Basic Bible Doctrine

[Elvispelvis]

8. BAPTISM
8.1 Without baptism, there can be no hope of salvation;
8.2 belief and baptism allow us to share in the Abrahamic promises,
8.3 and is for the forgiveness of sins.
8.4 Baptism is by complete immersion in water
8.5 of an adult who knows the Gospel.
8.6 Those immersed without a full knowledge of the true Gospel must be baptized again, properly.
8.7 Understanding the true Gospel is required for baptism to be valid.

9. LIFE IN CHRIST
9.1 After baptism, a believer must make a reasonable effort to be separate from the ways of this sinful world,
9.2 and develop Christ-like characteristics.
9.3 Participation in occupations and pleasures which lead us to break the commandments of God, e.g. the use of force and excessive drinking of alcohol, are incompatible with a truly Christian life.
9.4 Baptized believers have a duty to meet with and fellowship each other, whenever and wherever humanly possible.
9.5 Baptized believers should regularly break bread and drink wine in memory of Christ's sacrifice.
9.6 Regular prayer and Bible reading are necessary for the baptized believer.
9.7 A baptized believer only has fellowship with those who hold true doctrine and realistically attempt to practice it.
9.8 Therefore whose who cease to believe or practice the Truth cease to be in fellowship with the body of true believers.

I am sure you have your own list.
What do you think ?

 

[PouringRain]

I don't read every thread here, so maybe I missed something..... but your post here has points 8 and 9. Is there a 1-7 someplace?

 

[Pard]

I'd like to see some scripture ref. here. I agree on some points, not on others.

 

[Bob Carabbio]

"8. BAPTISM
8.1 Without baptism, there can be no hope of salvation;"

False

8.2 belief and baptism allow us to share in the Abrahamic promises,

False - Faith in the Shed Blood of Jesus for our salvation is what "gets 'er done".

8.3 and is for the forgiveness of sins.

False

8.4 Baptism is by complete immersion in water

Apparently true. Baptize = "to Whelm".

8.5 of an adult who knows the Gospel

Maybe - the demons "know the Gospel" only those who place their FAITH in it are Christians, and should be baptized.

8.6 Those immersed without a full knowledge of the true Gospel must be baptized again, properly.

True - A Christian Should be baptized after they believe according to the Word.

8.7 Understanding the true Gospel is required for baptism to be valid.

True, but misleading - "Baptism" DOES NOTHING of a "Sacramental nature". If one's NOT Christian, and HASN'T places placed his FAITH in Jesus as Savior, then Baptism is simply unimportant one way or the other.

9. LIFE IN CHRIST
9.1 After baptism, a believer must make a reasonable effort to be separate from the ways of this sinful world,

True - The Biblie instructs us to "Crucify the flesh" - i.e. our "Old Sinful nature". If we do it to EARN (in any way) salvation, then we make Jesus' sacrifice of no effect for us.

9.2 and develop Christ-like characteristics.

FALSE - The work of he Holy Spirit IN US will be what develops "Christ like Characteristics". we're totally unable to do that.

9.3 Participation in occupations and pleasures which lead us to break the commandments of God, e.g. the use of force and excessive drinking of alcohol, are incompatible with a truly Christian life.

True - BUT if isolation from worldly activities is only done TO TRY TO EARN anything salvific, then Jesus becomes worthless to the one doing it.

9.4 Baptized believers have a duty to meet with and fellowship each other, whenever and wherever humanly possible.

True - but NOT under "Legal requirement". A Christian will NATURALLY desire interaction with other Christians. If we do it to EARN (in any way) salvation, then we make Jesus' sacrifice of no effect for us.

9.5 Baptized believers should regularly break bread and drink wine in memory of Christ's sacrifice.

True - it's generally an "ordinance". "Wine" (as in fermented grape juice) is not a requirement (and can be injurious to some).

9.6 Regular prayer and Bible reading are necessary for the baptized believer.

TRUE - if one intends to "Grow" spiritually, they're necessary.

9.7 A baptized believer only has fellowship with those who hold true doctrine and realistically attempt to practice it.

FALSE - A Christian may interface at various levels with any number of different religious Paradigmatic groups, and ANY Denomination that CLAIMS to be he "only True Church" is automatically categorized as a "Cultish" organization.

