Subject: Is cremation right for believers? |
Bible Note: Thanks brother EdB for your comforting reply to my question about cremation for us believers in Christ. I feel that what you have written is realistic as our bodies return to dust. Some of us are burned in house/car/forest fires, drowned or blown to pieces so who know what condition we eventually end up in. Pastor Perry Rockwood of Halifax has this to say about cremation. Here is an extract for you info. "Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price:therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's(1 Corinthians 6:19-20).One of the great Bible doctrines which has almost been forgotten in the last few years is the sanctity of the Christian's body. This text plainly states that our bodies are not our own to do with as we please. They belong to God because of creation and redemption. They are holy because they are cleansed and sanctified by the blood of Christ.They are also temples of the Holy Spirit and members of the body of Christ. These and many other Bible statements clearly set forth the truth of the divine ownership and sanctity of the Christian's body.In dealing with this question of cremation we must not ignore the positive statements of Scripture if we would sincerely seek the Christian position on this issue. We know that in many localities a question of this kind is of little importance. In places far from large cities the question of cremation is seldom,if ever, raised; but in thickly populated areas this is not the case. When a relative passes on, the question comes up: shall it be cremation or burial? Questions have been asked by intelligent people: Is it wrong for a Christian's body to be cremated? Is it true that the body comes to life in the process of cremation? Recently, I was asked, "Why is cremation unpopular in Christian lands?"I frankly admit I have not the last word on these questions, but confess I have given serious and prolonged thought to the question of Christian burial. What I may say is not the result of an overnight meditation or snap judgment. This sermon has been called forth as a result of questions put to me by sincere people and also because of doubts and questions in my own mind over a period of years. I am giving what I have gleaned in the hope that others will find the answers to their questions on this subject." I have only quoted some of his lengthy sermon on this subject. His website www.tpgh.org/archive will give you the full story for anyone who would be interested. In Christ, KJ |