What is the work of creation?
The work of creation is, God's making all things of nothing, by the word of his power1, in the space of six days, and all very good.2
Scripture proofs
The Westminster Assembly's proof texts (KJV). The bracketed numbers in the answer above mark the clause each set of references supports; expand a row to read the verses.
1 Gen. 1:1; Ps. 33:6, 9; Heb. 11:3
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Ps. 33:6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
Ps. 33:9 For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.
Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
2 Gen. 1:31
And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
This doctrine across the Standards
Where the Confession and the Westminster Larger Catechism treat the same matter, so the question can be studied alongside its parallel statements.
In the Westminster Confession
IV.1 It pleased God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for the manifestation of the glory of his eternal …
It pleased God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for the manifestation of the glory of his eternal power, wisdom, and goodness, in the beginning, to create or make of nothing the world, and all things therein, whether visible or invisible, in the space of six days, and all very good.
→ IV.1 · Of CreationIV.2 After God had made all other creatures, he created man, male and female, with reasonable and immortal souls, …
After God had made all other creatures, he created man, male and female, with reasonable and immortal souls, endued with knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness, after his own image, having the law of God written in their hearts, and power to fulfil it; and yet under a possibility of transgressing, being left to the liberty of their own will, which was subject unto change. Beside this law written in their hearts, they received a command not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; which while they kept they were happy in their communion with God, and had dominion over the creatures.
→ IV.2 · Of CreationIX.1 God hath endued the will of man with that natural liberty, that is neither forced nor by any …
God hath endued the will of man with that natural liberty, that is neither forced nor by any absolute necessity of nature determined to good or evil.
→ IX.1 · Of Free WillIn the Westminster Larger Catechism
Q.15 What is the work of creation?
The work of creation is that wherein God did in the beginning, by the word of his power, make of nothing the world, and all things therein, for himself, within the space of six days, and all very good.
→ Open Q.15Q.16 How did God create angels?
God created all the angels spirits, immortal, holy, excelling in knowledge, mighty in power, to execute his commandments, and to praise his name, yet subject to change.
→ Open Q.16Q.17 How did God create man?
After God had made all other creatures, he created man male and female; formed the body of the man of the dust of the ground, and the woman of the rib of the man, endued them with living, reasonable, and immortal souls; made them after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness,and holiness; having the law of God written in their hearts, and power to fulfil it, and dominion over the creatures; yet subject to fall.
→ Open Q.17