JW's: The soul is the body?

Question

If the soul and the body are the same thing why does this verse mention both? If they are the same thing wouldn't this be repetitive and pointless?

1 Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Answer 1

When we die, according to JWs, you cease to exist. That is why they are not so scared about spreading the false teachings of their organization. They might not make it to heaven if they are not special enough, they think they are going to live on the earth, but even in the worst case scenario, they just cease to exist.

They are taught by the Watchtower organization that it is Satan who invented the idea that a spirit part of man survives the death of the body. The Watchtower book " Let God be True" tells us that " the doctrine is the main one that the Devil has used down through the ages to deceive the people and hold them in the bondgage. " ( page 75 )

Answer 2

Oh ye of little faith and even smaller understanding. Tell me, If I die can God resurrect me? My Body is gone but my soul (not a mysterious life source that wanders off but the life force in my old body...Gen 2:7 American Standard Version: And Jehovah God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.) isn't destroyed. My life force or the breath of Life that God gave...goes back to God...Also why does the Bible say the Soul is in the blood?

Notice he became a living Soul...when Jesus said don't fear those who can kill the body but fear the one that can destroy both Body and soul (Life..forever that is)

Don't think yourself so clever as to try this one. Psalms 146 states when some one dies their thoughts perish Ezekiel 18: says the soul that sins will die. You are the soul of yourself. ...

One last point...the Garden of Eden...what was the lie the serpent said? Did he not say their eyes were bound to be open and see right from wrong...well that happened but he also said you would not die...if we had a soul that lived on...then the devil really never lied did he? But you believe the original lie. the one that got this planet all messed up in the first place.

Answer 3

I'm not a JW but will answer your question. The book of Genesis says that God breathed the breath of life into the body of Adam and Adam became a living soul. Breath of life + body of Adam = living soul. However, since you brought up the subject, I'd appreciate it if you could give me a verse from the bible that says the soul of man is immortal.

Answer 4

I have been looking forward to answering one of your Qs about JWs, I read your complaint that they never get answered.

Here is another example of a verse that mentions both body and soul.
Matthew 10:28

I found this explanation satisfactory;

Examples of the use of the Greek psy·khe′ (soul) to mean “life as a creature” may be found at Matthew 6:25; 10:39; 16:25, 26; Luke 12:20; John 10:11, 15; 13:37, 38; 15:13; Acts 20:10. Since God’s servants have the hope of a resurrection in the event of death, they have the hope of living again as “souls,” or living creatures. For that reason Jesus could say that “whoever loses his soul [his life as a creature] for the sake of me and the good news will save it. Really, of what benefit is it for a man to gain the whole world and to forfeit his soul? What, really, would a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mr 8:35-37) Similarly, he stated: “He that is fond of his soul destroys it, but he that hates his soul in this world will safeguard it for everlasting life.” (Joh 12:25) These texts, and others like them, show the correct understanding of Jesus’ words at Matthew 10:28: “Do not become fearful of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; but rather be in fear of him that can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.” While men can kill the body, they cannot kill the person for all time, inasmuch as he lives in God’s purpose (compare Lu 20:37, 38) and God can and will restore such faithful one to life as a creature by means of a resurrection. For God’s servants, the loss of their “soul,” or life as a creature, is only temporary, not permanent.—Compare Re 12:11

Hope that helps. :-)

Answer 5

Why do people confess to be christains and than follow everyone but Jesus ?

When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.

Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.

Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation. Matt 12:43-45

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matt 10:28

Answer 6

You are mistaken.

Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe that the body and soul are the same thing.

"Soul" has several different meanings. It is used in the Bible to refer to the person or the life that a person possesses. There is more to a person than merely a body.

Answer 7

Not the same. The body is the temple holding the soul.

Answer 8

We don't believe the body and the soul are the same.

The Soul is just the life of the person - Thats it.

Answer 9

good job pointing that out. nice scripture. for real! how can they have the gump to argue with black and white scripture?