GOD IS LIKE YOU

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE(Eng.) ND/HD (Journalism) DIP, BA, (Theology) MA, PhD

GOD IS LIKE YOU

“So, GOD created man in HIS OWN IMAGE ... male and female, HE created them”,{Genesis 1:27}.

     INTRODUCTION:

     Archbishop Comos Okpo {1999:1-2} in one  of his extra-ordinary lecture outings, at Pilgrims Theological Seminary, Aba, the Nigeria Campus of Carolina Christian University, U.S.A. presented a remarkable article on what he calls, “the Chemistry of Man and Woman in Creation”. In this notable work, he shows GOD’S  artistry in the creation of man and woman, as well as points out that all other creatures were called forth into existence by what he refers to as “Word Power Essence”, and makes it clear that the creation of man was a process, which did not happen at once.

     Embarking on this gospel project, it is the conviction of the writer that the knowledge of this lofty revelation of this man of GOD would enhance the understanding of the reader on what constitute the image and likeness of GOD in man. According to Archbishop Okpo, the creation of man  took the following stages:

{1} The “Matter” stage:

     The material part of man was formed from ordinary dust. How? JEHOVAH ELOHIM played a perfect artistry of man with probably, laterite, clay, bitumen and water just as a potter uses clay and water to mould a pot. At this stage man remained lifeless.

{2} The “Pneuma - Matter” stage:

     This is the spirit and body action. Here GOD breathed into the moulded dust HIS SPIRIT. The SPIRIT of GOD was a DIVINE CHEMICAL input that automatically changed the dust into flesh.

{3} The “Pneuma-Somatic” Stage:

     This is the spirit and body formation. Here the dust turned into flesh. The laterite, clay, bitumen and water gave way and turned into skin and ligament arteries, red and white cupules and water. At the third stage man was still inactive until GOD performed with Biblical Psychologists call, “soma-circulatory action”. At this time, there was blood circulation and the free system of the heart to the brain. Man who was lifeless and motionless became conscious, intelligent, vocal and mobile and could discuss and dialogue with his CREATOR.

{4} The “Pneuma-Pscho Somatic” stage:

     This is the spirit, soul and body, which is the complete outfit of GOD’S creation of man- the apex of creation. It was when man became a full blown creation that woman was coined out of his ribs, as a full blown creation, who did not undergo any metamorphosis. Then both man and woman joined forces to graduate to the 5th level of development.

{5} The “Socio-Economic” Stage:

     This is the level of earthly interaction and caring for one’s needs. This final sage of creative development calls for a corresponding responsibility on both the man and the woman.

YOU ARE THE SPITTING

IMAGE OF GOD

     Archbishop Okpo, in his work already shows that at the fourth stage of man’s creation, he became a complete outfit of GOD’S creation, of spirit, soul and body. In other words, he became a tripartite being. The Scripture tells us that this tripartite being we call “man”  bears the image and likeness of GOD, {Gen.1:26}. In this connection, Dr. Lester Sumrall {1985:20-26}, remarks that “when we see GOD, HE will be about our size, HE will have two eyes, one nose, two ears, and five fingers, and a thumb, pointing to the fact that “JESUS in HIS earthly life was totally average and normal.” Having cited this, now observe that:

{1} GOD HAS A SPIRIT:

     GOD demonstrated the fact of HIS possession of a personal SPIRIT at the dawn of creation when HIS SPIRIT moved upon the surface of the earth to bring about the needed light, {Gen. 1:2}. By this act of creation, it becomes evident that GOD communicated with HIS creatures through HIS SPIRIT.

{2} GOD HAS A SOUL:

     GOD’S ownership of a SOUL is evident in the fact that HE Has every emotion that human beings have. The Bible tells us that HE Has expressions of joy and anger, etc. GOD in HIS soulical part identifies with man, as HE possess a MIND, EMOTION and WILL.

{3} GOD HAS A BODY:

     Dr. Sumrall, also, points out that Saint Stephen, in his heavenly revelation of JESUS and the FATHER did not see the FATHER as a giant and JESUS as an ant, but notes that he saw JESUS standing at the RIGHT HAND of GOD, with similar size and shape, which shows that GOD Has a BODY, {Acts 7:56-57}. Dr. Sumrall further outlines GOD’S BODY features as follows:

{a} GOD Has HANDS: With HIS HANDS HE made

 Adam, {Gen. 2:7}.

{b} GOD Has EYES: With HIS EYES HE sees everything,

 {2 Chron. 16:9}

{c} GOD Has a FACE: Jacob saw HIM face to face,

 {Gen. 32:30}

{d} GOD Has FINGERS: HE wrote with HIS FINGERS

 on the walls of the king’s palace, {Dan. 5:5}

{e} GOD Has FEET: With HIS FEET HE walked

with Adam, {Gen. 3:8}

{f} GOD Has a VOICE: HE spoke during the baptism

 of JESUS, {Matt. 3:17}.

{g} GOD Has BACK PARTS: HE promised removing HIS

 HANDS that Moses could see HIS BACK PARTS, {Ex. 33:23}

{h} GOD Has a MOUTH: HE ate with HIS MOUTH as a GUEST in Abraham’s house. Equally, HE Has digestive CHANNEL through which meal passes,{Gen. 18:3-8}.

     In conclusion, that we are made in the IMAGE of GOD calls for sober reflection, as a popular adage, “like father, like son”. If GOD made us in HIS own IMAGE and LIKENESS, why then, are we different in character and behaviour? It is obvious that at the garden of Eden, Satan insinuated the strange nature of sin into humanity through Adam and Eve, but JESUS came and demonstrated the ideals of the LIFE of GOD. In fact, this type of LIFE is what HE desires to give to everyone who would receive HIM as LORD and personal SAVIOUR, and only the recipients of such a LIFE will live with GOD in GLORY. “Know you not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of GOD? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminates, nor abusers of themselves with mankind. Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the Kingdom of GOD,” {1 Cor. 6:9-10}.BE INFORMED!

REFERENCES:

Okpo C. {1999},“The Chemistry of Man and Woman in                                                       Creation,” Pilgrims Theological Seminary,  Aba,

Abia State, Nigeria

Dr. Sumrall, L. {1985}, The Total Man, LeSEA  Publishing Co.,

 South Bend, Indiana.

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