Page 29 - Christology - Student Textbook

Omnipotence (all-Powerful)

Paul P. Enns argues that omnipotence is that “quality of deity that
means God is all powerful and can do anything that is consistent with
80
His nature.” Francis Sperry Chafer maintains that omnipotence is
“The infinite power of God, which is employed in the realization of all
81
that God wills.”

Omnipotence in the Scriptures

The Bible declares that God knows everything that can be known. The all-powerfulness of God is
seen in the creation of the heavens and the earth. “Let there be light, and there was light. . . Let
there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters,” and
it came to be (Gen. 1:3, 6-7). In the NT, Jesus casted out demons, forgave sins (Matt. 8:14-17),
calmed the storm (Mark 4:35-41), and saved mankind through His completed work on the cross
(John 19:30).

82
Conversely, God cannot will or do anything that would rebut His own character. God cannot lie, for
to do so would violate his character of holiness (Titus 1:2; Heb. 6:18).

Because God is all powerful, God deserves all honor, worship, and praise. The fact that God is all-
powerful should be a source of confidence knowing that God can do anything in accordance with His
character. God is sovereign over his creation!

6.4. Let’s Practice this Lesson…

1. Explain what you have learned about the omnipresence of God.

2. To what extent are your choices free?

3. Define the omnipotence of God.

4. Summarize what you have learned about the omniscient of God.

5. Summarize one principle you have gathered from the omnipotence of God.

80 Enns, The Moody Handbook of Theology, 642.
81 Chafer, Systematic Theology, 209.

82 Grudem, Systematic Theology, 217.

28