Genesis 1:1-5 In the beginning God - 2

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. Then He separated the light from the darkness. God called the light 'day' and the darkness 'night'. And evening passed and morning came, marking the first day." (Genesis 1:1-5)  

Dear friend,
     We noted that the first verse of the Bible establishes some foundational truths that should guide and influence our study of everything else in the Bible:

• There was a beginning;
• God existed BEFORE the beginning;
• God is responsible for the beginning;
• The Bible is first and foremost HIS story!

     Now, after three verses, let's note the attributes of God. What can we learn about Him?

• God is eternal. He existed before the beginning, and He will exist after the ending. (No, I don't fully understand--but if He were completely comprehensible, would He truly be God?)
• God is omnipotent--all-powerful. He speaks, and it is so.
• God is sovereign. He has all authority over all of creation.
• God is a creative Creator. He begins with darkness and adds light. It is good. Then He separates them. Both are good.
• God exists outside of time, yet He created time for us, and He works within and without time. We'll note the phrase "And evening passed and morning came" multiple times through chapter 1.
• God, from the very beginning, revealed Himself. He wants to be known. 
• God is orderly; He creates in an organized manner.
• God is deliberate; He is not capricious.

In the beginning the Word already existed.

The Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

He existed in the beginning with God.

God created everything through Him,

and nothing was created except through Him.

The Word gave life to everything that was created,

and His life brought light to everyone.

The light shines in the darkness,

and the darkness cannot extinguish it.

(John 1:1-5)

• What additional information does John provide about the Creation narrative found in Genesis 1?
• What similarities do you see between Genesis 1 and John 1?
• Who is "the Word"?  (It would be a good idea to finish reading all of John chapter 1.)
• What conclusions can we draw from these passages?

Heavenly Father, You are before all and over all, yet You choose to work within our context. We praise You for You are not only eternal and omnipotent, but You are also good.