APPLYING CREATION BIBLICAL USAGE OF THE CREATION ACCOUNT
APPLYING CREATION: BIBLICAL USAGE OF THE CREATION ACCOUNT FOR EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP Christopher Cone, Th. D, Ph. D drcone. com calvary. edu
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN THE HEBREW BIBLE • Underscores His power and glory • Implies personal accountability to the Creator
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN THE HEBREW BIBLE • Isaiah 43: 1 But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN THE HEBREW BIBLE • Isaiah 43: 7 …Everyone who is called by My name, And whom I have created for My glory, Whom I have formed, even whom I have made. ”
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN THE HEBREW BIBLE • Isaiah 45: 7 The One forming light and creating darkness, Causing peace and creating evil; I am the LORD who does all these.
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN THE HEBREW BIBLE • Amos 4: 13 For behold, He who forms mountains and creates the wind And declares to man what are His thoughts, He who makes dawn into darkness And treads on the high places of the earth, The LORD God of hosts is His name.
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN THE HEBREW BIBLE • Malachi 2: 10 Do we not all have one father? Has not one God created us? Why do we deal treacherously each against his brother so as to profane the covenant of our fathers?
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN THE NEW TESTAMENT • At least 43 direct references in the NT either to the creative act, creation itself, or immediate results of creation • Has implications for unbelievers, and for believers interacting with unbelievers in evangelism • Has implications for believers, and for believers interacting with believers in discipleship
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN DISCIPLESHIP • Matthew 19: 4 And He answered and said, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE… r u o w e i v g e n i w d u d w l n o c a n H i • y t y i t l i a t u n n x e i e d i d s e , t r o e o d r n s e i g e g a i r r a m Him
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN DISCIPLESHIP • Matthew 19: 8 He *said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses permitted you to divorce your wives; but from the beginning it has not been this way. • Mark 10: 6 “But from the beginning of creation, God MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE. n r e e t h t t a s p l f e o d. o g e c n M i n • n a t n i r g o e p b m i e h t m o r f ”
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN DISCIPLESHIP • Matthew 24: 21 For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. • Mark 13: 19 “For those days will be a time of tribulation such as has not occurred since the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will. r o f d e r a p n e a r c p y s e e l h t p i o c e s s i h , t D e r • n i u t t u c f a e y l h t t n e d i f n co t n e s e r p
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN EVANGELISM • Mark 16: 15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. a = m d s i n l a e f g o n a p i v h E s • d r a f o w e s n i st o H i s o t s e y r exp nsibilit o p s re n o i t crea
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN EVANGELISM e g • Luke 3: 38 the son of a s e i n i e l ’ H f s s o u e t Enosh, the son of Seth, • Jes n a o r t S s d n n o d a e m i f the son of Adam, the d e i l o d a G u f q o y l n son of God. So unique l e p Man ve. s o G a e s h t to f o e e r h t o c n o e t h • T enden ount dep ion acc t a e r c
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN EVANGELISM • Luke 16: 31 But he said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead. ’ f o n o i t a c o i l t p y p r. a s o t r n s e • A lical hi believ Bib ade un u s r pe
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN DISCIPLESHIP • Luke 24: 27 Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. f o n o i t a c o i l t p y p r a o t d n s n i A a h • l m a i c i H l t u Bib o b a h c a e t n a l p His
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN EVANGELISM • John 1: 1 -3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. d e t c e n n o f I c. y k t r i t o n w e e d i v i n t s i e a h H e t r • , c e l s i b a H i l o e t r t. t o o n one ther is n o e h t
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN DISCIPLESHIP • Acts 4: 24 And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, “O Lord, it is You who MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA, AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM… r o f n o i s a c n c i o e s c e n d e i d v i f o r n. • P se, co n a l p i s a i r H p d n a m Hi
APPLICATION OF CREATION • Acts 14: 14 -15 But when the IN EVANGELISM apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these cvain things to a living God, WHO MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM. n o m om c o t s t n i g • Po in n i h t e g i r m o o s o t d s t n n a i l o u f P • g n i n mea rful e w o p