The ones a Christian IS NOT supposed to "fellowship with" are those who CLAIM to be Christian, yet willfully, and openly live in overt Sin (like the fellow in 1 cor 5:1-7)

9.8 Therefore whose who cease to believe or practice the Truth cease to be in fellowship with the body of true believers.

MAYBE - depends on what YOU are defining as "Truth". I've been Christian personally for almost 50 years.

The Non-Instrumental Church of Christ, the Romanist Church, and the Oneness Pentecostals, however (Each one of whom claim to be the "Only true church") , Consider me to be nothing but a hellbound unregenerate sinner, each for different reasons.

All God's Chilluns gots "Opinions" about what's the "Truth".

 

[Pard]

I like Bob's idea, let me try!

8.1 Without baptism, there can be no hope of salvation;

False; we are saved through Christ's spilled blood, not a dunk in the water.

8.2 belief and baptism allow us to share in the Abrahamic promises,

Um?; Not too sure what this is about, but I have a thinking that I do. If I am right, then false. Why? We are part of the promise because we are part of the body of Christ (and not through baptism).

8.3 and is for the forgiveness of sins.

False; Physically speaking it is the declaration to the world that we are in Christ. Spiritually speaking I am sure it goes a lot farther, evidence of this being that when I was baptized I came out that water with pure joy (even though the water had to be like 33 degrees!).

8.4 Baptism is by complete immersion in water

True; 100% truth right here.

8.5 of an adult who knows the Gospel.

Partial Truth; Baptism is for anyone who knows the Gospel AND knows Christ (aka, faith).

8.6 Those immersed without a full knowledge of the true Gospel must be baptized again, properly.

True; This is why infant baptisms do not count!

8.7 Understanding the true Gospel is required for baptism to be valid.

Um?; Not sure what you mean by "true Gospel".

9.1 After baptism, a believer must make a reasonable effort to be separate from the ways of this sinful world,

True; Scripture supports this. Matthew 16:24 is one example (and my favorite!).

9.2 and develop Christ-like characteristics.

True; in-dwelling of the Spirit is enough to prove this.

9.3 Participation in occupations and pleasures which lead us to break the commandments of God, e.g. the use of force and excessive drinking of alcohol, are incompatible with a truly Christian life.

True; however this is by the works of the Spirit, our flesh craves sin.

9.4 Baptized believers have a duty to meet with and fellowship each other, whenever and wherever humanly possible.

True; however this is the Spirit's yearning for fellowship.

9.5 Baptized believers should regularly break bread and drink wine in memory of Christ's sacrifice.

True; but I am under aged, nor do I ever plan on drinking alcohol...

9.6 Regular prayer and Bible reading are necessary for the baptized believer.

True; though not limited to these things. These are the manna that sustain the Spirit and allow the Spirit to produce fruits.

9.7 A baptized believer only has fellowship with those who hold true doctrine and realistically attempt to practice it.

False; we should only abstain from those who only profess Christianity as a means of social status. We cannot keep ourselves from brothers and sisters in Christ simply because their Spiritual maturity is on a different level than our own.

9.8 Therefore whose who cease to believe or practice the Truth cease to be in fellowship with the body of true believers.

Um?; this suggests that our spiritual maturity is something that you can blame a person for. Otherwise, I am in agreement.

 

[smaller]

About as 'basic' as one can get:

1 John 4:7
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

And all the doctrinaires said....

naaayyyyyy

 

[Nathan]

About as 'basic' as one can get:

1 John 4:7
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

And all the doctrinaires said....

naaayyyyyy

I agree!!! Good doctrine. It's funny, people who make a list of "doctrines" will generaly change it from time to time. But, I do believe we should alway be ready to give an answer for the hope in us. Being able to teach others in love.

Ask me for a list...ain't gonna get it. Ask me for the reason of my hope...sit down, we got some talking to do.

Listing beliefs goes along with being able to give your testimony in 3mins or less. Not bad in itself, but obviously prone to error.

 

[smaller]

I agree!!! Good doctrine. It's funny, people who make a list of "doctrines" will generaly change it from time to time. But, I do believe we should alway be ready to give an answer for the hope in us. Being able to teach others in love.

Ask me for a list...ain't gonna get it. Ask me for the reason of my hope...sit down, we got some talking to do.

Listing beliefs goes along with being able to give your testimony in 3mins or less. Not bad in itself, but obviously prone to error.

