How many believe there is only one God? Is it possible there are more than one god? Let us investigate.
Dictionary.com defines god (lowercase ‘g’) as: Noun 1. one of several deities, especially a male deity, presiding over some portion of worldly affairs. 2. an image of a deity; an idol. 3. any deified person or object. 4. a nebulous powerful force imagined to be responsible for one's fate.
It further defines God (uppercase ‘G’) as: Noun 1. the Supreme Being, worshiped as the creator or ultimate source of the universe. 2. the Supreme Being according to a particular religion or conception:
She called upon Allah, the God of Islam, for help. 3. the Supreme Being considered with reference to a particular attribute: May the God of mercy comfort you.
According to the dictionary, there is more than one god (lowercase ‘g’). One of several deities.
What is identified as several deities, a differing god? Only man, with his great desire to have identifiers for every thing, creates different gods. (#3. any deified person or object.) Let us notice the verse in 1 Cor. 8:5. Look for the phrase: ‘that are called’. Paul speaks of the origin of several deities–gods. Strong’s Lexicon defines this phrase: ‘that are called’, to call by a name, to call, name. This implies humans have called these deities by a name, or named idols as a deified name.
Let us turn to scripture to define god (lowercase ‘g’) and God (uppercase ‘G’). Apostle Paul, in 1 Cor. 8:5-6 says, 5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
Paul says man has called things gods (lowercase ‘g’). God Almighty has not so identified these human gods as Himself. They are pagan unto Him. What does Paul mean by ‘For though there be that are called gods’? They are not gods; just called gods. They are called gods by humans for identification's sake. They have no supernatural power; just assumed power. Humans assume they have given them some great privilege and are watching over them for their divine protection. Therefore, mankind calls them god. However, even though the Almighty does use His divine power for his children’s care, those who have created their own gods believe the same from their god.
God Almighty knows there are many gods. (lowercase ‘g’) Ex. 20:3. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. He also knows they are called gods by humans and cannot do anything for mankind. God warned His children of the many gods of the heathen nations which would become snares unto them.
Which of these human made gods has a son named Jesus who died and shed his innocent blood for the redemption of mankind? Not one! To a righteous believer, Apostle Paul said, to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. There was and is only one living God who made all we see. It is through him we move and breathe and have our being. No manmade god has done this nor can do this.
So, to a Christian, does anything pertaining to human made gods mean anything? Do these gods have any power over anything we do, eat, breathe and move? No! Therefore, anything associated with them should not impair our lives by us coming in contact with them. Our power comes from the Almighty God, Jehovah. He can overpower all things pertaining to earthly gods. We should never fear any earthly god. We should never be in fear of anything assuming what these earthly gods control. We should never shy away from anything others offer to these earthly gods for a form of worship unto them. They are nothing and can do nothing for us. They are harmless.
Let us learn the power these earthly gods hold over mankind and what we should do if we come in contact with any or their provisions.
1 Cor. 8:1,4. 8 Now as touching things offered unto idols,; 4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.
Jews were taught from an early age not to touch the unclean thing (of which included idols of earthly gods). Gentiles were not instructed in this rule. Therefore, the Jews appear to be concerned about the Gentile converts violating God’s laws. Perhaps the Jews needed instruction concerning the nothingness of idols and earthly gods. All their lives they were told to have nothing to do with idols and meats offered unto idols. They soon began to believe these meats offered unto idols were sacred and could actually harm them because God Almighty told them not to touch anything as such being an unclean thing. Perhaps a twist of the truth developed into more deception among Jews. Now Apostle Paul has to teach the Jews all over again the real truth concerning idols and meats offered to them.
What was the problem for the Jews? Vss. 7-8. 7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.
A lack of knowledge was the problem. This same issue was the cause of division among them; a lack of knowledge of spiritual matters. Their thoughts and decision processes were still worldly. 1 Cor. 2:12-14. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Cor. 3:1, 3. 3 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
We see the root cause of these divisions and the reason for the dialog to Corinth by Paul; they are young in the faith and still need spiritual milk to bring them to maturity in the faith. Thus, these trivial issues are interrupting their learning. Mature Christians may know these things but often need reminders. They, too, fail in their duty to learn and teach properly, causing division. Idols and meats offered to idols are both nothing.
Can we, being more mature Christians, having knowledge of the truth concerning idols and the meats offered to these idols, eat roast beef? I know a person who feels it a sin to eat an Arby’s roast beef sandwich. It is not as if it was offered to an idol, but he believes it is seared in its blood. This, too, is another stumbling block for Christians. Concerning stumbling blocks, what does Paul teach?
1 Cor. 8:9-13. 9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. 10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; 11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. 13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
The heart of the young-in-the-faith members can be influenced unto evil by the reactions of the world. Their knowledge of spiritual matters must be taken into account. The world tells them something, often a word of deceit. This deceit confuses them into believing a lie. Until their knowledge is carefully brought into the knowledge of the truth they might stumble and fall from grace; perhaps never to return to the good grace of God.
Here, to Corinth, Paul is teaching a manner of respect and compassion of the seasoned believer for the sake of the weaker brethren. It becomes imperative we are in fellowship with all assembled members to know how to act, teach, and admonish each other to excellence of the truth. If we neglect their position in the faith in the assembly, we may be the cause of division unknowingly. We must learn what a brother knows and what might offend them in our conversation–fellowship: what we may eat, drink, etc. which may cause division and offense. Upon this newly learned knowledge, carefully teach the truth or abstain from anything which offends. Remember Paul’s stance? [I]f meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
With the world developing many gods (lowercase ‘g’), more division develops. As Apostle Paul spoke, live in peace as much as is possible with all men. Allow God Almighty and time to heal and teach The Truth about gods. (lowercase ‘g’)
