Genesis Foundations

The opening chapters of the book of Genesis speak with authority. They are unique because they answer with authority fundamental questions of the human mind. They do not answer exhaustively and sufficiently for salvation but within them lie foundations answered in the fuller revelation of the Scriptures. We could think of it another way. The book of Genesis is the seed from which the whole plant of God’s Word springs. God’s revelation comes to man as an unfolding plan. The beginning point of God’s unfolding plan of the ages, as we can know it, begins in the opening chapters of Genesis. In this way the book of Genesis is the base of the pillar of Divine revelation. It is as the root of the tree of the inspired Scriptures. It is as the source of the stream of all the holy writings of the Bible. If the base of a pillar is removed, the pillar falls. If the root of a tree is cut out, the tree must wither and die. If the fountain head of a stream is cut off, the stream must dry up. If man ignores or refutes the validity or accuracy of the Genesis account, he loses his confidence in the remainder of the Biblical revelation.

The Bible as a whole is as a chain hanging upon two staples. The book of Genesis is the one staple; the book of Revelation the other. In this parallel, if we remove either staple the chain falls in confusion. If the opening chapters of Genesis are unreliable, then the revelation of the beginning of the universe, the origin of the human race, and the reason for its redemption are gone. On the other hand, if the book of Revelation is supplanted then the consummation of all things is unknown. To understand the Revelation one needs the Book of beginnings. It is in Genesis where are explained the first heaven, the first earth, the first Adam, and the fall. Without Genesis there is no foundation for the completed truths of mankind redeemed, a new heaven, a new earth, and the last Adam in Paradise regained.

The book of Genesis, especially the first eleven chapters, contain the first authoritative information given to the human race concerning questions of everlasting interest and everlasting importance. They introduce and gender the embryos of all the great Christian doctrines. Sin, atonement, grace, redemption, faith, justification, salvation, and many others are first encountered in Genesis. The Being of God, the origins of Creation and man, the origin of our soul, the reality of Divine revelation, the cosmic warfare between the forces of good and evil, the introduction of sin, the promise of redemption, the primitive divisions of the human race on the face of earth, the purpose of God’s elected people (which are the preliminary parts in the program of Christianity) are all included in these opening chapters. In a few words, in this inspired volume of beginnings, we have a satisfactory rationalization for all the sin and misery and contradiction now in this world, plus explanation for the wonderful scheme of redemption through faith in Jesus Christ.

The book of Genesis is the foundation upon which all the other sixty-five books of God’s written Word have been based and upon which one can seek to understand God and His own reasons for life. Jesus Christ gave key credit to this book of beginnings the same day of His resurrection when two disciples walked with Him on the way to Emmaus. He began to expound upon Himself, “Beginning at Moses (Genesis -Deuteronomy) and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself,” Luke 24:27.

Christians do well to follow Jesus' example. Those who want to understand the New Testament correctly, first need to understand Genesis. The New Testament contains at least two hundred direct quotations or clear allusions to events described in Genesis, more than any other Old Testament book. The creation of all things from nothing by the eternal, self-existent God is revealed in the very first verses of the Biblical story. It is hardly surprising therefore that some of the greatest attacks on the Bible have been directed against the integrity and authority of Genesis.

This study deals with a mere ten basic foundations projected from the first eleven chapters. Many more lessons are not included in this short study guide. These ten are introduced to stir up your thinking and growth in Scriptural knowledge.

That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour. -2 Peter 3:2

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اللغة

English

مؤلف

Edwin Eby

الناشر

Pilgrim Mennonite Conference

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العقيدة

العلم والكتاب المقدس

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