Expert: Paul Walker - 8/1/2004

Question
Is everyone born with a soul? Is the heart or brain part of the soul or is it our whole being.I know we receive the holy spirit after reveving our salavation.

Answer
Dear Sandra,

    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.

As with all things concerning the word of God there is some debate and controversy attached to this question. However, I find in taking the literal clear interpretation of the Bible (KJV) that the answer is fairly indisputable. Yes, if born alive, once taking your first breath you become a living soul. Until then of course you are a biological life form developing, conscious and human.

Since we have a physical heart and brain prior to becoming a living soul and that they are left behind at death when the soul departs, in a saints cases, to be with the Lord we must assume that they are not part of the soul.

According to Job 3:16, dying before birth, or taking that first breath leaves one as if they never were, i.e., not a soul.

    Job 3:11-16  Why died I not from the womb? [why] did I [not]
    give up the ghost when I came out of the belly?... (16)  OR
    AS AN HIDDEN UNTIMELY BIRTH I HAD NOT BEEN; AS INFANTS
    [WHICH] NEVER SAW LIGHT.

This is my opinion on what the correct interpretation of Scripture would lead us to conclude on this question.

Hope this helps.

Your Servant In Christ Jesus,
Paul Walker
www.aficj.org