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN EVANGELISM • Acts 17: 24 The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; , t n i o p g n i t r r a t e s w s o ’ l p u • Pa trasting ce, . s c n i n co impote ith rel w h t p i i h w s n o i t a l re
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN EVANGELISM • Acts 17: 26 and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation. n o m m o n c i f h t o i s w i r s e a d B r • o , n i orig e r u t na
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN EVANGELISM • Romans 1: 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. y r a s s e c e n s i , n m o i s t i l a e e g r c n a f • Ev e basis o e r e h h t t h on c i h w t u. o e h s u c wit x e e b t h g i m
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP • Romans 5: 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a btype of Him who was to come. r o f d e nee h t s in a l p x • E m s i l e g n a v e s e l p i c s d i o d G s t p • Hel ciate wha d e e r h p s p i l a p m o c c a s ha
APPLICATION OF CREATION • Romans 8: 19 -22 IN EVANGELISM • 19 For the anxious longing of the AND DISCIPLESHIP creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. • 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope • 21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. • 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. s i n o i t p m e • Red d, will be e d e e n d e d i = y prov t n i a t r e c e e c r n u e • Fut nt confid prese
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN DISCIPLESHIP • Romans 8: 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other f o created thing, will be able t n i o p a s i n to separate us from the o i t a e r C • , e c love of God, which is in n s i e r H e f g e n r i t a t r t s s u r Christ Jesus our Lord. n t o g m n i e r i d p s n i , r e w o p m i H n i y t i r u c e s l a n r e t • E
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN EVANGELISM • 1 Corinthians 15: 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. l a r e t i l , n o i t a e r. c n l o i a t • Liter teral salva i l , l c l i t fa u e n e m r e h e t s • No n o i t a c i l p im
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN DISCIPLESHIP • 1 Corinthians 15: 45 So also it is written, “The first MAN, Adam, BECAME A LIVING SOUL. ” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. , e p o h f o y t n i e a h t t r f e o • C n o i t a n a l exp t s a r cont
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN DISCIPLESHIP • 2 Corinthians 5: 1 For we know that if the earthly , tent which is our house is n o i t a e r c d l : o torn down, we have a n l o a i r t e a e r Lit c • w e n building from God, a l litera certainty house not made with , e p o h hands, eternal in the heavens.
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN DISCIPLESHIP • 2 Corinthians 5: 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. is H f o y r t i u l o a e s r t e e s h s t • T c a e v i t r a u e o cr d n a y t i t n e id m o d e fre
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN DISCIPLESHIP • Galatians 6: 15 For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. r e n n i , l a u e t i n r i o p l l i w • A s t a h t , l y a t i c l i a s y re h p e v a h day t n e m fulfill
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN DISCIPLESHIP • Ephesians 5: 31 -32 FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ s i n e o i v t i t a a e r r t c s u s l i , • H l u f e s o p d r n a pu t s u r t s d n a • Dem ence i d e b o
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP d n a d o • Colossians 1: 15 He is the G o t t a y t e i r r g o r h t u u a • O image of the invisible s a , s h i r e o i H v e a s S u God, the firstborn of all a c e b , . e d v e t a a s e creation. r c s n a a h c d e n a w , n g i e r e v o t o k S o o l • As o t e u n i t con Him
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP • Colossians 1: 23 if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister. f o s w e n d l o a o s r g • The t is a unive Chris truth
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN DISCIPLESHIP • 1 Timothy 2: 13 -14 For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. r u o s t c a p m i d y n r a o t y • His nt identit prese ng i d n a st
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP t • Hebrews 1: 2 in these last n e m u r t s n i s days has spoken to us in a , o t s s l i r a h s i C , • n s o i i His Son, whom He t y a t i e r o h f cr t o u a s i appointed heir of all H – n i r i d e e t h a c i n s things, through whom i u H m h t i om w c n o i t also He made the world. c e n n n o o i c t a e r c n role i
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN DISCIPLESHIP • Hebrews 1: 10 And, “YOU, s a , r o i r e p LORD, IN THE BEGINNING u s s s i i H e y b • H d e e LAID THE FOUNDATION OF w c n s u h vide T e. t c a m THE EARTH, AND THE e i v H i t n a o re s c u c o f HEAVENS ARE THE WORKS d l u ho s ) 2 1 : OF YOUR HANDS; (Ps 102) 2 1 b (He
