Question:  Dear Greg,

            Concerning the “denial of Peter”, why would a man who had seen all the miracles of Jesus firsthand deny Jesus three times, especially after Jesus predicts his denial?

            Also, there is a verse in the Bible that says, “no man has ascended unto heaven except for the son of man only”.  I’m not sure of the text reference, but I thought it was Jesus who stated it.  I’m not sure if this means the “literal flesh body” or the “soul or spirit of a man”.

            Thank you Greg.

Ross

Answer:  Dear Ross,

            The denial of Peter helps us all to understand our humanity, our imperfection and our absolute inability to save ourselves.  It helps us see that no matter how many miracles we may witness, no matter how many great things God may have used us to do (walk on water, etc.), no matter how hard we may try, we are physically incapable of living a sinless life because we are in the flesh.  Paul speaks to this in Romans 7:7-25.  This passage will help you gain some perspective on Peter—and perhaps on yourself.

            The passage you’re asking about is John 3:13.  Some use this as a proof text to claim that there is no such thing as an intermediate state—that when we die our bodies and souls are dead.  But the Bible does not say such a thing.  Our soul/spirit does not die, but goes to God.  Yes, our bodies do die, of course, and we bury or cremate them.  But humans are more than just a body—we have a soul/spirit.  The context of this great passage (actually all of chapter 3 of John needs to be read) shows that Jesus is not claiming that the souls/spirits of those who have died do not go to heaven.  Rather, he affirms firsthand knowledge of what he is talking about, saying that no one has ascended to heaven and then came down from heaven with a message.  The passage is simply saying that no one on earth has gone to heaven and returned with the teaching that Jesus has.  Nothing is said about those who have gone “to” heaven and remain “there” until their soul/spirit is reunited with their resurrected bodies (see 1 Corinthians 15).

            In Christ,

            Greg Albrecht