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God's Power Oct 25, 2023 9:39:38 GMT -5 martinmarprelate likes this

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Post by Admin on Oct 25, 2023 9:39:38 GMT -5

William Brakel The Power of God

In the foregoing we divided the communicable attributes of God into three main categories: intellect, will, and power. Having considered the first two, we shall now consider the attribute of power. The word power is ambiguous in our language, as it also refers to dominion, supremacy, and authority. Whenever it is attributed to God it refers to His omnipotence.
Power in its primary meaning is referred to in Greek as Exusia, and in Latin as potestas. Its meaning is to have a just claim upon someone, authority, and supreme jurisdiction. One can consider the power of God as an essential attribute, or use it in reference to the dispensation of grace. God is Lord and Master over all His creatures and has unrestricted, absolute power and jurisdiction over them. This necessarily follows from the fact that He is God and that the creature is dependent upon Him for existence and activity. In the exercise of this power He is not accountable to anyone; no one may demand a reason from Him by asking, "What does Thou? Is this just?" We may often not be able to comprehend why God acts in a particular way; it should be sufficient for us that God is sovereign. This truth we are obligated to embrace. Consider the following texts: "Who will say unto Him, What doest Thou?" (Job 9:12). "For He giveth not account of any of His matters" (Job 33:13).
Nebuchadnezzar expresses this forcefully when he states, "He doeth according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, What doest Thou?" (Dan 4:35). Also consider the following passages. "Is it not lawful for Me to do what I will with mine own?" (Matt 20:15); "Nay but, O man, who art thou that replies against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor?" (Rom 9:20-21).
The Father has delegated His economical or executive power to the Mediator, Jesus Christ. Besides having given Him the church and all the elect in order to bring them unto salvation, He has also subjected all creatures unto Him so that He might use them to promote the salvation of the elect. This delegation of power, however, is not to the exclusion of the Father, so that the Father by virtue of this delegation would be deprived of power, for the Father executes all things by means of the Son.
This power is referred to when it is stated, "All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth" (Matt 28:18).
The power of God in its second meaning, , refers to the power and strength of God whereby He is able to execute and accomplish everything which is in agreement with His character and His truth—also to create whatever is conceivable and to do whatever He wishes to do. From stones He is able to raise up children unto Abraham (Matt 3:9), that is, to create human beings from a lump of clay as He did in the beginning, and make such human beings partakers of both the faith and life of Abraham. God could even create thousands of worlds. In a word, God's power is unlimited. One could imagine the creation of many things which would be contrary to the nature and truth of God. One could speculate about imaginary things which bear no resemblance to a creature. To relate this to the omnipotence of God and to ask whether God would be able to perform such things, is to entertain thoughts about God which are void of reverence and godly fear. Whatever is contradictory to the nature and truth of God, as well as contrary to the essential nature of a creature, is no reflection upon the power of God. Far be it from us to attribute this to the omnipotent and holy God. "Far be it from God, that He should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that He should commit iniquity" (Job 34:10).
God can neither deny Himself (2 Tim 2:13), nor can He lie or deceive (Titus 1:2). "It was impossible for God to lie" (Heb 6:18). Even though God has eternally been capable of creating a world, it does not follow that the world could have existed eternally. "Yes" and "no" are at all times opposites and cannot be simultaneous realities. One and the same body, one and the same man, cannot be simultaneously present at many places which are far removed from each other. These and a thousand-fold more things do not appertain to omnipotence. Nevertheless, we maintain that
God by His omnipotence is able to accomplish whatever He will even beyond what He has willed, as well as whatever He would will. His arm is not shortened and therefore He is called the Almighty. "I am the Almighty God" (Gen 17:1); "When the Almighty was yet with me" (Job 29:5); "... saith the Lord Almighty" (2 Cor 6:18).
The Lord has no need of any objects, means, or anything which creatures require in order to function. "God ... calleth those things which be not as though they were" (Rom 4:17); "For He spake and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast" (Ps 33:9); "There is nothing too hard for Thee" (Jer 32:17); "For with God nothing shall be impossible" (Luke 1:37). Whatever God wills, He shall accomplish irresistibly. "Our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever He hath pleased" (Ps 115:3); "His hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?" (Isa 14:27).
Therefore, you who are ungodly should fear, for you have such an omnipotent God against you! You cannot prevail against Him. There is neither a hiding place or refuge, nor is there anyone who will be able to offer you protection against Him and deliver you out of His hand. "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Heb 10:31). "Howl ye; for the day of the Lord is at hand; it shall come as a destruction fromthe Almighty" (Isa 13:6).
And you, children of God, let the omnipotence of God encourage your hearts. If God is for you, who will be against you? Do you have any corporal needs and know not how to meet them? Even if there are no means available, God has the answer. He requires no means, and if the Lord desires to avail Himself of means, He will bring them about and make them available to you. Insignificant means are sufficient for Him for He is the Almighty One. He creates light out of darkness in order that the movement of His hand may be observed that much more clearly. In all your perplexities confess with Abraham, "The Lord shall provide."
Does your soul stand in need of light, comfort, a change of heart, and strength against sin? Even if you see no solution, He is able to give you the desire of your heart with one word. Seek to maintain a lively perception of the omnipotence of God. This will strengthen you in all things, causing you to take refuge with Him and be free from concern, fear, and terror. "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty" (Ps 91:1

