The unity of god
- 1. The Unity of God Intro: Is there one God or are there many? Though the world’s religions may vary in their answers, the Scriptures are clear. Deuteronomy 6:4 "Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! John 17:3 "This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, Observation: t Carefully read and reread the text. Examine its context. t Note all persons, nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs. conjunctions & articles. t Ask: Who? What? When? Where? How? & Why? Find answers in the text, only! t Note and mark key words and ideas, as well as their relationships with one another. Note and mark t How God is described. Deuteronomy 6:4 t How God is described. John 17:3 t How God is described. 1 Timothy 2:5 Interpretation: Deuteronomy 6:4 What does this verse teach about God? ________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ In light of the historical context (The Israelites have emerged from Egypt after 400 years there and are now heading toward the land God promised to their forefather, Abraham) why is this verse significant? ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ John 17:3 What is significant about how Jesus describes God? ____________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ 1 Timothy 2:5 In light of the Gentile culture in Paul’s time, what is significant about his description of God? ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ 10 Note: ‘one’ = the number 1 or that which is first Besides the obvious meaning, that the LORD God is one God, some believe the verse also implies that the LORD, alone, is their God. Note: For 400 years, Israel lived among the Egyptian people whose religion incorporated belief in numerous gods. Each town had their own deity, and they believed every phenomenon of nature was indwelt by a spirit. Note: Jesus specified the ‘only true God’. In that one statement, He eliminated the possibility of another. Note: The Roman religion held to polytheism (multiple deities), many of whom were adopted from the Greek culture. (see Acts 14:11-13 & 17:22-24) © 2003 The Discipleship Ministry www.BibleStudyCD.com
- 2. The Unity of God (cont) Isaiah 43:10b Before Me there was no God formed, And there will be none after Me. Isaiah 44:6 "Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel And his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: 'I am the first and I am the last, And there is no God besides Me. 2 Samuel 7:22 "For this reason You are great, O Lord GOD; for there is none like You, and there is no God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears. Observation: t Carefully read and reread the text. Examine its context. t Note all persons, nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs. conjunctions & articles. t Ask: Who? What? When? Where? How? & Why? Find answers in the text, only! t Note and mark key words and ideas, as well as their relationships with one another. Note and mark t How many gods existed before God. Isaiah 43:10b t How many gods there will be after God. Isaiah 43:10b t How many gods there are besides God. Isaiah 44:6 t How many gods are like God. 2 Samuels 7:22 Interpretation: Isaiah 43:10b There are certain religions or cults that teach we either are gods or will one day become gods. How does this verse refute them? ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ Isaiah 44:6 What point is God making by His statement? _________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ 2 Samuel 7:22 Who made this statement _____________________________ What is its significance in light of its context? _____________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ Why is it important to know and acknowledge that God is the One and Only God? ________________________________________________________ Note: In this section of Isaiah, the prophet is being shown events concerning Israel’s Babylonian captivity that are still centuries in the future. The basis for God’s promise of Israel’s survival from that captivity is God’s assurance that He is the only true God, and that there are no other gods prior to Him nor will there be after Him! Note: Compare this statement by God with Revelation 1:8 & 22:12-13, 16. If the LORD God claims to be the ‘first and the last’ in Isaiah and the ‘Alpha and the Omega’ in Revelation 1, and if Jesus claims to be both in Revelation 22, then Jesus must be the LORD God as well! Note: David, in awe of God’s promise to extend his throne for ever, rightly proclaims of God that ‘there is none like You ... and ... no God besides You’. ________________________________________________________ 11 © 2003 The Discipleship Ministry www.BibleStudyCD.com
- 3. Application Principles: In light of what you have learned, what Truths or Principles are taught in these texts about God’s Unity? Application Practicals: y t In light of these Truths & Principles, what will you do to apply them to your life today? __________________________________ __________________________________ y __________________________________ t __________________________________ __________________________________ y t __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ t __________________________________ __________________________________ y __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ y __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ t __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ Write out a verse from above that you would like From what you learned, how is God different from to memorize and/or meditate upon: His creation and/or creatures? _____________________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________ Final Note: Most of us would deny belief in other gods besides the ‘one true God’ taught in Scripture. But is our worship really pure? Jesus spoke of people who make ‘mammon’ (money or possessions) their god(s). Have we fallen into that trap? It is very easy to make things, or even other people, the source of our security, significance or self-esteem, and the focus of our love and devotion. If so, they are at best false gods, for there is only one true God... and no other! God is One He Alone is God! 12 © 2003 The Discipleship Ministry www.BibleStudyCD.com