SPECIAL TOPIC: CREATION (physical and spiritual)

The Bible uses "from the beginning" (and similar 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)
this phrase (and similar ones) is used as imagery of
1. Messianic ‒ Isa. 28:16 (see SPECIAL TOPIC: Cornerstone)
2. places where the gospel has not been preached ‒ Rom. 15:20
3. evaluation of Christian leadership ‒ 1 Cor. 3:10-14
4. lists of inspired revelators ‒ Eph. 2:20
5. Christian rewards (see SPECIAL TOPIC: Degrees of Rewards and Punishment)
6. God's truths (i.e., 1 Tim. 3:15) ‒ 2 Tim. 2:19
7. basic ways to relate to God ‒ Heb. 6:1 (in this context OT truths)