How did God create man?

God, in His own likeness, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, created man and woman with authority over all creatures.

1. God created man in His own image; Created them In the image of God, He made them man and woman (Genesis 1:27). 

2. You have begun to live the new life. In your new life you are being made new. You are becoming like the one who made you. This new life bring you the true knowledge of God (Colossians 3:10). You must become a new person, made to be like God - made to be truly good and holy (Eph 4:24). 

3. God blessed them and said to them, "have many children. Fill the earth and take control of it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the air. Rule over every living thing that moves on the earth" (Gen. 1:28).

In our previous lesson, we have seen God created all objects. In this lesson, we will look about human creation. The reason for the interest about human is, the scripture teaches us that all objects were built for 'integrated' or their "purpose and money" under the leaders of the human. Using an analogy that If everything were created except man, it would be like a ship without a captain, or a huge army without a commander. The only man among all creatures of God was built in God's own similarity. Only for human, God said these things,  "have many children. Fill the earth and take control of it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the air. Rule over every living thing that moves on the earth" (Gen. 1:28).

What is evolution?

It is sometimes said that even Christians believe that human domination over all creation can be tied together by evolution.  The pioneers of this work are often called theistic (evolutionists) who believe in God.  They largely agree with the doctrine of evolution;  Accept it as a description of the progress that has been made in the world.  At first, unicellular organisms emerged, and then many more complex organisms.  But they believe that God is "behind the scenes."  He is controlling different levels of development.  For example, theistic evolutionists may believe that the human body came from apes.  But they say that God created something special, such as the human soul.  And when that happened, man came into being as the bearer of the true image of God.  What do we think about this theistic evolutionism?

(1) For one reason, this doctrine is not in accordance with Genesis 2: 7, which states, “The Lord God formed man from dust and breathed into his nostrils his breath.  Then man became a living being. ”  Animals that God has already given life to can be termed “the dust of the earth.”  If God created man by associating something more with a living creature, then why did God need to give him “life”?  Genesis 2: 7 clearly teaches that man did not evolve.

(2) On the other hand, no where in the Bible is it stated that the human body should be considered "animal-like."  We think of the soul as a kind of “angel.”  It is true that man is possessing two natures - he has a fleshly body, and an immaterial soul.  Our Lord Himself said, "Fear not those who can only destroy the body, cannot destroy the soul, but fear him who can destroy both body and soul in hell" (Matthew 10:28).  But when it is said that the human body evolved from a lower level of life and was created by God alone, the idea (consciously or subconsciously) prevails that, just as the human soul is superior to the body and in a more basic consciousness than the other.  Comes from God.  But the Bible does not teach that.  This is why the Christian faith - which contrasts with false religion - holds the expectation of the resurrection of the body, not just the existence of the soul after death!  God created perfect man.  And that perfect man will either be saved by the Lord Jesus, or will be punished by God in the last days.

Man: Created in the image of God

But what does it mean that man is created in the image of God?  We believe that if we think about the way man was originally created, our best perception would be:

(1) 'Q & A' is that God created man in the knowledge of his own image. This means that when Adam was a without sin person, in the world, he could realize God's expression about his own. When Adam "named every animal, bird, and wild beast" (Genesis 2:20), he did more than just "think names."  Accurate descriptions of the names that were given.  When Adam named his wife Eve (meaning "life-giver"), he gave her the correct name, because "she is the mother of all living beings" (Genesis 3:20). When Adam observed animals and named them, he showed himself that he could be able to express the real nature of the object. In other words, Adam (He was still innocent), in a sense, he was the prophet. For the prophet is the one who sees the divine truth (prophetic often is called "visitors".) And others express it for the good.

(2) "Q & A" says, God created man of his own image and with his holiness, created man. This means that when Adam was innocent, he dedicated himself to God completely. The work of this dedication has been developed with the body in the old testament, through the Moses, God revealed it by worship method. The Old Testament also had high priests, tents, various gifts, and various divine episodes.  And because of that the initial concept of holiness was very clear.  Holiness means "separation for the Lord."  In Adam's case, there was no such thing as an episode or sacrifice.  But in his case there was loyalty of heart.  He was holy because he found his ultimate joy in the Lord.  Without fear (before falling into sin), Adam felt at peace with God.  According to his will, he was separated for the Lord in all things.  In this sense, he was truly a priest.

(3) The 'question and answer' finally says that God created man in his righteousness, in his own image.  Righteousness is another name for obedience to God.  Righteousness is what God allows him to do.  So it is fair to say that before Adam fell into sin, there was a king.  The king is the one who rules.  Adam ruled the entire universe, which God placed under his authority.  He knew the will of the Lord (as a prophet) and was willing to serve Him alone (as a priest).  As King of Creation, he was able to perform acts of righteousness.  Thus we see that it is not right to speak of the presence of the image of God in man.  Rather, it is right to call the whole man the image of God.  The image of God in man, or in any part of man (soul), was not a matter of anything.  But man himself thought like a prophet, felt like a priest, and acted like a king - he himself was the image of God.

A fundamental doctrine

We need to keep this in mind as we study the remainder of the Q&A.  Because if we can properly understand the image of God, the creation of man, we can understand many more doctrines of the Christian faith.  Let us briefly mention some examples.

(1) Man's total depravity can be understood only if we first realize the meaning of man's creation in the divine image.  In Adam's first sin, all mankind fell, and all mankind is now defiled.

(2) Again, in this education, we can understand the resort of the Christian. The old testament have promised the Savior's promise. He will be sent by the God on the earth as the Bible history, as a king, prophet and praised. Jesus must be perfect prophet, praised and king to save his people. If we remain in the recent way, we remembered that, why we have such a way, we can understand it.

(3) If we remember this text, we will understand the same thing as well. So this doctrine is that Sinners change their minds towards Christ.  We will see why real change of mind involves knowledge, feelings, and desires.

(4) Finally, through this teaching we can understand the signs of the real church.  The true church of Christ is not a corner palace, it is a working organ - the collective form of man - who belongs to the Lord.  In other words, the church is an association of those who have been converted to true knowledge, righteousness, and holiness.  And we will see that this is why the sign of the true church will be the faithful preaching of God's Word, the proper application of the Reformation, and the faithful practice of the church discipline.  In all these things we see the glorious fullness of Christ as prophet, priest, and king.  And by this we will see further, that his subjects are becoming partners in all these things.