Omnipresence in Scripture and Creation
Omnipresence in Scripture and Creation
The concept of God's omnipresence is deeply rooted in the biblical account of creation. The opening verse of Genesis declares, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" [1]. This statement establishes God's role as the Creator of all things, setting the stage for understanding His relationship with creation.
The biblical account attributes the work of creation to the Godhead, involving the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit [1, 4]. Colossians 1:16 affirms that "all things were created through Him and for Him," referring to Christ [2]. This passage underscores the integral role of Christ in creation, suggesting His omnipresence in the act of creating.
The creation narrative in Genesis 1 emphasizes God's sovereign power and presence throughout creation. The repeated phrase "and God said" highlights God's command and authority over the emerging creation [5]. The Psalmist reflects on this, stating that "by the word of the Lord the heavens were made" (Psalm 33:6). This underscores the idea that God's presence and power are not limited by space or time.
The doctrine of omnipresence is further supported by passages that describe God's ability to be everywhere present. Psalm 139:7-10 rhetorically asks, "Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?" The Psalmist concludes that God's presence is inescapable, whether in heaven, in Sheol, or on the farthest wings of the dawn [7]. Matthew Henry's commentary on this Psalm notes that God's omnipresence implies His omniscience, as He is always aware of all things [7].
The New Testament reinforces this concept, with Hebrews 4:13 stating, "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account" [3]. This verse emphasizes God's all-seeing presence throughout creation.
Theological traditions have interpreted these biblical teachings to affirm God's omnipresence. Reformed theologian John Calvin, in his commentary on Genesis, highlights the significance of God's creative word and the implications of His presence in creation [6]. Similarly, Methodist theologian Adam Clarke, commenting on John 1:3, notes that Christ's role in creation demonstrates His divine nature and omnipotence [8].
The understanding of God's omnipresence has significant implications for the Christian doctrine of creation. It underscores God's intimate involvement in and sustaining power over all that exists. As the Creator, God is not distant or detached from His creation but is actively present, guiding and sustaining it.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Creation — "In the beginning" God created, i.e., called into being, all things out of nothing. This creative act on the part of God was absolutely free, and for infinitely wise reasons. The cause of all things exists only in the will of God. The work of creation is attributed (1) to the Godhead (Gen. 1:1, 26); (2) to the Father (1 Cor. 8:6); (3) to the Son (John 1:3; Col. 1:16, 17); (4) to the Holy Spirit (Gen. 1:2; Job 26:13; Ps. 104:30). The fact that he is the Creator distinguishes Jehovah as the true God (Isa. 37:16; 40:12, 13; 54:5; Ps. 96:5; Jer. 10:11, 12). Th”
- Colossians “Colossians 1:16 (BSB) — For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him.”
- Hebrews “Hebrews 4:13 (BSB) — Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Creation — The formation of things which had no previous existence -- Ro 4:17; Heb 11:3. Effected By God. -- Ge 1:1; 2:4,5; Pr 26:10. By Christ. -- Joh 1:3,10; Col 1:16. By the Holy Spirit. -- Job 26:13; Ps 104:30. By the command of God. -- Ps 33:9; Heb 11:3. In the beginning. -- Ge 1:1; Mt 24:21. In six normal days. -- Ex 20:11; 31:17. According to God's purpose. -- Ps 135:6. For God's pleasure. -- Pr 16:4; Re 4:11. For Christ. -- Col 1:16. By faith we believe, to be God's work -- Heb 11:3. Order of First day, making light and dividing it from darkness. -- Ge 1:3-5;”
- Genesis (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Genesis 1:3: 1:3-13 In the first three days, God formed the chaos into a habitable world. 1:3 Then God said: Nothing in ch 1 is created apart from God’s powerful word (cp. Ps 33:6, 9). • “Let there be . . .” and there was: God’s command enacted his will to create the world. God is not a part of creation or limited by it; he is the supreme ruler over everything (cp. Neh 9:6).”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 28.1: Index of Scripture References Genesis 1:1-6 1:1-31 1:2 1:28 1:29-30 2:1 2:1-25 2:15 2:19 3:1 3:1-24 3:7 3:16 4:1 4:1-26 4:7 5:1 5:1-32 6:1 6:1-22 6:11-16 7:1-24 7:11 8:1-22 9:1 9:1 9:1-29 9:2 9:24 10 10:1 10:1 10:1-32 10:21 11:1 11:1 11:1-32 11:28 12:1 12:1 12:1 12:1-20 12:4 12:4 12:6 13:1 13:1-20 14:1-24 15:1-21 15:7 16:1-16 16:2 16:8 17:1 17:1 17:1 17:1 17:1-27 18:1 18:1 18:1-33 18:19 19:1-38 20:1 20:1 20:1-18 21:1-34 21:15 22:1-24 22:18 23:1-20 24:31 25:1 25:13-16 35:7 48:1 Exodus 6:3 12:40 Leviticus 7:18 17:4 18:25 Numbers 6:2”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 139:7: It is of great use to us to know the certainty of the things wherein we have been instructed, that we may not only believe them, but be able to tell why we believe them, and to give a reason of the hope that is in us. David is sure that God perfectly knows him and all his ways, I. Because he is always under his eye. If God is omnipresent, he must needs be omniscient; but he is omnipresent; this supposes the infinite and immensity of his being, from which follows the ubiquity of his presence; heaven and earth include the whole creation, and the Creator fills both ”
- John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on John 1:3: All things were made by him - That is, by this Logos. In Gen 1:1, God is said to have created all things: in this verse, Christ is said to have created all things: the same unerring Spirit spoke in Moses and in the evangelists: therefore Christ and the Father are One. To say that Christ made all things by a delegated power from God is absurd; because the thing is impossible. Creation means causing that to exist that had no previous being: this is evidently a work which can be effected only by omnipotence. Now, God cannot delegate his omnipotence to another: were this p”