top of page

The Doctrine of Creation – Creation Ex Nihilo and The Image of God in Humanity

Writer's picture: afmincanada (Bible Study)afmincanada (Bible Study)

Scripture Focus: Genesis 1:1, 26-27; Psalm 33:6; Colossians 1:16


Introduction

 

I want you to take a moment and reflect on the greatness of the God we serve. He is the Creator of all things—the heavens, the earth, and everything in between. In Genesis 1:1, it says, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” This truth lays the foundation for our entire faith. It’s not just about acknowledging God’s power—it’s about understanding who He is and who we are in relation to Him.

 

Today, we’re going to explore two powerful truths that reveal God’s glory and help us understand our identity, purpose, and destiny in Him. First, we’ll look at Creation Ex Nihilo—the truth that God created everything out of nothing. Then, we’ll explore Imago Dei—the profound reality that we are made in the very image and likeness of God.

 

1. Creation Ex Nihilo.

 

Let’s start with Creation Ex Nihilo. This phrase simply means “creation out of nothing.” Before the universe existed, there was only God. He didn’t need raw materials or pre-existing matter. When He wanted to create the world, all He did was speak. Psalm 33:6 says, “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of His mouth.” This verse reminds us that everything in the universe—from the stars in the sky to the earth under our feet—came into existence by the command of God. When God Speaks, it is done!

 

Hebrews 11:3 declares, “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” This is the essence of Creation Ex Nihilo. God, in His infinite power, spoke the universe into being. Everything we see, touch, and experience—whether mountains, oceans, or galaxies—was created by the word of the Lord.

 

Now, why does this matter for us today? Because it shows us that our God is limitless! He is not bound by time, resources, or human limitations. When God speaks, things happen. His word brings life, order, and purpose into existence.

 

Maybe you’re facing an impossible situation right now. Maybe you feel like there’s no hope, no solution, no way out. But I’m here to tell you that the God who created the universe out of nothing can bring breakthrough in your life. He can bring something out of nothing. He can bring light into darkness. Jeremiah 32:17 says, “Ah, Lord God! It is You who have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for You!”

 

2. Your True Identity.

 

Now, after God created the heavens, the earth, and all living things, He did something even more extraordinary—He created us, humanity, in His own image. Genesis 1:26-27 tells us, “Then God said, ‘Let Us make mankind in Our image, in Our likeness...’ So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.”

 

This is one of the most profound truths in all of Scripture. We are not just any creatures—we are made in the image of God! This is something so extraordinary that it should stir our hearts every day! We are created in the image of God—in Latin, we call this Imago Dei. What does that mean? It means that when God made humanity, He gave us a part of His very nature. Unlike the animals, unlike the stars or the mountains, we reflect the character of God Himself. Let me break this down for you:


  • We are spiritual beings. God is Spirit (John 4:24), and He created us with the ability to relate to Him, worship Him, and commune with Him.

  • We are rational beings. We have the capacity to think, to reason, to understand right from wrong. This reflects God’s wisdom and knowledge.

  • We are relational beings. Just as God exists in a relationship within the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit), He created us for relationships—with Him and with one another.

  • We are moral beings. We have a conscience and a sense of morality, reflecting God’s holiness and justice. We know right from wrong.

 

Being made in God’s image gives every person inherent dignity and worth. It doesn’t matter your race, your status, your wealth, or your background—you carry the imprint of the Creator! The Bible uses two key Hebrew words to describe this—“Tselem” (צֶלֶם) for “image” and “Demuth” (דְּמוּת) for “likeness.” Psalm 8:4-5 says, “What is mankind that You are mindful of them...? You made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet:”


Image in Hebrew is "Tselem" which means the Outward Representation of God. It’s like a statue or a physical figure that represents someone’s authority and rule. When God says He made us in His image, He means that we are His representatives on earth, reflecting His rule, His authority, and His glory.  

 

Being made in God’s Tselem (image) means that we have a special responsibility to represent God in creation. Just as a king might set up statues to symbolize his rule, we are God’s living statues, reflecting His authority, creativity, and care in the world. We have been entrusted with the stewardship of the earth, and through our actions, we are to display God’s nature. Think of it this way: we are mirrors. Just as a mirror reflects the light of the sun, we are designed to reflect the light of God’s glory in the world. When people see us, they should see a glimpse of God’s character, love, and power.


The word Likeness in Hebrew is 'Demuth' which refers to our inner quality and nature of God. The qualities that make us like God on the inside. Where Tselem focuses on our outward role as God’s representatives, Demuth speaks to the moral, rational, and relational qualities that reflect God’s inner nature. This is what makes humanity unique. We don’t just act like God’s representatives in creation; we have the ability to love, to choose, and to relate—just as God Himself does.

 

Being made in God’s likeness means we are called to live in a way that reflects His inner character—His love, His righteousness, His truth. Ephesians 4:24 says, “Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” We are to embody God’s holiness in our thoughts, decisions, and relationships.

 

You matter—not because of what you do, but because of who you are. You are God’s masterpiece, His handiwork (Ephesians 2:10). You were designed with a purpose, created to reflect God’s goodness and to represent His rule on earth. And let me tell you, no one can take that identity away from you. Not sin, not your past, not the devil—nothing can erase the image of God in you!

 

3. The Fall: The Distortion of the Image

 

However, we know that something went wrong. In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve disobeyed God, and as a result, sin entered the world. Sin has distorted the image and likeness of God in us. It’s like a mirror that has been shattered—the reflection is still there, but it’s broken and distorted.

