CREATION AN EXTERNAL ACT OF GOD

By Gary Ray Branscome

In theology a distinction is made between the internal and external acts of God. For example, when God forgives our sins, that forgiveness takes place in God’s heart, so it is an internal act. In contrast, when God made water come out of a rock (after Moses hit it, Exodus 17:6) that was something God did that was external. In the same way, God’s decision to make and sustain the universe was an internal commitment, while His actual work of creation was external.

Because the Father Son and Holy Ghost are one God, all three were equally involved in the work of creation. The words, “Don’t we all have one father? Hasn’t one God created us?” tell us that the Father is our Creator (Malachi 2:10). The words, “All things in heaven and earth, both visible and invisible, were created by Him [Christ],” tell us that the Son is our Creator (Colossians 1:16). And, the words, “The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty has given me life,” tell us that the Holy Spirit is our Creator (Job 33:4). However, because the Bible plainly says, “There is one God // No God was formed before me, and none will be after me,” we do not have three Creators, but only one, “These three are one” (Matthew 12:32, Isaiah 43:10, 1John 5:7).

“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out! For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor? Or who has first given to Him, that it might be paid back to Him again? For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen” (Romans 11:33-36).