The NRBC School of Theology: Systematic Theology Course 2

26. OF CREATION 4:2:
The 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith

This course is based on the text, 'The 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith,' with notes by Kevin Matthews. Please feel free to print these notes to allow you to study the text online/offline. This lesson may be used in other study situations if you like (eg. Groups, Bible Studies, etc).

2. After God had made all other creatures, He created man, male and female (a), with reasoning and immortal souls (b), rendering them fit unto that life to God for which they were created; being made after the image of God, in knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness (c); having the law of God written in their hearts (d), and power to fulfil it, and yet under a possibility of transgressing, being left to the liberty of their own will, which was subject to change (e).

a. Genesis 1:27
b. Genesis 2:7; Ecc 12:7; Lk 23:43; Mt 10:28
c. Genesis 1:26; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Eph 4:24; Col 3:10
d. Romans 2:14,15
e. Genesis 3:6; Ecclesiastes 7:29

26.1 The Creation of Man

The Bible gives us two accounts of the creation of man (Gen 1:26,27; 2:7,21-23). However these are in no way independent or contradictory to each other, but rather compliment each other, being the same event viewed from different perspectives. The first account is part of the general account of creation, the second part of a more specific focus, that of man himself.

Man was the last of God’s creative work, and as such he is also the crown of creation. He did not evolve from the lower creation, but was created immediately by God (Gen 1:26,27; 2:7), from material that had been previously created by God. Man was made with a body formed from the dust of the ground (Gen 2:7).

Man was also created ‘with reasonable and immortal souls (Conf. 4.2).’ It is suggested by some that the soul was created in another way, for God ‘breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being (Gen 2:7).’ Therefore man has both a body and a spirit (Ecc 12:7; Mt 10:28; Lk 8:55; 2 Cor 5:1-8; Philip 1:22-24; Heb 12:9). Though this is certainly the case, the text in Genesis points more to man being a living person because he has life given to Him by God. This life enabled man to enjoy a relationship with His Creator.

Man was created in ‘righteousness and true holiness (Eph 4:24).’ This means that man was created free from sin, and in a holy condition (Gen 1:31; Ecc 7:29).

The Law of God was written on the heart of man at his creation (Rom 2:14,15). Though the Law of God was written on the heart of man from creation, man was still created with the possibility of falling into sin, which the fall clearly implies. He could either obey the divine commandments or not obey the divine commandments. Man was created with the possibility to sin, yet he did not have to sin, this he later chose to do.

The Bible teaches that from the initial pair of Adam and Eve the entire race of humanity has descended (Gen 10; Acts 17:26; Rom 5:12-19; 1 Cor 15:21,22). The whole doctrine of sin is left in shambles if this is not the case (Rom 5:12ff).

QUESTION: Why would the doctrine of sin be left in shambles if all men did not descend from Adam?

26.2 Man Made in the Image of God

The Bible describes man (both man and woman) as being made in the image and likeness of God. The phrase used is, ‘in our image, according to our likeness’ (Gen 1:26,27; 5:1,3; 9:6; 1 Cor 11:7; Col 3:10; Jam 3:9). These are synonymous terms, being used interchangeably pointing to man as the image and likeness of God. But what exactly is meant by these synonymous terms?

The idea expressed by these terms is that man is a visible resemblance or replica of God (cf Num 33:52; 1 Sam 6:5,11; 2 Kings 16:10; 2 Chron 4:3; Is 13:14; Ezek 7:20; 10:1). This does not mean that we are God, but that in some way man is a shadow of what God is, or a likeness of what God is. Therefore, everything about man is in some way a replica of God. God is the original of which man is to some degree a copy. We reflect in part what God is in His fullness.

The Bible indicates that a number of things are included in this image bearing. Man’s dominion on the earth as the crown of creation is part of his image bearing role (Gen 1:26-28; 9:6; Ps 8:5,6; 104:14ff; Is 42:5; Amos 4:13; 1 Cor 11:7,8; 15:49; 2 Cor 5:16,17; Jam 3:19). In this way man resembles God’s sovereign rule, and is seen as God‘s representative on earth.

Man’s natural attributes, including his personality, intelligence, natural affections, moral freedom, and so on are also included, though now heavily polluted by sin (Gen 9:6; 1 Cor 11:7; Jam 3:9).

Man’s original righteousness (Gen 1:31; Ecc 7:29; Eph 4:24; Col 3:10) or moral nature is also part of his image bearing. Man was created with true knowledge, righteousness and holiness. These things are in large measure corrupted by sin, and regained in Christ.

Also, man’s spirituality (Gen 2:7; 9:6; Mt 10:28) and immortality, especially as originally created (Gen 2:17; 3:19; Rom 5:12; 6:23; 1 Cor 15:20,21; 1 Tim 6:16), is part of man’s image bearing role. Immortality truly belongs to God alone, yet we are in a sense immortal. As long as man remained in his original righteousness and relationship with God he remained immortal. Even after sin entered the race, immortality is still the possession of man, yet it is significantly different now for body and soul become separated, something that was not meant to be.

QUESTION: Did man loose the image of God because of the Fall? Explain your answer.

Man’s identity is tied up with being the image of God, for he was created as the image of God, and therefore it cannot be lost (Gen 5:1-3; 9:6; 1 Cor 11:7; Jam 3:9). However, the fall has radically changed this image, it now being polluted by sin (this idea will be further explored in chapter six of the confession), and in need of being restored to what it once was.

The restoration of the image of God in man is begun with the new birth, for the Holy Spirit gives spiritual life back to the dead, and immortal spiritual life is begun. The image is then progressively renewed in sanctification, and reaches its final restoration in glory. In glory, man will once again be the unpolluted image and likeness of God (Rom 3:29; 12:2; 2 Cor 3:18; 4:4; Eph 4:24; Col 1:15; 3:10).

The fact that the believer is being restored to the image of God through salvation is a pointer to the way that man is the image of God. In what way is man changed by salvation? We could answer with spiritual life, righteousness, true knowledge, dominion, etc. These then are some of the areas in which man resembles God.

QUESTION: Why is sin such a grievous offence?

Sin is such a grievous offence because it is not an accurate image of what God is, and therefore sin in man is a misrepresentation of what God is. This is a crime that cannot go unanswered by a Jealous God.

NOTE: If you wish to email me regarding your answers to this first lesson, please copy and paste them into an email (Attachments will not be opened). I will then get back to you as soon as I can (expect a delay due to various committments).

Links to Online Texts

• 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith
• 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith

Add this search to your web page