One God | The Trinity

Before we study the Trinity, we must establish a starting point: there is only one true God. Christianity is a monotheistic religion: we believe in one God, not three gods. This is the foundation for understanding correctly the doctrine of the Trinity.

Biblical Monotheism

How many gods exist according to the Bible?

Three gods who work together Many gods, but one is supreme The Lord our God is the only Lord The number varies depending on the age

The Shema (“Hear, Israel, the Lord our God is the only Lord”) is the fundamental declaration of Judeo-Christian faith. Israel was called to be monotheistic in a polytheistic world, where each nation had its own gods.

What does God declare about the existence of other gods?

There are other lesser gods I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from Me there is no God The other gods are my servants Each nation has its own true god

God affirms He is the only true God and categorically denies the existence of any other. The “gods” of the nations are lifeless idols, human creations, or demons in disguise.

“There is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three coeternal Persons. God is immortal, all-powerful, all-knowing, above all, and ever present.” — Seventh-day Adventist Fundamental Beliefs, Belief 2

The Contrast with Idols

What distinguishes the true God from the idols of the nations?

Nothing, all gods are the same Idols are of silver and gold, made by human hands, they cannot see, hear, or speak Idols are lesser gods with limited power Idols represent aspects of the true God

The Bible ridicules idols. While the “gods” of the nations are dead statues, the God of Israel is alive: He sees, hears, speaks and acts in history.

Who is the Creator of all things?

The gods worked together in creation The universe created itself The Lord, who alone made all things Impersonal cosmic forces

When Isaiah says that the Lord alone made all things, he excludes any rival god. The New Testament reveals that the Father created through the Son. Therefore, it was not many gods who created the world, but the one God acting in perfect unity.

“The Sovereign of the universe was not alone in His work of beneficence. He had an associate, a co-worker who could appreciate His purposes, and could share His joy in giving happiness to created beings.” — Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 34, par. 1.

Jesus Confirmed Monotheism

What did Jesus answer when asked about the greatest commandment?

There are three gods we must worship equally The Lord our God is the only Lord Any god can be worshipped The most important commandment is the Sabbath

Jesus, being Jewish, fully affirmed monotheism. He quoted the Shema as the foundation of the greatest commandment. And this is important: the doctrine of the Trinity does not contradict monotheism: it explains it more deeply.

How does Jesus refer to the Father in John 17:3?

To deny His own divinity As the only true God To show that He is inferior to the Father To teach that the Holy Spirit is not God

When Jesus calls the Father the “only true God,” He is contrasting the God of Israel with the false gods of paganism, not denying His own divinity or that of the Holy Spirit.

The Apostles and Monotheism

What did Paul affirm about the many 'gods' of the pagan world?

They are true gods, but lesser ones We should respect them as cultural expressions There is one God, the Father, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things They are manifestations of the one God

Notice how Paul affirms monotheism while including both the Father and Jesus Christ in the definition of the one God. This is precisely the mystery that the doctrine of the Trinity seeks to explain.

“The Father is all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and is invisible to mortal sight. … The Son is all the fullness of the Godhead manifested. … The Comforter that Christ promised to send after He ascended to heaven, is the Spirit in all the fullness of the Godhead.” — Ellen G. White, Evangelism, pp. 614-615.

What does James affirm that even demons believe?

In spiritual evolution That God is one — and they tremble In reincarnation That there is no God

Why This Matters?

Monotheism carries practical implications:

Total dedication: Since there is only one God, He deserves all our love and loyalty. Our worship cannot be divided.
Unity of truth: If there is one God, there is one truth. There are no multiple equally valid “truths.”
Universal purpose: The one God is the Creator and Lord of all, not just one nation or group.
Foundation for the Trinity: The Trinity reveals one God in three persons, rather than three separate gods (tritheism).

“There are three living persons of the heavenly trio; in the name of these three great powers—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—those who receive Christ by living faith are baptized.” — Ellen G. White, Evangelism, p. 615.

And Now?

Understanding monotheism is the first step to understanding the Trinity:

We do not believe in three gods: The Trinity is one God in three persons, not three gods.
We reject polytheism: Any doctrine that results in multiple gods is wrong.
We worship only God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit are equally worthy of worship because they are the one God.
We are ready to advance: With this foundation, we can examine how the Bible reveals the three divine persons.

My Decision

I believe there is one true God, the Creator of heaven and earth. I reject all false gods and idols, and commit myself to worship only the Lord. I desire to know better the nature of this one God.

Yes, I believe and accept this truth.

1) One God