SPECIAL TOPIC: THE BEGINNING (physical and spiritual)

The Bible uses "the beginning" (and synonymous words and phrases) to describe several different theological events or actions.

before physical creation
1. Prov. 8:22
2. John 17:5,24
from physical creation
1. Gen. 1:1; Isa. 40:21
2. Matt. 24:21; Mark 10:6; 13:19; Rom. 1:20; Heb. 1:10; 1 John 2:13-14; Rev. 3:14; 21:6; 22:13
  SPECIAL TOPIC: Creation and Flood Accounts of the ANE
from spiritual creation (i.e., angels) ‒ John 8:44; 1 John 3:8
(see SPECIAL TOPIC: Angels)
"From the foundation of the world"
1. Job 38:4; Ps. 102:25; Isa. 48:13
2. Matt. 13:35; 25:34; Luke 11:50; John 17:24; Eph. 1:4; Heb. 4:3; 9:26; 1 Pet. 1:19-20; Rev. 13:8; 17:8
from the creation of mankind ‒ 2 Thess. 2:13; 2 Pet. 3:4 (see Genesis 1-2)
from the beginning of Israel ‒ Matt. 19:8; Luke 11:50;
(see SPECIAL TOPIC: Covenant Promises to the Patriarchs)
from the incarnation ‒ John 1:14 (part of context of John 1:1-18); Col. 1:18
from the beginning of Jesus' public ministry ‒ 1 John 1:1-3; 2:13-14
(see SPECIAL TOPIC: Jesus' Baptism)
use of archē (i.e., beginning or origin)
The Greek term archē means the "beginning" or "origin" of something.
1. beginning of the created order (cf. John 1:1; Heb. 1:10; 1 John 2:7)
2. Jesus' pre-existence (cf. John 1:1,2,15,30; 2:13,14; 3:13; 8:56-58; 2 Cor. 8:9; Phil. 2:6-7; Col. 1:16-17; Heb. 1:3)
3. the beginning of the gospel (cf. Mark 1:1; Phil. 4:15; 2 Thess. 2:13; Heb. 2:3; 1 John 1:1-3; 2:24; 3:11; 2 John 1:5-6)
4. first eyewitnesses (cf. Luke 1:2)
5. beginning signs (miracles, cf. John 2:11)
6. beginning principles (cf. Heb. 5:12)
7. beginning assurance based on gospel truths (cf. Heb. 3:14)
8. the beginning, Col. 1:18; Rev. 3:14
9. the devil/Satan sinning from the beginning (cf. John 3:8; 8:44; also note Rev. 12:9; 20:2)
10. the beginning of the Mosaic Law (cf. 1 John 2:7)
  It came to be used of "rule" or "authority"
  1. of human governing officials
    (1)
    Luke 12:11
    (2)
    Luke 20:20
    (3)
    Romans 13:3; Titus 3:1
  2. of angelic authorities
    (1)
    Romans 8:38
    (2)
    1 Cor. 15:24
    (3)
    Eph. 1:21; 3:10; 6:12
    (4)
    Col. 1:16; 2:10,15
    (5)
    Jude 1:6