It might even seem to some that to miss that 'doctrine' of loving our neighbors as ourselves, whatever else we 'attach' wouldn't matter much, if any anything at all. Not even FAITH.

1 Corinthians 13:2
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

People can bring all sorts of 'rituals' to the tables of understandings that they want, and use those to 'justify' themselves by any assortment of ways.

Paul was very pointed and simple in his teachings on these matters.

Galatians 5:6
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value.
The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

How many 'people' do I LOVE by participation in/with any given set of rituals or performances? If I dipped 100 times in the Jordan river and recited 10,000 earnest prayers or fifteen times did the 4 step invitation of Jesus into my heart and FORGOT TO LOVE MY NEIGHBORS as myself, it might seem to me that my so called 'faith' and 'doctrinal positions' would be quite entirely POINTLESS.

?

jes sayin'

 

[Pard]

I agree, listing a doctrine is futile. Here is my doctrine

View attachment 1488

2 Timothy 3:16-17 says that all the Bible is GOOD for teaching and study and living, so the entire Bible is my doctrine because it lays out a single, comprehensive means of faith, life, and anything else you need.

 

[dadof10]

8. BAPTISM
8.1 Without baptism, there can be no hope of salvation;
8.2 belief and baptism allow us to share in the Abrahamic promises,
8.3 and is for the forgiveness of sins.
8.4 Baptism is by complete immersion in water
8.5 of an adult who knows the Gospel.
8.6 Those immersed without a full knowledge of the true Gospel must be baptized again, properly.
8.7 Understanding the true Gospel is required for baptism to be valid.

9. LIFE IN CHRIST
9.1 After baptism, a believer must make a reasonable effort to be separate from the ways of this sinful world,
9.2 and develop Christ-like characteristics.
9.3 Participation in occupations and pleasures which lead us to break the commandments of God, e.g. the use of force and excessive drinking of alcohol, are incompatible with a truly Christian life.
9.4 Baptized believers have a duty to meet with and fellowship each other, whenever and wherever humanly possible.
9.5 Baptized believers should regularly break bread and drink wine in memory of Christ's sacrifice.
9.6 Regular prayer and Bible reading are necessary for the baptized believer.
9.7 A baptized believer only has fellowship with those who hold true doctrine and realistically attempt to practice it.
9.8 Therefore whose who cease to believe or practice the Truth cease to be in fellowship with the body of true believers.

I am sure you have your own list.
What do you think ?

Where did this list come from?

 

[RichardBurger]

The problem with the premiss on this thread is that, under grace, we are REQUIRED to be water baptized.

The below is something I see in the scriptures.

Peter's sermon on Pentecost:

I believe that Peter's sermon has been taken out of context and used as a blanket sermon about repenting and being water baptized. This article is my attempt to prove that it has to be read “IN CONTEXT.“

(was it to the Jews, the Gentiles, or both?) (IMHO = In my honest opinion)

Acts 2:31-38 (NKJV)
31 he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption.
32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.
33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.
34 "For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself:
'The Lord said to my Lord,
'Sit at My right hand,
35 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool."'

In the above Peter is testifying to the Jews that Jesus is the promised Christ.

36 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."

37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"

Peter tells the Jews they have crucified the Lord of Glory. The Jews wanted to know what they could do to atone """for crucifying Jesus."""

38 ""THEN"" Peter said to “â€THEM,â€â€ "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Note: Verse 38 is a DIRECT answer to the question in verse 37. The Jews were to repent of rejecting Jesus and having Him crucified. ---NOTE: It was not to repent of sins of the sinful flesh. Nowhere in the context of these scriptures has sins of the sinful flesh been mentioned.

The Jews were to fulfill a Jewish ritual of water cleansing (water baptism), a ritual under the Law of Moses, and at the same time they were to 'acknowledge' Jesus as the Christ by performing a water cleansing ritual (baptism) in His name.

39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."

Peter's sermon included verse 39 which was taken from Joel 2:28-29 and was about the ""promise of the Holy Spirit"" that was to be “â€given to the Jews.â€â€ Verse 39 was to assure the Jews that their sin of rejecting Jesus would be forgiven and that they would also be given the Holy Spirit (see verse 38). Joel 2:28-3:1

Although it was the Gentiles that actually killed Jesus they did it because the Jews insisted. The Gentiles did not need to repent for what the Jews did. Jesus was not sent to the Gentiles therefore the Gentiles had not rejected Him. (Matt 10:5-7) (Matt 15:23-24) (Rom 15:8)
Matthew 27:24-25 (NKJV)
24 When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it."
Note this verse:
25 And all the people answered and said,"His blood be on us and on our children."