Last Edit: Jan 9, 2024 0:18:14 GMT -5 by Admin

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God's Power Oct 27, 2023 15:11:08 GMT -5

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Post by Admin on Oct 27, 2023 15:11:08 GMT -5

J.P. Boyce

CHAPTER VII THE POWER OF GOD
WE derive our knowledge of power from the consciousness of our will or purpose to effect an end, and from our experience that we have accomplished that end.
Over our own bodies our will acts directly, without the intervention of any means known to us. Thus, when we will to move the arm, the arm is moved, but whatever necessity there may be of nervous influence or muscular action, we know of no such connection between these and our will, save the fact that the will puts these into operation.
Over other material objects we can only act through our bodies and other necessary means of contact. Experience teaches us, however, that mind can act upon mind without such contact, though the mode in which this is done is still mysterious. The action of our minds upon our material structure and over other minds also suggests that mind, by some subtle connection, may act upon outward matter, as we see, that our minds act upon our bodies.
In this way many of the curious phenomena which have been falsely used for the proof of the spiritualistic theories of the present day will probably be accounted for.
But, whatever may be the power of man, it is evident that it is marked by limitations, not only as to what can be done, but also as to the way in which it may be done. In ascribing power to God, however, we must exclude all such limitation. Not only is he all powerful (almighty), but he needs not instrumental contact. But, although this is true, God accomplishes much that he does through secondary means which partake of the nature of instrumental contact. Such action, however, is with him not a matter of necessity, but simply his economic way of doing what he could as perfectly and as easily do by direct action.
Power in God, therefore, may be defined to be the effective energy inherent in his nature by which he is able to do all things. The exercise of that power is dependent upon his will or purpose, and is limited not by what he can do, but by what he chooses to do. We ascribe power to God.

1. Because we perceive that its possession is a perfection in us, and is therefore to be attributed to the all-perfect being.

2. Because we cannot account for the existence and phenomena of the universe without ascribing to God the power which has produced them.

3. Because our own sense of dependence assures us that there must be power to create, preserve, and protect us, in him in whom we live and move and have our being.

4. The Scriptures also teach us to ascribe power to God.

(a) In such passages as directly ascribe power to him: Jer. 32:17; Ps. 115:3; Eph. 1:19; 3:20.

(b) By reference to his unlimited works: Jer. 10:12; John 1:3; Acts 17:24.

(c) By declaring that what he does is done by mere will without labor, by his word; as in the whole account of creation in the beginning of Genesis and in Ps. 33:9.

(d) By denying the necessity of great means and asserting that what he does can be done with the many or the few: 1 Sam. 14:6; 2 Chron. 14:11.

(e)By figurative or anthropomorphic expressions, as"the hand,""the right hand of God," "the strong hand," "the arm," "the arm not shortened." Ex. 15:6; Num. 11:23; Joshua 4:24; Neh. 1:10; Job 40:9; Ps. 98:1; Isa. 50:2; 59:1.
God's power may be described as:

I. Absolute, which is equivalent to what he can do, and is measured by his nature.

II. Actual, which is what he exercises, and is measured by his will. It is what is put in action by him.
Knapp makes a division of absolute and ordinate, making the absolute that by which he created the world out of nothing, and the ordinate that by which he continues to create or produce according to the laws he has established, as by secondary causes, as in the production of plants, animals, etc. But these are different kinds of exercise of power, but not different kinds of power.
Our power differs from that of God in three particulars:

1. We cannot do whatever we choose, even if it be right.

2. We cannot do it without intermediate means.

3. We cannot do it at any moment we please, but only when the circumstances favour.
But, while God is not subject to the limitations which thus affect us, he also is limited in his power. These limitations, however, are such as arise, not from without, but from the excellence and perfection of his own nature. Hence the limitations are concurrent with his will,which can never desire to do what his nature does not permit.

