The Bible opens with these words, “In the beginning God…” Without explanation and without seeking to prove the existence of God, it declares God as the Creator and Originator of all things. The Gospel of John opens with a magnification of the same thought. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” What is said of God in general must be said of the GodMan, Christ Jesus, in particular. He is the Beginning. He is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end as well as everything in between. This He is in the Godhead. He is the preeminence and the fullness of the Godhead bodily. He is the Beginning in the purpose of God, especially His purpose of grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. He is the Beginning as the Eternal Son that was given as the child that was born. He is the “I AM” of eternal existence being one with the Father from old eternity. “The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;” (Proverbs 8:22-30) The fear of Him is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge. As the Beginning, He is the Head of all things. He is the source of all power, the object of all true worship, the whole of salvation, and the sum of all glory. He is the fountainhead of all grace and righteousness. In the words of Paul, “Christ is all!” All who are in Him possess all and are new creations. They have been so from the beginning and in the Beginning. Christ has forever stood as our Surety and by His death “brought in everlasting righteousness” which was imputed to us. “And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.” (Revelation 21:5-6) Let us know no other King, no other righteousness, no other Saviour, no other Life, and no other God than Christ, the Beginning.

G. Shepard