Creation

<<formation of the universe>>

Biblical creation is foundational to the Christian faith. “In the beginning God created the heavens and earth”. God, who is eternally existent, had a purpose and design in making this world. He spoke and the world came into

God brought the world into existence

existence out of nothing and continues to be regulated at His command for “He sustains all things by His powerful word” (Gen 1:3,6,9,11,14,20,24,26; Ps 33:6; Heb 1:3). This reveals His infinite power (omnipotence), and the creativity of words (we also create by our words blessing or curse, life or death so be very careful what you say). God is also omnipresent or present everywhere in His creation at all times.

The world was created by and for God to show the glory of His eternal power, wisdom and goodness (Eph 3:9; Col 1:16; Rev 4:11). He is the supreme authority over all creation, including Satan and the spirit realm.

Creation displays His handiwork but is distinct from God (Gen 1:1; Ps 19:1, 104:24). “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – His eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse”. We are not to worship creation, rather worship the creator who made all things and who wants to have a vital ‘life’ relationship with His creation (Jn 5:40, 10:10; Rom 1:20,25).

The careful design of the world is evidenced in the daily stages of creation, each building on His previous activity. Both man and animals were formed out of the ground, with man being the pinnacle of His creation for we are made in the likeness of God and “He breathed into him the breathe of life and man became a living being” (Gen 1:26,27, 2:7,19).

Biblical creation answers the fundamental questions of human existence: 1/. How did we get here? Where did we come from? 2/. Why are we here? Do we have a purpose? 3/. What happens when we die? Is there life after death?

We are of infinite worth because we are created in God’s image, we are the objects of His immense love – displayed by Jesus dying in our place. If we receive His substitution for our sin that separates from God we will spend

Do I see myself as a new creation in Christ?

eternity with Him, otherwise there is only eternal torment. It is through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus that we find purpose in this life and hope of a future life with Him.

Evolutionists claim the world commenced with the big bang theory many millions of years ago. It is inconsistent with sound reason to assume that such a highly complicated and vast universe could come into being by chance, any more than an explosion in a warehouse results in a car being fashioned. “Every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything” (Heb 3:4). The evolution concept is man’s attempt to deny the existence of God, for then they would be answerable to Him. It is in direct contrast with the Christian belief that God created the world as revealed to Moses (Gen 1:1-2:25). “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command so that what is seen was not made out of that which was visible…through Him all things were made, without Him nothing was made that has been made” (Jn 1:3; Heb 11:3). God said, “I am the Lord, who made all things…” (Isa 44:24).

The general understanding is that creation took place over six literal 24 hour days (Ex 20:8-11). Also, based on the Bible genealogies, the habitation of earth by humanity is only some 6,000 years. Man’s carbon dating has been shown to be very inaccurate at various times. Creation like the mystery of redemption can only be perceived and accepted by faith. God is infinitely greater and wiser than man, and His ways beyond human comprehension to understand (Rom 11:33).

The created world is suffering because of the effects of sin, but it will be liberated from this state in the new heaven and new earth (Rom 8:19-22). Man was given clear instruction to care for the earth, not to abuse or plunder its resources (Gen 1:28-30, 2:15).

While many questions remain about God and creation, we accept in faith that God was behind it all and the heavens declare His ability (Ps 8:3, 19:1).

Biblical re-creation. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone and the new has come” (2 Cor 5:17). Paul considered salvation, the encompassing of a new consciousness and way of perceiving reality and relating to the divine so radical and so comprehensively liberating that Christians

Have I experienced this?

were nothing short of “a new creation” – recognise who we are and live accordingly. Once we are saved we are not to live for ourselves, rather for Him (Rom 14:7-9; 2 Cor 5:15).