CHAPTER ONE

IN THE CREATION OF MAN

Scripture Reading: Gen. 1:26a; Col. 1:15a; Gen. 2:7; Prov. 20:27; Job 32:8; Zech. 12:1; John 4:24; 3:6b; 1 Cor. 6:17; Gal. 5:16; Rom. 8:4b; Gen. 2:8-9; Psa. 36:9a; John 1:1-4a; 14:6a; Col. 3:4a; Rev. 2:7; 22:2; Gen. 2:16; John 6:57b; 15:5; Phil. 1:20-21a

OUTLINE

1. In God's image and according to His likeness—Gen. 1:26a:
   1. Not in God's image and according to His likeness merely in form.
   2. But by God's life in an organic union with Him.
   3. Not to produce a toy without life, but to produce a living and genuine manifestation and expression of God with His life.
   4. As Christ being the living image of the invisible God in life —Col. 1:15a.
   5. Thus, the man created by God in His image and according to His likeness must be in the organic union with God.
2. With a spirit created by God—Gen. 2:7:
   1. The breath of life breathed by God into man's body formed with dust—Prov. 20:27; Job 32:8.
   2. This spirit of man is ranked with the heavens and the earth in the holy Word of God—Zech. 12:1:
      1. The heavens are for the earth.
      2. The earth is for man to exist.
      3. The spirit of man is for God:
         1. To worship God— John 4:24.
         2. To be regenerated by God— John 3:6b.
         3. To be joined to God—1 Cor. 6:17.
         4. That man may walk and live in the organic union with God—Gal. 5:16; Rom. 8:4b.
3. Putting man before the tree of life —Gen. 2:8-9:
   1. The tree of life is a figure signifying God as life to man—Psa. 36:9a; John 1:1-4a; 14:6a; Col. 3:4a; Rev. 2:7; 22:2.
   2. Good for man to take and eat—Gen. 2:16; John 6:57b.
   3. That man may be constituted with God as the constituent of life.
   4. Thus, man and God become organically united and live together as one person— John 15:5; Phil. 1:20-21a.