Kings Hill Pioneer Church

06/09/2025

Is Cremation Biblical?

Before I begin let me assure you that God sees our heart during our life time and our body after death is not His concern.
This is a question many if not most believers ask themselves at some point these days. A great many say it does not matter because God can bring us together again no matter what and I agree but there is always a but.
I have my own personal thoughts on this that I think very few consider concerning the body after death. My own personal views on cremation are this, after much thought and observations over my lifetime my thoughts are this.
So many today consider cremation just fine and that is fine as it certainly does not matter to the loved one who has passed on, they may have had an opinion while alive but after death it matters not but consider this, funerals and graves are for the living, not the dead. That may sound dumb but hear this from a boy who once was, myself.
As a boy my parents took me to my grandfather’s grave to visit. Sadly, I never met my grandpa Pryor as he passed before I was born. I heard stories of him as being a good hard working and honest man. As a boy I remember standing before his grave and imagining him, I had seen an old photo of him but as I stood at the foot of his grave I had a warmth come over me that I still remember today. I just can’t imagine having that same memory looking at a jar of ashes. I know I can go visit any of my loved ones and even share my heart with them and know at my feet lies my Mom or Dad and I hope they know and hear my heart. Their funeral and final resting place is for me and other loved ones, not really for them. Their resting place is part of my inheritance, my children’s and so many others. I wish to be placed in a grave for that reason.
Cremation is becoming more common these days. I know as a young boy I had never heard it mentioned, people just did not consider it but many families today choose to cremate and scatter the ashes of their loved ones in meaningful places or sit them on a mantel. To me throwing their ashes to the wind or in a river takes something from the family that can never be revisited.
But, how does God see cremation? I doubt it matters to God. Man was pulled together and created from the dust of the earth.
I think God can pull us together again when He calls us to heaven no matter if we are in a grave or spread to the four corners of the earth. For the Christian our spirit or soul joins Him the moment we take our last breath and the glorified body at the rapture when the trumpet sounds. With that said I want to look at some thoughts from Gods word. Does the Bible give instructions on what should be done with a person’s remains? Not really.
Does scattering ashes go, against Scripture? Many believers struggle with these questions, so this is the point of todays word. Wanting to honor the deceased and try our best to do as God desires also.
To try and understand better, we need to look at what the Bible says about death, burial, and the handling of our loved ones after their end of days.
Cremation is something that always begins a debate among Christians. Some see it as OK, while others believe interment is the only biblical way . What does the Bible actually say about cremation?
The Bible does not give a direct command either for or against cremation. Nowhere in Scripture does God explicitly forbid it, nor does He condone it.
There are a few passages that mention bodies being burned, but not always in a positive light. This from a book I don’t believe I have ever quoted before. Amos 2:1, Thus saith Jehovah: For three transgressions of Moab, yea, for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he burned the bones of the king of Edom into lime: God expressed His anger at the Moabites for burning the bones of the king of Edom. This passage is often cited by those who believe cremation is wrong, but it is important to note that Gods issue here seems to be against the act of their disrespect of the King rather than cremation itself.
Another example is in 1 Samuel 31:11-13, And when the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard concerning him that which the Philistines had done to Saul, all the valiant men arose, and went all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-shan; and they came to Jabesh, and burnt them there. (ASV)
And they took their bones, and buried them under the tamarisk-tree in Jabesh, and fasted seven days. where the bodies of Saul and his sons were burned by the men of Jabesh-Gilead.
This was not their normal burial practice but was likely done to prevent further disrespect and disgrace of the remains of King Saul.
After burning the bodies, they still buried the bones, which would suggest that burial was considered important.
While the Bible does not clearly endorse cremation, it also certainly does not say that those who are cremated will be denied the resurrection. God is fully capable of restoring a person’s body, whether it was buried, cremated, lost at sea, or destroyed in some other way.
Many early Christians were martyred by fire, and their faith certainly would not have been invalidated by what happened to their bodies. This may sound odd. Ultimately, the decision to cremate or bury is a personal choice that should be made in my opinion with prayer and due consideration of the living. Consider the mourners going to the tomb of Jesus, the tomb was a place set aside more so for the grievers than the dead. Jesus is no longer there but millions still go to the, thought to be tomb of Jesus to remember.
