Origins

OriginsOrigins

Genesis 1:1-2 In the Genesis 1:1-2 In the beginning, God created the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and earth was without form and void, and darkness was over void, and darkness was over

the face of the deep. And the the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering Spirit of God was hovering

over the face of the waters.over the face of the waters.

Introduction:Introduction:

Man has always been intrigued with Man has always been intrigued with the theme of origins. the theme of origins.

Science, however, cannot satisfy that Science, however, cannot satisfy that curiosity, for it cannot deal with the curiosity, for it cannot deal with the question of origins. question of origins.

The first verse of the Bible, though, by The first verse of the Bible, though, by divine inspiration, answers the human divine inspiration, answers the human longing: “In the beginning God created longing: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” the heavens and the earth.”

I. IN THE BEGINNINGI. IN THE BEGINNING

The "beginning" is the beginning of the The "beginning" is the beginning of the creation of the universe.creation of the universe.

I. IN THE BEGINNINGI. IN THE BEGINNING

The expression in the beginning The expression in the beginning clearly reveals that the universe is not clearly reveals that the universe is not eternal. eternal.

Hebrews 1:10, 11 And, "You, Lord, laid Hebrews 1:10, 11 And, "You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment,like a garment,

I. IN THE BEGINNINGI. IN THE BEGINNING

This initial phrase focuses upon the This initial phrase focuses upon the commencement time. Prior to this commencement time. Prior to this event, time did not exist. event, time did not exist.

I. IN THE BEGINNINGI. IN THE BEGINNING

The universe is not billions of years The universe is not billions of years old, as alleged by evolutionary date-old, as alleged by evolutionary date-setters. The fact is, the universe and setters. The fact is, the universe and humankind share a genesis within the humankind share a genesis within the same week. same week.

I. IN THE BEGINNINGI. IN THE BEGINNING

Mark 10:6 But from the beginning of Mark 10:6 But from the beginning of creation, 'God made them male and creation, 'God made them male and female.'female.'

Romans 1:20 For his invisible Romans 1:20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.made. So they are without excuse.

II. GODII. GOD

The eternal source behind the The eternal source behind the universe is God. universe is God.

No explanation is offered for the No explanation is offered for the presence of God. He is simply presence of God. He is simply depicted as the existing Creator. depicted as the existing Creator.

The Hebrew term Elohim probably The Hebrew term Elohim probably derives from a root meaning strong.derives from a root meaning strong.

II. GODII. GOD

The name, as used in Genesis 1:1, The name, as used in Genesis 1:1, is plural.is plural.

Genesis 1:26 Then God said, "Let Genesis 1:26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."thing that creeps on the earth."

II. GODII. GOD

Genesis 3:22 Then the LORD God Genesis 3:22 Then the LORD God said, "Behold, the man has become said, "Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—"eat, and live forever—"

Geneses 11:7 Come, let us go down Geneses 11:7 Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one that they may not understand one another’s speech."another’s speech."

II. GODII. GOD

The New Testament makes it clear The New Testament makes it clear that the pre-incarnate Christ was a key that the pre-incarnate Christ was a key figure in the creation. figure in the creation.

John 1:3 All things were made through John 1:3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.thing made that was made.

Hebrews 1:2 but in these last days he Hebrews 1:2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the through whom also he created the world.world.

II. GODII. GOD

Colossians 1:16 For by him all things Colossians 1:16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him all things were created through him and for him.and for him.

III. CREATED THE HEAVEN AND III. CREATED THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTHTHE EARTH

The "heavens and earth" refer to the The "heavens and earth" refer to the universe as we know it (i.e., the sky universe as we know it (i.e., the sky above with all that is in it and the earth above with all that is in it and the earth below).below).

III. CREATED THE HEAVEN AND III. CREATED THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTHTHE EARTH

The universe was not self-createdThe universe was not self-created

III. CREATED THE HEAVEN AND III. CREATED THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTHTHE EARTH

The action of Genesis 1:1 involved a The action of Genesis 1:1 involved a creation out of nothing.creation out of nothing.

Psalm 33:9 For he spoke, and it came Psalm 33:9 For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.firm.

Hebrews 11:3 By faith we understand Hebrews 11:3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.not made out of things that are visible.

III. CREATED THE HEAVEN AND III. CREATED THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTHTHE EARTH

Romans 4:17 as it is written, "I have Romans 4:17 as it is written, "I have made you the father of many made you the father of many nations"—in the presence of the God nations"—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.things that do not exist.

III. CREATED THE HEAVEN AND III. CREATED THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTHTHE EARTH

Though Scripture does not specifically Though Scripture does not specifically mention it, apparently even the angels mention it, apparently even the angels were made at this time, for we are later were made at this time, for we are later informed that the entire creation was informed that the entire creation was accomplished within the first week.accomplished within the first week.

Exodus 20:11 For in six days the LORD Exodus 20:11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.holy.

III. CREATED THE HEAVEN AND III. CREATED THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTHTHE EARTH

and that the angels “shouted for joy” when and that the angels “shouted for joy” when the “foundations of the earth” were laid.the “foundations of the earth” were laid.