Peter's sermon has been used as a blanket sermon about repenting and being water baptized. It has become a “FORMULA†to be repeated in order to be saved. I also know that some will reject this writing. But IMHO I don't think Peter's sermon is appropriate or valid for this age of grace and those that use it are preaching a sermon that was preached to the Jews, those that had Christ crucified, as if it also applies to the Gentiles. IMHO, that is a blatant falsehood because it is not the truth.

Then how is one saved in this age of God’s grace? Rom 10:5-13

5 For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, "The man who does those things shall live by them."
6 “â€â€Butâ€â€â€ the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down from above)
7 or, "'Who will descend into the abyss?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).
8 But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach):
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame."
12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him.
13 For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." NKJV

There is nothing in Rom 10:5-13 about an act of water baptism or repentance.

 

[Elvispelvis]

dadof10 said'
Where did this list come from?

Elvis said
Good question dad I shall endeavor to give scripture for each statement God willing.

8.1 Without baptism, there can be no hope of salvation;

Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Sorry of to work more to follow.....................................

 

[dadof10]

dadof10 said'
Where did this list come from?

Elvis said
Good question dad I shall endeavor to give scripture for each statement God willing.

8.1 Without baptism, there can be no hope of salvation;

Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Sorry of to work more to follow.....................................

You don't have to proof text every statement. This seems like it's a doctrinal statement of some kind. I just want to know what organization it came from, or did you put this together yourself and number each point? Just curious.

 

[Elvispelvis]

Although this list may be found elsewhere , the numbers are arbitrary , just made them up.

As I have stated in other posts ,Google a Book called Bible Basics and all the thoughts of my elders are there
With their permission I present many thoughts in my posts.

Dad I intend to give scripture for each and every number so the number helps me to keep track, thats all.

Back to work...................

 

[Free]

Although this list may be found elsewhere , the numbers are arbitrary , just made them up.

As I have stated in other posts ,Google a Book called Bible Basics and all the thoughts of my elders are there
With their permission I present many thoughts in my posts.

Dad I intend to give scripture for each and every number so the number helps me to keep track, thats all.

Back to work...................

The numbers are not arbitrary:

APPENDIX 1  353

In the future, please give your sources to give credit where credit is due or to at least clear up any misconceptions.

8.1 Without baptism, there can be no hope of salvation;

Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Be very careful when dealing with texts such as this. Although it says that "he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved," it clearly says only that those who "believeth not shall be damned."

This case of prooftexting does not support the idea that baptism is necessary for salvation.

 

[tig]

dadof10 said'
Where did this list come from?

Elvis said
Good question dad I shall endeavor to give scripture for each statement God willing.

8.1 Without baptism, there can be no hope of salvation;

Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Sorry of to work more to follow.....................................

You do know that John the Baptist baptized with water, but Jesus baptized with the spirit and with fire? And when JC gave the "great commission" he said to his disciples: Matt 28:1 9Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Notice that JC didn't say: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them "in water" saying in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: But, that is what almost all men do, sadly.

So....let's take a look at Mark 16:16 again. He that believeth and is baptized (in what? Water? No,in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost) shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned (damned to a literal hell? No, damned to still believing a lie).

So it's not water that we are to be baptized in, but the "name of the Father" (God is our Father), "the Son" (Christ taught us that God is the Father of us all, we all are sons and daughter of God), and "the Holy Ghost" (we are spirit, not the flesh that we see).

For some reason every time we hear the word "baptize" we assume it is water immersion. But that is not so. Baptize means to immerse. So it is not water that we are to immerse people in, but the name of who God is (our Father), who we are (his Children), and what we are (spirit, not flesh).

 

[Free]

You do know that John the Baptist baptized with water, but Jesus baptized with the spirit and with fire? And when JC gave the "great commission" he said to his disciples: Matt 28:1 9Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Notice that JC didn't say: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them "in water" saying in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: But, that is what almost all men do, sadly.

So....let's take a look at Mark 16:16 again. He that believeth and is baptized (in what? Water? No,in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost) shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned (damned to a literal hell? No, damned to still believing a lie).

