Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Genesis 1:1
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From the Word: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)
From the Confessions: The Small Catechism
The First Article
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
What does this mean?
I believe that God has created me and all that exists, that he has given me and still preserves my body and soul, my eyes and ears, my reason and all my senses, together with food and clothing, home and family, and all my property. Every day he provides abundantly for all the needs of my life. He protects me from all danger and guards and keeps me from every evil. He does this purely out of fatherly and divine goodness and mercy, though I do not deserve it. Therefore I ought to thank, praise, serve, and obey him. This is most certainly true!
Pulling It Together: We confess that God is the creator of it all. In the beginning, he made the skies and the land, the heavens and the earth, and by this we mean to say, the universe—everything. “All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3). Nothing exists anywhere that was not made by God, including life itself (John 1:4). But who is this fathering God?
Again, Scripture exposes the character of the Trinity. The psalmist and prophets declare that the Lord God is creator and does his making through his word (Psa 33:6; Isa 42:5). In Psalm 33:6, “word” has more meaning than is seen in a casual reading. Yes, God speaks and his creating will is accomplished. Yet, in John 1:1–3, we see that it is the Living Word of God, the Logos, his Son, who is creator of all things.
So, who is the creator—the Almighty Father, or the Son, or the Holy Spirit who hovered over the creation in the beginning (Gen 1:2)? Yes. God is the creator. God is the Savior. God is the Spirit indwelling the communion of saints. In the Creed, we name the creator as God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matt 28:19).
Prayer: Help me believe your Word, Lord God, even when it is hard to understand. Amen.
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Author
Rev. Mark E. Ryman serves as Pastor for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC. Previously, Pastor Ryman has served other congregations in North Carolina and Ohio, as well as a call to specialized ministry with Sola Publishing.
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