Begin at the Beginning!

"Do you really believe that God created the world and all that is in it?" Has anyone ever asked you this type of question? How did you respond? Often the first opportunity to witness will emerge when someone asks a question about God or the Bible.

My answer to the above question would sound something like this, "Yes, I believe God created the world and all that is in it! Isn't it a marvelous creation? Do you believe in God?" I might go on to say, "Did you know the Bible never tries to prove God's existence?" The book of Genesis just begins with the words; "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth!"

The creation is a good place to begin witnessing. Too often Christians think they have to prove that evolution is false before they can witness. If you want to debate creation vs. evolution, that's fine. But, make sure you are equipped to do so effectively. I prefer to allow the Word of God, which is the Sword of the Spirit, and the Holy Spirit, who draws unbelievers to Himself, to do the work. Debate usually doesn't convince anyone to place his or her faith in Christ! Sometimes it pushes them even further away. I would strongly suggest that you become familiar with books, audiocassettes, and videos by recognized Christians on the topic of creation vs. evolution that you can either loan to your friend or suggest they purchse.

Be prepared to witness by becoming familiar with creation details. Start by investigating and asking what God created on each of the first six days of creation (Gen. 1:3-31) and what He did on the seventh (Gen. 2:2-3).

Spark interest by asking questions about God's Word. Search your concordance and see how many verses you can find that refer to creation. Ask them if they understand what it means when we say that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. Other questions that might spark interest include: ""After which creation or day did God say, "It is good or it is not good?" "Why do you think He said, 'It is not good?'" "What do you think it means that we were created in God's image?" "Who named the animals?" "Aside from Genesis, where else is creation referred to in the Bible?" (One answer is Psalms 139:13, "For you created my inmost being." If they give this answer ask them, "What is God talking about in this verse?"?

The following is a more difficult question you may or may not want to ask. "In Gen. 1:26, God said, 'Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.' If God is one, who is the us in this passage?"

The Bible states that Christ created the world. In Col. 1:16 the Bible states, "For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy." In John 1:1-5 we read, "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; without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." In 1 Cor. 8:6 we read, "Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live." A book to share with those interested in learning more about Christ is More Than A Carpenter by Josh McDowell.

Remember, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." (1 Peter 3:15b)!

by Kay L. Meyer