The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God and that all things were created by him and for him. Though fully God, Jesus is distinct from God the Father. Scripture reveals Jesus as active in creation, present at creation, and the source of creation. Understanding the role of Jesus in creation is key to understanding his divine nature and work of salvation.
Jesus is eternal
The Bible teaches that Jesus has always existed. He was not created, but is himself the eternal Creator. John 1:1-3 states, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.” This passage identifies Jesus (the Word) as eternal, co-existing with the Father, and the agent of creation. Jesus later took on human flesh while remaining fully God (John 1:14). As Hebrews 13:8 declares, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” His eternal nature is key to his role as Creator.
Jesus is distinct from the Father
While one God eternally exists in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – the persons are distinct. Throughout Scripture, Jesus refers to God the Father as someone separate from himself (Matt. 11:27, John 5:32). He prays to the Father (John 17:1), loves the Father (John 14:31), and does the Father’s will (John 4:34). This distinction is important because it shows that creating all things was a united act of the triune Godhead, not the act of one person alone.
All things were created by Jesus
The Bible explicitly teaches that Jesus created all things. John 1:3 states, “All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.” Colossians 1:16-17 elaborates, “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” These verses reveal Jesus as the agent of creation.
Hebrews 1:2 declares that through Jesus, God “created the world.” 1 Corinthians 8:6 states the Father creates all things through Jesus. Not only was Jesus present at the creation of the world, but he was God the Father’s agent of creation – all things were made by Jesus. Without Jesus, nothing was made that has been made.
Creation belongs to Jesus
Not only did Jesus create all things, but all things were also created for him. Creation belongs to Jesus. Colossians 1:16 declares, “All things were created through him and for him.” The preposition for indicates creation’s purpose. God created all things not just by means of Christ, but also for Christ. Creation exists to glorify Jesus.
Because Jesus is the Creator and Owner of all things, he has authority over every realm of creation. As Colossians 1:17 states, in Jesus “all things hold together.” By his powerful word, Jesus sustains and governs the universe he spoke into being (Heb. 1:3). Understanding Christ’s supremacy over all creation is crucial for trusting him fully.
Jesus reveals God the Father
Jesus reveals the Father’s glory in creation. 2 Corinthians 4:6 states that God “has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” Throughout his life on Earth, Jesus manifested God’s character and ways to mankind. Through Christ’s roles of Creator and Sustainer, the magnificent splendor of God shines forth. Jesus’s work in creation glorifies the Father.
Furthermore, Colossians 1:15 calls Jesus “the image of the invisible God.” Jesus perfectly reflects God’s being and nature. As the God-man, Jesus makes the invisible Creator known to us through creation. Understanding Christ as Creator deepens our knowledge of God.
The Incarnation affirms Jesus as Creator
At the Incarnation, Jesus added a human nature to his divine nature. The Creator entered his own creation. John writes that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). Paul calls Jesus’ Incarnation an emptying of himself by taking the form of a servant (Phil. 2:7). The Incarnation displays Jesus’ deity in humbling himself as a creature to save sinful man. Because Jesus is man’s Creator, he has both the power and the right to redeem mankind.
Jesus’ miracles over nature also confirm his identity as Creator. By turning water to wine, multiplying food, walking on water, calming storms, and healing diseases, Jesus demonstrated authority over all creation. As Creator, he has power over the natural world. His miracles reflect his divine nature as the One through whom all things were made.
Believing in Jesus as Creator brings salvation
Saving faith requires trusting in Jesus as the sovereign Creator. Romans 10:9 states, “…if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Calling Jesus “Lord” means acknowledging him as the Creator and rightful ruler over all. Salvation comes through submitting to Jesus as the agent of creation.
Furthermore, Colossians 2:9 teaches that in Jesus “the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.” Jesus is fully God. To deny his role in creating all things is to say that he is not God. Those who reject Jesus as Creator also reject him as Savior. Believing in Christ’s work of creation is essential for trusting him as Redeemer.
Old Testament parallels point to Jesus as Creator
Several Old Testament passages about God’s creative work parallel New Testament verses about Christ’s work in creation. Comparing these passages yields rich insights into Jesus’ identity as the Creator.
For example, Isaiah 44:24 states that God alone stretched out the heavens and spread out the earth by himself. But John 1:10 and Colossians 1:16-17 reveal that Jesus created the heavens and earth. Jesus must be the same God referred to in Isaiah.
Isaiah 42:5 describes God as Creator who spread out the heavens and stretched out the earth. But Hebrews 1:10-12 applies Isaiah’s words to Jesus, calling him the cosmic Creator. Once again, Jesus is equated with Yahweh, the Old Testament God.
As these examples show, identifying Jesus with the creative acts of Yahweh in the Old Testament powerfully affirms his eternal deity and divine nature as the Son of God.
Jesus’ work in the new creation
Not only did Jesus create the physical universe, but he is also creating a new spiritual creation. At regeneration, God gives believers a new heart and puts his Spirit within them (Ezek. 36:26-27). Although originally created good, the human heart became corrupted by sin. Jesus creates a new heart in those born again by his Spirit.
Furthermore, Jesus is building his church, the body of Christ, which serves as a new creation community. His disciples belong to this new creation kingdom that will someday be fully consummated at Christ’s return (Rev. 21:1-5). As Creator of the world, Jesus is also building the new creation kingdom that will inherit the world.
2 Corinthians 5:17 succinctly summarizes this truth: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Through faith in Christ, sinners become new creations that participate already in the new creation Christ is building.
Jesus will restore creation
When Jesus returns, he will restore creation from the effects of humanity’s fall into sin. Romans 8:20-22 teaches that the creation was subjected to futility and groans as it awaits redemption at Christ’s return. Just as sin brought death and corruption, the Creator’s redemptive work will bring restoration and renewal.
As the agent of creation, Jesus has authority over the earth’s destiny. He upholds the universe by his word now and will restore the universe at his Second Coming. The climactic vision of Revelation shows Jesus making all things new for eternity (Rev. 21:5). The original Creator will be the re-Creator who redeems the cosmos.
Peter likewise teaches that there will be new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells (2 Pet. 3:13). When Jesus creates the new heavens and new earth, he will make all things right again. The Creator’s renewal of creation will perfect what sin has corrupted.
Jesus is worthy of worship as Creator
Since Jesus created all things, he alone is worthy of worship. Revelation 4:11 declares, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” This worship is directed toward the One on the throne – Jesus Christ.
Furthermore, Hebrews 1:6 states that when God brings his firstborn Jesus into the world, he commands all angels to worship him. Only the eternal uncreated Creator is worthy of such praise. Jesus, God’s Son, shares glory and worship as the agent of creation.
Colossians 1:16 teaches that all things were created by Jesus and for him. As Creator, he deserves full honor, praise, and allegiance. To worship anything in creation rather than the Creator is idolatry. Jesus’ role as the source of all that exists demands that he alone be worshipped.
Conclusion
The Bible clearly reveals Jesus Christ as the divine eternal Son through whom the Father created all things. As John Frame sums it up, “The Bible teaches that all things that exist do so because of God’s word, His speech. That word is so effective that it brings into being things that did not exist before… God’s word is effective because it represents His power. It also represents His wisdom. And in the New Testament that wisdom is identified as Jesus Christ.”
Understanding Jesus as the Creator of all things glorifies him as fully God and sovereign Lord. His work in creating and sustaining the universe distinguished him as the magnificent, worthy Savior of mankind. Those who reject Jesus as the Creator reject him as the Redeemer. To embrace salvation, one must confess with the centurion at the cross, “Truly this was the Son of God” (Matt. 27:54).