Creation

Article 6 - Creation

6-1 The triune God, according to His sovereign will, created out of nothing and out of things that He had made, by immediate and mediate action, the worlds and all that is in them.1 He is the Governor and Upholder of the creation by His wisdom and by the word of His mighty power.2

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters (Gen.1:1,2). (See also Gen.1:3-2:3). By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible (Heb.11:3). 2 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together (Col.1:16,17).

Before Creation

God determined the purpose of creation before He created anything.

Revelation 13:8 (ESV)

and all who dwell on earth will worship it [the Beast, the Antichrist], everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.

The reality of which this verse speaks (those whose name has not been written in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain) existed before the foundation of the world. In other words, this was true before creation.

Before before creation aa book existed called the Book of Life of the Lamb Who was Slain.

The Lamb is clearly Jesus.

God made the world and He had in view that Jesus Christ would be slain before He created the world.

God also had in view a people, whose names would be written in the book for whom the Lamb would be slain.

Redemption of man through the death and resurrection of Jesus therefore was not an after thought or God’s reaction to the fall of man.

2 Timothy 1:9 ESV

who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,

God provided His people grace to effect their salvation.

God’s grace comes to His people through the blood payment of Christ, the Lamb who was slain.

The means of salvation was in place before creation.

So redemption was always the plan.

the Lamb would suffer to secure the salvation of His people.

The salvation of God’s people through the blood of Christ is the clearest display of the glory of God.

Ephesians 1:4–6 ESV

even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

God’s people are chosen in Christ before creation.

Those who are saved are holy and blameless in the eyes of God.

God’s people have been adopted into His family.

The purpose of God’s work of election, redemption and adoption is the praise of His glorious grace.

Created Out of Nothing

Ex Nihilo (out of or from nothing)

Genesis 1:1 ESV

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

God does not have a beginning, that is, He is eternal. His creation does have a beginning and it is this fact that provides us with a frame of reference.

Augustine said this in his confessions: You are the Maker of all time. If, then, there was any time before you made heaven and earth, how can anyone say that you were idle? You must have made that time, for time could not elapse before you made it.

Even time, according to Augustine’s view of time and creation, had a beginning with the origin of the universe.

The author of Hebrews conveys an ex nihilo understanding of creation when he said:

Hebrews 11:3 ESV

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

John uses the same language to refer to the Son, and in so doing makes clear that the Word was essential to the creation of the universe.

John 1:3 ESV

All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

The Psalmist makes clear that the purpose of creation of the glory of God:

Psalm 19:1–2 ESV

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.