Page 37 - AIU Distance Learning Courses - Sample

Origin of the chosen people
The enigma that is Israel is a unique and peculiar nation that existed under
persecution from every corner of the globe for nearly 1900 years. They gave the
world the Bible, birthed Christianity, rejected Christianity, and contributed
significantly to the world’s art, music, science, finance, etc. and yet has been
despised and rejected by many. They are a small nation that finds themselves at the
crossroads and in the crosshairs of so many of the world’s nations on so many issues.
This can only be explained and understood in light of the account of the rise of the
Israelites in Genesis.

The book of Genesis is really the foundation of all true history, true science, and true philosophy. It is
the foundation of God’s revelation to mankind, as given in the Bible. No other book of the Bible is
quoted as copiously or referred to so frequently in other books of the Bible as Genesis.

In the Old Testament, Adam is mentioned by name in Deuteronomy, Job, and 1 Chronicles. Noah is
mentioned in 1 Chronicles, Isaiah, and Ezekiel. Abraham is mentioned by name in 15 books of the Old
Testament and eleven of the New Testament. Jacob is named in twenty books (other than Genesis) of
the Old Testament and in at least 17 of the New Testament. In a special sense every mention of the
nation of Israel is an acknowledgement of their foundation in Genesis. Apart from Genesis, there is no
explanation for the nation of Israel.

The New Testament is even more dependent on Genesis than the Old Testament. There are at least 165
passages in Genesis that are either directly quoted or clearly referred to in the New Testament. Many of
these are alluded to more than once so that there are at least 200 quotations or allusions to Genesis in
the New Testament.

It is significant, that the portion of Genesis which has been the object of the greatest attacks of
skepticism and unbelief, the first 11 chapters are the portion which has the greatest influence on the
New Testament. Yet there exist over one hundred quotations or direct references to Genesis 1-11 in the
New Testament. Further, every one of these chapters is alluded to somewhere in the New Testament,
and every one of the New Testament authors refers in his writing to Genesis 1-11. On at least 6
different occasions, Jesus Christ quoted from or referred to something or someone in one of these
chapters, including specific references to each of the first seven chapters.

Further, there is not one instance where these New Testament writers referring to Genesis give even
the slightest evidence that they regard the events or persons as mere myths or allegories. Instead, they
viewed Genesis as absolutely historical, true and authoritative.

Henry Morris said, “It is quite impossible to reject the historicity and divine authority of Genesis without
undermining and in effect repudiating the authority of the entire Bible. If the first Adam was only an
allegory, then by all logic so is the second Adam. If man did not really fall into sin from his created state
of innocence, there is no reason for him to need a Savior. If all things can be accounted for by natural
processes of evolution there is no need to look forward to a future supernatural consummation of all
things. If Genesis is not true, then neither are the testimonies of the prophets and apostles who
believed it was true. Jesus Christ Himself becomes a false witness, either a deceiver or one who is
deceived, and His testimony concerning His own omniscience and omnipotence becomes blasphemy.
Faith in the gospel of Christ for one’s eternal salvation is an empty mockery”.

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