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The long words used in the heading to this article are terms usually applied to the one true God. They are not actually found in the Scriptures, though they do more or less express thoughts found in them. To take the words in order we have:- |
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Omnipotence |
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A dictionary definition of this word is ‘all powerful’ or something that means the same. In the Bible we are told that God is almighty. He is called Almighty God (Genesis 17:1; 28:3 and Exodus 6:3). The word is a translation of the Hebrew words El Shaddai. God is also called the Most High God (Genesis 14:18) a similar thought. The Hebrew is El Elyon. The former word points to God’s power; the second to his position. Christ when here maintained the thought of the almightiness of God by saying that his Father was greater than all (John 10:29). |
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The omnipotence of God is a vital doctrine. If God were not all powerful we would be left in a state of uncertainty as to whether a greater power than his could frustrate his promises to us and his ability to deal with evil (Job 42:2). If he were not all powerful the universe could be in danger of collapse ! |
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Omniscience |
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The dictionary definition of this word is ‘all-knowing’ or something that means the same. This word does not appear in the Bible, but we are told that God’s understanding is infinite (Psalm 147:5). Christ taught that God is cognisant of a sparrow falling to the ground and that even the hairs of our head are all numbered (Matthew 10:29/30). However, Scripture does not appear to assert that God knows everything automatically. For instance, it is said: “The eyes of Jehovah are in every place, beholding the evil and the good” (Proverbs 15:3). The eyes, we are told, are his Spirits (Revelation 5:6). Further, God searches the heart (Jeremiah 17:10; Romans 8:27) and the city (Zephaniah 1:12). He finds out things rather than knows them already. He counts the stars (Psalm 147:4). This is what Scripture says. |
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The all-knowingness of God is also a vital doctrine. If He were not aware of everything that goes on in this world how could we rely on Him to judge the world without any miscarriages of justice ? There were |