Topical Encyclopedia
The omniscience of God is a fundamental attribute that underscores His infinite knowledge and understanding. This characteristic is consistently affirmed throughout the Scriptures, revealing that God possesses complete and perfect knowledge of all things, past, present, and future. His omniscience is not limited by time or space, and it encompasses all events, thoughts, and possibilities.
Scriptural Affirmations of God's Omniscience1.
God's Knowledge of Creation: The Bible begins with the assertion of God's comprehensive knowledge in the act of creation. In Genesis, God speaks the universe into existence, demonstrating His understanding of all that He has made.
Psalm 147:5 declares, "Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit."
2.
Knowledge of Human Hearts: God's omniscience extends to the innermost thoughts and intentions of human beings.
1 Samuel 16:7 states, "The LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." Similarly,
Psalm 139:1-4 proclaims, "O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down; You are aware of all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, You know all about it, O LORD."
3.
Foreknowledge of Future Events: God's omniscience includes His foreknowledge of future events.
Isaiah 46:9-10 affirms, "Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all My purpose.'"
4.
Wisdom and Knowledge in Salvation: The New Testament further emphasizes God's omniscience in the context of salvation.
Romans 11:33 exclaims, "O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and untraceable His ways!" This passage highlights the profound and incomprehensible nature of God's knowledge, particularly in His redemptive plan through Jesus Christ.
5.
Christ's Omniscience: The omniscience of God is also attributed to Jesus Christ, affirming His divine nature. In
John 2:24-25, it is written, "But Jesus did not entrust Himself to them, for He knew all men. He did not need any testimony about man, for He knew what was in a man." This passage illustrates Christ's ability to perceive the thoughts and hearts of individuals.
Theological ImplicationsThe doctrine of God's omniscience has significant theological implications. It assures believers of God's perfect wisdom and guidance, providing comfort that He is fully aware of their circumstances and needs. It also underscores the accountability of humanity before an all-knowing God, who discerns the thoughts and intentions of the heart. The omniscience of God invites believers to trust in His sovereign plan and to seek His wisdom in all aspects of life.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Psalm 139:1-6O lord, you have searched me, and known me.
Torrey's Topical TextbookProverbs 5:21
For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he ponders all his goings.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
The Canons of Dordt
... Article 11 And asGod Himself is most wise, unchangeable,omniscient?... As the doctrine
of divine election by the most wise counsel ofGod wasdeclared?...
Divine Election and Reprobation
... And asGod Himself is most wise, unchangeable,omniscient, and omnipotent, so the...
doctrine of election by the most wise counsel ofGod wasdeclared by the...
The Nature of Justification
... all things are naked and open to the eyes" of theomniscient Creator.(892).... to assert
that a man whom the truthful and all-holyGod hasdeclared free from...
His Name --The MightyGod
... assumed that he isomniscient; and who can beomniscient but the... are either resting
on man, or else you havedeclared Christ to be "the mightyGod." When I...
Nebuchadnezzar's Dream
... upon the stage of action, theOmniscient One looked down the ages and predicted
the rise and fall of the universal kingdoms.God declared to Nebuchadnezzar...
The Sinner Arraigned and Convicted.
... never in your life sinned againstGod?" Solomondeclared, that in... and come short
of the glory ofGod" (Rom.3... to arise in the face of theomniscient Majesty of...
Book ix. In the Last Book we Treated of the Indistinguishable...
... of nothing, and the ignorant cannot be compared with theomniscient.... separating Himself
from the mystery of the oneGod, for Hedeclared Himself, by the...
Arguments in Opposition to Tatian, Showing that it was Consonant...
... "AndGod," it isdeclared, "said to... put in practice: he tyrannized over and slew
him;God subjecting the... and irreverently to reply to theomniscient God as if...
Now, and Then
... We shall never beomniscient"we cannot be....God hasdeclared somethings of
himself by the mouth of his holy prophets and apostles....
The Sovereignty ofGod in Salvation
... Before Hisomniscient eye stood the whole of Adam's race, and... Lo, I come, to do Thy
will OGod" (Heb.10:7... and after He had become incarnate Hedeclared, "For I...
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