Who is the one true God?

Definition and Central Theme

The question “Who is the one true God?” is rooted in Scripture’s witness to an eternal, all-powerful, and personal Being. From Genesis to Revelation, the consistent theme is that there is only one God worthy of worship, sovereign over all creation, and wholly distinct from false deities or idols. “I am the LORD, and there is no other; there is no God but Me” (Isaiah 45:5). This exclusive claim rests on the foundation that God is without beginning or end, uncreated and supreme, the architect of the universe, and the ultimate source of truth, morality, and salvation.

Self-Revelation in Scripture

Throughout the Old Testament, God reveals Himself as “Yahweh”—the name signifying His self-existence and eternal nature (Exodus 3:14). Deuteronomy 6:4 declares, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One!” This profound statement—often called the Shema—emphasizes not just the uniqueness but the singularity of God in essence and being.

In the New Testament, Jesus builds upon this revelation by identifying Himself and the Holy Spirit as distinct persons yet one in the same divine essence (John 10:30; John 14:16–17). This Trinitarian unity does not diminish God’s oneness; rather, it enriches the biblical declaration that God is One, manifested in three co-eternal, co-equal persons.

Characteristics of the One True God

1. Eternal and Unchanging

God’s eternity is expressed in Psalm 90:2: “Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God.” This reveals a God who exists outside time and remains the same: “I the LORD do not change” (Malachi 3:6).

2. All-Powerful Creator

Scripture affirms that God created all things from nothing (Genesis 1:1). Outside sources, including modern studies of DNA complexity, have pointed to intelligence rather than randomness behind life’s origins. Researchers in the field of intelligent design have highlighted the intricate coding in biological structures, emphasizing that chance processes fail to account for such specified complexity. These observations align with Romans 1:20, which states, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities… have been clearly seen.”

3. All-Knowing and All-Present

God’s omniscience is evident in passages such as Psalm 139:1–4, in which nothing is hidden from Him. His omnipresence is noticed in Jeremiah 23:23–24: “‘Am I only a God nearby,’ declares the LORD, ‘and not a God far away?... Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?’” He is not confined to a single location but pervades all creation.

4. Righteous, Holy, and Loving

Scripture testifies that God is perfect in holiness (Leviticus 11:44). His moral law and righteous judgments flow from this holiness. Likewise, “God is love” (1 John 4:8). His love motivates His interactions with humanity; the covenant faithfulness displayed throughout history and ultimately in the work of Jesus Christ on the cross underscores this divine love.

Triune Nature: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

Although the Bible clearly teaches there is only one God, it also presents Father, Son, and Holy Spirit each as fully God. John 1:1 testifies: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” The Son’s deity is explicit here, and the Holy Spirit’s divine personhood is affirmed in passages such as Acts 5:3–4. Despite the human mind struggling to grasp the mystery of three persons yet one essence, the scriptural testimony remains unified and consistent on this important point.

Historic and Archaeological Witness

1. Manuscript Evidence

Ancient manuscripts, including significant finds like the Dead Sea Scrolls, demonstrate the remarkable preservation of key portions of the Old Testament dating back centuries before Christ. Likewise, the wealth of New Testament manuscripts further substantiates the Bible’s reliability. Scholars examining textual variants—including meticulous studies by experts who have compared thousands of Greek manuscripts—have concluded that the overall integrity of Scripture remains intact.

2. Archaeological Corroborations

Excavations at biblical sites such as Jericho, Hazor, and the City of David have yielded evidence that supports the historical framework of the biblical record. Inscriptions like the Tel Dan Stela refer to the “House of David,” confirming the royal line mentioned in Scripture. These finds add weight to the claim that the Bible presents accurate historical information, revealing a God who acts in real human history.

3. Philosophical and Scientific Considerations

Cosmological arguments highlight that the universe had a beginning, suggesting a cause outside space and time. Geological examples—when re-examined through a Flood perspective—offer alternate models to uniformitarian assumptions, pointing to rapid formation of sedimentary layers. Many who hold to a young earth position note that catastrophic processes observed in localized disasters give plausible mechanisms for a global event, consistent with Genesis 6–9. These observations underscore the idea that the universe’s complexity and history point to purposeful design.

Salvation Through the One True God

Central to the identity of the one true God is the revelation of His plan to redeem humanity. John 3:16 states: “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son…” This sacrificial love culminates in the resurrection of Christ, a public demonstration of divine power. As attested by multiple eyewitness accounts (1 Corinthians 15:3–8), the earliest believers experienced His bodily resurrection—a shift in their beliefs and willingness to die rather than deny this truth. Investigative analyses, historical research, and documented testimonies reinforce this event as credible and vital. Through Christ’s atoning work, all who believe are reconciled to God (Romans 5:1–2).

Exclusive Worship

The biblical writers consistently prohibit the worship of false gods (Exodus 20:3). Jeremiah 10:10 stresses: “But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and the eternal King.” This principle stands in stark contrast to idolatrous practices, whether ancient or modern. True worship involves trust, devotion, and obedience to the God revealed in Scripture. The prophets, apostles, and Christ Himself confirm that no idol or created being can rival the one true God.

Practical Significance

Knowing the one true God transforms personal conduct, moral reasoning, and hope for the future. Believers find purpose in living to glorify Him (1 Corinthians 10:31). Acknowledgment of God’s authority fosters humility and dependence, while awareness of His love and faithfulness instills security and joy. Those who seek Him find forgiveness, restoration, and an unshakable foundation for life.

Conclusion

The declaration that there is only one true God resounds throughout the pages of the Bible and is corroborated by historical, archaeological, and philosophical evidence. He is the eternal Creator, holy, just, loving, and triune, revealing Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. His unique existence and nature offer humanity a hope not grounded in myth or legend but in a reality anchored by miraculous interventions, historical events, and the resurrection of Christ. In His self-revelation, God invites all to worship Him alone and find everlasting life through the work He has accomplished on their behalf. “Now this is eternal life,” Jesus says, “that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent” (John 17:3).