Franklin Camp
Genesis 1 is intended as an introduction to God:
1. Genesis 1 is an introduction to the wisdom of God. This becomes a back ground of the wisdom for the rest of the Bible. There is not anything that is short or lacking in God’s creation. God did not have to ask anybody about His methods of procedure in creation (Rom. 11:31-36).
2. Genesis 1 is an introduction to the power of God. If God had the power to bring the worlds into existence then why should He have any problem with any other miracle that is recorded in the Bible? This includes the Virgin Birth or resurrection!
3. Genesis is an introduction to the eternity of God (Isaiah 57:15—ASV).
4. Genesis 1 is an introduction to the goodness of God. All that is needed for man’s happiness is provided for him. The goodness of God becomes the background for our redemption. God has an interest in what happens to man. His grace has ever provided what man has needed (Deut. 8:18; Jas. 1:17; Titus 1:17).
5. Genesis is an introduction to the love of God (John 3:16; Rom. 5:6-9).
6. Genesis introduces us to the spiritual nature of God. The spiritual nature of God becomes the background of man’s fellowship with God. Faith is a spiritual principle. Love is a spiritual principle. These have to do with our responses to our Creator (Gen. 1:26-27; Deut. 6:5-6; Matt. 22:37; 1 John 5:3; John 14:15).
7. Genesis is an introduction to the authority of God. When God delegates authority that does not diminish God’s authority. Note Jesus and the apostles (Matt. 28:19).
8. God’s method of operation is through His Word (And God said). Notice the number of occurrences in Genesis 1 of: “And God said.”
9. Genesis is an introduction to the perfection of God. The knowledge of God is fundamental to all correct knowledge. Error is based on a misunderstanding of the character of God. God will not overlook false doctrine (Matt. 15:9, 13; Gal. 1:6, 9).
10. Genesis 1 gives emphasis to the unity of God. The unity of God opposes Denominationalism. The New Testament teaches the necessity of unity based on truth (1 Cor. 1:10; John 17:20-21). Each denomination has its own distinctive name and doctrines. This would be foreign to 2 John 9-11. False teaching is filled with poison. We must not follow after that which is crooked and perverse. We must see righteousness as the solution to all our problems. Sin is the root of all of our problems. This being the case, the only solution for us today is the Gospel of Christ (Isa. 52:7; Rom. 10:15; 1:16-17; Mark 16:15-16).
The Gospel must be believed and obeyed if we want to be saved.
