Did Our Souls Exist in the Past?

One reader recently asked us,

“I know souls are forever eternal, but did our souls exist in the past, too, before we were born?”

The real question here is, when does your soul begin to exist? Let’s look at the creation of the first man, Adam. Genesis 2:7 (KJV) says, “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.” When God created Adam, that was the beginning of Adam’s existence—including the existence of his soul. His soul did not exist before then.

Only God is immortal, with no beginning and no end.

Humans are not immortal (living forever without dying). You—body, soul, and all—had a beginning. On the other hand, God has always existed. Only he is immortal, with no beginning and no end. First Timothy 6:15–16 says, “He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion.”

Like Adam’s soul, yours had a beginning too. Our immortal God created your soul at the time of conception in your mother’s womb, when he began “knitting [you] together” (Psalm 139:13). That was the beginning of your existence.

While humans are not immortal, we are made to last forever. The Bible says that we will live eternally (forever) in heaven or in hell (Daniel 12:2). Those who trust in Jesus Christ will spend eternity in heaven with him (Romans 6:23). Someday, God will give his followers immortal bodies at the resurrection of the dead (1 Corinthians 15:42, 50, 53). Trust in Jesus Christ, and you can look forward to spending your eternity in heaven with him!

Do you have a question about God’s Word or his world? Is there a topic you want to learn more about? Ask your parents to help you submit your question today. We’d love to hear from you!