Topical Encyclopedia
A "new beginning" in the biblical context often signifies a fresh start, a renewal, or a transformation initiated by God in the lives of individuals or communities. This concept is woven throughout the Scriptures, illustrating God's redemptive power and His desire to restore and renew His creation.
Creation and the FallThe first instance of a new beginning is found in the creation narrative.
Genesis 1:1 states, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." This marks the commencement of time and the universe, a perfect creation that was later marred by sin. The fall of man in
Genesis 3 necessitated a new beginning, as humanity was separated from God due to sin.
The Flood and NoahThe account of Noah and the flood is a profound example of a new beginning. In
Genesis 6-9, God decides to cleanse the earth of its widespread wickedness through a flood, sparing only Noah, his family, and pairs of every living creature. After the floodwaters recede, God establishes a covenant with Noah, symbolized by the rainbow, promising never to destroy the earth by flood again.
Genesis 9:1 records God's command to Noah and his sons: "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth." This directive marks a new beginning for humanity.
The Exodus and IsraelThe Exodus represents a new beginning for the Israelites, who were delivered from slavery in Egypt. God, through Moses, leads His people to freedom, establishing them as a nation set apart for His purposes. This event is foundational for Israel's identity and relationship with God. In
Exodus 12:2 , God instructs the Israelites regarding the Passover: "This month is to be the beginning of months for you; it is the first month of your year." The Exodus signifies a new era and a fresh start for the people of God.
The Promised LandThe entry into the Promised Land under Joshua's leadership is another significant new beginning. After wandering in the wilderness for forty years, the Israelites cross the Jordan River and begin to take possession of the land God promised to their ancestors.
Joshua 1:2 states, "Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore arise, cross over the Jordan—you and all this people—to the land that I am giving to the children of Israel." This transition marks the fulfillment of God's promise and a new chapter in Israel's history.
The New CovenantThe New Covenant, prophesied in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament, is the ultimate new beginning for humanity. Through Jesus Christ's death and resurrection, believers are offered forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with God.
Jeremiah 31:31 foretells this covenant: "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah." This new covenant is characterized by an internal transformation and a personal relationship with God.
New Birth in ChristThe New Testament emphasizes the concept of being "born again" as a new beginning for believers. In
John 3:3 , Jesus tells Nicodemus, "Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." This spiritual rebirth signifies a transformation from the old self to a new creation in Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:17 affirms, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!"
Eschatological New BeginningThe Bible concludes with the promise of an ultimate new beginning in the eschatological vision of a new heaven and a new earth.
Revelation 21:1 declares, "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more." This future renewal represents the culmination of God's redemptive plan, where sin and death are eradicated, and God's people dwell with Him eternally.
Throughout Scripture, the theme of new beginnings underscores God's sovereignty, grace, and faithfulness. Whether through individual transformation or cosmic renewal, God continually offers fresh starts to His creation, inviting all to partake in His redemptive work.
Topical Bible Verses
2 Corinthians 5:17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Topicalbible.org
Greek
3824. paliggenesia -- regeneration, renewal... Definition: a
new birth, regeneration Definition: a
new birth, regeneration, renewal.
3824 (from 3825 , "again" and 1078 , "birth,
beginning") -- properly, the
...Library
Obedience: Its Place in Holy Scripture.
... Here let us specially notice how, with anynew beginning in the history of God's
kingdom, obedience always comes into special prominence....
Whether theNew Law Should have Been Given from theBeginning of...
... I answer that, Three reasons may be assigned why it was not fitting for
theNew Law to be given from thebeginning of the world....
TheBeginning of theNew Testament
... CHAPTER X THEBEGINNING OF THENEW TESTAMENT. [Illustration... Turn to the list
of books given in thebeginning of yourNew Testament. You...
That the World is Neither WithoutBeginning, nor yet Created by a...
... Chapter 4."That the World is Neither WithoutBeginning, Nor Yet Created by aNew
Decree of God, by Which He Afterwards Willed What He Had Not Before Willed....
sermons on selected lessons of thenew testament
... sermons on selected lessons of thenew testament... On the words of the Gospel, John
i. 1, "In thebeginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word...
The Divine Dilemma and Its Solution in the Incarnation
... 14] For by the sacrifice of His own body He did two things: He put an end to the
law of death which barred our way; and He made anew beginning of life for us...
Letter cxxiv. To Avitus.
... 10. In discussing the end of the world he has made use of the following language.
"Since, as I have often said, anew beginning springs from the end, it may be...
It Clearly Appears that There was but one Author of Both the Old...
... appears that there was but one author of both the old and thenew law, from... For He
who has brought in the end has Himself also wrought thebeginning; and it is...
New Testament Hymns
... It is interesting to re-read theNew Testament in the search for hymns, but... would
suggest that the entire 13th chapter of I Corinthians is a hymn,beginning,....
New York to California
... and industrial problems laying upon my heart, I find the atmosphere, inNew York,
too close for any opening and very little encouragement for abeginning....
Resources
What are the New Heavens and the New Earth? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the New Apostolic Reformation? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the New Covenant? | GotQuestions.orgNew: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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