Answer # 18

The first verse in the Bible reveals what the incredible purpose is for the creation of the family relationship. In Genesis 1:1, the word God is translated from the Hebrew word Elohim. Elohim is a uniplural noun, meaning more than one (i.e. team, group, church, family).

In verse 26 of Genesis 1 it states, "Let us make man in our image." "Let us" means let the God Family make man in our image. God is the family name. There are two members presently in the God Family. They are the Father and Jesus Christ. Therefore, the God Family created man in their own image and likeness, and ordained for mankind the institution of marriage and the family relationship. God did not ordain the institution of marriage for animals. Sure, animals may dwell together and reproduce, but their relationships are not on the same level as is the human family relationship.

When the God Family created Adam and Eve, the purpose was for them to become one flesh through the covenant of marriage (Genesis 2:24). Through the institution of marriage, God revealed to mankind the right way to reproduce themselves and learn the family relationship. With this vital knowledge about the family relationship, mankind could develop a loving and harmonious environment for nurturing children (Genesis 1:28).

The first husband and wife did not listen to their Creator. They did not fulfill the family relationship as the God Family intended. Adam and Eve sinned. They partook of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Our first parents chose to decide for themselves what would be good and what would be evil concerning human relationships, of which the marriage relationship is foremost. As a result, families today do not know how to be loving. Men do not know how to be loving husbands and fathers, and women do not know how to be loving wives and mothers. People today choose to decide for themselves what family relationships ought to be like rather then believe God.

Now the most significant purpose for the human family relationship is to teach mankind that God is a family, and that through mankind God is reproducing Himself. Man can be born again through the process of conversion and become a member of the God Family.