1. God cannot create a being or world to which his essential incommunicable attributes can be given, viz.: infinity,
embracing eternity and immensity, and self-existence.

2. He cannot create a being whose nature is sinful. The nature he bestows on any creature becomes the law of that creature, so that for any nature to be sinful, it must have been changed from conformity to the law of its creation.

3. He cannot impose laws which are not accordant with righteousness and holiness.

4. He cannot deal with any of his creatures unjustly.

5. He cannot commit sin.

6. He cannot change his own nature.

7. He cannot change his decrees or purpose.

8. He cannot do impossibilities.
If it be asked why he can do none of these things, the answer is, because his own nature is to him the law of what he does, as well as of what he wills and of what he is. He is not just and holy because he wills to be so, but he wills to be just and holy because he is so. His will does not make his nature, but his nature controls his will.
An apparent objection to the infinite power of God is the presence of sin in the universe.
The holiness, justice, and even goodness of God render it impossible that sin can be either created or permitted as something indifferent to God. He must hate it, and punish it wherever it appears.
Its presence therefore is due either to the fact that he could not prevent it, or that he has permitted it for some wise purpose. What that wise purpose is, ought properly to be shown in proof that the existence of evil is consistent with God's goodness. That its presence is due to such purpose, rather than to lack of power of God, appears from the fact that he could have prevented it. This he could have done

1. By not creating beings capable of sinning.

2. By not allowing them to be placed in circumstances which would lead to sin.

3. By sustaining and fortifying them in those circumstances, so as to counteract the temptation and keep them from sinning.
4.And,(as the objection is the rather to the continued existence of sin than its origin)by the immediate destruction of those who have sinned.
But so far from the presence of sin showing lack of power in God, it has served the more signally to display that power.
1. Over sin itself, in its destruction and punishment.

2. Over its final victims, by causing them to feel and acknowledge the terrible power of his wrath.

3.Over others,by their signal deliverance through his power,not only from the penalty, but from the presence of sin.

4. In the sin itself, by exhibiting that restraining and conquering power, by which God makes evil itself to work out his purposes of good and glory.

Last Edit: Jan 9, 2024 0:34:46 GMT -5 by Admin

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God's Power Jan 8, 2024 23:58:26 GMT -5

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Post by Admin on Jan 8, 2024 23:58:26 GMT -5

John Brown Of Haddington

III. The Power of God
The Power of God is that essential perfection of his nature, by which
he can do every thing not base or sinful.—It is no disparagement but
honour to his power, that he cannot do that which implies a
contradiction in its very nature,—as to satisfy an immortal soul with
earthly portions, or make one under the reigning power of sin relish
spiritual delights;—or that he cannot do that which is contrary to his
own existence,—as to die,—become weak,—sleep, etc. or which is
contrary to his moral perfections,—as to lie,—love sin,—deny himself;
—or which is contrary to his own fixed purpose.—But it may be
observed, that God's purpose doth not limit his power itself, but the
exercise of it. His power ought therefore never to be distinguished
into absolute and ordinate. His power itself cannot be bounded, and
the exercise of it cannot be inordinate.
That God is Almighty, is evident,
1. From express declarations of Scripture, Gen 17:1; Gen 18:14; Gen 48:3; Deut 32:39; Deut 3:24; Job9:4,10,19; Job 36:5; Job 38:22-23; Job 41:10; Ps 45:3; Ps 68:34; Ps 89:13; Ps 72:18; Ps 24:8,10; Ps 96:2-7; Ps 115:3; Ps 93:1; Ps 62:11; Isa 9:6; Isa 26:4; Isa 40:28-29; Isa 63:1; Jer 32:17; Matt 19:26; Luke1:35,37,49; Rom 1:20; Eph 1:19; Eph 3:20; Rev 1:8; Rev 19:15.

2. From that abundant power which he hath communicated to his creatures, luminaries, vegetables, brutes, men, and angels, Job 36 41; Judg 15-16; 2 Sam 21; 2 Sam 23; 1 Chron 11; 1 Chron 20; Ps 103:20; 2 Thess 1:7.

