It could not be more clear that the practice of burying the body, for God’s people, was the most common form of handling those that had passed away throughout Bible times. In the O.T. we see... Abraham and Sarah buried in a cave (Genesis 25:8, 10). Rachel and Isaac were buried (Genesis 35:19, 25). Moses was buried by God (Deuteronomy 34:6). In the N.T. we see... John the Baptist buried (Matthew 14:10-12). Stephen was buried (Acts 8:2) Ananias & Saphira were buried (Acts 5:5-10) When you couple that with how God used fire and the burning of bodies we start to see why some might think cremation to be wrong. (SLIDE)

“If a man takes a woman and her mother also, it is depravity; he and they shall be burned with fire, that there may be no depravity among you.” (SLIDE) L E V I T I C U S 2 0 : 1 4

“And the daughter of any priest, if she profanes herself by whoring, profanes her father; she shall be burned with fire.” (SLIDE) L E V I T I C U S 2 1 : 9

“And he who is taken with the devoted things shall be burned with fire, he and all that he has, because he has transgressed the covenant of the LORD, and because he has done an outrageous thing in Israel...25 And Joshua said, “Why did you bring trouble on us? The LORD brings trouble on you today.” And all Israel stoned him with stones. They burned them with fire and stoned them with stones.” This was Joshua’s response to the loss to Ai when he learned it was because someone had “taken with the devoted things.” J O S H U A 7 : 1 5, 2 5

As we just read, God’s use of fire and the burning of bodies was a way of demonstrate his displeasure with mankind when they sinned. Who can forget God burning down Sodom and Gomorrah with “fire from heaven” (Genesis 19:24) or when God sent fire down to killed Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1). With everything we have just considered it makes sense then, why so many would “make a fuss” or “say it is wrong” for any of God’s children to be cremated. After all, just because it is cheaper than typical burial doesn’t make it right. So the question is...(SLIDE)

Thankfully God always gives us the answer to these types of questions i.e. the questions of whether something is righteous or unrighteous (2 Peter 1:3). This particular question is no different. But to answer the this question we must continue to examine the topic at hand. Though God used fire and the burning of bodies as a way of punishment that doesn’t mean that every instance wherein “bodies were burned” meant someone did something wrong.

“But when the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, 12 all the valiant men arose and went all night and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-shan, and they came to Jabesh and burned them there. 13 And they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh and fasted seven days.” 1 S A M U E L 3 1 : 1 1 - 1 3

“And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. When they told David, ‘It was the men of Jabesh-gilead who buried Saul,’ 5 David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead and said to them, ‘May you be blessed by the LORD, because you showed this loyalty to Saul your lord and buried him.’ ” 2 S A M U E L 2 : 4 - 5

“And if ten men remain in one house, they shall die “And if ten men remain in one house, they shall die. 10 And when one’s relative, the one who anoints him for burial, shall take him up to bring the bones out of the house, and shall say to him who is in the innermost parts of the house, ‘Is there still anyone with you?’ he shall say, ‘No’; and he shall say, ‘Silence! We must not mention the name of the LORD.’ ” A M O S 6 : 9 - 1 0

The reality is much of the confusion surrounding cremation is based on a misunderstanding of the resurrection. It is thought that “If the body is burned, then how can it be resurrected on the Judgment Day?” In fact this very thought is what led the Catholics to “burn people at the stake” and even “unbury people to burn their bones.” However, it doesn’t take long, when looking through the Scriptures, to see this doctrine is misguided and therefore false. (SLIDE)

“and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.” When we die, our bodies simply just turn back into dust. Our spirit or life returns to God and our soul goes to Hades. If one’s physical body is burned, it will only hasten that which would have happened naturally. We also should note that God never said our “physical bodies” would be resurrected. (SLIDE) E C C L E S I A S T E S 1 2 : 7

“So is it with the resurrection of the dead “So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. 43 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.” It is the “spiritual body” that is resurrected on the Day of Judgment. Now there are many indications that this spiritual body will look much like our physical body, but that doesn’t mean our physical body will in anyway be resurrected. The truth of the matter is, God clearly tells us that it doesn’t matter what happens to our physical body, we are to focus on our spiritual body. (SLIDE) 1 C O R I N T H I A N S 1 5 : 4 2 - 4 4

“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Finally, we will see, that even the apostle Paul clearly didn’t have a problem with cremation when he wrote to the Corinthians and uses cremation as an illustration. (SLIDE) M A T T H E W 1 0 : 2 8

“If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.” (SLIDE) 1 C O R I N T H I A N S 1 3 : 3

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Repent/Turn To God Confess Jesus As Lord Obey The Gospel Live A Faithful Life Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6 Acts 17:30 Matthew 10:32 Romans 6:3-5 1 John 1:7

“Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; 2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.” I S A I A H 5 9 : 1 - 2

“who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” P H I L I P P I A N S 2 : 6 - 7

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Repent/Turn To God Confess Jesus As Lord Obey The Gospel Live A Faithful Life Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6 Acts 17:30 Matthew 10:32 Romans 6:3-5 1 John 1:7