Lesson # 9—God Created!

Shorter Catechism Q & A # 9

Q. What is the work of Creation?

A. The work of creation is, God’s making all things of nothing, by the word of his power, in the space of six days, and all very good.

Memorize Q & A—Exposition

All that was needed was included in the Divine Godhead for the Triune God to create all things, heaven and earth, galaxies of stars and planets, out of nothing outside of the Godhead, by his word of command. All was ‘good’  perfect, needing no addition. Christ, the brightness of the glory of God, was “appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the world” (Heb. 1:2–3).

What does it mean?

1. How was the earth and heavens created? What is the difference between the “word” used in John 1:1–3 and the term “word” in Heb. 11:3?
2. For what reason were all things created (Revelation 4:11)?
3. What does it mean that God created all things in six days?

What is our practice?

Our God is the Creator of all things, therefore we care for his Creation, rejoicing in the wonder and beauty of all things, caring for the land and animals, as well as seeing others as being made after the image of God.

Our faith, witness, and daily activities are infected by the Creator, to whom we owe full allegiance and obedience.

Quotes for thought and discussion:

“The author of Hebrews used the word that signifies the spoken word. The author obviously refers to the creative fiats of Genesis 1. The correct understanding of the divine method and process of creation is indeed a matter of faith. No man was there to witness it. We accept it and believe it by revelation from God. Dr. Morton H. Smith explains that both the acts and the words of God are revelatory, and in relation to creation: ‘As one examines the details of the account in Genesis one he finds that the means of creation was through the speaking of God. And God said… occurs eight times. Four times the product of this creative activity is called by name. We see here that the revelation in creation is not only the act, but also involves the word revelation of God.’” (Sid Dyer, Did God Create in Six days?)

“That God is sovereign Lord of all by an incontestable right. If he is the Creator, no doubt he is the owner and possessor of heaven and earth. That with God all things are possible, and therefore happy are the people that have him for their God, and whose help and hope stand in his name, Psa. 121:2; Psa. 124:8. That the God we serve is worthy of, and yet is exalted far above, all blessing and praise, Neh. 9:5, Neh. 9:6. If he made the world, he needs not our services, nor can be benefited by them (Acts 17:24, Acts 17:25), and yet he justly requires them, and deserves our praise, Rev. 4:11. If all is of him, all must be to him.” (Matthew Henry, Commentary)

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