"One God, Father The Creator"(Gen.1:1/John 1:1
"One God, Father The Creator"
(Gen.1:1/John 1:1
- Introduction:
We, the Iglesia Sang Dios, affirm our belief in the sovereign and loving God who is the Creator of all that exists. Rooted in the Scriptures, we declare our faith in the One God, the Father, as the originator of the heavens and the earth.
- About Elohim:
- Origin & Etymology: Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) is a Hebrew word, a plural form of Eloah (אֱלוֹחַ), likely derived from the root 'el (אֵל), meaning "strong one" or "god." It emphasizes God's power, majesty, and authority (Source: Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament, TDOT).
- Definition: Elohim refers to the one true God, the Creator, used in a monotheistic sense in the Hebrew Bible, encompassing the fullness of God’s being—the Father, the Son (the Word, John 1:1), and the Holy Spirit (Source: *Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon).
- Clarification: In John 1:1, "the Word (Logos) was with God (Theos/Elohim), and the Word was God," revealing the Son’s distinct person and divinity alongside the Father. The Holy Spirit, present in creation (Genesis 1:2), is also part of this one Elohim, the triune God.
- Translations of Elohim:
- Hebrew (אֱלֹהִים): "Elohim" – emphasizes God's might and sovereignty.
- English: "God" – referring to the Creator.
- Latin (Vulgate): "Deus" – the Latin word for God.
- Greek (Septuagint): "Theos" (Θεός) – the common word for God.
- Filipino: "Diyos" – referring to the one true God.
- Main Points:
I. THE ONE TRUE GOD IS THE FATHER, THE CREATOR
- Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning, God (Elohim) created the heavens and the earth," we acknowledge the Father as the initiator of creation.
- Isaiah 44:24, "I, the Lord, am the maker of all things, stretching out the heavens by myself, and spreading out the earth all alone." (OT emphasis on the Father's sole creation)
- 1 Corinthians 8:6, "one God, the Father, from whom are all things... and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things," affirming the Father's role as Creator and Christ's role in the work of creation (NT).
- Subpoints:
- The Father is the ultimate source of creation.
- Creation is an act of His sovereign will and power.
- Elohim’s plural form hints at the fullness of God’s triune being.
II. ALL THINGS ARE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST, IN THE FATHER'S PURPOSE
- John 1:3, "All things were made through Him (the Word), and without Him nothing was made that was made."
- Colossians 1:16, "For by Him (Christ) all things were created... all things were created through Him and for Him."
- Subpoints:
- Jesus Christ is the agent of creation, mediating the Father’s work.
- Creation’s purpose points to God’s glory and redemption in Christ.
III. THE SPIRIT IN GENESIS 1:2 – WHO IS IT?
- Genesis 1:2, "The Spirit of God (רוּחַ אֱלֹהִים, ruach Elohim) was hovering over the waters."
- Explanation:
- The phrase "Spirit of God" (ruach Elohim) in Hebrew suggests a divine, powerful presence.
- Most Christian interpretations understand this as a reference to the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, involved in creation, symbolizing God’s active, life-giving presence. This aligns with the NT’s portrayal of the Spirit’s role (e.g., Psalm 104:30, Job 33:4).
- Alternative view: Some see it as "the Spirit of God" referring to God’s breath or wind, emphasizing the Father’s creative power without necessarily identifying it distinctly as the Holy Spirit, as the OT often uses "Spirit of God" to denote God’s active involvement.
- Why "the Spirit of God the Father" not "the Holy Spirit"? The term "Holy Spirit" is a distinct NT concept (e.g., Matthew 3:11, Acts 1:8), while "Spirit of God" in Genesis 1:2 emphasizes God’s active presence in creation, likely pointing to the Father’s agency through His Spirit, as the OT doesn’t explicitly delineate the persons of the Triune God.
IV. WHAT IS RUACH?
- Meaning: Ruach (רוּחַ) in Hebrew means "wind," "breath," or "spirit." It’s a versatile word used for:
- Physical wind (e.g., Genesis 8:1).
- Human spirit (e.g., breath of life, Genesis 6:17).
- God’s Spirit, emphasizing His presence, power, and action (e.g., Genesis 1:2, Ezekiel 37:1-14).
- Imagery: In Genesis 1:2, ruach Elohim "hovering" suggests a dynamic, creative movement, like a bird brooding over its eggs, indicating God’s care and empowerment in creation.
- Significance: Ruach highlights God’s immanent, active involvement in creation, pointing toward His sustaining and renewing power.
V. WE EXIST FOR THE GLORY OF THE FATHER
- We believe all creation points to the glory of the one true God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and we live to honor Him in all we do.
- Subpoints:
- Our purpose is to worship and serve the Creator.
- Stewardship of creation reflects our love for the Father.
- Other Beliefs Concerning Creation:
- Christianity: Emphasizes God the Father as the Creator, with Jesus Christ as the agent of creation (Trinity concept).
- Judaism: Focuses on Elohim as the singular Creator in the Tanakh, emphasizing unity and sovereignty (Shema, Deuteronomy 6:4).
- Islam: Allah is the sole Creator, as in the Quran (Surah Al-Fatiha 1:2, "Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds").
- Hinduism: Multiple deities involved in creation (Brahma as creator in Trimurti), a more complex cosmology.
- Secular View: Scientific theories like the Big Bang describe the origin of the universe without a divine creator.
- Conclusion:
We affirm that the One God, the Father, is the Creator of all, revealed in Scripture as Elohim—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Through Jesus Christ, His purpose in creation is fulfilled, calling us to live in awe, worship, and stewardship of His magnificent works. We commit to uphold this faith, living in reverence and gratitude to our Creator.
- References:
- Bible: Genesis 1:1-2, Isaiah 44:24, 1 Corinthians 8:6, John 1:1-3, Psalm 104:30, Job 33:4, Ezekiel 37:1-14, Matthew 3:11, Acts 1:8.
- Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament (TDOT)
- Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon
- Quran (Surah Al-Fatiha 1:2)
- Various scholarly articles on comparative religion.