Darline Kantola Royer Ralph V. Reynolds
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Darline Kantola Royer Ralph V. Reynolds An OVERSEAS MINISTRIES TRAINING COURSE Publication in association with Global Association of Theological Studies Genesis | 2 GATS Edition © 2012 United Pentecostal Church International Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Royer, Darline Kantola, 1936- Genesis / Darline Kantola Royer, Ralph V. Reynolds. -- GATS ed. p. cm. "An overseas ministries training course publication in association with Global Association of Theological Studies." ISBN 978-0-7577-4225-5 1. Bible. O.T. Genesis--Commentaries. I. Reynolds, Ralph Vincent, 1913- II. Title. BS1235.53.R69 2012 222'.1107--dc23 2012027154 Genesis | 3 Sponsor’s Page Atlanta West Pentecostal Church Lithia Springs, Georgia Darrell Johns, Pastor Global Missions acknowledges Atlanta West Pentecostal Church Lithia Springs, Georgia Darrell Johns, pastor and its contribution of $5000 to sponsor the production and translation of Genesis by Darline Kantola Royer and Ralph V. Reynolds Genesis | 4 Genesis | 5 CONTENTS Part I INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 7 Part II FROM ADAM TO ABRAHAM 49 Part III THE PATRIARCHS 93 Part IV THE DISPENSATIONAL DIVISIONS OF THE SCRIPTURES 123 Genesis | 6 Genesis | 7 Part I Introduction to Genesis Darline Kantola Royer Genesis | 8 Genesis | 9 OUTLINE I. Genesis: The Book of Beginnings A. Title B. Writer C. Date of Writing D. Importance of Genesis E. A Look at Beginnings F. Purpose of Genesis G. God Revealed H. Important Prophecies in Genesis II. The Design of Genesis A. Principle of Selection B. Outline of Genesis 1. Early History of the Human Race 2. Patriarchal History C. Redemption Traced D. Genesis at a Glance III. Creation Studies A. Objective B. The Genesis Record C. Dependability of the Record D. God’s Acts of Creating E. The Six Days of Creation F. Other Scriptural References to Creation G. Basic Principles in Understanding Creation H. Theories about Time and Creation 1. Solar Day Interpretation 2. Long Day Theory 3. Gap Theory I. The Ages of the Heavens and Earth 1. Are the Heavens and Earth Ages Old? 2. The “Young Earth” Concept 3. The Geological Timetable 4. Spiritual Understanding of Creation 5. Observations from Research Genesis | 10 6. Where the Bible Student Can Take His Stand 7. Importance of Accepting the Genesis Account J. Inadequate Concepts about Creation 1. Theistic Evolution 2. Progressive Creationism 3. Framework Hypothesis 4. Dangers of False Theories K. Creation According to the Bible L. The Creation of Man IV. Creation Versus Evolution A. Creation Studies Refute Evolution B. Creationist Theory Differs from Evolutionist Theory C. Evolution and the Bible (This section is comprised of notes condensed from the Cora A. Reno’s Evolution and the Bible.) Genesis | 11 I. GENESIS: THE BOOK OF BEGINNINGS The name Genesis is a Greek term that means “origin” or “in the beginning.” This title comes from the very first word in the Hebrew text, Bereshith. It is translated “in the beginning” in the English Bible.1 Moses receives credit for the authorship of Genesis. The Jews referred to the first part of the Old Testament as the Law, which included Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The Books of the Law—also referred to as the Books of Moses—later became known as the Pentateuch, a name derived from the Greek word that means “five volumes.” Both Jews and Christians have always regarded these books as a unity written by Moses. Jesus Christ Himself directly accredited these writings to Moses in Luke 24:44 and John 5:46. Genesis was probably written during the latter half of the fifteenth century BC. This is determined on the assumption that Moses wrote the book after the Exodus that took place around 1445 BC. The Importance of Genesis Genesis is important for the light it sheds on beginnings. It has often been called the “seed plot of the Bible.” Many significant truths originate in Genesis and blossom forth in the rest of the Bible. The book is a positive record of things as they actually happened, for it is God’s accurate revelation of past events that are important for man to know. Many man-made theories about the universe, man, sin, the nations and such have been propagated; but Genesis gives God’s account of beginnings. Without the record of Genesis, we would be ignorant of much of God’s intentions for humanity, for Genesis is foundational truth. On this simple yet profound revelation of truth, we must firmly stand. We must begin our studies of beginnings where God began. Humanity falls short of truth if they turn first to human postulations and then to God’s record of beginnings. It is a shame for Christians to read and study human