The power of God is a central theme throughout the Bible. As believers, it is vital that we understand the nature and scope of God’s power, so we can have faith in Him and allow His power to work through us. In this blog post, we will explore the various manifestations of God’s power in Scripture and what they teach us about who He is and how He works on our behalf.
Introduction
The Bible describes God as omnipotent – meaning He is all-powerful and there is nothing impossible for Him (Luke 1:37). The power of God is ultimate and supreme over every force, authority, and dominion in heaven and on earth. Here are some key truths about God’s power revealed in Scripture:
Key Takeaways about God’s Power
- God’s power is limitless – there is nothing too difficult or impossible for Him. With God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).
- God created the entire universe by His infinite power and sustains it by His strength (Genesis 1-2, Hebrews 1:3).
- All the forces of nature are under God’s command – He controls the wind, waves, lightning, and earthquakes (Psalm 107:25, Mark 4:39-41).
- God has power over life and death (1 Samuel 2:6, John 11:1-44).
- God’s power is greater than any other power, including spiritual authorities and principalities (Ephesians 1:19-23).
- The Holy Spirit empowers believers with spiritual gifts for ministry and godly living (Acts 1:8, Romans 15:13).
- Jesus performed miracles through the anointing and power of the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:14, Acts 10:38).
- The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in believers, with resurrection power (Romans 8:11).
- God answers prayer and performs the miraculous in response to faith (Matthew 21:22, James 5:14-16).
With this background on the divine power we serve, let’s take a deeper look at how God’s power is described and demonstrated throughout the Bible.
God’s Power in Creation
The very first demonstration of God’s incomparable power is seen in the Genesis account of creation. Genesis 1:1 tells us, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” God spoke and all of creation came into being out of nothing. The psalmist reflects on creation saying:
“By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth…For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.” (Psalm 33:6, 9)
As Creator of the universe, God possesses power beyond measure. The prophet Jeremiah declares:
“Ah, Lord God! It is you who has made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for you.” (Jeremiah 32:17)
Even the heavens, the highest and most majestic part of creation, are the work of God’s fingers (Psalm 8:3). The unlimited power that brought the world into existence is the same power sustained it. The author of Hebrews says Jesus “upholds the universe by the word of his power” (Hebrews 1:3).
God’s Power over Nature
Throughout the Old and New Testaments, we see demonstrations of God’s sovereign power over the forces of nature. Often, the display of God’s power over storms, waves, wind, and earthquakes were linked to his deliverance of His people and judgement against their enemies.
When Moses held out his staff over the Red Sea, God drove back the waters with a strong east wind, allowing the Israelites to walk across on dry ground (Exodus 14:21). When they reached the other side safely, and the Egyptians were drowned as the waters closed over them, Israel saw the mighty power of God and worshipped Him (Exodus 14:31).
In the New Testament, Jesus displayed this same authority over creation and natural forces. In Luke 8, when a storm came up and the disciples feared for their lives, Jesus “rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm.” His disciples were amazed, asking “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.” (Luke 8:24-25)
Many of Christ’s miracles involved power over nature – turning water to wine, multiplying a few loaves and fish to feed thousands, cursing the fig tree. Jesus had authority over all created things because He is the Son of God. Even the wind and waves respond to the voice of their Master.
God’s Power over Nations
In addition to dominion over nature, God also rules over the affairs of nations. He is sovereign over rulers and authorities, expanding or toppling empires according to His will. The book of Job describes God’s unlimited power saying:
“He makes nations great, and destroys them; he enlarges nations and disperses them.” (Job 12:23)
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon found this truth out the hard way. When he grew arrogant and prideful, boasting of his own might and power, God judged him by taking away his sanity. After seven years living like an animal, his reason returned and he praised the Most High God, saying:
“His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth.” (Daniel 4:34-35)
Truly God’s rule is absolute and supreme over the affairs of men. All earthly kingdoms rise and fall according to His divine purpose and timing.
God’s Power through Miracles
In addition to His sovereign power over creation and nations, God also performs supernatural miracles to intervene in people’s lives and reveal His glory.
Throughout the Old Testament, God did wonders and miraculous signs to deliver His people from bondage and lead them to the Promised Land. Plague after plague fell upon Egypt until Pharaoh was forced to let Israel go. God parted the Jordan River so they could enter Canaan on dry ground (Joshua 3:14-17). During battle, God made the sun stand still so Israel could defeat their enemies (Joshua 10:12-14).
In the New Testament, Jesus’ ministry was accompanied by a manifestation of miraculous power. He healed the sick, made the lame walk, cured lepers, cast out demons, and even raised the dead. When John the Baptist was in prison, he sent messengers to ask Jesus if He was the promised Messiah. Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.” (Matthew 11:4-5) His miracles authenticated His identity as the Son of God.
