Creation: "In the beginning" God created, i.e., called into being, all things
out of nothing. This creative act on the part of God was absolutely
free, and for infinitely wise reasons. The cause of all things exists
only in the will of God. The work of creation is attributed1. to the Godhead
(Genesis 1:1,26)
2. to the Father
(1 Corinthians 8:6)
3. to the Son
(John 1:3; Colossians 1:16,17)
4. to the Holy Spirit
(Genesis 1:2; Job 26:13; Psalms 104:30) The fact that he
is the Creator distinguishes Jehovah as the true God
(Isaiah 37:16)
(Isaiah 40:12,13; 54:5; Psalms 96:5; Jeremiah 10:11,12) The one great end in
the work of creation is the manifestation of the glory of the
Creator
(Colossians 1:16; Revelation 4:11; Romans 11:36) God's works, equally
with God's word, are a revelation from him; and between the
teachings of the one and those of the other, when rightly
understood, there can be no contradiction. Traditions of the
creation, disfigured by corruptions, are found among the
records of ancient Eastern nations.
(See ACCAD)
A peculiar interest belongs to the traditions of the Accadians,
the primitive inhabitants of the plains of Lower Mesopotamia.
These within the last few years have been brought to light in
the tablets and cylinders which have been rescued from the
long-buried palaces and temples of Assyria. They bear a
remarkable resemblance to the record of Genesis.
