The concept of Divine power in Christianity
Synonyms: Sacred authority, Spiritual might, Heavenly power, Supreme power, Heavenly might, Divine authority, Supernatural power., Supernatural strength, Sacred energy, Supernatural ability, Omnipotent authority, Sacred influence
In Dutch: Goddelijke kracht; In Finnish: Jumalallinen voima; In Spanish: Poder divino; In German: Göttliche Kraft; In Malay: Kuasa ilahi; In Swedish: Gudomlig kraft; In French: Pouvoir divin
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Christian concept of 'Divine power'
From: Expositions of Holy Scripture
(1) This is an influx that is opened by communion with God, and it is brought to bear upon all work, making it more meaningful.[1] (2) This phrase encapsulates the concept of God's capabilities and influence, especially as manifested through Jesus' actions, like healing the sick, and is contrasted with the limitations of human capabilities.[2] (3) The power which is exerted for our keeping on condition of our trusting ourselves to Him and trusting Him for ourselves, as indicated in the text.[3] (4) Divine power is the supernatural force demonstrated through miracles, like Peter's deliverance, emphasizing the importance of relying on God's abilities and also our own.[4] (5) The text mentions this, asking what it can make of us, and suggests we look to what it has made of Jesus Christ to understand its possibilities.[5]
From: A Dictionary of the Bible (Hastings)
(1) This refers to the power of God that has made a godly life possible for us, and it has given rich promises of ultimately sharing His nature when we have escaped from this present world.[6] (2) This represents the capacity or ability of a higher being to influence or control events, observed within the natural world.[7] (3) This refers to the force that is required to effect the spiritual change of regeneration, which nothing short of can accomplish the renewal of the inner man.[8] (4) There has been more discussion as to the extent to which the Son, in becoming incarnate, ceased to exercise this, especially in the sphere of human knowledge.[9] (5) The power associated with faith that enables the practice of self-control and Christian virtues.[10]
From: A Cyclopedia of Biblical literature
(1) The divine power is the only limit to the activity of evil dispositions, as it relates to the actions and choices of individuals, particularly kings.[11] (2) The concept of God's authority and strength, which is also represented through the imagery of clouds.[12] (3) The extraordinary manifestations of God witnessed in the history of Arabia, particularly related to the deliverance of Israel.[13] (4) The supernatural force or authority attributed to a deity, which is believed to intervene in the natural world to perform miracles.[14] (5) An awful exhibition of God's Divine power reveals itself to Elijah.[15]
From: Bible cyclopedia, critical and expository
(1) The extraordinary influence that is considered to be from God, believed to have guided the writings of the Scripture authors.[16] (2) The spiritual authority associated with the number three, which when combined with ten, defines the concept of a divinely-pervaded world.[17] (3) The supreme force that enables God to perform miraculous acts and elevate Israel above other nations.[18] (4) The supernatural force attributed to the Holy Spirit that enables believers to perform acts such as speaking in tongues.[19]
From: Hymns for Christian Devotion
(1) A phrase referring to a higher or spiritual force that grants significance and beauty to the universe.[20]
From: Summa Theologica (English translation)
(1) This refers to the ability of God to do extraordinary things, which will cause the virtues of heaven to wonder, as they may not fully comprehend.[21] (2) This is the power of God, which is expected to produce an outcome, or the effect, from certain deeds that are attributed to God alone.[22] (3) Divine power is what all things are subject to, and God wishes this to be natural to each thing, as is mentioned in the provided text about the nature of things.[23] (4) This is the power of God, and a miracle is not defined by comparison to this, as all miracles are done by the same power; rather, miracles are defined by what they surpass.[24] (5) This phrase refers to the ability of God to perform miracles, such as the conception and birth of Christ, and it is related to the discussion of how Christ's body was made.[25]
From: The city of God
(1) Divine power can appear to mortal men, not by what it is, but by what is subject to it, without changing itself at all.[26] (2) Divine powers are the holy angels of heaven and other celestial entities that the text mentions the Hebrews venerate and love as fellow citizens.[27] (3) This term signifies the ability of a supernatural force to enact changes, as the text suggests that the transformation of humans into wolves could only occur through a supernatural source.[28] (4) Divine power is referenced in the context of magic arts, suggesting that they are performed according to the teaching and by the power of demons.[29] (5) This refers to the extraordinary influence and capabilities attributed to a higher power, considered the driving force behind the world's belief in Christ.[30]
