Scripture: Genesis 1:1 – 2:25
I. Christ the co-Creator
A. Recognized vaguely in Genesis
1. Elohim (God) in the Hebrew is plural (Gen. 1:1)
2. “let us make man” shows plurality (Gen. 1:26)
B. Developed later in Old Testament scripture
1. Alludes to “the word” (Ps. 33:3-9)
2. God – the creator – refers to Christ
(compare Ps. 102:24-27 and Heb. 1:10-12)
`C. Plainly stated in the New Testament (Jn. 1:1-3,14 Heb. 1:1-2 Heb. 11:3)
II. What Christ did was Good
A. Stated to be good in its parts (Gen. 1:4,10,12,18, et. al.)
B. Stated to be good as a whole (Gen. 1:31)
C. Good because of orderliness
1. Ordered in the doing of it (light, atmosphere, land, vegetation, seasons, birds, fish, animals, man)
2. Ordered in its interrelation (Ecch. 1:4-7)
3. Ordered in its continuance (Gen. 1:11-12, 21-22, 24-25, 27-28)
III. Mankind – the crown jewel of the Creation
A. In the image of God (Gen. 1:26)
B. Breath of life (Gen. 2:7)
Conclusion: Christ was present in the very beginning of the creation and, as we will see, was with the people of God throughout the Old Testament record.
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Lesson One: Christ’s First Recorded Work – Creation
Introduction: In the first two chapters of Genesis we find the record of the creation week. We are not looking so much for the events of the week nor do we intend to demonstrate the obvious fact that the days are literal and not figurative. We instead will be looking in this study and the studies to follow in this series for the Christ.
Christ – The Co-Creator: In the very beginning of the Bible we see the vague recognition of the presence of Jesus. The term translated “God” in Genesis 1:1 is in a plural form in the Hebrew and may suggest either the majesty of God by using the plural or possibly a suggestion of the ever-presence of Jesus with the Father throughout the Bible record, the plural form being very common throughout the old Scriptures. Both may even be under consideration in the Hebrew form and very likely such is the case.
It is also true that several passages such as are found in Genesis 1:26, Genesis 11:7, and others indicate a presence with which God talks and plans. Since Genesis 1:26 definitively shows this individual to be a co-creator, the only one qualified to be this person is Jesus.
This theme is developed to a much greater degree in later Scripture. Psalm 33 when compared to John 1:1-3 clearly presents to us Jesus the co-creator as “the Word” of God. Without question, Christ was present and active at the creation of the world.
What Christ Did Was Good: In the creation record we are reminded that all which was done by the Creator was good. It was good in its parts (Genesis 1:4,10 et.al.) and it was good as a whole (Genesis 1:31).
The creation was also good because of its orderliness. It was ordered in the doing of it, each step depending on the one before. It was ordered in its interdependence, no part able to stand on its own but each part having a place in the overall plan. It was ordered in its continuance, designed through reproduction (Genesis 1:11-12) and interrelation to continue until the Creator should return and bring about the end of time.
Mankind – The Crown Jewel of Creation: God’s final act during the creation week was the birth of Adam and Eve. They were the crowning achievement of our Lord, all else taking second place to them in the mind of God. They were His children and He provided them with all things they might need.
Conclusion: Christ was, from the very beginning, meeting the needs of man, nurturing him, walking with him, loving him. We will see as we continue our study that the Christ was present with the people of God throughout the Old Testament record.
Thought Questions:
1. How might Jesus have taught this to his disciples?
2. How did Christ continue this role (creator) in the New Testament times?