It relates that God created heaven and earth and all things, and how He created them.

When did God create heaven and earth and all things?

God created them “in the beginning,” that is, in the beginning of time.

What do we see from this?

We see from this that the world is not eternal.

Who is eternal?

God alone is eternal.

What does “create” mean?

To “create” means to make out of nothing.

How was it possible for God to create the world if there was nothing out of which to make it?

It was possible because God is almighty.

What do we mean when we say that God is almighty?

When we say that God is almighty, we mean that He can do all things and nothing is hard or impossible to Him.

Why is God called the Creator?

God is called the Creator because He made heaven and earth and all things out of nothing.

In what condition was the earth when God created it?

It was “void and empty,” that is to say, it was not in its present orderly condition and was not inhabited by living beings.

What else do we know about the earth in its primitive condition?

We know that it was covered with water and darkness.

What happened at the creation?

At the creation, “the Spirit of God moved over the waters.”

What did God create on the first day?

On the first day He created the light.

Why did He create the light first?

God created the light first because without light nothing could live.

What did God create on the second day?

On the second day He created the firmament.

What do we mean by firmament?

By firmament we mean the sky.

What else do we understand by firmament?

By firmament we also understand the atmosphere.

What did God create on the third day?

On the third day He created the different bodies of water and the firm land.

How did God do this?

God caused the waters to be gathered together in one place, so that the dry land appeared.

With what did God cover the dry land?

God covered the land with grass, flowers, and fruit-bearing trees.

What happened on the fourth day?

On the fourth day God created the sun, moon, and stars, and placed them in the heavens.

What did God create on the fifth day?

On the fifth day He created fish and birds of every kind.

What did God create on the sixth day?

On the sixth day He created all kinds of animals that inhabit the earth, and last of all man.

What were all things that God created?

All things that God created were good.

Why were they good?

They were good because they answered the purpose for which they had been created.

Why did God create the world?

God created the world for two reasons: (1) For His own honor and glory; and (2) For the benefit of man.

What did God do on the seventh day?

On the seventh day He rested, blessed it, and made it holy.

What does “God rested” mean?

It means that He ceased to create.

What does God still do for the world?

He still preserves and governs it.

How does God preserve the world?

God preserves the world by causing it to continue to exist.

How does God govern the world?

God governs the world by taking care of all things and arranging them so as to carry out His will.

But if God takes care of every one, why does He allow so many to suffer?

God allows many to suffer: (1) To turn the thoughts of the sinner to Himself, that he may be converted and save his soul; (2) That the just may have an opportunity of following in the footsteps of Christ and laying up for themselves treasures in heaven.

How did God bless the Sabbath and make it holy?

God blessed the Sabbath and made it holy by setting it aside for His own special service.

Was Sunday the Lord’s day in the Old Testament?

No, Saturday or the Sabbath was the Lord’s day in the Old Testament.

What day do Christians keep holy?

Christians keep Sunday holy.

Who changed the Lord’s day from Saturday to Sunday?

The Catholic Church changed it.

Why had the Church a right to change it?

The Church had a right to change it, because it is the representative of Christ on earth.

What induced the Church to make this change?

The Church was induced to make this change because Sunday was the day on which her divine Founder rose from the dead, and on which the Holy Ghost descended on the Apostles.

Can Protestants consistently observe Sunday instead of Saturday?

No, because they believe only what they find in Holy Scripture, and Holy Scripture does not tell us to keep Sunday, but the Sabbath.

Which attributes did God manifest in creating the world?

In creating the world, God manifested His almighty power, His wisdom, and His goodness.

What should we learn from this lesson?

We should learn from it to be thankful to God for all He has done for us.

How can we show that we are thankful to God?

We can show that we are thankful to God: (1) By saying our prayers regularly morning and night, before and after meals; (2) By keeping holy the Lord’s day.

How do we keep holy the Lord’s day?

We keep holy the Lord’s day by attending Mass and abstaining from servile works.

MLA Citation

Father John J Nash, DD. “The Creation of the World, and the Institution of the Sabbath”. Practical Explanation and Application of Bible History, 1902. CatholicSaints.Info. 23 May 2018. Web. 19 November 2018. <>