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Epiphany Season · Baptism of the Lord · Year B

Genesis 1:1-5

The Beginning

January 10, 2027

The Creation of Light, George Richmond
The Creation of Light, George Richmond, 1826Tate Britain, via Art UK
A small early work by a painter who as a young man was part of Blake's circle, and who painted this in the visionary manner he learned there.Let there be light; and there was light.George RichmondAn English painter who as a teenager joined Blake's circle of followers, and later made a steady living from portraits.Tate Britain, via Art UKThe original Tate on Millbank, now holding the national collection of British art from the Tudors onwards.Tate Britain, via Art UK
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelMark 1:4-11Mk 1:4-11
EpistleActs 19:1-7
Old TestamentGen. 1:1-5Gn 1:1-5
PsalterPs. 29Ps 29

Overview & Insights

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)

Genesis opens with the account of creation, which is as profound as it is simple. It focuses on the way God ordered the earth. The text addresses the heavens only as they have an impact on life on earth.

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Commentary

Genesis 1:1-5Gn 1:1-5 Working Preacher

Reads the opening of Genesis as God ordering chaos through Spirit and word, light and water prefiguring baptism.

Genesis 1:1-5Gn 1:1-5 Center for Excellence in Preaching

A Reformed reading that presses past the mechanics of creation to the why, linking God's voice to baptism.

Genesis 1Gn 1 Enduring Word · David Guzik

An accessible verse-by-verse commentary on the creation account, widely used across evangelical churches.

Genesis 1 verse by verseGn 1 verse by verse Precept Austin

A deep study library compiling word studies and cross-references on the creation account.

Classic commentaries on Genesis 1Classic commentaries on Gn 1 BibleHub

The classic expositors side by side on 'in the beginning' and the Spirit over the waters.

Background & Word Study

God Creates the World (Genesis 1:1-2:3)God Creates the World (Gn 1:1-2:3) Theology of Work

God's creative work as the prototype of all work, illuminating the shape and rhythm of Genesis 1.

Genesis 1:1-2: In the BeginningGn 1:1-2: In the Beginning Enter the Bible

A short scholarly note on what 'beginning' means and the Spirit moving over the waters.

Genesis 1 in Hebrew, with Jewish commentaryGn 1 in Hebrew, with Jewish commentary Sefaria

The Hebrew text with parallel translation and layers of classical Jewish commentary.

The Church Fathers

Genesis 1, patristic commentaryGn 1, patristic commentary Catena

The fathers on the Spirit over the waters and the first light, verse by verse.

Questions preachers ask

What is the Creation account?

In six days God speaks the world into being, light, sky, land and sea, plants, sun and moon, living creatures, and humankind in his image, and rests on the seventh, blessing and hallowing it (Genesis 1:1–2:3).

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