The Omnipotence of God
His omnipotence is a communicable attribute which expresses purpose; that is having to do with making and carrying out decisions. Omnipotence means that God is able to do all his holy will. Omnipotence is derived from two Latin words, omni, "all," and potens, "powerful," which means "all-powerful." God's omnipotence references his own power to do what he decides to do.
God possesses and utilizes power to do all things which are objects of power, whether with or without the use of means. If all power in the universe is dependent on his creative will for its existence, it is impossible to conceive any limit to his power except that laid on it by His own will (Genesis 17:1; Genesis 1:1-3; Isaiah 44:24; Hebrews 1:3; II Corinthians 4:6; Ephesians 1:19).
The omnipotence of God is illustrated by the work of the Holy Spirit, which in Scripture is compared to wind, water, and fire. The rushing mighty wind at Pentecost was the analogue of the wind- Spirit who bore everything before him on the first day of creation (Genesis 1:2; John 3:8; Acts 2:2).
Omnipotence does not imply power to do that which is not an object of power; as for example, that which is self-contradictory to the nature of God. Such as sickness or allowing Satan to afflict sickness on a person to obtain some result. In this dispensation self-contradictory thing: the making of a past event to have not occurred. Things contradictory to the nature of God: for God to lie, to sin, to die. God has all power that is consistent with infinite perfection, all power to do what is worthy of himself. Even He cannot make wrong to be right, nor hatred of himself to be blessed. It must be understood that God can do anything he wills to do or anything that is consistent with his character.
Omnipotence does not imply the exercise of all his power on the part of God. He has power over his power; in other words, his power is under the control of wise and Holy will. God can do all he will, but he will not do all he can. Else his power is mere force acting necessarily, and God is the slave of his own omnipotence.
Omnipotence in God does not exclude, but implies, the power of self-limitation. Since all such self-limitation is free, proceeding from neither external nor internal compulsion, it is the act an manifestation of God's power. Human freedom is not rendered impossible by the divine omnipotence but exists by virtue of it. It is an act of omnipotence when God humbled himself to the taking of human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ.
If God is be be over all and in all, he cannot himself be all (Psalm 113:5-6; Philippians 2:7,8). It was the power to retain his life, to escape suffering, to hold it all within himself. He emptied himself but yet still contained it all.
God possesses and utilizes power to do all things which are objects of power, whether with or without the use of means. If all power in the universe is dependent on his creative will for its existence, it is impossible to conceive any limit to his power except that laid on it by His own will (Genesis 17:1; Genesis 1:1-3; Isaiah 44:24; Hebrews 1:3; II Corinthians 4:6; Ephesians 1:19).
The omnipotence of God is illustrated by the work of the Holy Spirit, which in Scripture is compared to wind, water, and fire. The rushing mighty wind at Pentecost was the analogue of the wind- Spirit who bore everything before him on the first day of creation (Genesis 1:2; John 3:8; Acts 2:2).
Omnipotence does not imply power to do that which is not an object of power; as for example, that which is self-contradictory to the nature of God. Such as sickness or allowing Satan to afflict sickness on a person to obtain some result. In this dispensation self-contradictory thing: the making of a past event to have not occurred. Things contradictory to the nature of God: for God to lie, to sin, to die. God has all power that is consistent with infinite perfection, all power to do what is worthy of himself. Even He cannot make wrong to be right, nor hatred of himself to be blessed. It must be understood that God can do anything he wills to do or anything that is consistent with his character.
Omnipotence does not imply the exercise of all his power on the part of God. He has power over his power; in other words, his power is under the control of wise and Holy will. God can do all he will, but he will not do all he can. Else his power is mere force acting necessarily, and God is the slave of his own omnipotence.
Omnipotence in God does not exclude, but implies, the power of self-limitation. Since all such self-limitation is free, proceeding from neither external nor internal compulsion, it is the act an manifestation of God's power. Human freedom is not rendered impossible by the divine omnipotence but exists by virtue of it. It is an act of omnipotence when God humbled himself to the taking of human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ.
If God is be be over all and in all, he cannot himself be all (Psalm 113:5-6; Philippians 2:7,8). It was the power to retain his life, to escape suffering, to hold it all within himself. He emptied himself but yet still contained it all.
Talk to you soon,
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