What is the meaning of "One True God"?

Definition and Biblical Foundation

The phrase “One True God” refers to the singular, unique, and eternal divine Being who alone possesses ultimate sovereignty and authority. Scripture repeatedly reveals this foundational truth. For example, Deuteronomy 6:4 proclaims, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One.” This declaration, known as the Shema, underscores the exclusivity of God’s nature. Likewise, Isaiah 45:5 states, “I am the LORD, and there is no other; there is no God but Me.”

By describing God as “true,” Scripture affirms that He not only exists but also stands apart from all false deities and idols. This remains a central tenet throughout the Old and New Testaments, consistent with God’s revelation of Himself as the only authentic and uncreated Being.

God’s Self-Revelation in Scripture

Throughout biblical history, God has revealed Himself to individuals, nations, and through the incarnation of Jesus Christ. In Exodus 3:14, when God discloses His name as “I AM WHO I AM,” it signifies that He is eternally self-existent—reliant on no one and no thing. This eternal nature unravels further in passages such as Psalm 90:2, “Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God.”

In the New Testament, Jesus underscores the continuity of this identity. In John 8:58, He declares, “Truly, truly, I tell you, before Abraham was born, I am!” The language intentionally echoes God’s revelatory statement in Exodus, connecting Jesus with the same eternal existence that belongs uniquely to God.

God’s Nature as Triune

While Scripture firmly teaches the oneness of God, it simultaneously reveals the plurality of persons within the Godhead: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. John 1:1 emphasizes the eternal deity of the Son: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Later, in John 14:16–17, Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as another “Helper,” indicating divinity and personhood distinct from both the Father and the Son.

Each Person of this triune nature shares the same essence, will, and eternal being, serving different roles while remaining entirely unified. References such as Matthew 28:19, where Jesus instructs baptizing “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,” show that Scripture upholds one divine Name while recognizing three Persons.

Exclusivity and Distinction from Idols

From ancient times, people have worshiped multiple gods—often represented as idols. Yet throughout Scripture, God affirms His exclusive divinity. Isaiah 44:6 says, “I am the first and I am the last; there is no God but Me.” This holds a contrast between the living God and the man-made images worshiped in surrounding cultures.

Numerous biblical accounts highlight God’s supremacy over idols, such as Elijah’s confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18). There, the difference between the powerless idol Baal and the living God who answered by fire became unmistakable. The lesson remains clear: no other deity bears any ultimate power, because there is only one God in truth.

Historical and Archaeological Evidence

Archaeological findings have consistently supported the biblical narrative that points to the worship of one God among the ancient Israelites. For example, inscriptions dating to the time of the monarchy align with the worship described in biblical texts, and the discovery of ancient altars in Israel reflect the sacrificial system described in Exodus and Leviticus.

Furthermore, manuscript evidence such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered in the mid-20th century, shows remarkable consistency with the Hebrew Scriptures as we have them. These ancient manuscripts confirm that the theological claim of a single, supreme God has been preserved over millennia without erosion of essential meaning.

Revelation Through Christ’s Resurrection

A pivotal event that cements the identity of the One True God is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. According to early creeds and numerous eyewitness accounts recorded in the New Testament (e.g., 1 Corinthians 15:3–8), Jesus rose from the dead, demonstrating divine power unique to God alone. Romans 1:4 states that Jesus was “declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead.” This miraculous event validates the claims of Jesus to be God incarnate and confirms the biblical message of the One True God who holds authority over life and death.

Historical considerations also corroborate the early acceptance of the resurrection accounts, with sources like Josephus and Tacitus referencing Jesus in antiquity. While these secular sources do not affirm all theological points, their witness to the historical figure of Christ and the rise of early Christian belief supports the context of the biblical claim.

Relevance for Salvation and Worship

Acknowledging the One True God carries a direct impact on personal salvation. Jesus Himself declares in John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Since only the one, living God can forgive sins and grant eternal life, it stands to reason that faith in Him is the necessary avenue for salvation.

Proper worship hinges upon recognizing this sole Object of trust. As Jesus explains in John 4:24, “God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” Authentic worship then becomes an act of humility and reverence toward the God who exists eternally and made Himself known through Scripture, creation, and the resurrection of Christ.

Lessons for Daily Life

1. Humility: Recognizing that our existence depends entirely on God fosters humility. We rely on the One who created us, shaping an attitude of awe and gratitude.

2. Devotion: When God is seen as the sole source of truth and salvation, the natural response is a life devoted to following His teachings and seeking His will.

3. Unity: Understanding that God is One and that the triune Persons are perfectly united should inspire believers to pursue unity among themselves, reflecting the harmony of God’s own nature.

4. Hope: Belief in the resilient power of the One True God, demonstrated by Christ’s resurrection, provides unshakeable hope for now and eternity.

Conclusion and Reflection

The title “One True God” encapsulates the biblical assertion that God alone stands above every created thing as the eternal, self-existent, and sovereign Lord. This truth emerges throughout both Old and New Testaments in consistent declarations of His oneness and is supported by historical and archaeological findings. Through Jesus Christ’s bodily resurrection—visible, historically attested, and confirmed by numerous eyewitnesses—the nature and sovereignty of this One True God become unmistakably clear. Embracing this understanding not only informs the mind but transforms the heart, as it calls for wholehearted devotion, trust, and worship of the One who is worthy of all praise.