God

One God

Confessional Text

There is only one, true, living God¹², Yahweh¹³ - the Giver of life¹⁴, the Almighty Maker of heaven and earth¹⁵. He is ineffably holy¹⁶, glorious¹⁷, just¹⁸, true¹⁹, loving²⁰, infinite²¹, incomprehensible²², immutable²³, eternal²⁴, omnipotent²⁵, omniscient²⁶, omnipresent²⁷, omnibenevolent²⁸, sovereign²⁹, and working all things according to the counsel of His own will³⁰.

Scriptural References

[12]

Deuteronomy 6:4

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!

1 Corinthians 8:4

Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one.

[13]

Exodus 3:13-14

And God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM'

[14]

John 1:4

In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.

John 5:21

For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.

[15]

Genesis 1:1

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth

[16]

Isaiah 6:3

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts

[17]

Isaiah 48:11

For My own sake, for My own sake, I will do it; for how should My name be profaned? And I will not give My glory to another

[18]

Isaiah 5:16

But the Lord of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God who is holy shall be hallowed in righteousness

[19]

John 14:6

Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life'

[20]

1 John 4:8

He who does not love does not know God, for God is love

[21]

Job 42:2

I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You

[22]

Isaiah 55:8-9

For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways

[23]

Malachi 3:6

For I am the Lord, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.

James 1:17

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

[24]

John 1:1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God

[25]

Genesis 17:1

I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless

[26]

John 16:30

Now we are sure that You know all things

[27]

Psalm 139:7-12

Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?

[28]

Exodus 34:6-7

The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth

[29]

Psalm 115:3

But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases.

Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

[30]

Ephesians 1:11

In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will

All scripture quotations are from the ESV (English Standard Version).

Historical & Theological Background

The doctrine of God's attributes has been central to Christian theology from the beginning. The early church fathers defended God's uniqueness against paganism and His transcendence against false philosophies. Medieval theologians like Anselm and Aquinas developed robust descriptions of God's perfections. The Reformers emphasized God's sovereignty and His covenant faithfulness. This statement affirms the classical Christian understanding of God as absolutely perfect in all His attributes—holy, loving, powerful, wise, unchanging, and sovereign over all creation.

African Contextual Commentary

In the African context, where traditional religions acknowledge multiple spirits, ancestors, and deities, this statement clearly affirms monotheism: there is one God, Yahweh, who alone is worthy of worship. African Christians must reject polytheism and ancestor veneration while affirming that the God of the Bible is supreme over all spiritual powers. Additionally, this statement provides great comfort: our God is not distant or capricious like some traditional deities, but is loving, faithful, and works all things for the good of His people. He is both transcendent (infinitely above us) and immanent (intimately involved with us).