A Restoration Light Publication

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty. (Genesis 1:1) Darkness was on the surface of the deep. God's Spirit was hovering over the surface of the waters. (Genesis 1:2) God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. (Genesis 1:3) -- World English Bible translation.

The beginning spoken of in Genesis 1:1 refers to the six days of creation as respects the ordering of the earth for life, especially that of man. We know this because of Exodus 20:11, 31:17. The heavens [the atmosphere, sky -- Genesis 1:8] and the earth [land-masses -- Genesis 1:10] were made in six days. This agrees also with Matthew 19:4,5, Mark 10:6 which refer to the "beginning" as when Adam and Eve were created. The angels were already in existence at this beginning, for they shouted with joy at the creation of earth. (Job 38:4-11) Likewise the "earth" in some material form appears to have already existed, for it "was" at the beginning of the first day (Genesis 1:2), similar to the expression that the Logos "was" in the beginning spoken of in John 1:1. And we know that the angels were already in existence at this creation, since they are spoken of in Job 38:4-7 as shouting for joy at the creation of the earth. (See also Job 1:6; 2:1) The above additionally would be in harmony with several scriptures where "creation" is spoken with reference to creation of mankind, not the angels, stars, etc. -- Mark 10:6; Romans 8:20,22; 2 Peter 3:4.

According to many trinitarians, the first place the trinity is spoken of is in Genesis 1:1-3. It is claimed that the Hebrew word ELOHIM translated as "God" in these verses is plural and therefore speaks of the triune nature of God. We have discussed the Hebraic usage of the plural to denote supremacy in our document: Elohim - Does This Word Indicate a Plurality of Persons in a Godhead? Click Here to read this document. Since we have already covered this elsewhere, we not do so here.

However, many trinitarians believe the three personalities of God are referred to in these three verses. Verse One, they say, is a reference to God the Father. Verse two is supposedly a reference to God the Holy Spirit. Verse three is alledgedly a reference to God the Son (as the Word). According to this theory, all three of these are therefore the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and this gives evidence of the trinity. Some of our neighbors who believe in the oneness doctrine present a similar idea of the three roles of the one God.

It is true, of course, that Yahweh makes use of his holy spirit in the creation. It is also true that God created the world of mankind through Jesus as the prehuman Logos. (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16,17) While there is actually nothing in Genesis 1:3 that can be proven to refer to the Logos, we know that Yahweh made all the world of mankind through the Logos. Thus, we can be sure that God was speaking to the Logos at the time of creation. Notwithstanding, the idea that this verse is indicative of the Logos as light, as claimed by some, has to be read into the text. In what way did light appear as the Logos in the first day of creation? Was the Logos then made light? Although the sun did not become visible until the fourth creative day, it seems certain that the light referred to in Genesis 1:3 is sunlight, appearing then indirectly and indistinguishable as to source. And if "light" in verse three is the Logos, then what person is represented by the "firmament" of the second day, etc. Also we need to note that Jesus said, "When I am in the world [the world of mankind], I am the light of the world." (John 9:5) Jesus was light to the dark world of mankind, because he had life in him that mankind did not have. He had incorrupt life, which, by his obedience, he proved "incorruptible". Thus, through the Gospel of his life and sacrifice, he "brought to light life and incorruptibility." -- 2 Timothy 2:10, Darby translation.

Others claim that God in verse three is actually the Logos of God speaking, saying Let there be light. Again such has to be assumed and read into the text. The more reasonable view would be to harmonize the scriptures as above to realize that God was speaking to his Logos.

Still others claim that Yahweh (Jehovah) was speaking by His Word in Genesis 1:3, and that this is how the Word is represented there. Again, such has to be read into the text. Of course, as we have already said, Yahweh did create the world of mankind through Jesus. And we conclude that Yahweh was speaking to his Logos as the master worker who carried out the plans of Yahweh in creation.

Nevertheless, even if Genesis 1:3 refers to the prehuman Logos, the mention of God, the holy spirit and the Logos together does not make the trinity doctrine, nor does it mean that Jesus is Yahweh his God. Where does Genesis 1:1-3 refer to three persons in one being, each being co-eternal and co-equal?

The only way one can see trinity or the oneness teaching in Genesis 1:1-3 is to read such an idea into what is written.

For related information see:
Jesus and His God Resource Page
Jesus and His God Discussion Page
Jesus and His God Clearblog Site
Jesus and His God Google Group

Last Update: May 10, 2004

Tags: genesis 1:1; trinity doctrine, six days of creation, plurality of elohim, plurality of persons, godhead, three persons in the godhead, the Logos