In the Christian faith, does an afterlife neccesarily exist?

Question

Hi, I do a lot of bible and archaeological research and have come across references in the NT suggesting that there is indeed life after death. However, there are references also in the OT (and perhaps the NT too, I do not recall) stating that death is indeed the end, and we all turn to dust...although it is held in some quarters that even then, the dead will rise once or on Judgement Day.

Is this why there are differences in the Jewish and Christian faiths regarding what happens after the earthly death? What do Christians make of those passages that say death is indeed the end of the road?

This question is serious but isn't meant to offend anyone, but I am just wondering if there are in fact Christians who do not believe in the story of the afterlife as per the NT?

Thanks!

Answer 1

This is what Paul says:
"But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep."
I Corinthians 15:12-20

Please watch this free video on CDE's (clinical death experiences):

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4136610474021109864&q=rawlings

May God lead you!

Answer 2

FAQ: What books are in the Word and what are apocrypha?




"The books of the Word are all those which have the internal sense; but those books which have not the internal sense, are not the Word. The books of the Word, in the Old Testament, are the five Books of Moses, the Book of Joshua, the Book of Judges, the two Books of Samuel, the two Books of Kings, the Psalms of David, the Prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi: and in the New Testament, the four Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John; and the Apocalypse. The rest have not the internal sense" (Arcana Coelestia n. 10325 or Heavenly Doctrine n. 266).




FAQ: Why different testaments and books in the Word?

"As regards the Word particularly, it has existed in every age, though not the Word we possess at the present day. Another Word existed in the Most Ancient Church before the Flood, and yet another Word in the Ancient Church after the Flood. Then came the Word written through Moses and the Prophets in the Jewish Church, and finally the Word written through the Evangelists in the new Church. The reason why the Word has existed in every age is that by means of the Word there is a communication between heaven and earth, and also that the Word deals with goodness and truth, by which a person is enabled to live in eternal happiness. In the internal sense therefore the Lord alone is the subject, for all goodness and truth are derived from Him" (Arcana Coelestia n. 2895).

Answer 3

I don't know which passages in the OT you are referring to, but as a rule, the Christian faith believes there is a life that they will go to after this one has passed.

The Bible does mention this over and over again, both in OT and NT, starting with the reference to "Abraham's bosom" in the OT. Some Christian demoninations differ on when the body will rise to heaven (when Jesus returns, or when we die) but I don't know of any Christian faith that believes that this is the end of the road. To say so would be unChristian, because one of the reasons Jesus came was to make a way for sinners to be blameless, and therefore enter heaven.

Answer 4

The Jews were divided on the issue. Some believed that death was the end, and some believed that the dead would rise again at the end of time. Christians adopted the Hellenistic view of the afterlife, and maintained that soul waits in Hades until the resurrection. Because Christianity was a unique extension of the ancient Mystery schools, its theology depended on the concept of immortality.
Still, there are many modern Christians who do not believe in life after death.

Answer 5

Okay now this is how I was taught. When you die yes you return to the ground but everyone knows the scripture.
(John 5:28-29) 28 Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment.
So then during the last days, when Jesus Christ rules the world people will be resurrected. It is for those who do not know God but were nice anyway. Then the good people.
The bad people well, just forget about them.
there like history. So you only go away if your a bad person.

Answer 6

I suppose I could be considered a Christian, although I do not believe in a God, merely that there is a Divine Power. Having experienced its healing power and power of love.
I believe there is an after life, but it is nothing like this life, it could be we exist as a memory, an electrical impulse.
After all, thought is simply an electrical surge sent out into the ether. This could be all that is left of this human frame. A collection of thoughts, dreams, ideas, floating about in the ether.

Answer 7

I do believe that after the resurrection we will start life a new. But I do not think it is going to be in heaven or hell.
God is creating a new heavens and a new earth. I think that those who have followed God will live on the new earth while those who have not chosen to follow God will remain on this earth with all of the violence and evil.
The earth we live on now is where God cast satan and if you choose not to believe in God than you can stay here with satan since you decided to believe his lies and say there is no God.
As for the new heaven--heaven is for God and the angels.
Before you judge listen to reason:
Why would God create a new earth if he doesn't intend to use it.
The old earth is not going to be destroyed--where does it say that? Christ himself is going to rule for 1,000 on this earth after his return. Where do you think it is going to go?

Answer 8

For God so loved the world he gave his only begotten Son, that all who believe in him shall not perish but have Eternal Life. John 3v16.......For me and any true Christian that says it all. The very core of Christian belief.
Best wishes, Mike.