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Question #70

Why did God create man?

Why did God create man?

The Answer:

This question is understood to inquire concerning the purpose for which God created man. The answer to that question will answer why God “created” each individual. “Created” is in quotations for all since Adam, since Adam and Eve were the only humans directly created by God. Every person who has lived since that time has been “created” through the process that God ordained – natural birth. Although the Holy Spirit acted upon Mary when she conceived the Christ, even he entered this world through the process of natural birth.

Man was created at the apex of creation, both in time and in nature. The writer of Genesis tells us that man’s creation grew out of a council of the Godhead – “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” Genesis 1:26. Man was at once placed in an exalted position, crowned as king of the lower creation. It was man’s duty and privilege to make all created beings that were placed under his rule to be subservient to his will and purpose. In turn, man and his entire glorious dominion were to magnify the mighty Creator God and Lord of the Universe. Genesis 1:28; Psalm 8:4-9.

The Westminster Catechism makes one of the most familiar statements on the purpose for man’s existence: Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever. Scriptures cited in support are 1 Corinthians 10:31, Romans 11:36, Psalm 73:24-26, and John 17:22, 24. Without endorsing a man-made catechism, this is a good statement of the purpose of man. To fulfill this purpose, man must seek God, obey God, and be found in Christ. It is here and no where else that the spiritual blessings of God are to be enjoyed. Ephesians 1:3. This certainly comports with heaven, and why should man’s purpose on earth be any different from his purpose in heaven?

It was for this purpose that God created you. Walk in his path, obey his will, and you will fulfill it.

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God's Plan of Salvation

You must hear the gospel and then understand and recognize that you are lost without Jesus Christ no matter who you are and no matter what your background is. The Bible tells us that "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) Before you can be saved, you must understand that you are lost and that the only way to be saved is by obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:8) Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6) "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17)

You must believe and have faith in God because "without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." (Hebrews 11:6) But neither belief alone nor faith alone is sufficient to save. (James 2:19; James 2:24; Matthew 7:21)

You must repent of your sins. (Acts 3:19) But repentance alone is not enough. The so-called "Sinner's Prayer" that you hear so much about today from denominational preachers does not appear anywhere in the Bible. Indeed, nowhere in the Bible was anyone ever told to pray the "Sinner's Prayer" to be saved. By contrast, there are numerous examples showing that prayer alone does not save. Saul, for example, prayed following his meeting with Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:11), but Saul was still in his sins when Ananias met him three days later (Acts 22:16). Cornelius prayed to God always, and yet there was something else he needed to do to be saved (Acts 10:2, 6, 33, 48). If prayer alone did not save Saul or Cornelius, prayer alone will not save you. You must obey the gospel. (2 Thess. 1:8)

You must confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. (Romans 10:9-10) Note that you do NOT need to make Jesus "Lord of your life." Why? Because Jesus is already Lord of your life whether or not you have obeyed his gospel. Indeed, we obey him, not to make him Lord, but because he already is Lord. (Acts 2:36) Also, no one in the Bible was ever told to just "accept Jesus as your personal savior." We must confess that Jesus is the Son of God, but, as with faith and repentance, confession alone does not save. (Matthew 7:21)

Having believed, repented, and confessed that Jesus is the Son of God, you must be baptized for the remission of your sins. (Acts 2:38) It is at this point (and not before) that your sins are forgiven. (Acts 22:16) It is impossible to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ without teaching the absolute necessity of baptism for salvation. (Acts 8:35-36; Romans 6:3-4; 1 Peter 3:21) Anyone who responds to the question in Acts 2:37 with an answer that contradicts Acts 2:38 is NOT proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Once you are saved, God adds you to his church and writes your name in the Book of Life. (Acts 2:47; Philippians 4:3) To continue in God's grace, you must continue to serve God faithfully until death. Unless they remain faithful, those who are in God's grace will fall from grace, and those whose names are in the Book of Life will have their names blotted out of that book. (Revelation 2:10; Revelation 3:5; Galatians 5:4)