One God

Monotheism is the belief that there is only one God.  The revelation of the one God was given to the nation of Israel through the patriarchs and prophets.  To help the nation retain this revelation, the people were to teach diligently their children that “The Lord our God is one Lord.”  (See Deuteronomy 9:4-7.)  The teaching was to be passed from one generation to the next. 

God’s revelation has not changed but remains the same.  It is important that we recognize the oneness of God.    Recognition deals with both knowing and accepting.   Many people in the world do not know who God is nor acknowledge that there is one God.   But God desires that we should both know Him and know that there is none other beside Him.

“Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” Isaiah 45: 22

Many verses of Scripture emphasize that He alone is God:

“Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.”  (Isaiah 44:6) 

Jesus is the first and last (see Revelations 1:17-18)  While on the isle of Patmos John saw Jesus Christ in the midst of the golden candlesticks, the sight was so awesome that John fell at Christ’s feet as though he were dead. 

Jesus said “Fear not; I am the first and last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore.”  

“Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.  (Isaiah 43:10)  

World  Book Dictionary defines form as shape of a body, the way a thing exists, takes shape, or shows itself; manifestation.  God formed Himself a body in the womb of Mary.  Jesus, the Christ, was the one God manifested in the flesh.  Since God is spirit (See John 4:24), He could not been seen unless He takes a form.

In the Old Testament God revealed Himself or made Himself known in various ways such as in the form of a burning bush, a cloud, or a pillar of fire.   He also appeared in angelic form.    All these manifestations of God were leading humans to the glorious appearance of the Almighty God in the body of Jesus Christ!  (See Hebrews 1: 1-3)

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”  John 1:14

“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory.” I Timothy 3:16

Jesus is the one true God.  Many try to define Him as the second person in the Godhead, part of a Holy Trinity.  However, God is one.  This is the teaching in both the Old and New Testaments.  This revelation has not changed.  He is our Father in creation and in relationship to His Son (body/form which He created).  Through the Son, he provided redemption for sinful man.  God is the Holy Spirit in the work of regeneration.  God has revealed Himself in many ways in the Old and New Testaments.