The Devoted (1 of 5)
Series: The Way
Patrick Edwards
Acts 2:42
Introduction
‘‘In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth,’’ (Genesis 1:1). This is how the Bible begins; this is how the story of Creation begins. God, already preexisting, summons creation into being through only His voice. Out of nothing is now something. The rest of Genesis 1 details what He shapes this formless void into. The galaxies (Webb image 1), the stars and planets (Webb images 2 and 3), just simply incredible sights that only recently have we begun to really see. This includes one particular place, one particular planet (Earth image); and Genesis 1 paints a picture of the order and the life He teems this planet with (Natural wonders images 1, 2, 3). A planet of incredible diversity, simplicity, and complexity. But of all that He creates, there is one special and unique creation He summons into existence: humanity.
Formed and made in His own image, human beings are like nothing else in the world. It’s not just that they are thinking creatures, but they alone are reflections of their Creator; they represent Him like none other. And in His goodness and grace God charges His prized creation to now join with Him in bringing this world to its completion. That’s right, we find out God has a program for this world, that His work is not actually finished on the sixth day. Rather, we see in Genesis 1 and 2 His intentions to fill the earth with His glory and His presence. Humanity is to, ‘‘Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it,’’ (Genesis 1:28). They are to dwell in God’s presence and carry it with them as they, ‘‘to work it and watch over,’’ (Genesis 2:15) that which God gives them. In Hebrew these two verbs are the same used later of Israel’s priests, meaning that humanity’s work is an act of worship and obedience, which will one day culminate, as we read of at the very end of the Bible in the book of Revelation, this work will culminate in the whole earth b ...
Series: The Way
Patrick Edwards
Acts 2:42
Introduction
‘‘In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth,’’ (Genesis 1:1). This is how the Bible begins; this is how the story of Creation begins. God, already preexisting, summons creation into being through only His voice. Out of nothing is now something. The rest of Genesis 1 details what He shapes this formless void into. The galaxies (Webb image 1), the stars and planets (Webb images 2 and 3), just simply incredible sights that only recently have we begun to really see. This includes one particular place, one particular planet (Earth image); and Genesis 1 paints a picture of the order and the life He teems this planet with (Natural wonders images 1, 2, 3). A planet of incredible diversity, simplicity, and complexity. But of all that He creates, there is one special and unique creation He summons into existence: humanity.
Formed and made in His own image, human beings are like nothing else in the world. It’s not just that they are thinking creatures, but they alone are reflections of their Creator; they represent Him like none other. And in His goodness and grace God charges His prized creation to now join with Him in bringing this world to its completion. That’s right, we find out God has a program for this world, that His work is not actually finished on the sixth day. Rather, we see in Genesis 1 and 2 His intentions to fill the earth with His glory and His presence. Humanity is to, ‘‘Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it,’’ (Genesis 1:28). They are to dwell in God’s presence and carry it with them as they, ‘‘to work it and watch over,’’ (Genesis 2:15) that which God gives them. In Hebrew these two verbs are the same used later of Israel’s priests, meaning that humanity’s work is an act of worship and obedience, which will one day culminate, as we read of at the very end of the Bible in the book of Revelation, this work will culminate in the whole earth b ...
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