So a look at Burial.
Burial is very much A Tradition of Honor and is the common practice among God’s people.
The Scriptures show us that, burial is associated with honor, respect, and a proper way to care for the deceased.
In Genesis 23, Abraham went to great lengths to secure a burial site for his wife, Sarah. He purchased a cave in the land of Canaan to ensure she had a proper resting place. And later, Abraham himself was buried there, along with Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Leah. It was a family tradition
This story teaches the fact that burial of Abraham and his family was carefully arranged and shows burial as being deeply respected and a comfort to the loved ones.
Another example is Joseph, who made the Israelites promise to take his bones back to the Promised Land when they left Egypt. Even after his death, great care was taken to honor his remains by burying them where he wished.
No doubt the most important burial in the Bible was that of course of Jesus Christ. After His crucifixion, His body was placed in a tomb by Joseph of Arimathea. The burial of Christ was not only done as a practical necessity—it fulfilled prophecy and showed reverence for His body. Even though Jesus rose from the dead, His burial was still treated as an important and sacred act.
Study shows burial was not just about respect for the dead; it also reflected a belief in the future resurrection and gave loved ones a place to gather to remember and morn.
In Daniel 12:2, the Bible speaks of the dead rising again, and in 1 Corinthians 15:, Paul gives great detail of the body after death and describes the body as being “sown in dishonor” and “raised in glory.” This story aligns with burial, where the body is placed in the ground like a seed, awaiting the day of resurrection. For this reason, many Christians preferred burial as a way to show their faith in the resurrection. Although burial is the common biblical practice, this does not mean that cremation is a sin. It simply means that throughout history, God’s people saw burial as a considerate way to honor the dead and the living. A choice between the two, burial or cremation is a personal choice.
Are There Any Biblical Examples of Scattering Ashes?
Does the Bible give any examples of people scattering cremated ashes after death? The short answer is no.
There are no direct biblical accounts of someone’s remains being cremated and then scattered. Mainly because, burial was the standard practice among God’s people. The Bible however does mention ashes in several ways.
In the Old Testament, ashes were often associated with mourning, repentance, and humility. For example, in Job 42:6, Job says, “Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes,” certainly not that these ashes were of a cremated body. Also People would sit in ashes or sprinkle them on their heads to express grief or sorrow. But this had nothing to do with scattering a person’s remains after death.
The closest biblical references to ashes after death involves situations of judgment. In 2 Kings 23:16-20, King Josiah destroys pagan altars and burns the bones of false priests, scattering their ashes to dishonor the site.
Similarly, in Jeremiah 8:1-2, God Himself speaks of bringing judgment by exposing the bones of kings and priests, leaving them “as dung on the ground.” These passages do not refer to a respectful scattering of ashes but instead describe acts of disgrace, dishonor and judgment to the dead.
This does not mean that scattering ashes is sinful or a disrespectful way, but it does show that the Bible does not record examples of it being done in a positive or honorable way.
Because there is no biblical precedent for scattering ashes, Christians who are considering it should pray and seek wisdom in making their decision.
Does Scattering Ashes Disrespect the Body?
For many Christians, the biggest concern about cremation and scattering ashes is whether it disrespects the body. One thought , Cremation certainly is destroying that which God hath created. The Bible teaches that, the human body is seen as valuable and sacred. Genesis 1:27 tells us that we are made in the image of God, which means our bodies are not just physical shells—they reflect God Himself in creation and purpose. Even after death, the Bible speaks about the body with honor. This is why burial was traditionally preferred. It symbolized returning to the earth while still respecting the body as being created by God.
1 Corinthians 15:52 says, “For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”
The condition of our physical remains either cremated or buried does not limit God’s power to restore us, to resurrect us. In the Bible, respect of burial often involved careful preparation, mourning, and a dedicated resting place. Cremation however does not prevent this act of respect.
Each person must prayerfully consider their decision, seeking God’s guidance in how to handle the remains of a loved one with care and respect.
Closing now How do we Decide What to Do?
Since the Bible does not give a clear command about cremation or scattering ashes, how should Christians make their decision? It is best to seek guidance from Scripture, prayer, also considering personal conviction but also remember and consider the other loved ones left to morn. Remember the funeral ,grave site and burial is more for the living than the departed.

