Image And Likeness Question ?

[Scott Hutchinson]

The Bible tells us that man was made according to the image and likeness of God.
What exactly does this mean ?
Does this mean that God's image is certain moral,ethical and intellectual abilities ?
Does the likeness of God mean that we are to reflect God's glory and exercise Spiritual authority on earth ? Or does this mean that God has a physical form and our physical bodies reflect this ?

[Light]

Originally Posted by Scott Hutchinson

The Bible tells us that man was made according to the image and likeness of God.
What exactly does this mean ?

# 1 Does this mean that God's image is certain moral,ethical and intellectual abilities ?

#2 Does the likeness of God mean that we are to reflect God's glory and exercise Spiritual authority on earth ?

#3 Or does this mean that God has a physical form and our physical bodies reflect this ?

#1 No
#2 No
#3 Yes he does Jesus. Adam was made in the likeness of Jesus.

Rom 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

[Scott Hutchinson]

At the time of creation what kind of form did God have my friend ?

[Light]

Originally Posted by Scott Hutchinson

At the time of creation what kind of form did God have my friend ?

He had no form.

[Scott Hutchinson]

Originally Posted by Light

He had no form.

My friend could you kindly explain your view as I am interested in why you feel this way ?

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by Light

He had no form.

Sorry friend but you could not be more wrong. We are made in his image. That means he actually HAD AN IMAGE! If he had no image neither would we.

Gods image:

1: In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
2: Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.
3: And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
4: And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
5: Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. Isaiah 6:1-5

Isaiah saw YHWH'S image.

26: And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it.
27: And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about.
28: As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake. Ezekiel 1:26-28

Ezekiel saw it.

18: Again he said, Therefore hear the word of the LORD; I saw the LORD sitting upon his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left.
19: And the LORD said, Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead? And one spake saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner.
20: Then there came out a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will entice him. And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith?
21: And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And the LORD said, Thou shalt entice him, and thou shalt also prevail: go out, and do even so.

Micaiah saw it.

This is just a sample of Gods form being seen. This is a weakness in the modern Oneness teaching. A crying shame they disregard the word in this aspect of the teaching.

[TulsaDavid]

Originally Posted by Scott Hutchinson

The Bible tells us that man was made according to the image and likeness of God. What exactly does this mean ? Does this mean that God's image is certain moral,ethical and intellectual abilities ? Does the likeness of God mean that we are to reflect God's glory and exercise Spiritual authority on earth ? Or does this mean that God has a physical form and our physical bodies reflect this ?

I think you're onto it with these questions. Image (Heb tselem) has been used interchangeably as "idol", which give you the idea of a representative image of something. Hence the attributes of God that are not physical (the arm of the Lord, His hand, His eyes, etc) are physically represented in His making man in his image.

On the other hand, his likeness (Heb dĕmuwth) is used with a view towards a similitude, fashion, etc. For instance, Psa 58:4 reads "Their poison is like (dĕmuwth) the poison of a serpent." This takes on the nature of the item compared. It would lend towards us being "like" God in spiritual nature, I would think.

Which is not unlike your questions.

And that purports quite an interesting thing: While certainly we are made in God's image, we are not yet "like" Him in that sense. In fact, it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is (1 John 3:2).

In other words, God has not completed that objective yet that He started in Gen 1:26, if indeed those differences are as you and I both think.

[Scott Hutchinson]

Tulsa David I ask questions when I read my bible,and I do value what others have to share,I appreciate what Micheal The Disciple has shared as well.
Tulsa David I appreciate your views.

[cliff d]

When God decides to create the first man,the Creator tells the malakhim/angels(or messengers)that he will be created "b'tzelem Elohim/in the image of God,"a decision that has weighty consequences for us human beings.
After all,God does not create any other creatures in this manner
1)by themselves 2)one at a time
There is a presumption throughout the rest of the Torah and all texts that follow that being created in the image of God carries with it a powerful charge of of responsibilities.The entire Holiness Code is predicated on this presumption.Indeed,much of what we understand as human morality proceeds from the notion that we, created in God's image,must live by imitatio dei/imitation of God ,imiatating God in our behavior.
Martin Buber writes:"The fact that it has been revealed to us that we are made in Gods image gives us the incentive to unfold the image and in so doing to imitate God."
This is where the ethical part of "ethical monotheism" comes in. The notion is introduced,with the story of the expulsion from the Garden of Eden,that behavior is judged and either rewarded or punished.

[Falla39]

When Jesus came to earth, he was "God with us". He was WITH the
disciples. He told them he was WITH them but would be IN them. This happened
at Pentecost. Jesus said it was expedient or necessary that he go away or
the Comforter/Holy Ghost/Spirit of Truth could not come. He went away in
body that HE might come back in Spirt to be IN them. Jesus said to Thomas
that blessed are they which have NOT seen, yet have believed. No, we have
not seen Him, yet we believe and rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.
We need to see less of us and have more of HIM! HE MUST INCREASE IN US.

If he had to go away for the Holy Ghost to come to them/us, why would we
insist He come back in flesh. Would the Holy Ghost depart just so we could see
Him. God is a Spirit and they that worship Him MUST worship HIM in Spirit and
in Truth!
The Father seeketh such to worship HIM!!!

Not to offend. Just some thoughts!

Falla39