and her family are in Syracuse, actually Marcellus.... They attend a Baptist Church in Mattydale I believe... Small world. It is a small world. If you are ever going to visit your sister let us know :)

[Angieh]

Hey, Thanks guys.... As Christians we still can agree to disagree?? I'm sticking to the way I've always believed... I know when I leave this place I will see my Saviour... Bless you all....
Angie (The displaced New Yorker)

[Metanoia02]

UB,

I think I will have to pick this up when I have more time. I think we are miscommunicating, more then disagreeing.

[SumTinWong]

UB,

I think I will have to pick this up when I have more time. I think we are miscommunicating, more then disagreeing. Okay when I get back :)

[Angieh]

Uncle Bud, Sounds like a plan..
Thanks for reassuring me as to
the truth brother...

[SumTinWong]

Anytime :)

[Glorianna]

:wave: Hi All! I have a question. I was raised in a wonderful Baptist church in Upstate NY and left that church when I moved to Maine 11 years ago. It took us years to find a church up here.... However, we finally did find one and have been in this church for almost 7 years... This church believes that when we die we sleep until Christ returns. Now, I have always believed that when the Bible says when our soul leaves the body it is with Christ, which in my intrepretation means we don't sleep but we join others in heaven. I won't become a member of this church because I can't say that "yes" I agree with this (it's in the membership paperwork that we all believe this way) I love this church and the people, they are my family.... This is the only issue that has ever differed from my beliefs.... As Christians, can we also agree to disagree when it comes to something like this?
Thanks,
Angie

We can definitely agree to disagree. And you know what? We can even not really care. I don't understand why things like this are such a big deal to people. Maybe I'm crazy, but why do they really matter? Isn't the most important thing that Jesus died to save us from our sins which would have led us to eternal despair in hell?

[Angieh]

Hi Glorianna,
I was just asking a simple question. I DO believe that the truth is in Christ and that's what matters. I was simply wondering how others believed (Baptists in general) and thought that it was okay to ask such a question on the site. I do care about the truth that the Bible teaches which is why I asked for some imput.
Angie