Throughout Scripture, burial was the normal practice, and it was done with great care and respect. We should possibly consider more toward the living than the deceased as they are already with God in Spirit. We should however ensure that whatever choice is made for the departed, those choices are made with reverence and respect, as God would have it.
If cremation or scattering ashes brings discomfort or feels at odds with your beliefs, then traditional burial may be a better choice.
No matter what happens to the body after death, God’s promise remains unchanged. Whether you choose burial or cremation, what matters most is that the decision is made with a heart that seeks to honor God in how His creation is handled and also to honor surviving loved ones of the deceased .
Ultimately, our hope surely is not in how our earthly bodies are handled, but in the eternal life God has promised us through our Lord Jesus. That is what we should each pursue while we live. Amen
Everything in life is a choice. In all that we do we should do so in love. I know this word today has not been the most uplifting word but at times we need to address un-lovely thoughts such as the loss of a loved one so as to be prepared for what will befall each one of us. For the Christian no greater loving hope is there than being caught up into the air with our Lord and so many that has gone before us. May the Lord comfort and guide you in all choices made yesterday, today and those choices as yet to make ahead of you. Amen
Prayer

06/09/2025

i5 1 25 is Cremation Biblical?

Before I begin let me assure you that God sees our heart during our life time and our body after death is not His concern.
This is a question many if not most believers ask themselves at some point these days. A great many say it does not matter because God can bring us together again no matter what and I agree but there is always a but.
I have my own personal thoughts on this that I think very few consider concerning the body after death. My own personal views on cremation are this, after much thought and observations over my lifetime my thoughts are this.
So many today consider cremation just fine and that is fine as it certainly does not matter to the loved one who has passed on, they may have had an opinion while alive but after death it matters not but consider this, funerals and graves are for the living, not the dead. That may sound dumb but hear this from a boy who once was, myself.
As a boy my parents took me to my grandfather’s grave to visit. Sadly, I never met my grandpa Pryor as he passed before I was born. I heard stories of him as being a good hard working and honest man. As a boy I remember standing before his grave and imagining him, I had seen an old photo of him but as I stood at the foot of his grave I had a warmth come over me that I still remember today. I just can’t imagine having that same memory looking at a jar of ashes. I know I can go visit any of my loved ones and even share my heart with them and know at my feet lies my Mom or Dad and I hope they know and hear my heart. Their funeral and final resting place is for me and other loved ones, not really for them. Their resting place is part of my inheritance, my children’s and so many others. I wish to be placed in a grave for that reason.
Cremation is becoming more common these days. I know as a young boy I had never heard it mentioned, people just did not consider it but many families today choose to cremate and scatter the ashes of their loved ones in meaningful places or sit them on a mantel. To me throwing their ashes to the wind or in a river takes something from the family that can never be revisited.
But, how does God see cremation? I doubt it matters to God. Man was pulled together and created from the dust of the earth.
I think God can pull us together again when He calls us to heaven no matter if we are in a grave or spread to the four corners of the earth. For the Christian our spirit or soul joins Him the moment we take our last breath and the glorified body at the rapture when the trumpet sounds. With that said I want to look at some thoughts from Gods word. Does the Bible give instructions on what should be done with a person’s remains? Not really.
Does scattering ashes go, against Scripture? Many believers struggle with these questions, so this is the point of todays word. Wanting to honor the deceased and try our best to do as God desires also.
To try and understand better, we need to look at what the Bible says about death, burial, and the handling of our loved ones after their end of days.
Cremation is something that always begins a debate among Christians. Some see it as OK, while others believe interment is the only biblical way . What does the Bible actually say about cremation?
The Bible does not give a direct command either for or against cremation. Nowhere in Scripture does God explicitly forbid it, nor does He condone it.
There are a few passages that mention bodies being burned, but not always in a positive light. This from a book I don’t believe I have ever quoted before. Amos 2:1, Thus saith Jehovah: For three transgressions of Moab, yea, for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he burned the bones of the king of Edom into lime: God expressed His anger at the Moabites for burning the bones of the king of Edom. This passage is often cited by those who believe cremation is wrong, but it is important to note that Gods issue here seems to be against the act of their disrespect of the King rather than cremation itself.
Another example is in 1 Samuel 31:11-13, And when the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard concerning him that which the Philistines had done to Saul, all the valiant men arose, and went all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-shan; and they came to Jabesh, and burnt them there. (ASV)
And they took their bones, and buried them under the tamarisk-tree in Jabesh, and fasted seven days. where the bodies of Saul and his sons were burned by the men of Jabesh-Gilead.
This was not their normal burial practice but was likely done to prevent further disrespect and disgrace of the remains of King Saul.
