The concept of the "beginning of time" is foundational in the biblical narrative, marking the commencement of God's creative work and the unfolding of His divine plan. The Bible opens with the profound declaration in Genesis 1:1 : "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." This verse establishes God as the eternal Creator, existing before time and space, and initiating the universe's existence.

Creation and the Beginning of Time

The creation account in Genesis 1 provides a structured sequence of events that delineate the beginning of time. Over six days, God systematically brings order and life to the cosmos, culminating in the creation of humanity. Each day is marked by the phrase, "And there was evening, and there was morning," signifying the passage of time and the establishment of a temporal framework within which creation unfolds.

The beginning of time is not merely a chronological starting point but also a theological assertion of God's sovereignty and purpose. The act of creation is ex nihilo, meaning "out of nothing," underscoring God's omnipotence and the dependence of all creation on His will.

Theological Implications

The beginning of time as described in Genesis has profound theological implications. It affirms the doctrine of creatio ex nihilo, emphasizing that the universe is not eternal but had a definitive starting point initiated by God. This counters ancient Near Eastern creation myths, which often depict creation as emerging from pre-existing chaos or conflict among deities.

Furthermore, the beginning of time sets the stage for the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. The creation narrative introduces key themes such as the goodness of creation, the imago Dei (image of God) in humanity, and the establishment of the Sabbath, which all play crucial roles in the biblical storyline.

New Testament Reflections

The New Testament echoes and expands upon the concept of the beginning of time. John 1:1-3 parallels Genesis 1:1, stating, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made." This passage identifies Jesus Christ, the Word, as the agent of creation, affirming His divinity and pre-existence.

Colossians 1:16-17 further elaborates on Christ's role in creation: "For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." These verses highlight the centrality of Christ in the cosmic order and His sustaining power over creation.

Eschatological Considerations

The beginning of time also has eschatological dimensions, as it points forward to the consummation of history. Revelation 21:1 envisions a new creation: "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more." This future renewal reflects the original creation's purpose and God's ultimate plan to restore and perfect His creation.

In summary, the beginning of time in the biblical narrative is a profound declaration of God's creative authority, the temporal framework for His redemptive work, and a foreshadowing of the ultimate restoration of all things through Christ.Genesis 1:1,14
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Nave's Topical Index

165. aion -- a space of time, an age
... mean. continued duration Definition a space of time, an age NASB Word Usage age
(20), ages (6), ancient time (1), beginning of time (1), course (1), eternal (2 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/165.htm - 8k

746. arche -- beginning, origin
... From archomai; (properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various
applications of order, time, place, or rank) -- beginning, corner, (at the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/746.htm - 7k

4412. proton -- before, at the beginning
... of protos as adverb (with or without ho); firstly (in time, place, order, or importance)
-- before, at the beginning, chiefly (at, at the) first (of all). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4412.htm - 6k

509. anothen -- from above
... Word Origin from ano Definition from above NASB Word Usage above (5), again
(2), all over (1), beginning (1), long time (1), top (2). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/509.htm - 6k

4413. protos -- first, chief
... Contracted superlative of pro; foremost (in time, place, order or importance) --
before, beginning, best, chief(-est), first (of all), former. see GREEK pro. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4413.htm - 8k

4747. stoicheion -- one of a row, hence a letter (of the alphabet) ...
... refers to "the with which mankind . . were (before the time of Christ ... elements")
as ancient astral beings associated with the very beginning (make-up ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4747.htm - 8k

7221. rishah -- beginning time, early time
... 7220b, 7221. rishah. 7222 . beginning time, early time. Transliteration:
rishah Phonetic Spelling: (ree-shaw') Short Definition: first. ...
/hebrew/7221.htm - 6k

7223. rishon -- former, first, chief
... Or riishon {ree-shone'}; from ri'shah; first, in place, time or rank (as adjective
or noun) -- ancestor, (that were) before(-time), beginning, eldest, first ...
/hebrew/7223.htm - 6k

