God created the universe out of nothing by His Word, as Genesis 1:1 declares.
Genesis 1:1 simply says "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." Les Feldick explains that the Hebrew word bara means God called the universe into existence out of nothing, and he connects this to Hebrews 11:3, which says the worlds were framed by the Word of God.
Genesis 1:1 — This is the foundational verse for the question — it directly records that God created the heaven and the earth in the beginning.
Hebrews 11:3 — This verse explains how creation happened: the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so visible things were not made out of visible things.
Genesis 1:1 records, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." This is the Bible's opening statement of creation, presenting God as the Creator and heaven and earth as the result of His creative act. Hebrews 11:3 says, "Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear." This points to creation as a work accomplished by God's spoken word from that which is unseen. Romans 4:17 describes God as "who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were," which reinforces the truth that God can bring into being what did not previously exist.
Les Feldick's consistent answer is that God called the universe out of nothing. He explains the Hebrew word bara, translated "created" in Genesis 1:1, as a word that means perfect creation and that indicates God did not begin with existing material (Clips 1, 2, 5). He links this to Hebrews 11:3, saying the worlds were framed by the Word of God: God spoke, and it instantly came into being (Clip 4). He also applies Romans 4:17 to creation, where God calleth those things which be not as though they were — only God can take nothing and make it something (Clip 6). Les deliberately avoids arguments over the timing of creation, saying the main point is that at some time in the past God created it out of nothing (Clip 3). He notes that even scientific speculation about a single source of light points to God, because God is light (Clips 1, 7).
Yes. Les Feldick teaches that the Hebrew word bara in Genesis 1:1 means God called the universe out of nothing (Clips 1, 2, 5). He also uses Hebrews 11:3, which says the worlds were framed by the Word of God so that visible things were not made out of visible things (Clip 4). In Romans 4:17, Paul describes God as the one who calleth those things which be not as though they were (Clip 6).
Les Feldick explains that the Hebrew word translated "created" in Genesis 1:1 is bara. He says it means perfect creation — God did not create the chaotic mess described in Genesis 1:2 (Clip 2). He also contrasts bara with the word "made," noting that made does not necessarily indicate a creative act, while bara in verse 1 indicates bringing something out of nothing (Clip 5).
The verse begins with "In the beginning" but does not give a date. Les Feldick intentionally stays away from the controversy about how old the universe is. He says the main thing to understand is that at some time in the past God created it out of nothing (Clip 3).
Les refers to an article in a scientific magazine in which a physicist concluded that the universe came from a single source of light. Les responds, "That's God! God is light" (Clips 1, 7). This connects creation with the biblical truth that God is light.
Who Really Created the Universe? (Genesis 1:1 Explained)
It's the only way to really get involved in Bible study. Don't just read your Bible, you have to learn how to study it, and I think that's why the Lord constructed it the way He did. He did not just lay it out in 8th grade reading form, but rather all these little tidbits are buried, and we have to just sort of compare Scripture with Scripture.
Called Out of Nothing
God did not begin with existing materials; He called the universe, world, heaven and earth out of nothing. Les also identifies God as light in response to a scientist's conclusion about the universe's origin.
Bara Means Perfect Creation
Les says the Hebrew word for "created" means perfect creation — God did not create the formless, void condition described in verse 2.
The Main Point: God Created Out of Nothing
Les avoids debates over the universe's age; he stresses that at some time in the past God created everything out of nothing.
Framed by the Word of God
Les explains that the worlds were framed by God's Word — He spoke and everything instantly came into being, from nothing.
Bara Indicates Out of Nothing
Les explains that bara in Genesis 1:1 indicates bringing something out of nothing, unlike the word "made," which does not necessarily indicate a creative act. He also says the earth was created to be inhabited.
God Calls Things That Are Not
Using Romans 4:17, Les shows that God calleth those things which be not as though they were, proving that God can make something out of nothing.
God Is Light
Les repeats the scientific observation that the universe came from a single source of light, and he identifies that light with God.
Genesis 1:1: In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
This is the direct answer to how the universe came to be: God created it.
Hebrews 11:3: Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
This verse reveals that God's Word framed the visible universe from that which is unseen.
Romans 4:17: (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
Paul describes God as the one who calls nonexistent things into existence, which aligns with creation out of nothing.
1 John 1:5: This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
This verse supports Les's point that the single source of light scientists propose is God, who is light.
No. Les Feldick explains that the Hebrew word bara used in Genesis 1:1 means God called the universe out of nothing, whereas the word "made" does not necessarily indicate a creative act (Clips 2, 5).
No. Les says the main thing is that at some time in the past God created the universe out of nothing, and he does not get involved with controversy over the origin or age of the universe (Clip 3).
Les references a scientific article that concluded the universe came from a single source of light, and he identifies that light as God, because God is light (Clips 1, 7).
Yes. Les Feldick teaches that the worlds were framed by the Word of God — God spoke, and everything came into being (Clip 4). This is based on Hebrews 11:3.
Watch the Teaching: Who Really Created the Universe? (Genesis 1:1 Explained)