What Does It Mean That God Is Omnificent?

What Does It Mean That God Is Omnificent?

A Graduate-Level Study in the Creative Power of God

The term “omnificent” is a seldom-used but deeply meaningful descriptor of God. Derived from Latin—omni (“all”) and facere (“to make”)—it literally means “all-creating” or “having unlimited creative power.” In theology, omnificence refers specifically to God’s unique and boundless capacity to create all things out of nothing, a truth that is foundational to the Christian worldview and central to Baptist theology.

1. The Testimony of Creation: God as the Origin of All Things

The Bible begins with an unambiguous declaration of God's omnificence:

Genesis chapter 1, verse 1 says:
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

This verse declares two essential theological truths: (1) God existed before all things, and (2) everything that exists owes its origin to Him. He created the universe not from preexisting matter but ex nihilo—out of nothing—by the sheer power of His command.

Psalm chapter 33, verse 6 further affirms:
"By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth."

This power of creation, exercised without instrument or raw material, reveals a quality that no creature shares with God. God alone is omnipotent and omnificent—unlimited in both power and creativity.

2. The Omnificence of Christ: The Second Person as Creator

God’s omnificence is also attributed directly to Jesus Christ, the eternal Son, confirming His full deity and involvement in creation.

Colossians chapter 1, verses 15 through 17 says:
"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist."

Here, Christ is not only the agent of creation, but also the sustainer of all things. His creative act was intentional and all-encompassing, forming everything from galaxies to angelic beings, and every molecule between.

3. Omnificence, Omnipotence, and Omniscience: Perfectly Unified

God’s ability to create all things (omnificence) flows from His omnipotence (unlimited power) and is informed by His omniscience (infinite knowledge).

Jeremiah chapter 32, verse 17 proclaims:
"Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You."

And in Job chapter 37, verse 23, Elihu declares:
"As for the Almighty, we cannot find Him; He is excellent in power, in judgment and abundant justice; He does not oppress."

The creation of the universe required not only divine strength but also divine wisdom:

Proverbs chapter 3, verse 19 states:
"The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens."

Thus, God's creative acts are not arbitrary or chaotic—they are the outworking of His perfect will, wisdom, and knowledge, producing an ordered and meaningful cosmos.

4. God’s Works as Revelation of His Nature

Creation itself bears witness to God's invisible attributes. His omnificence is self-disclosing, revealing truths about His eternal power and divine nature.

Romans chapter 1, verse 20 teaches:
"For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse."

God’s works in creation are theological communication—they point beyond themselves to the Creator. As David reflects:

Psalm chapter 40, verse 5 says:
"Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done; and Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in order; if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered."

5. Psalm 104: A Song of God’s Creative Glory

Psalm 104 is a poetic celebration of God's omnificence and sustaining power:

Psalm chapter 104, verses 24 through 25 says:
"O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of Your possessions—this great and wide sea, in which are innumerable teeming things, living things both small and great."

The psalm reflects on the creation of light, wind, clouds, mountains, animals, vegetation, the sun and moon, and the cycle of life—all directed by God's omnificent hand.

Each verse echoes the order, creativity, and abundance that flow from the character of God. This abundance, balance, and variety affirm His power, wisdom, and goodness.

6. Implications of God’s Omnificence

a. God alone is worthy of worship

As Creator and Sustainer, God is owed the highest glory. We do not worship the created order but the One who made and governs it.

b. Creation is not random—it has purpose

God’s omnificence means the world is intentional. Each created thing has its design and function as part of God's divine plan. As believers, we reject all naturalistic and atheistic origins, recognizing that intelligent, holy, and loving power created and sustains all things.

c. Human beings are accountable to their Creator

To deny God’s creative work is to suppress truth and incur judgment (Romans chapter 1, verses 18–20). Since we were created by Him, we are accountable to live in accordance with His will.

d. God's omnificence guarantees new creation

The One who created all things in the beginning will recreate all things at the end. In Jesus Christ, the omnificent Creator is also the Redeemer who will bring a new heaven and new earth (Revelation chapter 21, verse 1).

7. God's Creative Power and Personal Relationship

God's omnificence is not distant or abstract. Acts chapter 17, verse 28 reminds us:
"For in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’"

This Creator is not far from each one of us (Acts chapter 17, verse 27). He not only formed the universe—He formed you. He knows your name. He calls you to Himself through His Son.

Conclusion: The Glory of the Omnificent God

The omnificence of God is not just a theological term—it is the heartbeat of reality. The God who spoke the worlds into existence is the same God who redeems, sustains, and will ultimately restore all things in Christ.

Let us echo the voice of heaven:

Revelation chapter 4, verse 11:
"You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created."

The omnificent God is not only the Author of life, but also the Giver of eternal life. May we fall before Him in reverent worship, and proclaim with the saints:

Psalm chapter 86, verse 10:
"For You are great, and do wondrous things; You alone are God."