Topical Encyclopedia
God's PowerThe concept of God's power is a central theme throughout the Bible, reflecting His omnipotence, sovereignty, and authority over all creation. God's power is evident from the very beginning of Scripture, as He speaks the universe into existence: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (
Genesis 1:1). This act of creation underscores His supreme power, as He brings forth life and order from nothingness.
Throughout the Old Testament, God's power is demonstrated through His mighty acts and miracles. In Exodus, God delivers the Israelites from Egyptian bondage with a series of miraculous plagues and the parting of the Red Sea: "Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land" (
Exodus 14:21). These acts reveal God's ability to control nature and history for the fulfillment of His divine purposes.
The Psalms frequently celebrate God's power, portraying Him as a mighty warrior and protector of His people.
Psalm 147:5 declares, "Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit" . This verse highlights not only God's power but also His infinite wisdom, suggesting that His might is exercised with perfect knowledge and understanding.
In the New Testament, God's power is most profoundly revealed in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Through His miracles, Jesus demonstrates divine authority over sickness, nature, and even death. The resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate display of God's power, as it conquers sin and death: "He was delivered over to death for our trespasses and was raised to life for our justification" (
Romans 4:25).
The Apostle Paul speaks of God's power in the life of believers, emphasizing that it is through this power that Christians are enabled to live godly lives. In
Ephesians 3:20, Paul writes, "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us" . This power is not only transformative but also sustaining, providing strength and endurance for the Christian journey.
God's NameThe name of God holds profound significance in the Bible, representing His character, authority, and presence. In the Old Testament, God reveals Himself to Moses with the name "I AM WHO I AM" (
Exodus 3:14), translated from the Hebrew "YHWH" or "Yahweh." This name signifies God's eternal, self-existent nature and His unchanging faithfulness to His covenant promises.
The name of God is treated with great reverence and is often associated with His holiness and majesty. The Third Commandment instructs, "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain" (
Exodus 20:7), underscoring the importance of honoring God's name in speech and conduct. The Psalms frequently exhort believers to praise and exalt God's name: "Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness" (
Psalm 29:2).
In the New Testament, the name of Jesus is given preeminence, reflecting His divine identity and redemptive work.
Philippians 2:9-10 states, "Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth" . The name of Jesus is powerful, offering salvation and authority to those who believe: "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved" (
Acts 4:12).
Believers are called to live in a manner that honors God's name, reflecting His character and love to the world.
Colossians 3:17 encourages, "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him" . This call to action emphasizes the responsibility of Christians to bear God's name with integrity and gratitude.