Maker of Heaven and Earth

 

Maker of Heaven and Earth

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Genesis 1:1–31

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Today's Scripture Jigsaw

From the Confessions: The Apostles Creed

“I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.”

Pulling It Together: Here, the Apostles Creed echoes the opening words of Scripture, that all things were created by the word of God. Genesis tells us creation was spoken into existence. “And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light” (Genesis 1:3). John says that creation happened through the agency of the Word of God, not just the word of God. There is nothing that has been made apart from his Word (John 1:3). In other words, the living Word—the Son—is creator. But you respond, “I thought the Father was Maker of heaven and earth.” He is; so is the Son and the Holy Spirit. God is creator, and God is at once, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

We confess with the writer of Hebrews that we believe these things by faith. “By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God” (Hebrews 11:3). We believe God is creator of all things, that he is Trinity, and that he exists, all by faith. We do not scramble to prove these matters—as though we could do so. We are content to believe. Augustine wrote, “We are speaking of God; what marvel, if you do not comprehend? For if you comprehend, He is not God” (Sermons on the New Testament, Sermon 67, ¶ 5).

So, in these few, opening words of the creed, we see the Trinity expressed even before God is named as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Father, help me have faith even when I do not fully comprehend. Amen

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