The books in the Bible that start with “In the beginning” are Genesis and John.
And now, looking more attentively
The books in the Bible that start with “In the beginning” are Genesis and John. These opening words hold significant importance in both books, as they introduce major theological concepts that resonate throughout Christianity and set the stage for the narratives that follow.
Genesis, the first book of the Bible, begins with the iconic phrase, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” This sentence encapsulates the belief in divine creation, emphasizing the notion that God is the ultimate creator of the universe and all that exists within it. It marks the beginning of the creation account, detailing the formation of the world, the first humans, and the origins of sin and redemption.
John, the fourth gospel in the New Testament, also starts with the phrase “In the beginning.” However, it adds a unique twist by referring to Jesus Christ, stating, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” This verse establishes the divinity of Jesus as the Word made flesh, highlighting the central Christian belief in the incarnation of God. It sets the stage for the narrative of Jesus’ life, teachings, and redemptive sacrifice.
Adding to the richness of this topic, here are some intriguing facts related to the books of Genesis and John:
- Genesis, the first book of the Bible, is attributed to Moses and is commonly believed to have been written around the 15th century BCE.
- The name Genesis derives from the Greek word “génesis,” meaning “origin” or “birth.”
- Genesis is divided into two main sections: the primeval history (chapters 1-11) and the patriarchal history (chapters 12-50).
- John, written by the Apostle John, is distinct from the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) in its focus on the spiritual and theological aspects of Jesus’ ministry.
- Unlike the synoptic gospels, John does not include an explicit account of Jesus’ birth or childhood.
- John’s gospel heavily emphasizes the concept of Jesus as the “Lamb of God” and the one who offers eternal life through belief in him.
- The opening of John’s gospel parallels the opening verse of Genesis, portraying Jesus as the pre-existent Word who played a role in creation.
- The words “In the beginning” hold profound significance as they echo the timeless truth that God’s divine presence and creative power are foundational to both the creation of the world and the redemptive work of Jesus.
As the philosopher and theologian John Calvin once said, “Nearly all the wisdom we possess, that is to say, true and sound wisdom, consists of two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves.” The opening words “In the beginning” serve as a reminder of humanity’s humble place in the grand narrative of creation and salvation, inviting us to delve deeper into the profound mysteries of faith.
Here is a table summarizing the books of Genesis and John:
| Book | Author | Key Messages |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis | Attributed | Divine creation, origins of humanity, |
| to Moses | sin and redemption | |
| ——— | ————- | ————————————————- |
| John | Apostle | Jesus as the incarnate Word and the bringer |
| John | of eternal life |
Video response to your question
The YouTube video “WHERE TO START READING THE BIBLE: What Book of the Bible Should I Read First? | Bible For Beginners” offers guidance on where to begin reading the Bible. The notes provided are unrelated to the video topic and do not include any relevant information about where to start reading the Bible.
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Genesis. 1450-1410 B.C. Meaning "the beginning or origin of something", Genesis is the first book of the Bible, recording Creation, the fall of man and the early years of the nation of Israel.
6 Books to Start with When Reading the Bible for the First Time
- 1. Start at the Beginning: Genesis Genesis is (as the title says) the beginning of the Bible.
- 2. Start with Jesus: The Gospel of John
5 Books of the Bible to Read First
- 1. The Gospel of John in the New Testament Why this Gospel? John is doing something pretty significant.
Books include: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Jonah, Acts
When asked by a new Christian where he should begin reading the Bible, Mr. Graham said, “Begin by reading the Gospel of John, for it tells us of Christ, of the ‘greatest life ever lived,’ and what He has done for us. Next read Acts, for it tells us what His first disciples did in the power of God’s Holy Spirit.
A young Christian can gain a basic narrative understanding of the Bible by starting at the beginning of the Old and New Testaments. Here is a recommended reading structure. The Gospel and Acts – The Gospels constitute the best place to start.
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What books of the Bible should a beginner start with?
Answer to this: Consider Reading Genesis First
Naturally, reading the beginning of any book would help you understand the rest. However, Genesis proves to be a more important beginning to a story than any other beginning you have ever read.
Keeping this in view, What is the book of the beginning in the Bible?
Genesis
Genesis, Hebrew Bereshit (“In the Beginning”), the first book of the Bible. Its name derives from the opening words: “In the beginning….” Genesis narrates the primeval history of the world (chapters 1–11) and the patriarchal history of the Israelite people (chapters 12–50).
Accordingly, What are the 27 books of the Bible called?
Answer: There are 27 books of the New Testament arranged into five categories: Gospels, Acts, Paul’s letters, general letters, and Revelation. There are 4 Gospels, 1 book of Acts, 9 letters of Paul to churches, 4 letters of Paul to individuals, 8 general letters, and 1 book of Revelation.
One may also ask, Which of the many books of the Bible appears first? Genesis. Genesis speaks of beginnings and is foundational to the understanding of the rest of the Bible.
Thereof, What are the books of the Bible in alphabetical order? All The books of the Bible in alphabetical order from A to Z: 1 1 Chronicles 2 1 Corinthians 3 1 John 4 1 Kings 5 1 Peter 6 1 Samuel 7 1 Thessalonians 8 1 Timothy 9 2 Chronicles 10 2 Corinthians More items…
In respect to this, What is the beginning of the Bible?
Answer to this: 1. Start at the Beginning: Genesis Genesis is (as the title says) the beginning of the Bible. It tells of the beginning of time, starting with creation, the fall, the flood, and then goes on to tell the stories of the fathers of the faith. Accounts of Abram/Abraham to Joseph can be found here.
Moreover, What is a good order to read the Bible for the first time?
The reply will be: Suggested Order for Reading the Bible for the First Time 5.1. 1. Mark and Luke 5.2. 2. Acts 5.3. 3. James 5.4. 4. Proverbs 5.5. 5. Psalms 5.6. 6. Genesis 5.7. 7. Exodus/Numbers/Leviticus/Deuteronomy 5.8. 8. Joshua 5.9. 9. Judges 5.10. 10. Ruth 5.11. 11. 1 Samuel & 2 Samuel 5.12. 12. 1 Kings & 2 Kings 5.13. 13. Esther 5.14. 14. Daniel 5.15. 15. Ezra
Who decided what books should be included in the Bible? Ultimately it was God — through His people — who decided what books would be included in His Holy Word, the Bible. Jewish rabbis and scholars selected the first books, and later the early Christians did.