Introduction
In the article “Doctrinal Foundations in Genesis 1 to 4“, we will explore how the first chapters of Genesis provide a crucial doctrinal foundation for understanding fundamental themes of the Christian faith. We will analyze essential questions such as dominion over the carnal nature, the true structure of the human being, the meaning of marriage, and the sanctity of the Sabbath. We will also investigate how mistaken doctrines, such as the immortality of the soul, arise when the clear truths presented in these texts are not taken into account. Throughout the article, we will seek to understand what these chapters reveal to us about creation and how this impacts our view of Christian doctrine.
The Bible is a vast book in terms of the themes and subjects it covers. Unfortunately, it is not organized by themes. Many passages that discuss a particular subject are scattered throughout its writings. For this reason, when we study a certain theme and/or doctrine, we must search for the largest number of biblical passages related to what we are studying in order to avoid reaching mistaken conclusions and interpretations.
The Lord has already clarified many themes in advance within the first 6 chapters of Genesis! With just these six chapters, we can find the correct biblical basis for various themes spread throughout the Scriptures, helping us to avoid falling into doctrinal errors (false interpretations and teachings).
Mastery Over the Desires of the Carnal Nature
Genesis 4:7 – “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin crouches at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must rule over it“
One of the first doctrinal foundations we can find in Genesis is the dominion over the desires of the carnal nature. Adam and Eve were created perfect before God. Both were made in the image and likeness of God. Only after they fell into transgression did their natures undergo changes. From being perfect, they began to develop sinful tendencies. Without grace and divine intervention, human beings would grow and develop in a direction contrary to the character of God. It is only by the grace of God that we gain the transformative power to resist the erroneous desires of our hearts.
The Bible tells us that Adam’s sons, Cain and Abel, offered sacrifices to God. Abel sacrificed an animal, as God had commanded, while Cain presented fruit. God accepted only Abel’s offering, which made Cain very angry. Over time, evil grew in his heart, leading him to wish for his brother’s death. God warned him to control this feeling, but Cain ignored the advice and ended up killing Abel.
In God’s words to Cain, we learn about the possibility of overcoming temptation. It is possible to control the desires of our hearts. Of course, this is only possible with divine intervention, when we turn to God for help and assistance, and the Lord gives us the strength we need to control and overcome our evil desires. Although this truth has been evident since Genesis, today many teach the opposite, denying the possibility of overcoming our sinful traits.
God Was Not Alone in Creation!
Genesis 1:26 – “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth“
Regarding the creation of the human being, the biblical text uses the verb “to do” in the plural form, “Let us make“, indicating that more than one person was present at that moment. In the same way, it places someone on the same level of similarity in relation to God, as it mentions a being who shares the same image and likeness as Him.
Evidently, through the Scriptures, we can conclude that the Son of God was present with Him at creation. This truth is ultimately denied by Oneness believers, who reject the preexistence of Jesus. They believe that Jesus is God made flesh, having only appeared at the moment of the incarnation. However, the biblical text in Genesis already presents the existence of another being with God at the moment of creation.
Structure of the Human Being
Genesis 2:6,7 – “But a mist went up from the earth and watered the whole face of the ground. Then the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul“
This message is very important today. It is essential to read this verse carefully. In it, we see how God created human beings: He formed us from the “dust of the earth“, molding a clay figure with His own hands. To give life to this creation, God breathed into its nostrils “the breath of life“, making it a living being, a “living soul“.
Here we find another point among the doctrinal foundations presented in Genesis. This truth is so important that many fail to realize it unmasks the deception of the doctrine of the Immortality of the Soul, which teaches, in various ways, that a living entity leaves the human body after death and goes to live in another place, such as the “sky“, “hell“, “paradise“, or “Abraham’s bosom“, etc. On the other hand, the biblical text makes it clear that there is no such living spiritual entity in the creation of the human being, as we were made from the “dust of the earth” and the divine breath in our nostrils, also called the “breath of life” or the “spirit of life“.
The same applies to the term “soul“. This term does not refer to a ghostly entity or anything of the sort, but rather to the result of divine creation. It is the very living existence of the being created by God! A living person is a “living soul“. When a person dies, they cease to be a “living soul“. The “soul” ceases to exist at the moment of death.