3. From the manifold and amazing displays of his power in his works of Creation, Providence, and Redemption.
In Creation, his almighty power appears,

1. In making all things of nothing, Heb 11:3; Gen 1; Col 1:16; Rom 11:36.

2. In forming such multitudes of creatures at once, Ps 33:6; Col 1:16; Gen 1; Ps 148;Exod 20:11.

3. In forming them of the same nothing, or of unfit matter, in so many diversified forms, Gen 1; Ps 104; Ps 148.

4. In forming them all with the greatest ease, by his mere word, Ps 33:6,9; Gen 1; Gen 2:7; Heb 11:3.

5. In making them all without any instrumental cause, Gen 1; Ps 33:6,9; Heb 11:3.

6. In forming them as instantaneously as his glory admitted, Ps 33:6,9; Gen 1; Gen 2:7; Exod 20:11.
In Providence, his almighty power appears, 1. In his preservation of all things in their different nature, forms, stations, motions, or rest,Ps 148; Ps 136; Ps 104; Ps 119:90; Col 1:17; Rev 4:11.

2. In the propagation of vegetables in the ground, and especially of animals in the womb, or in eggs, or from pieces of dissected ones,—and by means of heat, moisture, etc. Ps 104; Ps 147-148; Ps 139:14; Job 10:8-12.

3. In exciting and producing all their motions or actions, Ps 147:15-18; Ps 104:10-14,27,30; Ps 135:7; Ps 136:5-9; Job 38-41; Dan 3:17; Dan 4:17; Dan 2:21; Acts 17:28; Rom 12:36.

4. In restraining unruly beasts, wicked men, and devils, at his pleasure, Ps 65:7 and Ps 76:10; Prov 21:1; Rev 20:2.

5. In changing men's dispositions and inclinations, as he pleases, Gen 33:4; Gen 35:5; 1 Sam 10:9,26; 1 Sam
24:17-18; Esther 6:1-2; Ps 105:25; Ps 106:45.

6. In making so many millions of unruly inclinations harmoniously promote his one design, notwithstanding all their own different or contrary ones, Exod 2-14; Isa 10:5-7; Isa 27:9.

7. In destroying his and his people's enemies, when they are at their strongest, and delivering his favorite's when
most weak and distressed, Deut 32:33,35-36,41-43; Isa 37:6-7,35; Isa33:10; Isa 43:17-18 and Isa 45:13; Esther 3-10; Exod 1-14; Exod 18:11; Ezek 37:1-14; Mic 4:10; Dan 12:1; Rev 11:7-15; Rev 20:9.

8. In effecting the greatest events by weak means, or by none at all, Isa 41:15-16; 1 Kings 20:14; Judg 6:15; Judg 7:2-22; 2 Chron 14:11.—or by means merely casual. Thus the lighting of a viper on Paul's hand, brought about the conviction of the Maltese, Acts 28:3-10. Moses, the deliverer of the Israelites, was preserved from death and fitted
for his work, by the daughter of their oppressor coming to wash herself in the Nile, Exod 2:11. A post, with tidings of an invasion, preserved David, the anointed king of Israel, from being murdered by Saul, 1 Sam 23:26;—or by means calculated and intended for an opposite purpose by the agents. Thus Joseph's abasement promoted his exaltation to be lord over his father and brethren, Gen 37-47. The fall of mankind, the abasement and murder of Christ, promoted the eternal happiness of men, the honor of Christ, and the glory of God, Rom 5:12-21; Phil 3:6-11. The building of Babel hastened the dispersion of mankind through the world, Gen 11.

9. In the strangely diversified success of human affairs. Persons poor, weak, or inactive, perform things, which others of great wealth, parts, powers and activity, cannot, Ps 78:71-72; Amos 5:9; Acts 1-8.

10. In making bad men befriend his people and his cause, contrary to all the dictates of carnal policy. Thus Cyrus, Darius, Artaxerxes, etc. gave part of their wealth to rebuild the Jewish temple, or promote the worship at it,Ezra 1; Ezra 4-5; Ezra 7; Neh 2. In the days of Cicero, gold was carried from Rome to adorn it.

11. In marvelously infatuating or defeating the best counsellors or counsels of men, Isa 44:25; Isa 33:11; 2 Sam 17:8; Job 5:12-13; Ps 33:10; Isa 8:10.

12. In working such multitudes of miracles, both under the Old, and under the New Testament, Gen 7-8; Gen 19:24; Gen 21:1-2; Exod 3-20; Num 11; Num 16-17; Josh 3-5; Josh 10; Judg 6; 1 Kings 17-18; 2 Kings 1-8; 2 Kings 13; 2 Kings 19-20; Matt 2:2; Matt 4:24-25; Matt 11:5; Matt 115; Matt 17; Matt 20-21; Acts 1-20; Acts 28; Rom 15:19; Heb 2:4.

13 In raising the dead, and making all men and devils appear before his lawful tribunal to receive their final sentence, Matt 25:30-45; Rev 20:12,14.

14. In the everlasting execution of his sentences, in punishing the wicked and glorifying the righteous, and in supporting both under their respective weights of wrath or blessedness, 2 Thess 1:9-10; 2 Cor 4:17.

