Richard Hollerman

Again and again we receive the question, Is God really one? Is He only One—and not three? Somehow these questioners think that if God is one He cannot be more than this. But is this true? As Paul asked one time, “What does the Scripture say?” (Romans 4:3).

We know that the Scriptures say that God is one and His nature is one and only one. Doesn’t this settle the matter? Yes and No. We do know that God is One (Romans 3:30) and that there is no God but Him alone (Mark 12:29, 32; Deuteronomy 6:4; Galatians 3:20; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 Corinthians 8:4, 6; James 2:19; Ephesians 4:6).

So there is one God and He is one, the only God in the universe. He made the world and all things in it. (Acts 17:24; Genesis 1). So let us not only establish but underline the fact that there is only one God. Not two or three or 330 million “gods” as well-meaning Hindus would have us believe.

But at the same time, let us remember that this “God and Father” does have a Son, “Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father” (2 John 3). Thus, we read of “God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 1:7). We read of “God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord” (1 Timothy 1:2). There are dozens of such verses, that speak of God the Father on the one hand and Jesus Christ our Lord on the other hand (who is also called “God”).

Who then is Jesus Christ? What is His identity? Where does He come from? And what is His relationship with God our Father? We know that Jesus and the Father are two and not one in one alone (John 8:16-19) but what can we know more about this relationship and what does it mean?

Here a few things to keep in mind:

  1. Jesus was God and is God (John 1:1-3, 14-15, 18; 20:28; Isaiah 9:6) (as well as the Son of God—John 20:31).
  2. Jesus created or made all things by His power, wisdom, might, and love. See Colossians 1:16-17; John 1:1-3, 10; Hebrews 1:3).
  3. Jesus was in God and God in Him (John 10:30, 38-39; 14:9-11; Hebrew 1:8).
  4. Jesus was incarnate, that is, He became flesh and blood, just as we are. (See John 1:14; Romans 1:3; Philippians 1:7-8, 28; Hebrews 2:14).
  5. Jesus was born of a virgin, and this we call the virginal conception (see John 1:18-21; Romans 1:8; Philippians 2:7-8; 1 John 4:2; 2 John 2).
  6. Jesus lived a sinless life for some 33 years (according to 1 John 2:20; 3:5; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 1:18-20).
  7. Jesus was raised from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:4, 12-22).
  8. Jesus is the resurrection (John 11:25-26; Romans 5:14-18; Acts 2:24; 1 Peter 1:3).
  9. He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6; 20:30-31; 10:9; 1:14; 2:14; Romans 5:2; Ephesians 2:18; Hebrews 10:20; 1 John 5:20).
  10. Jesus intercedes for us (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25 9:24).
  11. He made propitiation for us and for our sins (Hebrews 2:17; Romans 3:25; 1 John 2:2; 4:10).
  12. He is Savior from sin (Matthew 1:21; Luke 2:11; John 1:28; Acts 4:12; 5:31; 13:23, 33, 39; Colossians 1:20-23; Hebrews 3:21; 4:14-15; 5:5, 10).
  13. He saves us from the wrath to come (John 3:36 and from the judgment (John 3:16-18).
  14. Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18; 11:27; 26:64; Romans 14:9; Ephesians 1:20. 22. Philippians 2:9-10; Colossians 2:10; 1 Peter 3:22).
  15. He grants forgiveness and salvation (Mark 16:15-16; John 3:16-17), gives eternal life (John 4:14; 5:24; 6:40) and redemption (Ephesians 1:7).
  16. Jesus justifies those who believe in Him and gives peace with God (Romans 4:26; 5:1; Ephesians 2:14).
  17. Jesus will return for us by His grace and power (2 Thessalonians 1:10; Acts 1:11; 2 Corinthians 4:14).
  18. Jesus will judge all (Acts 17:31; John 5:22, 23; Acts 10:42).
  19. He will eternally be glorified and praised (Ephesians 3:21; Romans 10:36).

We hope that these few facts will be of help in your understanding Jesus and His relationship with God the Father—and with is past, present, and future. See also 1 John 5:20; Hebrews 1:9; Titus 2:13; Romans 9:5; Philippians 2:6.

May He be eternally praised!