2/23/15

From Mark Copeland... "THE CASE FOR CREATION" The Biblical Case For Creation

                                     "THE CASE FOR CREATION"

                     The Biblical Case For Creation

INTRODUCTION

1. Among the fundamental questions of life, are those related to the
   issue of origins...
   a. Where did life come from?
   b. How did it all begin?

2. The answers basically fall into two groups...
   a. Matter is eternal, and life has evolved through purely natural
      processes
   b. Matter is not eternal, and life was created by a supernatural
      force

3. The answers are not without consequence...
   a. Those who believe matter is eternal tend to deny the existence of God
   b. Those who believe matter was created tend to believe in a Supreme Being

[The question of origins cannot be answered with 100% certainty.  But
there is evidence from various sources that make it very reasonable to
believe matter (and life) was created by a Supreme Being.  In this
lesson we shall review one source as we examine "The Biblical Case For
Creation"...]

I. FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

   A. THE TESTIMONY OF MOSES...
      1. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth... - Gen 1:1
      2. In six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and all
         that is in them - Gen 1:2-2:3; Exo 20:11; 31:17
      -- The lawgiver of Israel attests to the creation of all things by God

   B. THE TESTIMONY OF KINGS...
      1. David, king of Israel - 1Ch 16:26
      2. Solomon, king of Israel - Pr 3:19; 8:22-30; Ecc 12:1
      3. Hyram, king of Tyre - 2Ch 2:12
      4. Hezekiah, king of Judah - 2Ki 19:15
      -- The wisest kings of Israel and Tyre attest to the creation of
         all things by God

   C. THE TESTIMONY OF PSALMISTS...
      1. The heavens, the work of God - Psa 8:3
      2. By His word the heavens were made - Psa 33:6-9
      3. He laid the foundation of the earth, the heavens the work of
         His hands - Psa 102:25
      4. Many other passages - Psa 104:24; 115:15; 121:2; 124:8; 134:3;
         136:5-9; 146:6; 148:4-5
      -- The singers of Israel attest to the creation of all things by God

   D. THE TESTIMONY OF PROPHETS...
      1. Isaiah, prophet to kings - Isa 37:16; 40:26,28; 42:5; 44:24;45:18; 51:13
      2. Jeremiah, prophet to a dying nation - Jer 10:11-12; 32:17;51:15
      3. Zechariah - prophet to a restored nation - Zec 12:1
      -- Prophets of Israel attest to the creation of all things by God

 [The testimony of the Old Testament is clear.  As proclaimed by the
returned captives of Israel, God created both the heavens the and earth
(cf. Neh 9:6).  Let us now consider the case for creation...]

II. FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

   A. THE TESTIMONY OF CHRIST...
      1. He spoke of the beginning of creation - Mk 10:6
      2. In which God created mankind and all things - Mk 10:6; 13:19
      -- Jesus certainly attests to the creation of all things by God

   B. THE TESTIMONY OF THE APOSTLES...
      1. By John in his gospel - Jn 1:1-3,10
      2. By the apostles in their prayer - Ac 4:24
      3. By Paul in his preaching - Ac 14:15; 17:24
      4. By Paul in his epistles - Ro 1:20; 1Co 8:6; Col 1:16-17
      5. By the writer of Hebrews - He 1:2; 3:4; 11:3
      6. By Peter in his epistle - 2Pe 3:5
      7. By John in the Revelation shown him - Re 10:5-6
      -- The apostles attest to the creation of all things by God

   C. THE TESTIMONY OF HEAVEN...
      1. By the twenty four elders around the throne of God - Re 4:11
      2. By an angel flying through the midst of heaven - Re 14:7
      -- The heavenly voices attest to the creation of all things by God

CONCLUSION

1. The Biblical answer to the question of origins is clear...
   a. Matter is not eternal, but was created by a Supreme Being
   b. Created by the God of Israel, together with His Son and Spirit
      - Gen 1:1-2,26; Col 1:16-17

2. Those believing in creation by a Supreme Being join those who...
   a. Had a great impact on the history of mankind (Moses, David,
      Solomon, Jesus, Paul, etc.)
   b. Have a solid foundation on which to build their lives and direct
      their actions

3. Of course, not all are willing to accept the Biblical answer...
   a. Some not wanting to, unwilling to face the consequences
   b. Some not aware of the evidences that support creation

In our next study, we shall consider another one of those evidences:

                 "The Philosophical Case For Creation"

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

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