IN GOD’S IMAGE AND LIKENESS. A TERM MEANT FOR ALL MEN? OR JUST ADAM? Gen.5:1,2

By Edward O'Hara ,In this message we will look at why some who claim to be teaching the Bible say only Adam was made in God’s image and likeness. And that the rest of mankind were made in Adam’s image and likeness. And why they say there is a difference. And if they Bible agrees with them.

Some think that Adam was made in God’s image. While Gen.5:1,2 saying the rest of mankind being made in Adam’s image means they are not made in God’s image. So let’s work through this from a Biblical, rather than a Augustinian, which in all reality is a gnostic, perspective.

Because the gnostic perspective denies that Jesus came in the same flesh all men have. And by doing so have aligned their understanding about the incarnation of the man Jesus with the gnostics of the apostle’s day, and who are in the churches today, who also denied that Jesus came in the same flesh all men have. And by doing so have believed the spirit of antichrist John spoke of in 1John4:1-3 when he told them not to believe every spirit. But, to test them to see whether they are of God. Or of antichrist.

And this we will do as we look at where this comes from and why the churches teach it.

First we will look at what the Bible says. In it we see that Adam and Eve were made in God’s image and likeness, right? That’s Gen.1:26,27. It says, “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

We also see this in Gen.5:1,2. It says, “This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;

Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.”

Then in Gen.5:3 we read that Seth, Adam’s first child after Cain and Abel, was in the image of Adam. This seems to be where the problem comes in for the gnostic. It says, “And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, and after his image; and called his name Seth.”

Did you see that? This verse says that Seth was made in Adam’s image and likeness. This is where the gnostic takes license with the scripture. Because instead of seeing that because Adam was made in the image and likeness of God. Anyone made in his image and likeness would also be made in God’s image and likeness.

Instead they wrest the scripture to force a meaning onto it that isn’t there. Saying that because Adam’s image somehow changed after he ate from the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. To become the image of a sin nature men inherit from Adam. Something the Bible does not say. Therefore, Adam’s offspring are not made in God’s image and likeness. But, are made in Adam’s sin nature likeness and image.

This is what is taught by many because they have believed Augustine’s original sin and sin nature doctrine. A gnostic heresy that can only beget more gnostic heresy. Those who subscribe to it are caught in a gnostic paradigm that forces them to a salvation by someone’s works belief. Either placing that responsibility on themselves or on their gnostic Jesus. When the Bible plainly says that we are not saved by works, not anyone’s works, but by grace through faith.

And that faith is the faith of Christ. The faith Jesus had in the Father while He lived as a man on earth. As Paul says in Gal.2:14-16 where he has withstood Peter to his face for not walking uprightly according to the true gospel saying,

“But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

So here Paul shows us that justification, which is righteousness, comes by the faith of Christ and not by works. Not Jesus’ or anyone else’s works. So that we know righteousness is trusting in Jesus as He trusted the Father.

Knowing this we can see why these people teach this heresy. But, also knowing what the Bible plainly says we can see that it is heresy. So that we must remain faithful to what the scriptures plainly say. Rather than the gnostic heresy being taught in so many churches today.

That as Adam was made in God’s image and likeness. So all men who are born from Adam having his image and likeness are also in God’s image and likeness. Because Adam’s image and likeness is God’s image and likeness.

So knowing that you are made3 in the image and likeness of God, what manner of person aught you to be? One who trusts in the gnostic fables the apostles refuted in some of their epistles? Or one who trusts in the God in whose image and likeness you are made?

We will trust in the God in whose image and likeness we are made. Because to trust in the gnostic Jesus is top place your eternity in jeopardy. Because this gnostic Jesus is of the spirit of antichrist. One who says the God man Jesus could not have come in the same flesh all men have.

Because they say if He did He would have been made in the image and likeness of Adam’s sin nature. And therefore He would have been a sinner by nature just like they believe every man is. So they have fallen for the lie of Satan’s antichrist and have rejected the Jesus who came in the same flesh all men have.

And by doing this they reject the plain teaching in Heb.2:14-18 that says,

“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.”

So trust in the Jesus who “in all things” was “made like unto his brethren.” The Jesus who for the purpose of destroying him that had the power of death” so that we could be free from it’s fear, took part of “the same flesh and blood” that all men have.

The Jesus that participated in the same suffering all men do. And because of this is therefore able to identify with and to comfort all men in those same temptations.

Trusting in Him brings the birth of a spirit in you to make you God’s child. Just as being born from your mother’s womb made you her and your earthly father’s child in the flesh through then water birth. And as God’s child you become heir to His kingdom. An inheritance given to all who trust in Jesus.

This is why Paul said if you will confess Jesus is Lord. And believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead. You will be saved. Because this is what makes you a child of God. Already having your flesh made in the image and likeness of God. You will become a new creature by having a spirit in you now that is born of His Spirit. As Jesus told Nicodemus in John3:1-8 saying, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

Why? Because,

“That which is born of the flesh(the water birth) is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”

So do this and you will receive a spirit in you that you never had before. Do this and as His child you will inherit God’s kingdom. Do this and you will be able to fellowship with God as never before. Do this and you will have eternal life now. And immortality at the resurrection. Do this… and I will see you there or in the air!

This message can also be heard at: