Who Is The Only True God? Is He the Father or the Triune God?
The biblical truth is very clear that Monotheism–the doctrine or belief that only one God exist, is what the Old Testament and New Testament of the Bible teaches. It was during the time of the Patriarch Abraham when the only true God made an everlasting covenant with Him (Genesis 17:7). Thus, "monotheism" became the concept of God in Abrahamic religions, however, due to theological differences, the object of their worship maybe different.
Monotheism in Christianity also differ significantly. Monotheism in Christianity generally refer to three contrasting theologies, all professing belief in One God, but with different concept of God. Thus, God in Christianity may not be the same. Although, many professing Christians would like to believe that their religions believe and worship the same God. But, on a practical and theological level they simply cannot - there's just no choice in the matter. They may all want to believe in the One God (monotheism), but the content of their beliefs varies wildly—they have different conception of God. Today the vast majority of Christians (predominant religion) are Trinitarian monotheist, but a small percentage of Christians are Unitarian monotheist, while the rest belong to other Christian beliefs.
Knowing the biblical truth that the Lord our God, the Lord is absolutely and perfectly One, let us continue our Bible study that we may come to know who is the "only True God" that everyman should know and worship so he may gain salvation and attain eternal life.
2J.1 According to the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the "Only True God", who is absolutely and perfectly One?
In John 17:1 & 3, the Lord Jesus, Himself, in His prayer to the Father in heaven, emphatically declared that:1 After Jesus finished saying this, he looked up to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come. Give glory to your Son, so that the Son may give glory to you. 3 And eternal life means to know you, the only true God, and to know Jesus Christ, whom you sent. (TEV)The same verse in other versions of the bible:1WHEN JESUS had spoken these things, He lifted up His eyes to heaven and said, Father, the hour has come. Glorify and exalt and honor and magnify Your Son, so that Your Son may glorify and extol and honor and magnify You.
3And this is eternal life: [it means] to know (to perceive, recognize, become acquainted with, and understand) You, the only true and real God, and [likewise] to know Him, Jesus [as the] Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah), Whom You have sent. (AMP)The Lord Jesus Himself said this in plain and unmistakable words as He prayed to the Father in heaven."And Eternal Life means . . . . . . . . .
- to know you (the Father) the "Only True God",
- and to know Jesus Christ whom you (the Father) sent.
When Jesus prayed to the Father and said that "eternal life means to know you, the only true God". . . . ,Thus, according to the Lord Jesus Christ (as explained above), the "Only True God", who is absolutely and perfectly one is the Father in heaven. This biblical fact that "the Father is the only true God", is corroborated by another statement of Jesus saying that the true worshipers of God will worship the Father in spirit and truth.
- Jesus categorically pointed out that the Father in heaven is the "Only True God".
- And by Jesus saying that He was sent by the Father (the only true God), Jesus Himself made it clear that He is distinct or a separate being from God, the Father. Thus, Jesus' statement about the Father as the only true God, clearly imply that Jesus Himself is not the true God.
Questions to Ponder: < Click for details The Trinity doctrine states that God is the Triune God, existing as three persons, but one being. Members of the Trinity are said to be co-equal and co-eternal, one in essence, nature, power, action, and will. (Lesson-2C.1)
- If Jesus is indeed co-equal as God in the Trinity, is it right for Him to say that "the Father is the only true God"?
- When Jesus said that the Father is the only (lone, single) true God, does it also mean that Jesus himself is not the true God?
- If Jesus is indeed truly and equally God in the Trinity, then, why did He (Jesus) pray to the Father in heaven?
- Can God the Son pray to God the Father and still be equal as God in the Trinity?
2J.2 Why did Christ Jesus Himself say that the Father, who sent Him, is the "Only True God"?
In the following verses, these are written:"Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. (John 13:16, NKJV)"You have heard Me say to you, `I am going away and coming back to you.' If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, `I am going to the Father,' for My Father is greater than I. (John 14:28, NKJV)On several occasions prior to His crucifixion, Jesus said these things. . . . .
- a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.
- `I am going to the Father,' for My Father is greater than I.
Jesus made it clear to His disciples that the "Only True God" who sent Him, is greater than Him. This proves, once more, that He is distinct from the Father because He is not equal to the Father for the Father is greater than Him.How did Christ regard the Father who is indeed greater than Him?In the same book of Apostle John, in chapter 20 verse 17, our Lord Jesus Christ said this to Mary Magdalene just after Christ's resurrection as they were still by the tomb where Jesus was buried:Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, `I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.' '' (John 20:17, NKJV)In clear and unmistakable words the Lord Jesus Christ said this to Mary Magdalene,
Questions to Ponder: < Click for details The Trinity doctrine states that God is the Triune God, existing as three persons, but one being. Members of the Trinity are said to be co-equal and co-eternal, one in essence, nature, power, action, and will. (Lesson-2C.1)
- If Jesus is indeed co-equal as God in the Trinity, why did Jesus say that the Father is greater than Him?
- If Jesus is indeed co-equal as God in the Trinity, is it right for Him to say that the Father in heaven is His father and His God?
- Does it mean that God the Son has a God in the person of God the Father?
- Does that also mean that God the Father is greater than God the Son?
- Then, there would be two different Gods, that is one God is greater or lesser that the other God?
2J.3 Did the Apostles really teach the early Christians that the Lord Jesus Christ has indeed a God and Father?
In the following verses these are written:that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 15:6, NKJV)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, (2 Corinthians 1:3, NKJV)
The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. (2 Corinthians 11:31, NKJV)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, (Ephesians 1:3, NKJV)
We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, (Colossians 1:3, NKJV)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (1 Peter 1:3, NKJV)
5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,
6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 1:5-6, NKJV)Absolutely YES, the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has indeed a God and Father. The Apostles clearly and repeatedly, in the above verses, referred to . . . . .The Apostles were obviously referring to the "only True God—the Father in heaven", who is the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ.
- "the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ"
- "to His God and Father"
Questions to Ponder:: The Trinity doctrine states that God is the Triune God, existing as three persons, but one being. Members of the Trinity are said to be co-equal and co-eternal, one in essence, nature, power, action, and will. (Lesson-2C.1)
- If Jesus is indeed co-equal as God in the Trinity, why did the Apostles clearly teach that Jesus has a God and a Father?
2J.4 How did the Apostles affirm the teaching of Christ Jesus that the "Father is the only true God"?
In 1 Corinthians 8:5-6, this are written:5. According to some people, there are many so-called gods and many lords, both in heaven and on earth.The Apostles and the early Christians affirmed their basic Christian belief when they said that according to some people, there are many so-called gods and many lords, both in heaven and on earth. . . . . . .
6. But we know that there is only one God, the Father, who created everything, and we exist for him. And there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom God made everything and through whom we have been given life. (NLT)
- But we know that there is only one God, the Father who created everything,
To the Apostles and the early Christians the Father, who created everything, is the only one God. Thus affirming Christ's teaching that "the Father is the only true God".In what other way did the Apostles affirm the teaching of Christ that the Father is the "Only True God"?When Apostle Paul, exhorted the early Christians to keep the unity in the body of Christ, he also reminded them their belief in the "only true God".4. There is one body and one Spirit. You were called to one hope, when God called you.
5. There is one Lord . There is one faith. There is one immersion.
6. There is one God. He is the Father of everyone. God is above everything, through everything, and in everything. (Eph.4:4-6, IEB)Apostle Paul once again reminded the early Christians of their belief about the "only true God".Thus, the "only true God" is the Father of everyone. The only true God is above everything, through everything, and in everything.
2J.5 What will be the final deed of Christ that will, in the end, prove that the "only true God is the Father" who is above everything,?
In 1 Corinthians 15:24-28 these are written:24. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.
25. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet.
26. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.
27. For "He has put all things under His feet.'' But when He says "all things are put under Him,'' it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted.
28. Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all. (NKJV)This final deed of Christ will happen at the time when the end comes, when the Son will deliver the kingdom to God the Father, after He (Christ) puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. (1 Cor.15:24)Now, when all things are made subject to Christ, then the Son Himself will also be subject to God who put all things under Christ, that God may be all in all or above everything.The fact that Christ is subject to God―who put all things under Christ, finally proves that Father is greater than Christ. Thus undoubtedly affirming the basic teaching of
Christ that "the Father is the only true God" (John 17:3), who is above everything.
Questions to Ponder:: The Trinity doctrine states that God is the Triune God, existing as three persons, but one being. Members of the Trinity are said to be co-equal and co-eternal, one in essence, nature, power, action, and will. (Lesson-2C.1)
- If Jesus is indeed God the Son who is co-equal and one in power, action and will as one being or one Triune God, then
- Why would the Son deliver the kingdom to God the Father and be subject to Him?
- How come that God the Father, is greater than God the Son?
2J.6 Who, according to the Lord Jesus, is the "only true God" that should be worshiped by the true worshipers?In John 4:23-24, these are written: worship Him.
23. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.
24. "God is Spirit,Jesus declared that . . . .
- the "true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth.
- "God is Spirit and and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and truth.''
Thus, Jesus clearly attest that the Father is the only true God because He is the one that will be worshiped by the true worshipers. God is a spirit so the true worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth. This pronouncement of Jesus is consistent with His basic teaching that the only true God is the Father in heaven (John 17:1&3)
2J.7 What are scriptural proof that "the Father is the only one God" of the Prophets during the Old Testament times?The Prophet Moses declared this to the people of Israel:Is this the way you repay the Lord, you foolish and senseless people? Isn't he your Father who created you? Has he not made you and established you? (Deuteronomy 32:6, NLT)From the above statement of the Prophet Moses, the Lord he is referring to is the Lord God, the Father, the creator of all the people.And Prophet Malachi also declared:Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us? Why do we deal treacherously with one another by profaning the covenant of the fathers? (Malachi 2:10, NKJV)From the above statement of the Prophet Malachi, the Father he is referring to is the one God who created the people.Thus, the Old Testament scriptures is very clear that even during the ancient times the belief in the "only one God" is the same as today in the Christian era. The Prophets Moses and Malachi declared that "the Father is the one God who created us.______________The basic teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ about the "only true God" as written about and taught by the Apostles is very clear–"the Father is the only true God or the only one God". This is also the belief of the ancient people of God as declared by the Prophet Moses and Malachi. We should therefore believe and not reject Christ's teachings for it means eternal life for believers.______________________
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