Lesson 2 – The One True God: His Oneness And Nature Series

Lesson 2 – The One True God: His Oneness and Nature

Introduction: Not All Gods Are Alike

In a world of many gods, Israel proclaimed something radical: “The LORD is one.” (Deuteronomy 6:4)

Ancient Near Eastern religions told stories of many gods at war, limited in power, shifting in mood. But Israel’s confession was unique. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is not just another deity in a crowded pantheon. He is the only true and living God. When Jesus was asked by one of the scribes in Mark 12:28 which was the greatest of the commandments, he began by quoting what the Jews call the Shema:

“The most important is Listen, Israel! The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:29–30, CSB)

Jesus continued the conversation by affirming the scribe’s insight and emphasized that to love God and love one’s neighbor is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices. This shows that God is not only one in essence, but calls His people to be united with Him in love and obedience — not ritual alone.

“Listen, Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:4–5, CSB)

This belief in one God forms the foundation of biblical faith. Unlike polytheism (many gods) or pantheism (god is all), biblical monotheism teaches that there is one God who is distinct from creation, yet intimately involved with it. This God is whole, holy, and knowable. And He is not just powerful, He is personal.

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I. The Oneness of God

“I am the LORD, and there is no other; there is no God but me. I will strengthen you, though you do not know me,” (Isaiah 45:5, CSB)

“You believe that God is one. Good! Even the demons believe—and they shudder.” (James 2:19, CSB)

God’s oneness means He is not divided or composed of parts. His nature is simple, integrated, and whole. He does not change or fluctuate. His justice is not in tension with His mercy; His power is never separated from His goodness.

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II. God’s Incommunicable Attributes

These are characteristics unique to God. They are not shared with creation.

• Aseity (Self-existence):

“God replied to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.’” (Exodus 3:14, CSB)

This declaration is one of the most profound self-disclosures in Scripture. God’s name, "I AM," reveals His aseity—His self-existence and eternal nature. He is not contingent on anything or anyone. As theologian John Frame explains, this name indicates that God is "the one who exists by himself and is the source of all other being." God’s name expresses both being and presence. He is the God who is, who was, and who is to come (cf. Revelation 1:8). He is always present, always active, and always faithful to His covenant promises.

Theologians have noted that this divine name implies both immutability (unchanging nature) and eternality. The Septuagint translates the Hebrew phrase as ??? e?µ? ? ??, "I am the being," linking it with Greek philosophical thought and later Christian reflection on God’s necessary existence. In practical terms, this means the God who called Moses is the same God who calls us—and He is fully reliable.

Jesus Christ identifies Himself with this divine name in the Gospel of John. On several occasions He says, "I am" (Greek: ??? e?µ?) in ways that echo Exodus 3:14. Most notably, in John 8:58, Jesus says, "Truly I tell you, before Abraham was, I am." (CSB) This was not lost on His audience, who took up stones to stone Him for blasphemy (John 8:59), recognizing that He was making a claim to divinity. Jesus uses this phrase again in John 6:35, 8:12, 10:11, and other "I am" statements, further revealing God's nature as present, self-existent, and relational in the person of Christ.

Scripture reflects on this reality in many places:

• “Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from eternity to eternity, you are God.” (Psalm 90:2, CSB)

• “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17, CSB)

• Eternity:

“Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from eternity to eternity, you are God.” (Psalm 90:2, CSB)

God’s eternity means that He exists beyond the confines of time. He has no beginning and no end, and all moments in time are equally present to Him. This truth sets God apart from all created beings, who are time-bound and transient. As Isaiah 57:15 declares, “For the High and Exalted One, who lives forever, whose name is holy, says this: ‘I live in a high and holy place...’” (CSB). God’s eternal nature assures us that His promises are never outdated, His presence never fades, and His purposes will never fail.