What does the Bible mean by man being made in
"…Our image…"?
Quoting from the footnotes of the Spirit-Filled
Life Bible, for which Pastor Hayford served as General Editor,
under the passage in Genesis 1:26,:
1:26 Let Us: God was speaking, not only to what the
NT reveals to be the rest of the Trinity, but to the entire
host of heaven, the angels, as well. Our image likely
refers to such qualities as reason, personality, and intellect,
and to the capacity to relate, to hear, to see, and to speak.
All of these are characteristics of God, which He chose to reproduce
in mankind. Dominion over…the earth: God created man
to be His kingdom agent, to rule and subdue the rest of creation,
including the aggressive satanic forces, which would soon infringe
upon it.
The Hebrew word here for "image," is tselem, meaning
"to shade; a phantom, hence a representative figure."
Some more study notes from the Spirit-Filled
Life Bible under this passage read:
1:26-28 God Created Man (Male/Female) in His Own Image,
FAMILY ORDER. …These verses introduce a phrase that is
the cornerstone of the biblical understanding of man: image
of God. The image of God is presented first and foremost
in relation to a unique social or community concept of God.
"Then God (singular) said, ‘Let Us (plural)
make man in Our (plural) image.’" Many scholars
interpret this use of both the singular and plural as an allusion
to the Trinity: one God, yet a community of Persons.
God then proceeds to create man in His own image. At this all-important
beginning point. Scripture highlights a particular aspect of
man’s nature, namely, that which corresponds to the social or
community aspect of God’s nature: God crates man as male
and female—not a solitary individual, but two people. Yet,
as we read on, we discover that the two are, nevertheless, "one"
(see 2:24).
The "community" that reflects God’s image is a special
community: the community of a man and a woman. When God chose
to create man in His own image, He created a marriage,
a family. The community of the family is a reflection of
the community in the Godhead. Its identity, life, and power
come from God. (Ephesians 3:14, 15)
1:26-28 Man’s Intrinsic Value, HUMAN WORTH. Man is distinct
from the rest of creation. The Divine Triune Counsel determined
that man was to have God’s image and likeness. Man is a spiritual
being who is not only body, but also soul and spirit. He is
a moral being whose intelligence, perception, and self-determination
far exceed that of any other earthly being.
These properties or traits possessed by mankind and his prominence
in the order of creation imply the intrinsic worth, not only
of the family of mankind, but also of each human individual.
Capacity and ability constitute accountability and responsibility.
We should never be pleased to dwell on a level of existence
lower than that on which God has made it possible for us to
dwell. We should strive to be the best we can be and to reach
the highest levels we can reach. To do less is to be unfaithful
stewards of the life entrusted to us. (see Psalm 8:4, 5; 139:13,
14).
Resources:
Tape #2068 You,
Your Lover, and Jesus
Tape #295 Men
Resisting the World Image
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"Brethren,
having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living
way, which He consecrated for us..." Hebrews 10:19-20
  Jack
Hayford Ministries
14800 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, CA 91405-2233
(800) 776-8180 * FAX: (818) 779-8411
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Last updated on: 7/09/03
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