Question:
At Genesis 1:26 we read; "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.' ”
The creators seem to be plural. Who are they?
My Reply:
First of all, let's see when Gen.1:26 took place.
We learn about when, from Gen.1:1...
"1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."
So, the "beginning" being referred to, is the origin of the physical creation. That can be plainly seen, if the rest of the chapter is read (Gen.1).
We can learn who was present at the beginning of the physical creation, by reading John 1:1-3
"1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made."
(Before this common obstacle arises, let's take care of the end of verse 1 where we are told that
the Word was God, and therefore, there was really only one person at the beginning of
the physical creation. This would seem to contradict John 1:2.
So how are we to understand that both the Word, and God, were both God?
Does this make the Word the same person as God, or are they two separate persons?
The original Greek word, translated into "God", is
This Greek word is pronounced "theos". "Theos" is consistently translated into "God" / "god".
"Theos" occurs in many scriptures which are not referring to the One Father and God of all
(2Cor.4:4; Ps.82:6; John10:34-35; 3:5-6). It must also be noted that this word is consistently
used in reference to spirit existence. Therefore, this fact is reasonably convincing that
the word "theos" does not refer to a single person, but rather to a spiritual nature of existence.)
Many persons share in being human. It does not follow that all humans are the same person.
[For more information on this, see: (who-are-gods.html)]
So, when we read at John 1:1-2 that the Word was simultaneously with God, and also existing as God ("theos"), we need not become confused. The Word of John 1:1 possessed spirit nature (Phil.2:6-7; John 1:14), just as The supremely omniscient and pre-eminent God and Father of all, is also a spirit (Eph.4:6; John 4:24).
Obviously, if the Word (Greek: "Logos") was present at the start of the physical creation; he would have to be born prior to the physical creation. Yet as a spirit being, he would not be a part of the physical creation but rather, a creation of spirit ("theos"). That would mean that at the start of all God's creative work, The God initially created other spirit, according to His own spiritual nature and existence (1Cor.15:40).
Do the scriptures indicate this?
At Rev.3:14 we read;
"‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God".
Colossians 1:15 >
"15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation."
John14:7,10-11 >
7 If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him! 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. 11 Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do."
John 17:5 >
"5 Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began."
Jesus is said to be the firstborn of God's creating, and assigned as having authority over the creation that followed.
But Jesus is also referred to as an "only-begotten" son of God (John 3:16NKJV). How should we understand this?
The original Greek word that is translated into "only" son, is:
It's definition means to be, the only one generated. [Here is a link to (Strong's G3439)].
So then, the Word (Logos) is the only spirit being, directly and personally generated, by The God.
How then, did the rest of creation come into existence? Who created the physical realm?
Let's return to John chapter One, this time paying close attention to verse three.
John 1:1-3...
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him nothing was made that was made."
Now things are getting clearer, regarding your original question.
Verse 3 teaches us, how it is that two spirit beings (two "theos") were present and worked together for the birth of the physical creation. Verse 3 tells us that The God created "through him" (the Word),
and without him (the Word), nothing was made (John 1:3). (Rom.11:36; 1Cor.15:27-28)
Please consider Proverbs chapter 8...
22 “The Lord possessed me at the beginning of His way,
Before His works of old.
23 I have been established from everlasting,
From the beginning, before there was ever an earth.
24 When there were no depths I was brought forth,
When there were no fountains abounding with water.
25 Before the mountains were settled,
Before the hills, I was brought forth;
26 While as yet He had not made the earth or the fields,
Or the primal dust of the world.
27 When He prepared the heavens, I was there,
When He drew a circle on the face of the deep,
28 When He established the clouds above,
When He strengthened the fountains of the deep,
29 When He assigned to the sea its limit,
So that the waters would not transgress His command,
When He marked out the foundations of the earth,
30 Then I was beside Him as a master craftsman;
And I was daily His delight,
Rejoicing always before Him,
31 Rejoicing in His inhabited world,
And my delight was with the sons of men."
Gen.1:26
"26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
John 1:1-3
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made."
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