 

Romans 5:12 says, “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.” Sin has damaged our ability to reflect God’s image perfectly. Instead of love, we see hatred. Instead of justice, we see injustice. Instead of holiness, we see sin.

 

But here’s the good news: God didn’t leave us in our brokenness. He had a plan to restore His image in us through Jesus Christ. The same God who created us has a plan to restore us!

 

4. Restoration Through Christ.

 

Jesus Christ is described in Colossians 1:15 as the “image of the invisible God.” He is the perfect representation of God’s nature and character. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus came to restore what was lost in the Fall. Through Him, we are being made new.

 

2 Corinthians 5:17 declares, “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” When we put our faith in Jesus, God begins the work of renewing His image in us. The distortion caused by sin is being healed, and we are being transformed to reflect both the image and likeness of God once again.

 

He came to restore us to our original purpose—to reflect God’s glory. Colossians 3:10 says that in Christ, we “put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”

 

That’s why every day, as we walk with Christ, the Holy Spirit works in us to make us more like Jesus. Romans 8:29 says, “For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son...” Day by day, moment by moment, God is shaping us to reflect the character of Jesus.

 

5. Our Mission.

 

Now that we are being restored in Christ, what does this mean for how we live? It means that we are called to live as God’s image-bearers in this world. This is our mission! We are to reflect God’s glory, God’s authority, and God’s love in every aspect of our lives. Here’s what this looks like in practice:

  1. Treating others with dignity and respect – Every human being, no matter their background or circumstances, is made in the image of God (James 3:9).

  2. Caring for creation – We are called to steward the earth and its resources responsibly, reflecting God’s care for creation (Genesis 1:28).

  3. Reflecting God’s love and justice – In our relationships, in our work, in our communities, we are to embody the inner likeness of God—His love, His righteousness, His truth (Micah 6:8).

  4. Standing for justice and righteousness, because our God is a God of justice (Isaiah 61:8).

 

You are God’s ambassador (2 Corinthians 5:20). Wherever you go, you carry the presence and the authority of God. People should see God in the way you live, in the way you speak, in the way you treat others. You are called to shine His light in a dark world.

 

Conclusion.

 

When you understand that you are created in the image and likeness of God, it changes everything. You are not just a random accident—you are a reflection of the Almighty. You carry His authority in creation and His moral character in your life. Let’s live as true reflections of God’s glory, both in how we represent Him outwardly (Tselem) and how we embody His inner character (Demuth). And as we walk with Christ, let’s allow the Holy Spirit to continue to transform us, day by day, into the perfect image of our Creator.

 

We have a hope that cannot be shaken. The God who created the universe out of nothing is the same God who is working in you right now. The same God who made you in His image is the same God who is restoring that image through Christ. And one day, we will see the fullness of that restoration when Jesus returns.

 

Revelation 21:5 gives us this promise: “He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’” There will be a day when all the brokenness, all the pain, all the distortions of sin will be gone, and we will stand as perfect reflections of our Creator.

 

Until that day, let’s live as image-bearers of God. Let’s live in the power of His Word, trusting that He can create something out of nothing. Let’s walk in the confidence of our identity, knowing that we are loved, valued, and purposed by our Creator. And let’s carry the hope of Christ into a world that desperately needs to know the God who makes all things new.

 

Genesis 1:27 – "So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them..."  Acts 17:28 – "For in Him we live and move and have our being..." 2 Corinthians 3:18 – "We...are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory..."

 

Church, if you believe that God has a purpose for your life, stand up in faith today. Begin to declare that you are made in His image, that you are not defined by your past, but by His restoration. You are being renewed through Christ, and called to reflect His glory in every area of your life. Live in the fullness of your calling as His representative on earth, and watch how He uses you to bring light, hope, and transformation to those around you!


 

36 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Never Give Up

Scripture: Acts 4:23-31 Introduction: Life often confronts us with limitations and trials we never applied for. Challenges arise that...

Whose Report Will You Believe?

Scripture: Genesis 37:29-36 Introduction: There are moments in life when we are presented with situations that bring us to our knees in...

Trust God Even in the Hopeless Moments

Scripture: John 11:38-40: 38  Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39  Jesus...

Comentários


Landing Page.jpg
About Us

AFM stands for "Apostolic Faith Mission" The AFM exists since 1908 and is the first and largest Pentecostal church and currently established in 34 countries of the world. AFM totally and completely believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God equally in all parts and without error in its original manuscript, absolutely infallible, and our source of supreme revelation from God, superior to conscience and reason, though not contrary to reason; and it is therefore our infallible rule of faith and practice. (II Timothy 3:16-17; I Peter 1:23-25; Hebrews 4:12) The programs and activities governing the form of worship of Apostolic Faith Mission in Canada – Hamilton Assembly are based upon and at all times consistent with bible.

Theme Scripture

Genesis 1: 26 ~ Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,[a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

 

Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

PayPal ButtonPayPal Button
Contact Us

805 Hwy 8

Stoney Creek, ON L8E 5J3

 

E-Mail: Pastor-LeoM@afmincanada.org

Phones: +1 613 804 3852 |

+1 905 401 8801

administrator@afmincanada.org

  • Grey Facebook Icon
  • Grey Google+ Icon
  • Grey Pinterest Icon
  • Grey Instagram Icon

Copyright © 2017 AFM In Canada - Hamilton Assembly.

All Rights Reserved

bottom of page