The Beginning
Tony Schachle
Origins • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Transcript
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
NOTES
In the beginning...
The beginning refers to the beginning of time, space, and matter and the origin of the physical universe and Earth.
Genesis begins with a short summary of God’s creative work of creation.
In the beginning God...
God has no beginning and no ending. The Trinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit has always existed as God.
God is uncreated and is the Creator of all things.
Psalm 90:1-2
Psalm 93:2
Isaiah 48:13
God here is the Hebrew word Elohim.
It is interesting to note this word is plural, but it’s used as if it were singular.
Since it is used to describe the one, true God, the plural form indicates the writer of Genesis must have had the Trinity in mind.
...God created the heavens at the earth.
The universe is not a cosmic coincidence, as is taught by the Big Bang Theory. We are not the result of millions of years of evolution as taught by Darwinism. The entirety of the universe and everything in it was created by God.
created is the Hebrew word bara, which means to create, shape, or form. God created the heavens and earth out of nothing (ex nihilo). He did not fashion it from pre-existing materials. He spoke, and the material universe came into existence.
QUESTIONS
How long ago was “the beginning?” How old is the universe/earth? Can we know for sure? Does the Bible tell us or give us any hints?
What are some of the ways that the doctrine of Creationism is being attacked today?
Why is it important for Christians to defend the doctrine of Creationism?
The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
NOTES
The words without form and void are the Hebrew words tohu and bohu, respectively. They both have a similar meaning of being empty, describing the earth before God began to fill it with the creation.
Some translate the idea in this verse as the earth became without form and void. Their thinking is the earth was originally created not without form and void, but it became without form and void through the destructive work of Satan. However, this is not the plain grammatical sense of the ancient Hebrew.
Those who follow this idea look to Isaiah 45:18: For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; He hath established it, he created it not in vain, He formed it to be inhabited; I am the LORD, and there is none else. The Hebrew word for void in Isaiah is the same as the word used in Genesis 1:1.
Based on these ideas, some have promoted what is referred to as the Gap Theory. The Gap Theory assumes there was a long and indefinite chronological gap between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2. Most Gap Theory advocates use it to try to explain the fossil record.
A few issues with the Gap Theory:
Death before Adam: The Gap Theory cannot explain the extinction and fossilization of ancient animals. The Bible plainly says that death came by Adam (Romans 5:12), and since fossils are the result of death, they could not have happened before Adam’s time.
Grammar: Another issue with the Gap Theory is that the grammar of Genesis 1:1 and 1:2 does not allow for a gap. We have to get into the technical details of Hebrew, but the and at the beginning of Genesis 1:2 is what is called a “waw copulative,” which is equivalent to the old English expression “to wit.” Essentially, verse 1 is the subject and verb clause, and verse 2 includes three circumstantial clauses (three statements that further describe the principal clause in verse 1). Verse 2 is a further description of the state of the originally created earth. The “waw copulative” does not allow for a chronological gap.
Was or Became: The meaning of a word in Hebrew is determined by its context. In this case, verse two is circumstantial to verse 1, so the translation was is the most appropriate. Most English translations as well as the LXX (Septuagint), translate it this way.
The simple, straightforward meaning of Genesis 1:1-2 is that, when God created the earth at the beginning, it was initially formless, empty, and dark, and God’s Spirit was there above the waters. It was through His creative energy that the world was then progressively formed and filled during the six days of creation.
Darkness was upon the face of the deep because God had not yet created light. Light is created in verse 3.
The Spirit of God is the Holy Spirit.
And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters, has the idea of a mother bird hovering or brooding over young. This word is also used in Deuteronomy 32:11.
When God created the earth, He likely made an “old” earth, creating things in the midst of a time sequence, with either apparent or manufactured age built into creation. For example, Adam was already of mature age when he was created.
QUESTIONS
What might be some of the possible reasons why the Gap Theory gained popularity, especially in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries?
What was the role of the Holy Spirit in the creation of the universe?
How does the role of the Holy Spirit in the creation of the universe parallel the transformative process that takes place in the life of a Christian?
3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day.
NOTES
The first words that God speaks are Let there be light. God simply spoke, and it came into being: and there was light. It did not take millions of years, a thousand years, or even days or months for this to take place.
Genesis tells us that light, day, and night each existed before the sun and the moon were created on the fourth day (Genesis 1:14-19). This shows us that light is more than a physical substance; it also has a supernatural aspect. In the new heavens and the new earth, there won’t be any sun or moon. God Himself will be the light (Revelation 22:5).
Many wonder if this was a literal day (in the sense we think of a day) or if it was a geological age. Some say that God created the world in six days, and others say He created it in six vast geological ages. Though there is disagreement among Christians on this, the plainest and simplest meaning of the text is that He created it in six literal 24-hour days as we think of days.
QUESTIONS
How does the first chapter of the Gospel of John parallel the creation account in the first chapter of Genesis?
