Introduction: We live in a day where God’s people are more and more open to the practices of this world. If God’s word is truly our authority on all matters then we ought to be willing to follow its direction over the trend of society any day. One such practice that is becoming more and more acceptable among Christian people is the practice of cremation. Is this acceptable to God? Are the scriptures silent on the matter?
- THE COMMON PRACTICE WAS BURIAL
- Notable People in Scripture Who Were Buried
- Sarah (Genesis 23:19)
- Abraham (Genesis 25:9)
- Rachel (Genesis 35:19)
- Isaac (Genesis 35:29)
- Rebekah (Genesis 49:31)
- Leah (Genesis 49:31)
- Jacob (Genesis 50:4-6, 12-13)
- Joseph (Genesis 50:24-26; Joshua 24:32)
- Miriam (Numbers 20:1)
- Aaron (Deuteronomy 10:6)
- Moses (Deuteronomy 34:6)
- Joshua (Joshua 24:30)
- Eleazar (Joshua 24:33)
- Gideon (Judges 8:32)
- Samuel (1 Samuel 25:1)
- David (1 Kings 2:10)
- Solomon (1 Kings 11:43)
- Elisha (2 Kings 13:20)
- John the Baptist (Matthew 14:12)
- Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:5-10)
- Stephen (Acts 8:2)
- God Buried Moses (Deuteronomy 34:6)
- The Lord Jesus Christ Was Buried (1 Corinthians 15:1-2)
- THE ABSENCE OF BURIAL
- Likened Unto Dung Upon the Earth (2 Kings 9:36-37; Jeremiah 8:1-2; Jeremiah 16:4; Zephaniah 1:17)
- Likened Unto a Curse (Ecclesiastes 6:3)
- The Death of an Animal (Jeremiah 22:18-19)
- THE SCATTERING OF A PERSON DENOTES WICKEDNESS (JUDGES 19:22-30)
- THE BURIAL LOOKS FORWARD TO A RESURRECTION
- Our Resurrected Body Will be Changed (Romans 8:23; 1 Corinthians 15:51-55)
- The Physical Body is Sown for the Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:34-39, 42-44)
- The Rapture Seems to Expect Burial (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17)
Conclusion: Some are turned away from cremation because of the grossness of the practice itself, but those who are not ought to be willing to follow the pattern of the scripture. Are you willing to follow God’s plan?
