The Days of Creation – Introduction
Is it really important to believe that God actually created the heavens and the earth in six literal days and rested on the seventh day, as stated in the first book of Genesis? Is the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (as well as Genesis chapters 1-11) just a parable to teach us life lessons?
Is a literal Creation relevant in the world today or even a valid belief, considering the popular belief in macroevolution, where all life evolved from a single primordial cellular ancestor several billion years ago? Some Christians try to reconcile Creation and evolution by saying that God kick-started the entire evolutionary process.
However, what are the consequences of not believing in Creation?
Let’s turn to Psalms 11:3.
- According to this verse, what question is asked if the foundations are destroyed?
- Answer (highlight to read): What can the righteous do?
If foundational Biblical beliefs are destroyed or cannot withstand critical scrutiny, then what do we base our faith on?
Let’s turn to Genesis 1:1.
- According to this verse, who created the heavens and earth in the beginning?
- Answer: God
Let’s turn to Genesis 1:2.
- According to this verse, who was hovering over the face of the waters?
- Answer: The Spirit of God
Let’s turn to John 1:1-3; 14-18; and Revelation 19:13.
- According to these verses, who is the Word of God?
- Answer: Jesus
- According to these verses, who spoke Creation into existence?
- Answer: Jesus
Let’s turn to Genesis 1:26.
- According to this verse, in whose image was man made in?
- Answer: Man was made in the image of God.
It is very significant that God says in Genesis 1:26, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness.” Therefore, the concept of the Godhead, the three-in-one, is found in the Creation account!
Let’s turn to Genesis 2:1-3.
- According to these verses, what was created on the seventh day of Creation?
- Answer: The Sabbath was created on the seventh day.
The Sabbath owes its origin to Creation. The Sabbath is not merely a Jewish construct. The Sabbath was made by God for man (Mark 2:27)!
Let’s turn to Genesis 1:27-28; 2:24.
- According to these verses, what institution was created at Creation?
- Answer: Marriage
The biblical concept of marriage (a union between a man and woman) owes its roots to the Creation account!
Let’s turn to Genesis 3:1-24.
- According to these verses, what happened to Adam and Eve?
- Answer: They sinned against God and were driven out of the Garden of Eden.
Let’s turn to Romans 6:23.
- According to this verse, what is the penalty for sin?
- Answer: Death
Let’s turn to Romans 3:23.
- According to these verses, who has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God?
- Answer: All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
The concept of original sin - the view that mankind is fallen and sinful due to Adam and Eve’s sin - originated in the creation account. Did you know that Genesis 3:15 is the first Messianic prophecy, pointing to a Savior who will save mankind?
Furthermore, God emphasized His plan of salvation through the tunics of skin He gave Adam and Eve in verse 21. Something had to die so that they could be clothed.
Let’s turn to Isaiah 53:1-12 and John 3:16.
- According to these verses, what is God’s plan of salvation?
- Answer: Jesus coming to earth as a man and dying in our place as a substitutionary sacrifice.
Note that Isaiah 53:10 uses the word “bruise” in reference to the Messiah, just as in Genesis 3:15! God’s plan of salvation has its roots in the Creation account!
If the creation account is not literal, then there was no Garden of Eden, no original sin, and thus, no need for a Savior. Then what did Jesus die for?
Friend, a literal creation is foundational to our faith. As you can see in this lesson, so many important biblical concepts come out of the creation account alone, including the plan of salvation! Our faith would be futile if we disregarded a literal creation (1 Corinthians 15:14-19). Friend, will you believe in a literal creation as written in Genesis chapters 1-2?