Job 38:4-7 "Where were you when I laid Job 38:4-7 "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy all the sons of God shouted for joy

III. CREATED THE HEAVEN AND III. CREATED THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTHTHE EARTH

This verse is important because it This verse is important because it contradicts six popular philosophies:contradicts six popular philosophies:

1. Atheism (the doctrine or belief that 1. Atheism (the doctrine or belief that there is no God) —God does exist.there is no God) —God does exist.

2. Pantheism (the doctrine that God is 2. Pantheism (the doctrine that God is nature)—God is distinct from His nature)—God is distinct from His creation.creation.

3. Polytheism (the doctrine of or belief 3. Polytheism (the doctrine of or belief in more than one god or in many gods)in more than one god or in many gods)—"Created" is singular in the text.—"Created" is singular in the text.

III. CREATED THE HEAVEN AND III. CREATED THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTHTHE EARTH

4. Radical materialism (matter is 4. Radical materialism (matter is eternal)—Matter had a supernatural eternal)—Matter had a supernatural origin.origin.

5. Naturalism (evolutionism)—5. Naturalism (evolutionism)—Creation took place when someone Creation took place when someone outside nature intervened.outside nature intervened.

6. Fatalism (the acceptance of all 6. Fatalism (the acceptance of all things and events as inevitable; things and events as inevitable; submission to fate )—A personal God submission to fate )—A personal God freely chose to create.freely chose to create.

III. CREATED THE HEAVEN AND III. CREATED THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH THE EARTH

The emphasis in this verse is on the origin The emphasis in this verse is on the origin of the universe. of the universe.

God created it. God created it. He alone is eternal, and everything else He alone is eternal, and everything else

owes its origin and existence to Him. owes its origin and existence to Him.

IV. THE EARTH WAS WITHOUT IV. THE EARTH WAS WITHOUT FORM AND VOIDFORM AND VOID

Verse 2 describes the condition of the Verse 2 describes the condition of the earth before God prepared it for earth before God prepared it for human beings.human beings.

IV. THE EARTH WAS WITHOUT IV. THE EARTH WAS WITHOUT FORM AND VOIDFORM AND VOID

Here we learn that the earth was Here we learn that the earth was "formless and empty" (meaning "formless and empty" (meaning thoroughly disorganized, thoroughly disorganized, unproductive, and uninhabited) before unproductive, and uninhabited) before God graciously prepared it for human God graciously prepared it for human habitation.habitation.

IV. THE EARTH WAS WITHOUT IV. THE EARTH WAS WITHOUT FORM AND VOIDFORM AND VOID

Jeremiah 4:23-27 I looked on the earth, and Jeremiah 4:23-27 I looked on the earth, and behold, it was without form and void; and to behold, it was without form and void; and to the heavens, and they had no light. I looked the heavens, and they had no light. I looked on the mountains, and behold, they were on the mountains, and behold, they were quaking, and all the hills moved to and fro. I quaking, and all the hills moved to and fro. I looked, and behold, there was no man, and all looked, and behold, there was no man, and all the birds of the air had fled. I looked, and the birds of the air had fled. I looked, and behold, the fruitful land was a desert, and all behold, the fruitful land was a desert, and all its cities were laid in ruins before the LORD, its cities were laid in ruins before the LORD, before his fierce anger. For thus says the before his fierce anger. For thus says the LORD, "The whole land shall be a desolation; LORD, "The whole land shall be a desolation; yet I will not make a full end.yet I will not make a full end.

V. AND DARKNESS WAS OVER V. AND DARKNESS WAS OVER THE FACE OF THE DEEP.THE FACE OF THE DEEP.

The original creation was shrouded in The original creation was shrouded in darkness as the Spirit of God began to darkness as the Spirit of God began to fashion the earth into a place for fashion the earth into a place for biological habitation. biological habitation.

V. AND THE SPIRIT OF GOD WAS V. AND THE SPIRIT OF GOD WAS HOVERING OVER THE FACE OF HOVERING OVER THE FACE OF

THE WATERS.THE WATERS. All is static, lifeless, immobile. Motion, which All is static, lifeless, immobile. Motion, which

is the essential element in change, is the essential element in change, originates with God's dynamic presence.originates with God's dynamic presence.

Conclusion:Conclusion:

Verse 1 explains the origin of the universe.Verse 1 explains the origin of the universe. Verse 2 describes conditions that existed on Verse 2 describes conditions that existed on

earth when God created it originally.earth when God created it originally. Verses 3-31 describe this original condition Verses 3-31 describe this original condition

in more detail and explain the process of in more detail and explain the process of creation by which God formed what was creation by which God formed what was formless and filled what was void. formless and filled what was void.

Conclusion:Conclusion:

These verses refer to the beginning of the These verses refer to the beginning of the world as we know it; it affirms that it is world as we know it; it affirms that it is entirely the product of the creation of God. entirely the product of the creation of God.

The creation account is theocentric, not The creation account is theocentric, not creature centered. Its purpose is to glorify creature centered. Its purpose is to glorify the Creator by magnifying him through the the Creator by magnifying him through the majesty of the created order. majesty of the created order.