Man was created in the image of God — but fell by sin and stands in need of redemption.
The doctrine of man reveals both the dignity of creation and the depravity of sin.
Man was made by God in His image — a triune being of body, soul, and spirit. Yet through disobedience, sin entered, death followed, and every man became separated from his Creator.
This doctrine of man defines who we are, why we need salvation, and how Christ restores what was lost. It is foundational to our Statement of Faith.
Genesis 1:26–27
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. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
1. Man Was Created in God’s Image
Unlike any other creature, man bears God’s likeness — capable of reason, morality, emotion, and will.
He was made to glorify God and exercise dominion over creation as God’s representative on earth.
Psalm 8:4–5
What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? 5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
Ecclesiastes 7:29
Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.
The Doctrine of Creation confirms man’s origin from God — not from evolution or natural process, but divine purpose.
2. The Doctrine of Man Is Body, Soul, and Spirit
Man is a triune being, reflecting his Creator. The body connects to the physical world, the soul expresses personality and emotion, and the spirit connects with God.
This unity of three parts makes man unique among all living beings.
Genesis 2:7
And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
1 Thessalonians 5:23
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Man’s trinity of being reveals the wisdom and design of God — body to live, soul to feel, spirit to worship. The doctrine of man is a foundation of the Christian faith and is 100% truth.
3. Man Fell Through Sin
Man’s fall was not an accident — it was rebellion. When Adam sinned, he plunged the entire human race, everyone, into death and separation from God.
Sin defiled man’s nature, corrupted his heart, and darkened his understanding. The doctrine of man shows us how we fell into sin.
Romans 5:12
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.
Isaiah 59:2
But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
Romans 3:10
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.
The Doctrine of Sin explains the universal guilt of mankind — every person needs redemption through Jesus Christ.
4. Man Is Spiritually Dead Without Christ
Because of sin, man is born spiritually dead — alive in the body, but cut off from the life of God.
He cannot reform or repair himself; only new birth through faith in Jesus Christ brings true life.
Ephesians 2:1
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.
John 3:3
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Man’s salvation is not a moral improvement — it is a resurrection of the dead spirit.
The Doctrine of Salvation reveals how the Spirit of God gives new life to those who believe. The doctrine of man helps us to understand how salvation works.
5. Man Is Accountable Before God
Every person will one day stand before the Creator who formed him — either redeemed by Christ or condemned in unbelief.
Man’s life, words, and deeds will be judged by the standard of God’s holiness.
Hebrews 9:27
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.
Romans 14:12
So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Revelation 20:12
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
The Doctrine of Last Things explains this coming judgment and the eternal destiny of every soul.
Application and Affirmation
The doctrine of man explains both our worth and our wickedness. We are made in God’s image — yet marred by sin.
We are capable of faith, love, and worship — yet in desperate need of redemption.
To understand man is to see why the Gospel matters.
Psalm 100:3
Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Affirmation:
- Man was created by God in His image — body, soul, and spirit. The doctrine of man is clear throughout the KJV Bible.
- All men are fallen and sinful by nature.
- Only through faith in Jesus Christ can man be spiritually reborn.
- Every person will stand before God in judgment.
- Man’s purpose is to glorify and serve his Creator.
