Dictionary of Bible Themes: 8138 monotheism

8138 monotheism

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 8000 The life of the believer » 8100 The life of faith » 8138 monotheism

The central doctrine that there is one true God, who alone is the object of worship. There is none like the LORD; other gods and idols are nothing. Scripture also indicates that there is a network of relationships within the Godhead which is stated in terms of the doctrine of the Trinity.

The doctrine of monotheism

There is only one God

Deuteronomy 6:4; Ephesians 4:6; 1 Timothy 2:5 See also Deuteronomy 4:35; Deuteronomy 32:39; Nehemiah 9:6; Psalm 83:18; Psalm 86:10; Isaiah 43:10; Isaiah 44:6; Isaiah 45:18; Mark 12:29,32; Romans 3:30; 1 Corinthians 8:6; James 2:19

There is none like the LORD

1 Kings 8:23 See also Exodus 8:10; 2 Samuel 7:22 pp 1 Chronicles 17:20; Psalm 89:6; Isaiah 40:18,25

He alone is to be worshipped

Exodus 20:3-5 pp Deuteronomy 5:7-9 Jeremiah 25:6 See also Exodus 20:23; Exodus 34:14; Deuteronomy 6:14; Deuteronomy 13:6-8; 2 Kings 17:38-39; Psalm 81:9; Jeremiah 1:16; Jeremiah 19:4; Jeremiah 35:15

He alone is to be served

Mark 12:30 pp Matthew 22:37 See also Deuteronomy 6:4-5,13; Deuteronomy 13:4; 1 Samuel 7:3; Matthew 4:10 pp Luke 4:8; 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10

Other gods are nothing

Isaiah 37:19; 1 Corinthians 8:4; 10:19-20 Idols are nothing in themselves, but those worshipping them open themselves to demonic influence. See also Deuteronomy 32:17; Psalm 106:36-37; Isaiah 40:18-20; Isaiah 44:9-11; Acts 14:15; Galatians 4:8

Monotheism and plurality in the Godhead

In the OT

Genesis 1:26 See also Genesis 1:2 The Spirit of God is seen as God's agent; Genesis 3:22; Genesis 11:7; Exodus 3:2-6 The angel of the LORD is identified with, yet distinct from, God; Judges 13:20-22; Nehemiah 9:20; Psalm 139:7; Isaiah 6:8; Isaiah 63:10-14

The Trinity in the NT

Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14 See also Matthew 3:16-17; John 14:26; John 15:26; Acts 2:32-33; Ephesians 2:18; 1 Peter 1:2