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN DISCIPLESHIP • Hebrews 4: 13 And there s a , r o i r e p is no creature hidden u s s s i i H e y b • H d e e from His sight, but all w c n s u h vide T e. t c a m things are open and laid e i v H i t n a o re s c u c o f bare to the eyes of Him d l u ho s ) 2 1 : with whom we have to do. 2 1 b (He
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN DISCIPLESHIP • Hebrews 9: 11 But when s a , r o i r Christ appeared as a high e p u s s s i i H e y priest of the good things to b • H d e e w c n s come, He entered through evide e act. Thu im v H i t n a o e the greater and more perfect s cr u c o f d l u tabernacle, not made with sho 2: 1 -2) 1 hands, that is to say, not of b e (H this creation;
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP • Hebrews 11: 3 By faith we s a , r o i r e p understand that the u s s s i i H e y b • H d e e worlds were prepared w c n s u h vide T e. t c a m by the word of God, so e i v H i t n a o re s c u c o f that what is seen was not d l u ho s ) 2 1 : made out of things which 2 1 b f He o ( d o h t are visible. e m = h t • Fai ing God pleas
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP • 1 John 1: 1 What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life… e h t m o r f s • He i ning. begin n e e s b a h s a d h n a e , H d • e c. n r e e i r h expe d the Fat e l a e rev
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP • 1 John 2: 13 -14 • 13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father. • 14 I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. t s e t y r o t • His ty i t n e d i s i H o t s e i f i
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN DISCIPLESHIP • 2 Peter 3: 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation. ” l u f h t i a f s a w e e H b l s l i a t w s e u H , • J n o t i t n a e e r m ll i f l in c u f n i l u f s i H faith f o y r e t t s s u y r t m s e d h n a • T m e d g n i tim
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN DISCIPLESHIP y • Jude 14 It was also about e k s i l a r e it l these men that Enoch, in s e a c n m e a r d e f A e • r l a the seventh generation c i r isto r h s ’ from Adam, prophesied, d o f o t G g oin n p i d n a t saying, “Behold, the Lord s r e d n u came with many ork w thousands of His holy ones…
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP • Revelation 3: 14 To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: • The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this… e h t s a w t s • Chri tor of the s u h t d u c n e a x , e s t c k a a e e p v i s t a o t e r y c t i r o h t u a s ha truth
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP • Revelation 12: 9 And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. e h t f o s e d i s • Both and evil” lained d p o x o e g “ e r a n o l i t a a r e u t li eq e h t d n h a g throu n account o i t a e cr s w o l l o f t a wh
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP • Revelation 14: 7 and he o t y t said with a loud voice, i r o h t u a s a “Fear God, and give Him • He h glory, because the hour of judge. f o y h f t r o o g w His judgment has come; n i s i v r e e s • H e d , s i p i H worship Him who made h f wors ecause o b the heaven and the earth y r o l g. t c a e v i and sea and springs of t a cre waters. ”
APPLYING CREATION: EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP • These themes are all dependent on literal grammatical historical understanding of the creation account • Has implications for unbelievers (evangelism) • Has implications for believers (discipleship)
APPLYING CREATION: EVANGELISTIC THEMES • Jesus’ lineage and qualifications • All creation accountable • Biblical history presented to persuade unbelievers • Jesus’ identity illustrated by His creative work • We have common origin • Life is not meaningless
APPLYING CREATION: EVANGELISTIC THEMES • The gospel demonstrates power not impotence, relationship, not religion • There is order in nature • Evangelism necessary based on what is observed in creation • Redemption needed, will be provided • His identity and His provision of salvation rises and falls on the truth of creation • We can trust Him as Savior • Faith is the vehicle the Creator has provided
APPLYING CREATION: DISCIPLESHIP THEMES • All aspects of our identity are rooted in Him, and in His design • Patterns established “from the beginning” are important • We are given truth about the future for trust today • Biblical history provided so we can know Him better • His creative work gives cause for praise and trust • The details are given to increase our appreciation for Him
APPLYING CREATION: DISCIPLESHIP THEMES • His sovereignty has implications (e. g. , eternal security) • Hope and hermeneutics go hand in hand • He has authority as Creator to set us free • Present spiritual implications that will have future physical fulfillments • His creation is purposeful, illustrative, and demands trust in Him • He is superior, thus we should have faith in Him
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