Omnipotence of God

Definition and Meaning

The omnipotence of God is the doctrine that God has the power to accomplish everything He wills. Theology treats it as one of the attributes of God. Christian theology generally does not understand omnipotence as the ability to do anything whatsoever at will. Instead, it explains omnipotence as the power to act in accordance with God's own nature and will. For this reason, the scriptural statements that it is impossible for God to lie (Hebrews 6:18) and that He cannot deny Himself (2 Timothy 2:13) are not regarded as conflicting with His omnipotence.

Biblical and Historical Background

In the Old Testament, God reveals Himself to Abraham with the words "I am the Almighty God" (Genesis 17:1). Here "the Almighty God" translates the Hebrew El Shaddai. Other frequently cited passages include "Is any thing too hard for the LORD?" (Genesis 18:14) and "with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26). The Septuagint rendered expressions such as "the LORD of hosts" with the Greek Pantokrator ("ruler of all"). The Book of Revelation uses this term repeatedly to designate God as the Almighty (Revelation 19:6).

The church has confessed "the Father Almighty" in the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed. Augustine explained that God's inability to die or to be deceived does not diminish His omnipotence. Medieval theology concluded that what is self-contradictory is not a proper object of power. Chapter 2 of the Westminster Confession of Faith and Questions 26–27 of the Heidelberg Catechism explain omnipotence in connection with creation and providence.

In the modern era, the problem of theodicy has been raised prominently: how can God be omnipotent when evil and suffering exist? Some views, such as process theology and open theism, revise the traditional understanding of omnipotence. The theology of the major Korean Protestant denominations generally follows the traditional understanding.

Practice in Korean Churches

In Korean Protestant churches, congregations confess God's omnipotence by reciting the Apostles' Creed in every worship service. The representative prayer (daepyo gido), offered by a member on behalf of the congregation, also frequently opens with the address "Almighty God our Father." Emphases differ by denomination:

• The Reformed tradition, including Presbyterian churches, tends to explain omnipotence together with the sovereignty of God, providence, and predestination.
• The Wesleyan tradition, including Methodist and Holiness churches, also emphasizes that God's omnipotence is a power of love that allows for a free human response.
• Pentecostal churches, such as the Full Gospel churches, emphasize that omnipotence can be experienced today in miracles and divine healing. The confession that "nothing is impossible with God" is prominent in their preaching and worship music.

Critics within various Korean denominations have objected to preaching that treats omnipotence as a promise guaranteeing the fulfillment of personal wishes, warning that it risks drifting into prosperity theology.