After burning the bodies, they still buried the bones, which would suggest that burial was considered important.
While the Bible does not clearly endorse cremation, it also certainly does not say that those who are cremated will be denied the resurrection. God is fully capable of restoring a person’s body, whether it was buried, cremated, lost at sea, or destroyed in some other way.
Many early Christians were martyred by fire, and their faith certainly would not have been invalidated by what happened to their bodies. This may sound odd. Ultimately, the decision to cremate or bury is a personal choice that should be made in my opinion with prayer and due consideration of the living. Consider the mourners going to the tomb of Jesus, the tomb was a place set aside more so for the grievers than the dead. Jesus is no longer there but millions still go to the, thought to be tomb of Jesus to remember.
So a look at Burial.
Burial is very much A Tradition of Honor and is the common practice among God’s people.
The Scriptures show us that, burial is associated with honor, respect, and a proper way to care for the deceased.
In Genesis 23, Abraham went to great lengths to secure a burial site for his wife, Sarah. He purchased a cave in the land of Canaan to ensure she had a proper resting place. And later, Abraham himself was buried there, along with Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Leah. It was a family tradition
This story teaches the fact that burial of Abraham and his family was carefully arranged and shows burial as being deeply respected and a comfort to the loved ones.
Another example is Joseph, who made the Israelites promise to take his bones back to the Promised Land when they left Egypt. Even after his death, great care was taken to honor his remains by burying them where he wished.
No doubt the most important burial in the Bible was that of course of Jesus Christ. After His crucifixion, His body was placed in a tomb by Joseph of Arimathea. The burial of Christ was not only done as a practical necessity—it fulfilled prophecy and showed reverence for His body. Even though Jesus rose from the dead, His burial was still treated as an important and sacred act.
Study shows burial was not just about respect for the dead; it also reflected a belief in the future resurrection and gave loved ones a place to gather to remember and morn.
In Daniel 12:2, the Bible speaks of the dead rising again, and in 1 Corinthians 15:, Paul gives great detail of the body after death and describes the body as being “sown in dishonor” and “raised in glory.” This story aligns with burial, where the body is placed in the ground like a seed, awaiting the day of resurrection. For this reason, many Christians preferred burial as a way to show their faith in the resurrection. Although burial is the common biblical practice, this does not mean that cremation is a sin. It simply means that throughout history, God’s people saw burial as a considerate way to honor the dead and the living. A choice between the two, burial or cremation is a personal choice.
Are There Any Biblical Examples of Scattering Ashes?
Does the Bible give any examples of people scattering cremated ashes after death? The short answer is no.
There are no direct biblical accounts of someone’s remains being cremated and then scattered. Mainly because, burial was the standard practice among God’s people. The Bible however does mention ashes in several ways.
In the Old Testament, ashes were often associated with mourning, repentance, and humility. For example, in Job 42:6, Job says, “Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes,” certainly not that these ashes were of a cremated body. Also People would sit in ashes or sprinkle them on their heads to express grief or sorrow. But this had nothing to do with scattering a person’s remains after death.
The closest biblical references to ashes after death involves situations of judgment. In 2 Kings 23:16-20, King Josiah destroys pagan altars and burns the bones of false priests, scattering their ashes to dishonor the site.
Similarly, in Jeremiah 8:1-2, God Himself speaks of bringing judgment by exposing the bones of kings and priests, leaving them “as dung on the ground.” These passages do not refer to a respectful scattering of ashes but instead describe acts of disgrace, dishonor and judgment to the dead.
This does not mean that scattering ashes is sinful or a disrespectful way, but it does show that the Bible does not record examples of it being done in a positive or honorable way.
Because there is no biblical precedent for scattering ashes, Christians who are considering it should pray and seek wisdom in making their decision.
Does Scattering Ashes Disrespect the Body?
For many Christians, the biggest concern about cremation and scattering ashes is whether it disrespects the body. One thought , Cremation certainly is destroying that which God hath created. The Bible teaches that, the human body is seen as valuable and sacred. Genesis 1:27 tells us that we are made in the image of God, which means our bodies are not just physical shells—they reflect God Himself in creation and purpose. Even after death, the Bible speaks about the body with honor. This is why burial was traditionally preferred. It symbolized returning to the earth while still respecting the body as being created by God.
1 Corinthians 15:52 says, “For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”
The condition of our physical remains either cremated or buried does not limit God’s power to restore us, to resurrect us. In the Bible, respect of burial often involved careful preparation, mourning, and a dedicated resting place. Cremation however does not prevent this act of respect.
Each person must prayerfully consider their decision, seeking God’s guidance in how to handle the remains of a loved one with care and respect.
Closing now How do we Decide What to Do?
Since the Bible does not give a clear command about cremation or scattering ashes, how should Christians make their decision? It is best to seek guidance from Scripture, prayer, also considering personal conviction but also remember and consider the other loved ones left to morn. Remember the funeral ,grave site and burial is more for the living than the departed.

