Part Two-Why “One God”

This part two will show why the expression “one God,” or one Lord, is used
in the Holy Bible. If there are arguments supported by God’s word that the
expression “one God” is not literal, then why is it even used? The answers
will be found, and rightly so, from the Bible. The Old Testament will be
looked at first. But this will carry us to the New Testament also. Why there
is confusion over “one God” has been revealed. Now the confusion will be
cleared up and the truth will prevail. The starting point is in Exodus 18. In
verses 1-8 we read of Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, visiting Moses and the
Israelites. Moses told Jethro all the great things God did in delivering the
Israelites out of Egypt. Jethro shares in rejoicing in verses 9-10, but read
verse 11: “Now I know the Lord is greater than all gods: for in the thing
wherefore in they dealt proudly he was above them.”

Jethro is saying the Lord is greater than the false gods of the Egyptians are.
The Egyptians turned proud in their dealings with Israel so God took
exception to this. This verse is a key to why the Bible says “one God.”

The Lord is greater than any other gods are so naturally he, the Lord, is
alone to be worshipped. However, just because the Lord alone is to be
worshipped does not mean there is only one God-then and now. This
specifically will be discussed in a later part.

The Lord was the only God the Israelites knew at this time. He was therefore
the only “one” to be worshipped.

Staying in the book of Exodus takes us to chapter 20. This chapter is where
the Lord, or God, to the Israelites gave the Ten Commandments. But read
specifically verse 3, New American Bible: “You shall not have other gods
besides me.”

The Lord is saying, “I Am” the one to be worshipped. Not the gods made by
the peoples around. The Lord is the God of all things. The Lord created and
bought into place all things. The Lord therefore has to be the only one
worshipped. The Lord is clear in verses 4-5 that he alone will be bowed to
and served. Going further read Exodus 23:13: “And in all things that I have
said to you be circumspect: And make no mention of the name of other gods,
neither let it be heard out of your mouth.”

Notice the “name of other gods.” This plural form shows that there was not
one god to be worshipped but many gods. Each god with its name carried
out a specific function in life. The Lord says to not even mention these gods,
do not consider calling on them at all! Now, some today are confusing these
plain scriptures by thinking today there is literally just one “God.” That is
not the case. These scriptures are being taken out of the context for the
purpose they are there.

From Exodus brings us to Deuteronomy 10. This chapter has Moses

recalling the past events and commandments given to the Israelites as God
told them. Read what Moses says regarding the Lord of the Israelites: “For
the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lords of lords, the great God, mighty
and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes” (Deuteronomy
10:17, New International Version).

There is no other “God” but God for the Israelites to worship and serve. But
does the above verse prove that there has always been one God? Does it
really?

The next verse also from Deuteronomy is one that will be stumbled over
with confusion being created: “See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no
god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there
any that can deliver out of my hand” (Deuteronomy 32:39).

This would seem clearer to those who believe there is just one God, not two,
or how many others. But what purpose does this verse really serve? It serves
the same purpose that the other verses before served: to show the Israelites
that as far as worshipping, serving, and bowing, the Lord is the only God to
receive such actions. Those who try to twist God’s word to make the above
verse say there is literally only one God are dwelling in confusion. They are
also forgetting that the Lord at the time of Moses was the only God known.
So logically this Lord or God would be the only one worshipped.

Look at Judges 10:13. The Israelites, God says, have forsaken him and have
decided to serve other gods. God could not and would not deliver Israel
because Israel wanted the other gods. Notice Judges 10:14.

Just because the word “I” is used here does not mean this is the only God
there is or ever was. If the Holy Bible supports this it is true. But the Holy
Bible does not support this teaching. The proof will be shown later on.

If there is a lax, nonchalant conduct in God’s servants today they will accept
whatever is taught without looking into it. The word nonchalant, or
nonchalance, interestingly, is French meaning “not heat.” God would rather
his servants be on fire for his truth.

Some other scriptures to look at concerning God and other gods are
Deuteronomy 6:4, 1 Chronicles 16:25-26, 1 Chronicles 17:20, 2 Chronicles
2:5, Job 9:1-8, Jeremiah 22:8-9, and Jeremiah 44:5, 15-17.

Now that we have moved out of the Old Testament, will scriptures in the
New Testament support there being literally one God? Search will find the
answers out. Acts 17:16-22 show the Apostle Paul waiting for Silas and
Timothy at Athens. While Paul was waiting he saw the city was very
idolatrous. But notice what he says to the Athenians in verses 23-24: “For
while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I
also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ What
therefore you worship in ignorance, I proclaim to you. 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” (New American Standard).

This is the same theme as in the Old Testament. God, Lord of all things, is
only to be worshipped. Paul proclaimed this to those at Athens. It is obvious
as Paul continues who “God” is here, for he talks of Jesus Christ. But this
still does not prove that there is only one literal God. The confusion comes
by those who try to use the New Testament as in Acts 17 with the Old
Testament as in Exodus 20:3. Are they so sure these two scriptures, or for
that matter others like these two, speak of just one God?

They may want to think it is one and literally one God. But they had better
look again.

The New Testament further reveals why the expression “one God” is in the
Holy Bible. Notice: “Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of
Gentiles, too! Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is only one God, who will
justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through the same
faith” (Romans 3:29-30, NIV).
This seems to read that there really is only one God. But this is not what it is
saying with careful attention. Paul is saying in Romans here that the Jews
and the Gentile converts do not worship or recognize two different gods.
Remember the idol worshippers in Athens? They had different gods they
worshipped, and none were the same. Even the “UNKNOWN GOD” was
different from all other idols. Paul is saying in Romans that the Jews and the
Gentiles will worship, bow to, serve, and recognize the same God.

The times Paul wrote had idol worshippers throughout the Asian and
European areas he went. Paul talks of “one God” in Romans 3 to solidify the
fact that the same God alone is to be served. And also that this same God
will serve them in all ways of life. Paul is not saying there is only one God
as far as spirits go. And the Bible absolutely proves this. This will be
detailed in a following part.

Continuing on, read 1 Corinthians 8:4-6: “As concerning therefore the eating
of those things that are offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in
the world, and that there is none other God but one. For though there be that
are called gods, whether in heaven or earth, (as there be gods many, and
lords many,) but to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all
things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things,
and we in him.”

Look at the context of those verses. The context shows why Paul speaks of
one God, and one Lord. He is not saying there is only one spirit in heaven
that is God. Some today want to believe there is only one spirit. But they
take verses as those in 1 Corinthians 8 out of context. In the influence of the
worship of idols called gods and lords, Paul wants to make it clear that there
is only one God and only one Lord to be worshipped. This all concerns idol
worship in opposite to the worship of God.

Many scriptures, especially in the Old Testament, show this comparison.

God is “one” not because just one spirit sits in heaven that is God, but
because God the Father alone is to be worshipped and served. God in heaven
serves all things in that worship: creator, sustainer, and judge, among his
many functions. In Paul’s time and today are found many gods serving all
different functions. With these gods not only one serves everything. But God
the Father does serve everything and that is why the Holy Bible speaks of
God as one.
God’s word can not be taken out of context to try and prove teachings just
not there. So why does the Bible speak of “one God”? Let Hosea 13:4 sum it
all up: “But I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt. You
shall acknowledge no God but me, no saviour except me” (New
International Version).