If these days are not literal days and there are thousands or millions of years between each creation period, how would plants created on Day Three survive until the sun was created on Day Four? Do you see any other issues?
6 Then God said, “Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.” 7 Thus God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; and it was so. 8 And God called the firmament Heaven. So the evening and the morning were the second day.
NOTES
firmament is the Hebrew word raqia, which means “expanse” or “space.” God separates the water upon the earth from the water vapor in the sky.
Some commentators and scientists believe that here the Bible recognizes the existence of significant water vapor in the sky. Such a vapor blanket would greatly change the ecology of the earth, and Henry Morris suggests several effects of a vapor blanket:
“The waters above the firmament thus probably constituted a vast blanket of water vapor above the troposphere and possibly above the stratosphere as well, in the high temperature region now known as the ionosphere, and extending far into space.” (Morris)
It would serve as a global greenhouse, maintaining an essentially uniform, pleasant temperature all over the world.
Without great temperature variations, there would be no significant winds, and the water-rain cycle could not form. There would be no rain, as we know it today.
There would be lush, tropical-like vegetation all over the world, fed not by rain, but by a rich evaporation and condensation cycle, resulting in heavy dew or ground-fog.
The vapor blanket would filter out ultraviolet radiation, cosmic rays, and other destructive energies bombarding the planet. These are known to be the cause of mutations, which decrease human longevity. Human and animal lifespans would be greatly increased.
A vapor blanket would provide the necessary reservoir for a potential worldwide flood.
Heaven is the Hebrew word shamayim, which in this case refers to the atmosphere surrounding the earth.
QUESTIONS
If the idea of a vapor blanket over the earth is accurate, what event later in Genesis would change this environmental condition?
Is there more than one heaven? Why is the atmosphere described by the ancient Hebrews as heaven?
9 Then God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear”; and it was so. 10 And God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters He called Seas. And God saw that it was good. 11 Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth”; and it was so. 12 And the earth brought forth grass, the herb that yields seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 13 So the evening and the morning were the third day.
NOTES
Day 3 includes the separation of water from dry land and the creation of plants and vegetation on the earth.
The idea is that before this moment, the Earth must have been completely covered with water.
Evolutionary theory teaches that, in the Milky Way Galaxy, our sun formed first, and then later the Earth and the other planets slowly coalesced and formed around the sun. The Bible states plainly the earth was created before the sun.
Notice that God did not create seeds, plant them, and then wait for them to grow. He created fully mature plants and placed the seeds in the plants, giving them the ability to reproduce after their own kind.
The term kind is used 10 times in Genesis 1. It is a reminder that God created each type of plant, animal, as well as human with the ability to be able to reproduce after their own kind. That means monkeys do not become humans and tomato plants do not become pear trees after millions of years of evolution. The theory of evolution contradicts the creation account of the book of Genesis.
QUESTIONS
Why do you think it is not until after completing His creative work on Day 3 that God calls it good?
Why do you think it is significant that God gave each type of plant a seed after its own kind, and why is it repeated so many times throughout Genesis 1?
14 Then God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; 15 and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth”; and it was so. 16 Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. 17 God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth, 18 and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 So the evening and the morning were the fourth day.
NOTES
These verses describe the creation of the sun, moon, and stars.
We use the sun, moon, and stars to measure time and for navigation.
This includes what we refer to as the constellations. The ancient Hebrews referred to these as the Mazzaroth (Job 38:31-32).
It is interesting to note that the names and sequence of the constellations is the same in every language and culture throughout the world. This points to a common, pre-Babel beginning for the constellations.
Man has corrupted God’s creation and used it for evil purposes such as astrology, horoscopes, etc. These corruptions should be avoided (Isaiah 47:12-15).
The placement of all of the bodies in the universe is evidence for intelligent design and the existence of a Creator.
The earth is the perfect distance from the sun. Any closer and liquid water would evaporate and the earth would not sustain life. Any further away and water would freeze and the cold temperatures would not support life.
The earth is tilted on its axis at around 23.5 degrees. Without this tilting, we would not have the seasons of the year.
The moon is in the perfect location relative to the earth and the sun so that a solar eclipse is possible.
The moon is tidally locked with the earth and produces the tides in our oceans. If the moon were closer, tidal variations would be catastrophic. Any further away and the tidal influence would not be enough to support certain ecosystems along shorelines.
When man looks up at the night sky at the number of stars in the heavens, he has contemplated the question: “Are we alone in the universe or is there other intelligent life out there somewhere?”
First, it is important to note that God’s Word does not speak of other intelligent, human or other, life on other planets.
We know that there are other plants, solar systems, and galaxies throughout the universe. However, this does not necessitate they are populated with intelligent life.
We know that there are other spiritual creatures such as angels, demons, etc. But what man is concerned with is identifying other human-like, intelligent creatures, much like ourselves on other planets.
QUESTIONS
What are some other ways that man has corrupted God’s creation and used it for evil purposes?
Why is it important from Christians to stay away from practices such as astrology and horoscopes?
20 Then God said, “Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens.” 21 So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” 23 So the evening and the morning were the fifth day.
NOTES
On Day 5 God created animal life that flies and swims.
Animal life did not evolve over millions of years from plant life. God created them instantaneously.
Note again that they produce after their kind. Catfish do not evolve into whales and chickens do not evolve into eagles. God created each one of the animal kingdom unique and for the purpose of producing their own kind and filling the earth.
QUESTIONS
Why do you think God blessed the animal creations on Day 5, but not the vegetation and other creations on previous days?
Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind: cattle and creeping thing and beast of the earth, each according to its kind”; and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth according to its kind, cattle according to its kind, and everything that creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
NOTES
On Day 6, God creates the animal life that will inhabit the dry land of the earth.
He begins Day 6 with creating the rest of the animal kingdom.
Stop and think for a moment about the amazing variety and number of animals that God has created. Consider the intelligence and imagination required to create such diversity. This could only result from the mind of God.
QUESTIONS
What are some examples of the amazing variety and uniqueness of the animal kingdom?
Does it seem logical that all of this variety and complexity could have originated by chance and through millions of years of evolution?
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
NOTES
The repeated use of the plural pronouns (Us, Our) is consistent with the doctrine of the Trinity: One God in three persons.
It is significant that man (human beings) are created in the image and likeness of God. There are at least three aspects to the idea that we are created in the image of God.
Humans possess personality with a mind, will, and emotions.
Humans possess morality and are able to make moral judgments and have a conscience.
Humans possess spirituality and are capable of communion and intimate relationship with God.
Humans were given dominion over God’s creation.
Later we see where God gives Adam and Eve instructions to care for the Garden of Eden.
God placed the rest of creation under humanity’s control.
Humanity is expected to be good stewards of the environment.
Humanity was created male and female.
God created Adam as the male and Eve as the female.
Men and women are different. However, since God created these differences intentionally, they are good and meaningful.
Men are not women and women are not men. The gender confusion issue that is prevalent today is an abomination to God.
God also intended the marriage relationship to be between one biological male and one biological female. Any other type of relationship is an abomination to God.
Notice that God blessed man and woman. Without His blessings, human life would be unbearable and impossible.
Man and woman are commanded to be fruitful and multiply.
God intended humanity to reproduce after their own kind and to fill the earth.
Sexual relations were designed by God to be a healthy part of a marriage relationship, which creates intimacy between the two individuals and provides a way to procreate and continue the human race.
QUESTIONS
What does it mean to you to know that you are created in the image of God?
Has humanity always been good stewards of God’s creation?
What should the church’s stance be on the issues regarding marriage, sexual intimacy, and the family identified above?
And God said, “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food. Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food”; and it was so. Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
NOTES
Notice that originally, God only gave fruit, vegetables, herbs, etc. as food.
Apparently, in the beginning, humanity was vegetarian.
In fact, it is not until Genesis 9:3 when Noah and his family exit the ark that God specifically says that meat (animal flesh) is acceptable to eat.
This also extended to the animal kingdom. Apparently, carnivorous animals did not exist until after sin entered into the world.
God declared on Day 6 that His creation was very good. This is the first time He had made this statement. Previously, He had simply declared that it was good.
QUESTIONS
Why do you think God would not have allowed Adam and Eve to eat meat prior to sin entering into the world?
What might be some reasons why God would say that His creation is very good at the end of Day 6?
1 Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. 2 And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.
NOTES
Following the six days of Creation, God rests. God did not need rest because He was tired. He rested to show His creative process was complete, to give mankind a pattern regarding the structure of time (7-day weeks), and give an example of the blessing of rest.
God sanctified the seventh day because it is a gift to mankind for rest and replenishment, and because it is a type or shadow of the rest available through the person and work of Jesus Christ
Colossians 2:16-17
Hebrews 4:9-11
There are two important aspects to the Sabbath that apply to Christians today:
Holy Day of Rest: Although we are not under the Old Testament law regarding the Sabbath, it is still an example for us and there is a great benefit to setting aside one day of the week as a day of rest and worship unto God. We need physical rest in order to stay happy and healthy. We also should enjoy meeting together with other believers and worshipping God (Hebrews 10:25).
Salvation Rest: We are also to be reminded that every day for a Christian is a day of rest in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Therefore, every day should be set apart to the service of God.
QUESTIONS
Refer to Exodus 20:8-11. What does this portion of Scripture teach us about the importance of the Sabbath day?
How is the seventh day of rest that God instituted after the six days of creation a type or a shadow of our salvation in Jesus Christ?
Does the Bible state that Sunday is the only day of the week that can be considered the Sabbath day?
