REDEMPTIONCORPS INTERNATIONAL

DECLARATION OF FAITH AND DOCTRINE

ARTICLE V — CREATION

1. God the Creator of Heaven and Earth

We believe that God is the eternal Creator of the heavens and the earth and of all things visible and invisible. Before creation, God alone existed in His eternal and self-sufficient being. All things that exist owe their origin to His divine will, power, and wisdom.

We believe that God created the heavens and the earth by His own power and by the word of His mouth. The material universe did not originate independently of God, but derives its existence from Him. God is not merely an observer of creation; He is its source, Lord, and rightful Sovereign.

Scriptural References: Genesis 1:1; Psalm 33:6, 9; Isaiah 45:12; John 1:1–3; Acts 17:24–25; Colossians 1:16–17; Hebrews 11:3.

2. The Historical Record of Creation

We believe that the account of creation recorded in Genesis is a true and authoritative record of God's creative work. We do not regard the Genesis creation account as merely allegorical, mythical, or figurative, but affirm that it declares the actual work of God in bringing creation into existence and establishing its order.

REDEMPTIONCORPS INTERNATIONAL affirms that Holy Scripture declares God to be the Creator of all things and presents the account of creation in Genesis as a true record of His creative work. We acknowledge that Scripture does not provide an exhaustive description of every event, process, or interval associated with the beginning of creation. In particular, the text does not expressly explain all that may have occurred between the statements recorded in Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2. We therefore affirm what Scripture reveals, refrain from elevating speculation to the status of doctrine, and recognize that the biblical account speaks according to the purpose and scope of God's revelation. We do not require a particular theory concerning the passage of time or events not expressly explained in Scripture as a condition of agreement with this Declaration.

We therefore uphold the truthfulness and authority of the biblical account while recognizing the distinction between what Scripture expressly reveals and what may be proposed as an interpretation of matters it does not fully explain.

Scriptural References: Genesis 1:1–2; Exodus 20:11; Psalm 19:1; Romans 1:20; Hebrews 11:3.

3. Creation Through the Word of God

We believe that God brought creation into existence through His sovereign command. By the word of His mouth, He called forth the heavens and the earth and established the order of creation according to His divine wisdom and purpose.

We further believe that all original matter and created existence derive from God and that nothing within creation possesses independent existence apart from Him. The universe is neither self-originating nor self-sustaining. All things were created by God's power and remain subject to His authority.

The New Testament reveals that all things were made through Jesus Christ, the eternal Word, and that nothing that was made came into being apart from Him. Creation therefore bears witness to the power, wisdom, and glory of God.

Scriptural References: Psalm 33:6, 9; John 1:1–3; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 11:3.

4. The Creation of Humanity in the Image of God

We believe that God created humanity by His divine power and according to His sovereign purpose. The biblical record declares that humankind was created on the sixth day of the creation account and that God made humanity in His own image and likeness.

We believe that human beings possess a unique dignity and responsibility among God's creatures because they were created in His image. Humanity was created to know God, to live in fellowship with Him, to reflect His character, and to exercise responsible stewardship over the earth under His authority.

We affirm that all human beings share a common origin in God's creative work and possess inherent dignity and worth. No individual or people possesses greater human value by virtue of ancestry, nationality, social position, or earthly status. All are accountable to their Creator.

Scriptural References: Genesis 1:26–28; Genesis 1:31; Genesis 2:7; Psalm 8:3–8; Acts 17:24–26; James 3:9.

5. God as the Sustainer and Lord of Creation

We believe that God's creative work does not establish an independent universe detached from its Creator. God continues to uphold, sustain, and govern all things according to His wisdom and sovereign will.

Creation remains subject to God's authority, and its order and existence testify to His power and divine nature. The created world is not itself God, nor is God merely a part of the created world. We distinguish the Creator from His creation while affirming His continuing presence, activity, and sustaining power throughout it.

We reject the worship of created things as divine and affirm that worship, glory, and ultimate allegiance belong to God alone. The created order is to be received with gratitude, treated with responsible stewardship, and understood in submission to the revelation of Scripture.

Scriptural References: Psalm 24:1; Psalm 104:24–30; Isaiah 42:5; Acts 17:24–28; Romans 1:20–25; Colossians 1:16–17; Hebrews 1:3.

6. The Unity and Common Origin of Humanity

We believe that humanity shares a common origin in God's creative act and that every human being is accountable to the same Creator. The diversity of peoples, nations, languages, and cultures does not diminish the shared dignity of human life or humanity's common dependence upon God.

We affirm that the image of God establishes the inherent worth of human life and calls humanity to live in righteousness, humility, love, and responsibility before Him. This truth opposes the elevation of one people above another on the basis of supposed intrinsic human superiority.

We further believe that the created order bears witness to God's wisdom and glory and that humanity has been entrusted with the responsibility to exercise stewardship over the earth. Such stewardship is not permission for reckless destruction or exploitation, but a responsibility to honor the Creator through the faithful care of what He has made.

Scriptural References: Genesis 1:26–28; Genesis 9:6; Psalm 24:1; Acts 17:26; Romans 1:20; Revelation 4:11.

FORMAL DOCTRINAL DECLARATION

REDEMPTIONCORPS INTERNATIONAL declares that God is the eternal Creator of the heavens and the earth and of all things visible and invisible. We affirm that creation owes its existence to the sovereign will, divine power, and wisdom of God, and that all things were brought into being through His command and according to His purpose.

We affirm the Genesis account of creation as a true and authoritative record of God's creative work, not merely an allegorical or figurative account. We confess that God created humanity in His image on the sixth day of the creation account, establishing the dignity, worth, and responsibility of human life.

We acknowledge that Scripture does not exhaustively describe every event, process, or interval associated with the beginning of creation, including what may have occurred between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2. We therefore affirm what Scripture reveals, refrain from elevating speculation to doctrine, and do not require agreement with a particular theory concerning matters Scripture does not expressly explain.

We further declare that God remains the Sustainer and Sovereign Lord of creation, that all humanity shares a common origin and inherent dignity before Him, and that all creation exists for His glory. We receive the testimony of creation in submission to the authority of Holy Scripture and acknowledge that all worship and ultimate allegiance belong to God alone.

Key Scriptural References: Genesis 1:1–2, 26–28; John 1:1–3; Acts 17:24–28; Romans 1:20; Hebrews 11:3.