Topical Encyclopedia
Omnipotence of GodThe omnipotence of God refers to His all-encompassing power and ability to do anything that is consistent with His nature and will. This attribute is foundational to understanding God's sovereignty and His role as the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. The Bible frequently affirms God's omnipotence, emphasizing that nothing is too difficult for Him.
In
Genesis 17:1, God reveals Himself to Abram as "God Almighty" (El Shaddai), underscoring His supreme power: "When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, 'I am God Almighty; walk before Me and be blameless.'" This title, "God Almighty," is a testament to His limitless power and authority over all creation.
Jeremiah 32:17 further illustrates God's omnipotence: "Ah, Lord GOD! You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You." This verse highlights God's creative power and His ability to accomplish His purposes without limitation.
The New Testament also affirms God's omnipotence. In
Matthew 19:26, Jesus declares, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." This statement underscores the belief that God's power transcends human limitations and that He can achieve what is beyond human capability.
Revelation 19:6 proclaims, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns." This declaration celebrates God's ultimate authority and power, affirming His reign over all things.
Omniscience of GodThe omniscience of God refers to His complete and perfect knowledge of all things, past, present, and future. God's omniscience encompasses not only the actual but also the potential, meaning He knows all possibilities and outcomes. This attribute assures believers of God's wisdom and His ability to guide and govern the world with perfect understanding.
Psalm 139:1-4 beautifully captures God's omniscience: "O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down; You are aware of all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, You know all about it, O LORD." This passage highlights God's intimate knowledge of each individual, affirming that nothing is hidden from Him.
In
Isaiah 46:9-10, God declares His knowledge of the future: "Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all My purpose.'" This passage emphasizes God's ability to declare future events with certainty, demonstrating His comprehensive knowledge.
The New Testament also affirms God's omniscience. In 1
John 3:20, it is written, "For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and He knows all things." This verse reassures believers of God's complete understanding and His ability to see beyond human limitations.
Romans 11:33 exclaims, "O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and untraceable His ways!" This doxology praises the infinite wisdom and knowledge of God, acknowledging that His understanding is beyond human comprehension.
Together, God's omnipotence and omniscience form a cornerstone of Christian theology, providing believers with confidence in His ability to fulfill His promises and His perfect understanding of all creation.