Throughout Scripture, burial was the normal practice, and it was done with great care and respect. We should possibly consider more toward the living than the deceased as they are already with God in Spirit. We should however ensure that whatever choice is made for the departed, those choices are made with reverence and respect, as God would have it.
If cremation or scattering ashes brings discomfort or feels at odds with your beliefs, then traditional burial may be a better choice.
No matter what happens to the body after death, God’s promise remains unchanged. Whether you choose burial or cremation, what matters most is that the decision is made with a heart that seeks to honor God in how His creation is handled and also to honor surviving loved ones of the deceased .
Ultimately, our hope surely is not in how our earthly bodies are handled, but in the eternal life God has promised us through our Lord Jesus. That is what we should each pursue while we live. Amen
Everything in life is a choice. In all that we do we should do so in love. I know this word today has not been the most uplifting word but at times we need to address un-lovely thoughts such as the loss of a loved one so as to be prepared for what will befall each one of us. For the Christian no greater loving hope is there than being caught up into the air with our Lord and so many that has gone before us. May the Lord comfort and guide you in all choices made yesterday, today and those choices as yet to make ahead of you. Amen
Prayer

05/24/2025

02/10/2025

2 9 25 truth is truth, a lie is a lie and sin is sin
Where to begin. Some say I am a political preacher. Many do not like that as I was reminded of this past Sunday by a man I know who lives back east. He expressed himself by saying it is “sad” that I preach on politics. As many believe “politics and religion should not be mixed”. Even suggesting that sin in politics should be ignored by the church. So I thought I might expand on this subject more so than I have in the past. First off there is no sin in political parties per say. The sin is in those who run those parties. The men and women who set the ideas and beliefs of those parties in motion. Dictionary definition. What is politics, the activities of governments concerning the political relations between countries. There is no sin in that idea but sin only in those in control. The sin nature of man is what must be addressed and that should be the job of the church.
Let me be clear about this. There is not a single group or party of people anywhere political or otherwise on Gods green earth that is sin free, Not a political party or for that matter not a church or denomination any where that is sin free because it is people who make up those organizations and not one person has ever lived except Jesus Christ who is sin free.
As I see and am led, as a watchman I am to warn the people and expose sin, not necessarily those who are sinners but the sin itself and in doing that helping the people to choose who they might follow. It is however right that I might suggest those who are following the Lord are worthy of hearing and even following with your support of that person or party. Example, if I have seen lies being told from a party or individual, I should certainly not suppress my condemnation of lies, corruption and deceit or outright blatant sin such as abortion, some would call it judgment of that person or party but in fact it is judgment of the sin, I may point it out but then it is the responsibility of the voter you might say as to support or not to support that apparent sin in that party or the person. When one decides to support or condone that sin then he is also guilty of that sin.
I am not being political in the Church but doing as I am directed to do by God as a watchman on the wall. Isa 21:6 For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth.

Eze 3:17 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.
Again Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.
Eze 33:2 Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman:
Eze 33:6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet,(give wrning) and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.
Eze 33:7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.
Certainly there is no man or party that is perfect or sin free. Our choices are always to choose the lesser of two evils especially in politics, Our Holy Spirit can help greatly in making that choice.
These verses about the watchman are some of the clearest reasons that we hear at Kings Hill Church do not have a 501C3 tax exempt status. As stated in that 501C3, Mans document gives man legal cause for the watchman not to give warning hence separation of Church and State. Read it folks.
Political parties have great influence over our country and its people. It is the Christians responsibility to support the party or person who more closely aliens with the Word of God, of course in making that choice it helps to know the Word of God. A benefit of that is when we support good and not evil, then the party who is more out of line with the Word will begin to fall back into alinement and that is as God would wish. Just as we have seen of late in our country, Amen When we knowingly support or condone sin in any way God is justified in calling us to answer for it.
So folks understand that I do not preach against a political party or a particular political figure but against the sin within.