Genesis 1:1

Ge 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Years ago I met Roger for an introductory Bible study. As is almost always the case when starting a new Bible study, we began in Genesis 1:1. To my surprise, immediately after reading Genesis 1:1, Roger exclaimed, “Stop right there. Are you telling me that we are not talking about one of many God’s but of the God!!”

When I affirmed that was the case, Roger announced that he could not go further, but needed a few days to think about the God who created all things.

Eventually, Roger continued the study, and eventually placed His faith in Jesus Christ, the creator of the universe.

Although I was startled by Roger’s response, his understanding of Genesis 1:1 is exactly why we begin in Genesis when introducing the Bible to not-yet-believers. We want to tell the story of the history of God and His creation, and, by doing so, provide an overview of the biblical worldview.

It is my belief that the Bible offers the only consistent reasonable understanding of why things are the way they are. Furthermore, since we are made in the image of God as rational beings who are made to think logically, we are able to comprehend the truthfulness of the Scripture. By presenting the biblical worldview, we offer our not-yet-Christian Bible study participants a consistent understanding of life, which then gives them the opportunity to exercise faith in Christ.

 New American Standard Bible: 1995 update