Even after Christ’s ascension, the disciples continued doing “many wonders and signs” through the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:43). The early church experienced healings, deliverance from jail, and even the raising of the dead, such as when Peter raised Tabitha from the dead in Acts 9.
God is still in the miracle working business today. He desires to manifest His power through believers’ Spirit-filled prayer and unwavering faith. Scripture gives us many promises to stand on regarding divine healing and miraculous intervention (Mark 16:17-18, James 5:14-15). With God nothing is impossible!
God’s Power through Jesus Christ
The Son of God came to earth in human flesh to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8), conquer death, and provide forgiveness of sins and eternal life. The miracles recorded in the Gospels provide a glimpse of Christ’s divine identity and the coming of God’s Kingdom on earth.
After Jesus rose from the dead, He claimed: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18) Then He commissioned the disciples to go make disciples of all nations in the authority of His name. The book of Acts shows the early church operating in the power and authority delegated to them by Christ.
In Philippians 3, Paul says his goal was to know Christ and “the power of his resurrection.” This resurrection power was able to transform lives and enable believers to live victoriously for Christ. Paul prayed for the Ephesians that they might know:
“…his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 1:19-20)
As Christians, we have access to that mighty resurrection power living inside us by the Holy Spirit! We must walk in faith to see it manifested for healing, deliverance, and supernatural ministry.
God’s Power through the Holy Spirit
After Jesus ascended to heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit at Pentecost to indwell and empower every believer. The book of Acts reveals how the baptism of the Holy Spirit imparted power for ministry and miracles in the early church.
Jesus promised the disciples they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them (Acts 1:8). Immediately after the outpouring of the Spirit, Peter preached with boldness and 3,000 people were saved in a single day (Acts 2:41). Through the Spirit living in them, the apostles did many wonders and signs, including supernatural healing of the sick and lame (Acts 3-4). Even regular believers like Stephen and Philip were empowered to do great miracles through the Spirit (Acts 6-8).
In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit came upon people selectively for a specific task. But the New Testament paints a picture of every believer being filled with boldness, power, and spiritual gifts by the indwelling Spirit. As Paul explains:
“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-6)
Living in dependence on the Spirit enables us to follow Jesus’ example and do His works, just as He promised (John 14:12). The supernatural power of the early church is still available today for every Spirit-filled believer!
God’s Power to Save and Transform Lives
In the gospels, we see demonstrations of God’s healing power, but His greatest work is the salvation and transformation of sinful hearts. The apostle Paul testified:
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” (Romans 1:16)
No one is beyond the saving, life-changing power of God. The apostle Paul was a murderer and blasphemer, yet God powerfully converted Him on the road to Damascus. The dramatic change after Paul’s encounter with Christ was evidence of God’s saving power at work. Paul later wrote:
“We also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” (Romans 5:11)
Throughout Scripture, God brings unlikely people to salvation – prostitutes, murderers, con artists, persecutors of the church. He specializes in hopeless cases! As Paul tells the Corinthians, “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” (1 Corinthians 1:27) Our testimony is the evidence of God’s ability to save and transform anyone who believes.
How to See God’s Power Working Today
We serve the same all-powerful God described in the Bible! Seeing His power manifest today depends on walking in faith and alignment with Scripture. Here are some ways we can see God’s miraculous power active in our lives:
- Pray in faith, believing God can do the impossible (Matthew 21:21-22)
- Claim God’s promises for healing, provision, and breakthrough (2 Peter 1:3-4)
- Depend on the Holy Spirit’s empowering for ministry (Zechariah 4:6)
- Step out to share the Gospel – God’s power saves! (Acts 1:8)
- Use spiritual gifts to minister God’s grace and love (1 Peter 4:10)
- Don’t limit God based on human reasoning (Ephesians 3:20)
- Meditate on testimonies of God’s miraculous power
- Give Him glory when you experience His wonders! (Acts 4:21)
In a world full of darkness, disbelief, and hopelessness, believers have the privilege of demonstrating the reality of a living, powerful God. When we put our faith in God’s Word and believe Him for miracles, we reflect His glorious Kingdom coming to earth. Let’s walk in the power of God and share His goodness with everyone we encounter!
Conclusion
This blog post offered a broad overview of the supreme power of God according to Scripture. We looked at God’s limitless power in creation, over nations and nature, to work miracles, save souls, and transform lives by the Holy Spirit.
The Bible paints a magnificent picture of our omnipotent God who spoke the universe into being. Today, He wants us to walk in the destiny He has prepared, moving in the miraculous power of His Spirit. As we stand on His promises, worship His name, and tell of His wondrous works, we will see God do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine by the power at work within us (Ephesians 3:20). May our lives become testimonies of His glory and power on full display!
