“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)

The Bible directs our attention to “a time long ago” by opening with the words: “In the beginning…” Much speculation has been offered in order to raise questions of whether “the beginning” indicates an actual beginning, or a beginning anew with the present Creative order. What is undeniable from the Word of God is that the Sovereign God “created the heaven and the earth.”

Just as the beginning words of the Old Testament cause us to reflect on the Sovereignty of God in the Creative act, so too does the New Testament open with similar words meant to give full and undisputed testimony to the Sovereignty of God in Creation. We see then the Bible writers’ purpose to point us to the Person who forms the central subject of the entire canon of Scriptures.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)

“The same was in the beginning with God.” (John 1:2)

“All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” (John 1:3)

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

The Gospel writer shows from his wording that he most certainly understood Jesus Christ to be the incarnate Word of God – the living, spoken, creative Power of God Himself – inseparable from, and none other than, the Lord Jehovah. “The Word was with God, and the Word was God.” The Creation story shows us that there is one God, manifest in the Person of Christ. Our first glimpse of Jesus Christ then is as the Sovereign Creator.

“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:” (Colossians 1:16)

“And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” (Colossians 1:17)

The importance of this distinction of Christ as Creator is seen in the relationship of Son and Father in the Godhead. 1 Corinthians 8:6 tells us that there is one God: the Father, “of whom are all things” (He is the Source); even the Son, “by whom are all things” (He is the Way).

“But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.” (1 Corinthians 8:6)

As the incarnate Word, Christ is the express Image of the Father (Hebrews 1:3); so that there is but one God, and Christ is His Declaration (John 1:18) and physical Manifestation (1 Timothy 3:16).

As the Son, Christ is the means by which the Father has revealed Himself in Creation. He is the only Way unto the Father (John 14:6); and exercises all dominion over the Created order (Matthew 28:18). As the Word, He is the very Power of God, as seen from His control over the elements of Creation – He commands the stormy sea (Matthew 8:27); gives sight to the blind (John 9:30-33); strength to the lame (John 5:1-9); and life to the dead (Luke 7:22).

He is God. He is Christ. He is the Creator.