Aseity of God

QUESTION: Aseity of God – What does the Bible say?

ANSWER:

“’Aseity’ comes from the Latin aseite, meaning literally “of oneself.” Used by God, it denotes that He exists in and of Himself, independent of anything else. He is self-existent… The biblical basis for God’s aseity is found in the facts that 1) He existed prior to and independent of creation and that 2) He brought into and sustains in existence everything else that is.”¹ – Geisler

Aseity of God – What does the Old Testament say?
God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you’” (Exodus 3:14).

Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven. You had the goblets from his temple brought to you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines drank wine from them. You praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways (Daniel 5:23).

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1)

Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God (Psalm 90:2).

Aseity of God – What does the New Testament say?
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made (John 1:1, 3).

For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself (John 5:26).

And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else (Acts 17:25).

For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen (Romans 11:36).

‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring’ (Acts 17:28).

But in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe (Hebrews 1:2).

In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered (Hebrews 2:10).

You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being (Revelation 4:11).

Footnote:
¹ Norman Geisler, Systematic Theology (Bloomington, MN: Bethany House, 2003), 58.



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