So it's not water that we are to be baptized in, but the "name of the Father" (God is our Father), "the Son" (Christ taught us that God is the Father of us all, we all are sons and daughter of God), and "the Holy Ghost" (we are spirit, not the flesh that we see).

For some reason every time we hear the word "baptize" we assume it is water immersion. But that is not so. Baptize means to immerse. So it is not water that we are to immerse people in, but the name of who God is (our Father), who we are (his Children), and what we are (spirit, not flesh).

It makes sense to immerse someone in water. It does not make sense to immerse someone in a name, even the name of God.

Water baptism is further supported by:

Rom 6:3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
Rom 6:4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (NKJV)

Note the comparison with Christ's death and resurrection.

That Jesus didn't mention water is of no consequence, especially if the Greek word for baptism carried with it the connotation of being immersed in water. There is no reason to believe that Jesus meant something other than water baptism.

And we are both spirit and flesh, just to set the record straight.

 

[Elvispelvis]

Next;
8.2 belief and baptism allow us to share in the Abrahamic promises

How many understand that the gospel was preached to Abraham.
If that is true, then what is the gospel ?
If that is true why do modern churches teach that the new testament is where you find the gospel ?

Gal 3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, [saying], In thee shall all nations be blessed.


1Ti 1:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: [so do].

1Ti 4:7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself [rather] unto godliness.

2Ti 4:4 And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Tts 1:14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

The story of the gospel in the new testament is a fable handed down through the ages.
It is a commandment of men !

How can you possibly say I understand the gospel when you never studied the gospel preached to
Abraham ?

 

[Free]

Next;
8.2 belief and baptism allow us to share in the Abrahamic promises

How many understand that the gospel was preached to Abraham.
If that is true, then what is the gospel ?

Why "next"? There is a serious problems with your first point which needs to be addressed.

 

[tig]

Next;
8.2 belief and baptism allow us to share in the Abrahamic promises

How many understand that the gospel was preached to Abraham.
If that is true, then what is the gospel ?
If that is true why do modern churches teach that the new testament is where you find the gospel ?

Gal 3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, [saying], In thee shall all nations be blessed.


1Ti 1:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: [so do].

1Ti 4:7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself [rather] unto godliness.

2Ti 4:4 And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Tts 1:14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

The story of the gospel in the new testament is a fable handed down through the ages.
It is a commandment of men !

How can you possibly say I understand the gospel when you never studied the gospel preached to
Abraham ?

Elvis, Elvis, Elvis, you seem to be on the right track here and there, or maybe running across it, but if you understood the gospel preached unto Abraham, then you would know that the "NEW TESTAMENT" follows it to the letter.

And if you think the new testament is the commandment of men, then you have not understood, at all, what you have been reading.

The gospel, or good news, given to Abraham is: In thee shall all nations be blessed. So simple that nothing can be added thereunto.

It makes sense to immerse someone in water. It does not make sense to immerse someone in a name, even the name of God.

Water baptism is further supported by:

Rom 6:3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
Rom 6:4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (NKJV)

Note the comparison with Christ's death and resurrection.

That Jesus didn't mention water is of no consequence, especially if the Greek word for baptism carried with it the connotation of being immersed in water. There is no reason to believe that Jesus meant something other than water baptism.

And we are both spirit and flesh, just to set the record straight.

It makes sense to immerse someone in water? Well, yes, it you are physically dirty. But remember, John said explicitly, I baptize with water, but the one coming after me will baptize you with the spirit and with fire. So....it would not make sense to immerse someone in the spirit and in fire, then dunk them in water. The physical baptism of John was only an allegory of the greater baptism of the spirit and fire.

And Romans 6: 3 & 4 makes more sense that this baptism was an immersion in the truth Christ taught rather than in water. Why would immersing someone in water make them want to walk in newness of life? Only being immersed in the good news JC taught (that God is our Father, we are his children, and we are eternal spirits) would make you want to walk in newness of life.

And as to what we are, we are spirit, the flesh is something that we are clothed with for a short time, while we experience being souls. That's what a soul is, flesh and spirit (Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.) notice, dust of the ground (flesh) + breath of life (spirit) = living soul (before they ate of the knowledge of good and evil). Those who believe (are baptized in, immersed in) the message of Christ are "living souls" those who still partake of the knowledgeo of good and evil are "dead souls".