Mortality of the Soul
Genesis 2:17 – “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat of it: for in the day that you eat thereof you shall surely die“
Among the doctrinal foundations found in Genesis, we can mention the Mortality of the Soul. Another very important truth is the correct understanding of the plan of salvation. We, human beings, lost access to the Tree of Life, which produced fruit to prolong our existence and allow us to live eternally. This access was lost because of the transgression that Adam and Eve committed in the Garden of Eden when they disobeyed the divine order and ate the fruit of the “Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil“. As a penalty for this transgression, the Lord God announced that man would certainly die. This would be the payment for the sin committed-that is, death!
However, the doctrine of the Immortality of the Soul, which many believe in, teaches that life continues immediately after death. Whether through the “spirit” or “soul” that will live somewhere else, everyone continues “alive” in a spiritual way after death. But notice that this belief is contradictory to the words God spoke to Adam and Eve. The Lord had said they would certainly die if they ate the forbidden fruit. Death is the consequence of sin, that is, of transgression. There can be no life after death; otherwise, this would not be a punishment! Especially considering that such a “spiritual entity” would be living in a better place than Earth (for example, heaven or paradise, as Catholics and evangelicals believe).
Saturday, Holy Day
Genesis 2:1-3 – “Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made“
The Sabbath, being the Seventh Day of the Week, was blessed and sanctified by God in the first week of creation. By the will of God, not man, this day became different from the other days of the week. It was blessed and sanctified for holy purposes from the very beginning of creation! And the important thing to note here is that this day became holy before the entrance of sin! And what does this mean? It means that God’s purpose regarding the holiness of the Sabbath is eternal! Furthermore, the holiness of this day cannot be considered ceremonial, for all ceremonies came into existence only after the entrance of sin into our world.
Among the doctrinal foundations found in Genesis, keeping the Sabbath is one of the most controversial points today. If we understand these details, we will not fall into the error of thinking that the holiness of this day was changed by the resurrection of Jesus, whether by changing the day or canceling it! Its sanctification was completed, and there is no biblical record that shows it was undone by God! The Sabbath was and continues to be holy to this day. It is the memorial of creation, and it has become the sign between God and His people!
Any interpretation based on other biblical passages that contradict this truth, be sure that such interpretation is wrong, and a reanalysis of what is being understood will be necessary!
Turn of the Day at Sunset
Genesis 1:5 – “And God called the light Day; and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day“
From the beginning, God determined that the day would begin with the period of “afternoon“, that is, at sunset. Based on this truth, God’s people have always understood that the turning of the day occurred at this time. All biblical texts consistently consider the turning of the day to be at sunset, and not at midnight! It was only centuries after Christ’s death that such a change was made by the Church. Until then, biblical truth was considered!
You may be wondering what this would imply in modern times. Certainly, it has a lot of significance when we consider the Sabbath as a holy day, since the day would begin at sunset on our Friday, and not just after midnight. Similarly, the Sabbath ends at sunset on the seventh day, giving rise to Sunday. With this in mind, organize yourself to receive God’s Sabbath blessings right at sunset on Friday! This is another foundation among the doctrinal foundations found in Genesis!
Marriage: Man and Woman
Genesis 2:24 – “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall become one flesh“
Marriage was one of the institutions established by God since Eden. He created man and woman to become a couple. However, since ancient times, human beings have fulfilled the desires of their corrupt hearts, seeking to be what they are not sexually. Sexual nature is no longer something genetically defined and has come to be considered a choice for each person.
The union of man with man, or woman with woman, is contrary to what was defined by God. This becomes so abominable in the eyes of God that if such a decision were made completely for an entire generation, humanity would cease to exist, as there would be no more procreation and continuation of the species! Currently, we are living in a time where this foundation, among other doctrinal foundations, is being greatly attacked and distorted.
God loves all human beings, without exception! But what we need to keep in mind is that there are acts and decisions we make in our lives that displease God. These acts and decisions are contrary to God’s divine nature and are of carnal origin, the fruit of a sinful nature corrupted by sin. Those who have these tendencies must recognize the state they are in and ask God for help to change and fight against their desires. Only through the power of God will they be able to win this fight. They must not fall into the error of justifying themselves by maintaining a lifestyle that God did not plan for us.
Conclusion: Doctrinal Foundations in Genesis 1 to 4
The first four chapters of Genesis contain a wealth of information about the doctrinal foundations to anchor our studies and beliefs. If we consider the clear evidence in these biblical passages, we will not fall into the “winds of doctrine” created by misinterpretations. Understanding the beginning of everything is key to understanding the end correctly! Don’t be fooled!
May God bless us!
