Topical Encyclopedia The concept of existence in the Bible is foundational to understanding the nature of God, humanity, and creation. The Bible begins with the affirmation of God's existence and His role as the Creator of all things. Genesis 1:1 states, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." This verse establishes that God exists outside of time and space and is the originator of all that exists.God's Self-Existence God's self-existence, or aseity, is a key attribute highlighted in Scripture. In Exodus 3:14, God reveals Himself to Moses with the name "I AM WHO I AM." This declaration signifies that God's existence is independent and self-sustaining. Unlike created beings, God does not derive His existence from anything else. The Apostle Paul echoes this in Acts 17:24-25, where he proclaims, "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made by human hands. Nor is He served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives all men life and breath and everything else." Human Existence Human existence is portrayed in the Bible as being created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). This unique aspect of human existence implies a special relationship with the Creator and a purpose that aligns with His will. The Bible teaches that humans are both physical and spiritual beings, with a temporary earthly existence and an eternal destiny. Ecclesiastes 12:7 states, "Then the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it." Existence of Creation The existence of the created order is a testament to God's power and divine nature. Romans 1:20 affirms, "For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse." The natural world reflects God's glory and serves as evidence of His existence and attributes. Eternal Existence The Bible also addresses the concept of eternal existence, particularly in relation to the afterlife. John 3:16 promises eternal life to those who believe in Jesus Christ: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." This eternal existence is contrasted with eternal separation from God, as described in Matthew 25:46: "And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." Existence and Faith Faith in God's existence is a central tenet of the Christian life. Hebrews 11:6 emphasizes the necessity of faith: "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." This faith is not blind but is supported by the evidence of God's work in creation, history, and personal experience. In summary, the Bible presents existence as a reality grounded in the nature and character of God. It affirms God's self-existence, the purposeful existence of humanity, the testimony of creation, and the promise of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (v. i.) To be as a fact and not as a mode; to have an actual or real being, whether material or spiritual.2. (v. i.) To be manifest in any manner; to continue to be; as, great evils existed in his reign. 3. (v. i.) To live; to have life or the functions of vitality; as, men can not exist water, nor fishes on land. Greek 1510. eimi -- I exist, I am ... eimi. 1511 . I exist, I am. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: eimi Phonetic Spelling: (i-mee') Short Definition: I am, exist Definition: I am, exist. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1510.htm - 9k 4391. prouparcho -- to exist beforehand 5225. huparcho -- to begin, to be ready or at hand, to be 1511. einai -- am, was, come, is, there is, to be, was. 4041. periousios -- of one's own possession 3873. parakeimai -- to lie beside, be present 5223. huparxis -- subsistence, existence, property Strong's Hebrew 1934. hava -- to become, come to pass, be... become, behold, came to pass, cease, cleave, consider, do,. (Aramaic) orhavah (Aramaic) {hav-aw'}; corresponding to hava'; to exist; used in a great variety of ... /hebrew/1934.htm - 6k 369. ayin -- nothing, nought 3426. yesh -- being, substance, existence, is 1961. hayah -- to fall out, come to pass, become, be 4672. matsa -- to attain to, find Library Whether an Infinite Multitude Can Exist? What virtues Ought to Exist in Him whom we Consult. ... Whether the Angels Exist in any Great Number? Introductory. Heresies must Exist, and Even Abound; they are a ... Blessedness Cannot Exist Without Immortality. Whether an Actually Infinite Magnitude Can Exist? That all Things Exist that they May Perish, and that we are not ... Whether Justice and the Other virtues Cease to Exist in the Future ... The Three are One, and Also Equal, viz the Mind Itself, and the ... Whether in the Angel to Understand is to Exist? Thesaurus Exist (24 Occurrences)... 3. (vi) To live; to have life or the functions of vitality; as, men can not exist water, nor fishes on land. Multi-Version Concordance Exist (24 Occurrences). ... /e/exist.htm - 14k Creation (35 Occurrences) Existed (18 Occurrences) Be (66193 Occurrences) Existence (35 Occurrences) Unknown (15 Occurrences) Exists (18 Occurrences) Everlasting (192 Occurrences) Make (12882 Occurrences) Pits (13 Occurrences) Resources Does God exist? | GotQuestions.orgDo demons exist? | GotQuestions.org Does Satan exist? | GotQuestions.org Exist: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Exist (24 Occurrences)Acts 17:28 Romans 4:17 Romans 13:1 1 Corinthians 1:28 1 Corinthians 5:1 1 Corinthians 6:5 1 Corinthians 6:13 1 Corinthians 8:5 1 Corinthians 8:6 1 Corinthians 11:18 Galatians 4:8 Colossians 1:16 Hebrews 2:10 Hebrews 11:3 James 3:16 2 Peter 1:8 2 Peter 3:7 Revelation 17:11 Revelation 21:4 Psalms 39:13 Psalms 104:33 Psalms 146:2 Isaiah 23:13 Lamentations 4:17 Subtopics Related Terms |