THE BIBLE AND THE PREEMINENCE OF GOD

The Bible consistently portrays God as preeminent in every way. God is set apart from all other living beings as one would expect the creator to have preeminence in relationship to that which is created. This unique preeminent position that God holds can be seen in the following ways.

PREEMINENT AS CREATOR OF ALL THINGS

No one would question the preeminence of one who alone possesses immortality and has the ability to give and sustain life. The Bible describes God in these terms and asserts that God is worthy of honor, glory and eternal dominion because of it.

(Acts 17:24-25) "The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; {25} neither is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all life and breath and all things;

(1 Timothy 6:13-16) I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, {14} that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, {15} which He will bring about at the proper time-- He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords; {16} who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light; whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

(Revelation 4:11) "Worthy art Thou, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for Thou didst create all things, and because of Thy will they existed, and were created."

PREEMINENT AS SOVEREIGN RULER

One of the previous verses cited, 1 Timothy 6:15, recognizes God's preeminent position as the sovereign ruler of all created thing. Together with the following verses these scriptures reveal God's preeminence as sovereign ruler.

(1 Timothy 6:15-16) He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords; {16} who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light; whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

(Psalms 47:8) God reigns over the nations, God sits on His holy throne.

(Psalms 62:11) Once God has spoken; Twice I have heard this: That power belongs to God;

(Psalms 93:1-2) The LORD reigns, He is clothed with majesty; The LORD has clothed and girded Himself with strength; Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved. {2} Thy throne is established from of old; Thou art from everlasting.

(Psalms 97:1-2) The LORD reigns; let the earth rejoice; Let the many islands be glad. {2} Clouds and thick darkness surround Him; Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.

From these few verses in the Psalms some important aspects of God's sovereign rule are emphasized. These scriptures explain that God's reign is everlasting and is characterized by His majesty, strength and power along with the fact that righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne. It's no wonder the Psalmist encourages the earth to rejoice looking forward to the day when God will reign as king in the midst of mankind.

PREEMINENT AS THE ONLY TRUE GOD

The Bible is also consistent in describing God's preeminence as the only true God. Many today would suggest that God takes on many forms or can be known in and through many different paths. This idea is not in harmony with a biblical worldview and in fact would be in direct opposition to it. The record of a prayer of Jesus teaches us that He recognized that there was only one true God. Jesus words are recorded as follows:

These things Jesus spoke; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify Thy Son, that the Son may glorify Thee, {2} even as Thou gavest Him authority over all mankind, that to all whom Thou hast given Him, He may give eternal life. {3} "And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent. (John 17:1-3)

The apostles also taught the preeminent nature of God when they referred to Him as "The Only God". Two examples as found in the letter of Paul to Timothy and the epistle Jude are cited here:

(1 Timothy 1:17) Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

(Jude 1:24-25) Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, {25} to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

Finally, God Himself through the prophet Isaiah declares Himself the only true God calling all men to turn to Him for salvation:

(Isaiah 45:22-23) "Turn to Me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other. {23} "I have sworn by Myself, The word has gone forth from My mouth in righteousness And will not turn back, That to Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance.

(Isaiah 46:9-10) "Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, {10} Declaring the end from the beginning And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, 'My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure';