Let There Be Light

God created light on the first day.

Genesis 1:2-5  And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.  3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.  4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.  5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

God created the basic physical existence of the universe in Genesis 1:1.  Now He sets His focus on the Earth.

First, although created, it was not completed.  That’s why it was formless and void, meaning incomplete and empty. Continue reading

In the Beginning

I’m starting a Bible study on the book of Genesis, so I’m going to post some thoughts as I make my way through the book.

Genesis 1:1  In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

First, there was a beginning to everything.  Scientists are still debating this, although it appears that most are leaning toward there being a beginning.  Regardless, the One who was there provides a detailed record of what happened.  There was a beginning. Continue reading

Dead to the Law: Studies in Galatians – Lesson 8 (2:17-21)

Galatians 2:17-21

17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. 18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.  19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.  20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.  21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. Continue reading

Dead to the Law: Studies in Galatians – Lesson 7 (2:11-16)

Galatians 2:11-16

11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. 12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.  13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.  14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?  15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,  16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Continue reading

Dead to the Law: Studies in Galatians – Lesson 6 (2:6-10)

Galatians 2:6-10

6 But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me: 7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; 8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) 9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. 10 Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do. Continue reading