15. In the terrible conflagration and the glorious renovation of our lower world at the last day, 2 Pet 3:10,12.
But the almighty power of God chiefly appears in his work of redemption, Eph 1:19-20.
—It appears on Christ the Redeemer,

1. In the miraculous conception of his manhood by a virgin, Isa 7:14; Jer 31:22; Luke 1:35; Matt 1:20.

2. In the more than miraculous union of his two natures, which are infinitely different in substance and
dignity,—and yet in such manner, that all human personality was prevented, John 1:14; 1 Tim 3:16; Isa 9:6; Zech 13:7; Rom 9:5.

3. In the miracles which he wrought, Acts 10:38; Matt 4-21; Mark 1-6; Luke 4-20; John 2-11.

4. In the tremendous punishment inflicted on him, and in the full support of him under it, Zech 13:7; Zech 3:9; Isa
53:4-10; Isa 50:6-7,9; Isa 42:1; Ps 22; Ps 69; Matt 26-27.

5. In enabling him to such patience and resignation under his sufferings, of which he had a perfectly quick sense, Isa 53:7; Heb 12:2-3; John 18:11-12,27; Matt 26:39,42.

6. In raising him from the dead, justifying and glorifying him, Rom 1:4; Rom 6:4; Rom 4:25; 1 Tim3:16; Eph 1:19-20,23; Ps 110:1-7; Phil 2:7-11; Heb 2:8-9; 1 Pet 1:20 21.—It appears in the Publication of Redemption,

1. In the propagating doctrines so contrary to the carnal reason, the common customs, the deep-rooted lusts, and strongly supported laws of mankind, 1 Cor 1:20-24; 1 Cor 3:18; Titus 3:3; Rom 1:21-32; Rom 3:10-18.

2. In propagating the gospel by so unfit-like instruments, that just before had manifested so much cowardice, ignorance, or wickedness, Matt 26; Acts 1-9.

3. In propagating it by simple declarations, enforced with no temporal authority or worldly influence, 2 Cor 10:4-5; Zech 4:6.

4. In the amazing spread and influence of these declarations had on the hearts and lives of millions of ignorant, outrageous, and obstinate sinners, for convincing, converting, and sanctifying them, Acts 2-21; Acts 26:17-18; Rom 1:8; Rom 15:19; 1 Cor 6:10-11; Col 1:5-6; Eph 3:8-9; 2 Cor 10:4-5; 1 Thess 1:5,9; 1 Thess 2:12-13; Titus 3:3-7.—It also appears in the Application of our Redemption.

1. In the thorough conviction of the most stupid, hardened, and biassed consciences, John 16:9-11; Rom 3:19; Heb
4:12; Ps 45:5.

2. In uniting men to Christ, and thus implanting in them a divine nature, or new habits or principles of grace, in
opposition to the whole power of Satan, the world, and indwelling lusts, Deut 30:6; Ezek 36:26; Ps 100:3; 2 Cor 10:4-5; Luke 8:24; Luke 11:21-22; Eph 1:19; 1 Thess 1:5; 2 Thess 1:11.

3. In the preservation of weak graces in men's souls, amidst an infinity of corruptions and temptations to sin, 1 Pet 1:5; Jude 1.

4. In pardoning such multitudes of heinous offences, at, and after our union to Christ; and in applying these pardons with such almighty influence as to quiet our consciences, however fearfully awakened, Num 14:17 19; Isa 43:24-25; Isa 44:22; Isa 45:22,24-25; Isa 57:18-19.

5.In the mortification of almost almighty corruption by his word,and the agency of his spirit, Rom 8:13; Gal5:17,24.

6. In the miraculous exploits which his people have, or do perform through faith, Phil4:13; Col 1:10-11,28-29; Gal 1:16; Gal 2:20; 2 Cor 12:7-9; Heb 11; Matt 17:20; Mark 9:25.

7. In conferring abundant comfort, and everlasting happiness upon all his people, notwithstanding all that sin, Satan, and the world can do to distress and ruin them, Isa 65:18; Ps 51:10-11; Rom 8:15-18,28-39; 2 Cor 4:17; Ps 31:19; Ps 73:23-26; Isa 35:10; Isa 45:17; Isa 60:19-20.

Last Edit: Jan 9, 2024 1:00:29 GMT -5 by Admin

God's Power

Post by Admin on Oct 25, 2023 9:39:38 GMT -5

Post by Admin on Oct 27, 2023 15:11:08 GMT -5

Post by Admin on Jan 8, 2024 23:58:26 GMT -5

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