Topical Bible: God: Unity of

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of the unity of God is a foundational tenet in Christian theology, emphasizing that God is one in essence and being. This doctrine is rooted in the monotheistic tradition of the Bible, affirming that there is only one God who is indivisible and unique.

Biblical Foundation

The Shema, a central declaration of the Jewish faith found in Deuteronomy 6:4, underscores the unity of God: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One." This verse is pivotal in establishing the monotheistic belief that there is only one God, a belief that is carried into Christian theology.

In the New Testament, the unity of God is reaffirmed. The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 8:4-6, "We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world, and that there is no God but one. For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many 'gods' and many 'lords'), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we exist."

Theological Implications

The unity of God implies that God is singular in His nature and attributes. This unity is not merely numerical but also qualitative, meaning that God's essence is undivided and consistent. The unity of God is integral to understanding His nature as eternal, omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent.

The doctrine of the Trinity, while affirming the unity of God, reveals the complexity within this unity. The Christian understanding of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit does not contradict His oneness but rather expresses the relational and dynamic nature of the one true God. The Athanasian Creed articulates this mystery: "We worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity; neither confounding the Persons, nor dividing the Essence."

Practical Significance

The unity of God has profound implications for worship and devotion. Believers are called to worship God with undivided hearts, as seen in the commandment to love God with all one's heart, soul, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5). This singular devotion reflects the unity and exclusivity of God, who alone is worthy of worship.

Furthermore, the unity of God serves as a model for the unity of the Church. In Ephesians 4:4-6, Paul exhorts believers to maintain the unity of the Spirit, grounded in the oneness of God: "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."

Conclusion

The unity of God is a central doctrine that affirms the singularity and uniqueness of God. It is foundational to Christian belief and practice, shaping the understanding of God's nature and the call to worship Him alone. The unity of God also provides a basis for the unity of believers, reflecting the harmonious and indivisible nature of the divine.

Nave's Topical Index

Deuteronomy 6:4
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
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1 Kings 8:60
That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else.
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1 Kings 20:28
And there came a man of God, and spoke to the king of Israel, and said, Thus said the LORD, Because the Syrians have said, The LORD is God of the hills, but he is not God of the valleys, therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the LORD.
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Isaiah 42:8
I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.
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Mark 12:29,32
And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
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John 17:3
And this is life eternal, that they might know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
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1 Corinthians 8:4,6
As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.
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Galatians 3:20
Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.
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1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
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James 2:19
You believe that there is one God; you do well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
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Greek

3661. homothumadon -- with one mind
... 3661 ("of the same passion") describes people who share "," creating a
God-produced unity between them (cf. 2 Pet 1:1,2). Here they ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3661.htm - 7k

3675. homophron -- agreeing
... in one accord ("having the "). This Spirit-produced unity (agreement) results
from receiving God's inworkings of faith ("His "). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3675.htm - 7k

4875. sunanapauomai -- to lie down to rest with, fig. to be ...
... from 4862 , "identified " and 373 , "pause completely") -- properly, , ie when people
enjoy God's which only results from first in the unity of the Spirit. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4875.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew

3164. Yachdiy'el -- together
... Jahdiel From yachad and 'el; unity of God; Jachdiel, an Israelite -- Jahdiel. see
HEBREW yachad. see HEBREW 'el. 3163, 3164. Yachdiy'el. 3164a . ...
/hebrew/3164.htm - 5k

Library

The Unity of God
... 3. God and his creation 11. The Unity Of God. Q-5: ARE THERE MORE GODS THAN
ONE? A: There is but one only, the living and true God. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/11 the unity of god.htm

The Unity of God is Necessarily Implied in the Order of Nature...
... The Unity of God is necessarily implied in the order of Nature? The Unity of God
is necessarily implied in the order of Nature, in the Faith, and in Baptism. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter iv the unity of.htm

Unity of God.
... 137. " Unity of God. 137. 6s. ... Unity of God. 1 The God who reigns alone O'er earth,
and sea, and sky, Let man with praises own, And sound his honors high. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/adams/hymns for christian devotion/137 unity of god.htm

The Unity of God. He is the Supreme Being, and There Cannot be a ...
... Book I. Wherein is described the god of Marcion. Chapter III."The Unity of God.
He is the Supreme Being, and There Cannot Be a Second Supreme. ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter iii the unity of god.htm

The Unity of God (Four Articles)
... THE UNITY OF GOD (FOUR ARTICLES). After the foregoing, we consider the divine
unity; concerning which there are four points of inquiry: ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/the unity of god four.htm

Concerning the Unity of God . On the Article, I Believe in one God ...
... Lecture VI. Concerning the Unity of God . ... The truth of the Unity of God has been
delivered to thee: learn to distinguish the pastures of doctrine. ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture vi concerning the unity.htm

The Unity of God Shewn by the Harmony of the Order of Nature.
... Against the Heathen. Section 38. The Unity of God shewn by the Harmony of
the order of Nature. Since then, there is everywhere not ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/section 38 the unity of.htm

On the Unity and Trinity of God
... Lesson 3 ON THE UNITY AND TRINITY OF GOD. "Unity" means to be one, and "Trinity,"
three in one. 21 Q. Is there but one God? A. Yes; there is but one God. ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 3 on the unity.htm

Defence of the Divine Unity against Objection no Analogy Between ...
... Marcion. Chapter IV."Defence of the Divine Unity Against Objection No
Analogy Between Human Powers and God's Sovereignty. The ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter iv defence of the divine.htm

Of How God and Our Spirit visit Each Other in the Unity and in the ...
... THE SECOND BOOK CHAPTER LXI. OF HOW GOD AND OUR SPIRIT VISIT EACH OTHER
IN THE UNITY AND IN THE LIKENESS. Now God sees the dwelling ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter lxi of how god.htm