5769. olam -- long duration, antiquity, futurity
... any more, continuance, eternal, (for, (n-))ever(-lasting, -more, of old), lasting,
long (time), (of) old (time), perpetual, at any time, (beginning of the ...
/hebrew/5769.htm - 7k

7225. reshith -- beginning, chief
... first fruits (7), foremost (2). beginning, chiefest, firstfruits, part, time,
principal thing. From the same as ro'sh; the first, in ...
/hebrew/7225.htm - 6k

227. az -- at that time
... A demonstrative adverb; at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore --
beginning, for, from, hitherto, now, of old, once, since, then, at which time ...
/hebrew/227.htm - 6k

8462. techillah -- a beginning
... Word Origin from chalal Definition a beginning NASB Word Usage before (1), began
(1), beginning (11), first (5), first time (2), previously (2). Tachmonite. ...
/hebrew/8462.htm - 6k

7218. rosh -- head
... shake; the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many
applications, of place, time, rank, itc.) -- band, beginning, captain, chapiter ...
/hebrew/7218.htm - 6k

8463. tachalu -- disease
... beginning, first time. Or tachalui {takh-al-oo'}; from chala'; a malady -- disease,
X grievous, (that are) sick(-ness). see HEBREW chala'. 8462, 8463. ...
/hebrew/8463.htm - 6k

But this Only Son of God, the Father Almighty...
... going before nor coming after. Lo, here then is a father beginning, lo,
a son at the same time beginning. If I have shown you a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on the creeds/section 6 but this only.htm

In Time. The Beginning of Creation.
... Book I. 17. (2) in Time. The Beginning of Creation. Again, there is a beginning
in a matter of origin, as might appear in the saying ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/17 -2 in time the.htm

Plato's Idea of the Beginning of Time Drawn from Moses.
... Chapter XXXIII."Plato's idea of the beginning of time drawn from Moses.
And from what source did Plato draw the information that ...
/.../justins hortatory address to the greeks/chapter xxxiii platos idea of the.htm

That the World and Time had Both one Beginning, and the one did ...
... Book XI. Chapter 6."That the World and Time Had Both One Beginning, and
the One Did Not Anticipate the Other. For if eternity ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 6 that the world and.htm

That the World Took Its Beginning in Time.
... Book III. Chapter V."That the World Took Its Beginning in Time. 1. And now,
since there is one of the articles of the Church [2644 ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/chapter v that the world took.htm

A Continuation of Mr. Bunyan's Life, Beginning Where He Left Off ...
... BUNYAN'S LIFE, BEGINNING WHERE HE LEFT OFF, AND CONCLUDING WITH THE TIME AND MANNER
OF HIS DEATH AND BURIAL, TOGETHER WITH HIS TRUE CHARACTER. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a continuation of mr bunyans.htm

Whether the Creation of Things was in the Beginning of Time?
... For some said that the world always was, and that time had no beginning; and to
exclude this the words "In the beginning" are expounded"-viz. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the creation of things.htm

A Continuation of Mr Bunyan's Life; Beginning Where He Left Off ...
... A Continuation of Mr BUNYAN'S LIFE; beginning where he left off, and concluding
with the Time and Manner of his Death and Burial: together with his true ...
/.../bunyan/grace abounding to the chief of sinners/a continuation of mr bunyans.htm

From Letter xxix . --(For 357. ) from the Twenty-Ninth Letter, of ...
... From Letter XXIX ."(For 357.) From the twenty-ninth Letter, of which the beginning
is, Sufficient for this present time is that which we have already written ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/from letter xxix for 357.htm

The Beginning of the New Testament
... Turn to the list of books given in the beginning of your New Testament ... let us look
at the condition of the great heathen cities of the world at the time when he ...
/.../duff/the bible in its making/chapter x the beginning of.htm

Will we experience time in heaven? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of “redeeming the time” in Ephesians 5:16? | GotQuestions.org

What time was Jesus crucified? What time did Jesus die on the cross? | GotQuestions.org

Time: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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