ideas without first taking up the Word and seeing what God would reveal through it. A look into the Book of Genesis shows the beginning of many things. • The created universe (1:1) • Man (1:27) • Marriage (2:22-24) • Sin (3:6, cf 2:16-17) • Prophecy (3:15) Genesis | 12 • Human government (9:1-6) • Nations (chapter 11) • Languages (11:6-9) • Israel, God’s chosen nation (12:1-3) Thus we find the beginning of human institutions, social relationships and many things that pertain to humanity’s existence in the material universe. More specifically, Genesis introduces the Creator, the One who must be known for us to understand our own existence. The truth about humanity’s creation in the image of God and the fall into sin is presented. Then the record quickly focuses on the selection of a people through whom redemption would come for fallen mankind. While Genesis does provide the foundation for all history, it omits all the unnecessary details to give emphasis to the call of Abraham and the significant position of his seed among the nations. The selective content indicates that God intended to show through the record of Genesis how Abraham’s seed, Israel, was elected from among the nations and became God’s chosen people through whom His grace would be manifest to the human race. God Revealed The opening words of Genesis, “In the beginning God,” give us the foundational truth for our faith in and knowledge of God. God presented no argument to prove His own existence. He simply stated that He is through this simple introductory phrase. We must accept this revealed truth to find our way to God. Through the Genesis record and that which follows, God chose to reveal Himself to His creation. Any theology that questions this revelation of God to humanity is faulty. Any interpretation of this record that attempts to lessen the creative power of God and to reject the supernatural works of God in Creation is false. The first truth God chose to reveal to humanity is “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Acceptance of this truth is the foundation for our faith in God. Three distinct prophecies of Christ in Genesis merit attention: 1. The seed of woman (Genesis 3:15). This general prophecy simply states that the coming Savior of the world would come from the human family. 2. The seed of Abraham (Genesis 12:3). This prophecy identifies the family from which the Messiah would eventually come. Genesis | 13 3. The seed of Judah (Genesis 49:10). This third prophecy points out the tribe from which the Christ would come. The other books of the Old Testament gave other prophecies that added detail to detail about the coming Christ until there was absolutely no reason for not recognizing Him as Savior, the One promised from the day sin entered into the world. II. THE DESIGN OF GENESIS Genesis uses the principle of selection. It gives those events necessary to introduce the plan of human redemption. The events are related in brief form, not in detail. The Book of Genesis contains fifty chapters and can be outlined into two main divisions. The book first describes the race as a whole in chapters 1-11 and then focuses on Abraham’s chosen family in chapters 12-50. Genesis 1-11 contains the early history of the human race. This division covers the extended period of history from Creation to the scattering of the people and beginning of nations at the Tower of Babel. It is a period of about two thousand years from Adam to Abraham. The four key events are: 1. Creation 2. The Fall of Man 3. The Flood 4. The Beginning of Nations The key names of this period are Adam and Noah. Genesis 12-15 contains the patriarchal history. This division is the special history of God’s people. These chapters focus on the family of Abraham and primarily tell the story of four men: 1. Abraham (Genesis 12:1-25:10). Abraham’s life unfolds God’s redemptive plan in the formation of an elect nation. 2. Isaac (Genesis 21-36). God’s promises concerning Abraham’s seed are seen being fulfilled in the events of Isaac’s life. 3. Jacob (Genesis 25-35). Jacob’s life reveals God’s grace, His “unmerited favor.” By neither birth nor character did Jacob deserve God’s blessings that came to him. The important principle of God’s grace unfolds through the events concerning Jacob. Genesis | 14 4. Joseph (Genesis 30:22-50:26). Joseph’s life shows God working out His will for His people. Through the difficult circumstances of Joseph’s life, God was working and controlling people and events to bring His purposes to fulfillment for His elect people. Redemption Traced Through it all, this history of the human races is traced to show forth the plan of redemption. Genesis shows the need of salvation by giving the record of the entrance of sin into the world.