From: Works of St. Anselm
(1) This is the force that enables the existence of both the devil and humanity, emphasizing their dependence on it, as neither can exist without this force.[31]
From: Ante-nicene Fathers
(1) With a celerity unsurpassable, and a benevolence to which we have ready access, the Divine Power hath filled the universe with the seed of salvation, according to Clement.[32] (2) The divine power is mentioned in the text in relation to contriving the movements of the stars, and the philosophers did not see this skill of the divine power, as stated.[33] (3) This is a reference to the assistance of God, which the pontiff seeks in order to reach the goal of his agony with a stout heart.[34] (4) The text contrasts human volition with this concept, emphasizing the importance of performing acts of respect to the Lord and the need for divine command.[35] (5) This refers to the supernatural ability or influence associated with Jesus, which is thought to have enabled him to perform certain actions.[36]
From: The Existence and Attributes of God
(1) The inherent ability of God to exert influence, control, and authority over all things, often manifested through actions.[37] (2) The almighty force of God that created and sustains everything but is not the standard for being made in His image.[38] (3) The immense strength and authority of God that manifests in the world and is evident in His acts.[39] (4) The power attributed to God, particularly as displayed in nature, creation, and the control over elements.[40] (5) The force behind the existence and creation of all things.[41]
From: The Works of Dionysius the Areopagite
(1) This is the all-encompassing force that oversees and embraces everything, and there is absolutely nothing that is deprived of its surety, as stated in the text.[42] (2) The supremely Divine authority that influences all beings in an irresistible manner.[43] (3) The capabilities and authority attributed to celestial beings or the Godhead, meant to be respected and not trivialized by earthly representations.[44]
From: The Book of the Bee
(1) Refers to the capability of God that allows occurrences such as Christ's consumption of food to take place without typical limitations.[45]
Gnostic concept of 'Divine power'
From: The Gnostics and Their Remains
(1) This phrase refers to the notions of the Divine Power that the priesthood of Phœnicia had expressed by the exaggerated symbolism of the figures.[46] (2) Refers to the Nous of the Eternal Father, suggesting a force that exists beyond corporeal limitations and cannot perish.[47] (3) The divine attribute that Apsethus was falsely worshipped as, demonstrating the gullibility of the Libyans who believed his deception.[48]
From: Fragments of a Faith Forgotten
(1) The spiritual energies and forces that govern the cosmos, brought into relation with humanity and the cosmos at large.[49] (2) The representation of the synthesis of the three highest planes of existence, acting as a force that rescues Wisdom from chaos.[50]
The concept of Divine power in local and regional sources
Divine power encompasses the belief in spiritual authority granted to Augustine and his companions, contrasted with magical abilities, and signifies God's omnipotence, demonstrated through the miraculous event of fire sparing Germanus amidst destruction.
From: Triveni Journal
(1) The unique and extraordinary strength attributed to the divine, as depicted through various natural phenomena.[51] (2) The creative and controlling force attributed to deity figures, as discussed in the Vedic context.[52] (3) The omnipotent energy or influence attributed to a deity that can affect change in the world.[53] (4) The active force of the divine that influences creation and can be embodied by man's dynamic actions.[54] (5) The concept in Indian religion of God as a force of law and creative principle, distinct from anthropomorphic representations.[55]
From: Bede's Ecclesiastical History of England
(1) The belief that Augustine and his companions were endowed with spiritual authority rather than magical capabilities.[56] (2) The omnipotent force of God, as illustrated by the way the fire spared Germanus while consuming everything else around him.[57]
From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
(1) The divine power acts through an Acharya, and the body in which one becomes an Acharya is very different from that of any other man.[58] (2) The unseen force operating behind Shri Ramakrishna, a figure born to a humble background, whose influence has spread across continents and continues to gain followers in various regions.[59]