He created us in His own image

[uvn477]

Many people have asked questions about Genesis 1:27 where it says:

So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female he created them.

People have asked what it means that God created us in his own image. I think I may have found a clear cut answer to this question. In John 1:1-3, it states:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

The Word is referring to Jesus. Jesus would probably have had the same appearance in heaven as he did on Earth. This verse also says that through him all things were made. God says in Genesis 1:26:

let "us" make man in "our" image, in "our" likeness...

Some people believe that God was speaking to His angels. Yet John shows that Jesus was with God in the beginning. I believe God was speaking with Jesus when He says "us". Therefore when the Bible says God created us in His own image, it doesn't refer to anything symbolic. It means just what it says. That Jesus created us in his own image.

I would like to know what everyone thinks of my theory. I don't know if anyone has thought of this yet but if they haven't maybe it will shine some light on this subject.

[yomotalking]

Yes, I do agree.

Very well put, Uvn!

Yomo

[AFaceInTheCrowd]

All 3 were present in the creation of the world(the FATHER,the SON and the HOLY SPIRIT).....And the Spirit of GOD moved upon the face of the waters(Genesis1:1)

[Guest Fluffy the Cactus]

But being made in God's image doesn't mean we're a mirror copy of God... And what exactly is the 'image' referring to? Our genetics? Our physical features? Our inner selves? Our consciences? I think we were made in God's image, but.. to be honest, I believe that we have a spark of the Divine in us all... which is what enables us to strive to be as Jesus is. Uhhh... I'll find the verse for it if you guys want it, but it's in John I believe..

Very good theory, though, and a very interesting line of thought!

???

[Guest NewPilgrim]

I've never thought of it as a great mystery. God has a body spirit and soul, just as we do; the soul being what makes us us, individuals, if you like. And this trinitarian nature carries all the requisite attributes of emotion, concience, self-awareness etc...what we lack compared with God is considerable, (the fact that we are created - not eternal, the fact that we can only pro-create rather than create) But thats what image is, its a likeness, not an exact replica.

God made Adam and Eve as tri-une beings, but at the fall, their spirit was taken from them and so we all begin life incomplete; body and soul. It is only by being born again [Grk alt: Born of God, Born from above] that we regain a spiritual existence and hence become a complete creation once more, albeit it a still imperfect one until our resurrection.

Edited June 4, 2005 by NewPilgrim

[visionary]

I've never thought of it as a great mystery.  God has a body spirit and soul, just as we do; the soul being what makes us us, individuals, if you like.  And this trinitarian nature carries all the requisite attributes of emotion, concience, self-awareness etc...what we lack compared with God is considerable, (the fact that we are created - not eternal, the fact that we can only pro-create rather than create) But thats what image is, its a likeness, not an exact replica.

God made Adam and Eve as  tri-une beings, but at the fall, their spirit was taken from them and so we all begin life incomplete; body and soul.  It is only by being born again [Grk alt: Born of God, Born from above] that we regain a spiritual existence and hence become a complete creation once more, albeit it a still imperfect one until our resurrection.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah... God can be everywhere. I heard of the analogy of Go is like a coin, where you have two sides and then the rim, but it is still one God. People see God the Father, others see God the Son, and others are moved by the Holy Spirit. The manifestation of God in the flesh has been the most controversial concept outside of the His death on the cross. But God loved us so much that He gave His only begotten Son that we have everlasting life.

[AFaceInTheCrowd]

GOD is a spirit:and they that worship HIM must worship HIM in spirit and truth(John 4:24).I have never read about HIM having a body.Please give me scripture.

[Guest NewPilgrim]

John 1:14 The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us

[jc49]

Shalom everybody

"ELOHIM"

This is one of the very outstanding names of God in the OT,occurring over 2000 times-27 times in genesis 1.

It is plural of "Eloah" and means creatorial power.

Yeah,we ask:"why is the sacred name plural?"

Brought up in the idolatous land of Egypt,Moses,the inspired writer of the first five books (pentateuch), was not an idolater himself,nor di he believe in aplurality of gods,as the heathen around him did.

he was not a worshipper of the sacred bull,the ibis,the cat,the beetle.

Though brought up in all the splendour of the Egyptian court,as the adopted son of Pharaoh's daughter,yet in genesis there is NO TRACE whatever of the idolatrous thoughts and ways of the Egyptians.

Why, then ,we may ask,isGod introduced to us as "ELOHIM",a plural word?

As we read through God's holy Word we find Him revealed as Father,Son,and Holy Spirit.

even the reader who is only familiar with the English language,can gather from the reading of his English bible that more than ONE DIVINE PERSON was involved in the mighty work of creation.

Gen.1:26

" Let US ( plural) make man in OUR image,after OUR likeness." (emphasis mine)

And further,it is striking indeed that the plural word ELOHIM is followed by a SINGULAR verb.

Has this no meaning in the light of Scripture ?

It is clear that we have here the FIRST INTIMATION of THE GODHEAD as a TRINITY ( triune God)- Father son and Spirit,yet ONE GOD.

Hencethe verb is in the SINGULAR,the two words,"GOD(Elohim) ( PLURAL) created ("bara" )(SINGULAR),set forth a PLURAL UNITY,never known save in realtion to God.

Did God give to the Hebrew language its special Hebrew plural number ,meaning 3 at least,in order to intimate this wonderful truth,though the time had not arrived for it to be fully declared?

here is a very striking intimation of the same truth.

We read:

"Hear,o Israel: THE LORD ( JEHOVAH,singular) our GOD (ELOHIM,plural) is ONE LORD (JEHOVAH,singular). [Deut 6:4]

I stop here,do you like it?

if you do I will go on...I have quite a bit to type

[AFaceInTheCrowd]

John 1:14 The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Are we talking about GOD the Father or the SON?