By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. Hebrews 11:3
AND
For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water 2 Peter 3:5
2007-07-01 11:58:00 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
What these two scriptures speak to FAITH that gives understanding to the invisible world.
Hebrews 11:3
"By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible."
a. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word: How were the worlds . . . framed by the word of God? It happened when God simply commanded 'Let there be light' (Genesis 1:3). As the Psalmist explains: 'By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth . . . For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.” (Psalm 33:6,9)
b. By faith we understand: We did not SEE this act of creation; we only know of it by faith. We also know this by reason, because we know the world was created, and created by an intelligent Designer. Again, this is faith going beyond, but not in contradiction to reason.
i. Even in times when it seems when God expects a faith that contradicts reason, closer examination reveals He does not. For example, it might seem contrary to reason for God to expect Abraham to believe that Sarah’s dead womb could bring forth a child. But it is not unreasonable to believe that the God who created life and the womb could do this, and would do it according to His promise.
c. By faith we understand: This text does not say that God created the world with faith. Since God sees and knows all things, “faith” in a human sense is superfluous to Him. If faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, what does God not see? What possibly could a sovereign Being “hope” for?
d. So that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible: Most scientists at the time Hebrews was written believed the universe was created out of existing matter, not out of nothing, not out of things which are visible. But the Bible corrects this misunderstanding.
2 Peter 3:5
For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
a. For this they willfully forget: The scoffers presume upon the mercy and long-suffering of God, insisting that because they have never seen a widespread judgment of God, that there will never be one. But they willfully forget God’s creation and the judgment God poured out on the earth in the days of Noah.
i. A literal belief in Creation, in Adam and Eve, and in Noah’s Flood are essential for a true understanding of God’s working both then and now. To deny these things undermines the very foundations of our faith. Sadly, today it is many Christians who willfully forget these things, putting themselves in the place of scoffers.
b. That by the word of God the heavens were of old: The Bible clearly teaches that the active agent in creation was God’s word - He spoke, and creation came into being.
c. The world that then existed perished, being flooded with water: Peter’s point is that things on this earth have not always continued the way the are now. The earth was different when God first created it, then it was different again after the flood. Therefore no one should scoff at God’s promise that He will make it different again, judging it not with water, but with fire. The same word that created all matter, and judged the world in the flood will one day bring a judgment of fire upon the earth.
2007-07-01 12:28:45 · answer #1 · answered by faith 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
2 Peter 3:5 refers to the flood in the days of Noah. Therefore this verse is not relevant to the question.
Hebrews 11:3 is not the only passage that discusses creation.
It is generally accepted by Christians and Jews that God created the heavens and the earth out of nothing.
Pastor Art
2007-07-01 12:17:32 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
God used His Spirit to brood over the formless earth, so that He could rebuild it. His Spirit is His power that gives things life.
This alludes to the controversial Gap Theory, where this scripture implies that God created an ancient "pre-Genesis" world inhabited by angelic beings under His kingdom that was ravaged, destroyed possibly by Lucifer and his fallen angels, and subsequently emersed in total darkness without form (Genesis 1:1-2 KJV). God then "re-created" an earth beginning in six divine days resting on the seventh. Within the seven days, God "re-inhabited" a re-constructed earth with humans, Lucifer's ultimate replacements for the kingdom of God. The million dollar question is: If the earth was rebuilt, could the species of living things that are dated back millions of years part of the "old earth" that was ruined by Lucifer and his minions? If so, then this shuts down the evolution theory doesn't it? Another question for another time ....
2007-07-01 12:18:26 · answer #3 · answered by Dr. G™ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He spoke by saying, "Let light come to be...................-Genesis 1
His holy spirit was the means by which he created the things seen out of things that are invisible.
2 Pe 3:5 A reminder that he did cause a great flood...
"...so my word that goes forth from my mouth will prove to be, it will not return to me without results..."-Isa 55:11
2007-07-01 12:36:03 · answer #4 · answered by Marina 1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Faith and the Word of God....
2007-07-01 18:52:53 · answer #5 · answered by Abbasangel 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oxygen to make sounds (or some kind of matter for the sound waves to vibrate off of), and some sort of vocal chords to speak the words. So perhaps he made a little oxygen bubble, went in it, and the said the words to create everything.
2007-07-01 12:04:51 · answer #6 · answered by x2000 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
God spoke the world into existence, by His Word! Amen.
God bless you.
2007-07-01 12:07:41 · answer #7 · answered by Jesusisking7 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Faith an water?
2007-07-01 12:01:58 · answer #8 · answered by I was framed!! 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
God needed nothing
the world was made "ex deo" from God
2007-07-01 12:02:23 · answer #9 · answered by whirlingmerc 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Apparently some sort of magical word that god knows.
Its probably something similar to Supercallifragilisticexpialidocious
(Mary Poppins knew how to do magic too!)
2007-07-01 12:08:02 · answer #10 · answered by Azure Z 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