Bible Study: Who Is the One True God? Understanding the Trinity and the 'I AM'

The concept of God can feel overwhelming, but He has not left us in the dark. He has revealed Himself as the one true, eternally self-existent God, the great "I AM", who exists in three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Who is the one true God? He is the eternal, self-existent Being who has revealed Himself as one Being in three persons: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is the sovereign "I AM," the only Savior and Lord of all creation.

The Foundation of Truth: God is One

The starting point for understanding God is His absolute unity. In a world of many "gods" and shifting philosophies, the Bible is clear: there is only one. This is the heart of the Shema, the ancient declaration of faith found in Deuteronomy 6:4: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one."

In the Assemblies of God, we hold to the Fundamental Truth #2: The One True God. This is not just a theological technicality; it is a declaration of His supreme authority. As He says in Isaiah 43:10, "Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me." He is the beginning and the end, the source of all life, and the only one worthy of our worship.

Understanding the Trinity: Unity and Distinction

While God is one in essence, He has revealed Himself in three distinct Persons. This is the mystery we call the Trinity. While the word "Trinity" isn't in the Bible, the reality of it is woven through every page.

We see this most clearly in the New Testament. At the baptism of Jesus, the Son was in the water, the Spirit descended like a dove, and the Father spoke from heaven (Matthew 3:16-17). Later, Jesus commanded His disciples to baptize "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19). Notice He said name (singular), not names (plural), highlighting their unity.

Definition: The Trinity The Christian doctrine that there is one God who eternally exists as three distinct Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each Person is fully God, co-equal, and co-eternal, yet they are not three gods, but one.

Definition: The Godhead A biblical term referring to the divine nature or essence of the Triune God. It emphasizes that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit share the same "God-ness."

The "I AM" Revelation: God’s Eternal Identity

When Moses asked for God’s name at the burning bush, God replied, "I AM WHO I AM" (Exodus 3:14). This name, Yahweh, signifies that God is completely independent. He doesn't need us, yet He loves us. He wasn't created; He simply is.

Years later, Jesus stood before a crowd and made a shocking claim: "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am" (John 8:58). By using this specific name, Jesus was identifying Himself as the very God who spoke to Moses. He wasn't just a "good teacher", He was the self-existent Creator in human form.

Definition: Self-Existent Existing by Himself, having no beginning or end, and depending on nothing else for His existence. God is the only "uncaused cause" in the universe.

The Roles within the Trinity

While the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one, they relate to us in unique ways. This table helps clarify how the "One True God" works for our redemption:

Person	Primary Role in Scripture	Key Bible Verse
The Father	The Creator, the Sender, the Giver of the Promise	1 Corinthians 8:6
The Son (Jesus)	The Redeemer, the Word made flesh, the Mediator	John 1:1, 14
The Holy Spirit	The Comforter, the Sanctifier, the Empowerer	John 14:26

Why Does the Trinity Matter for You?

Understanding that God is a Trinity changes how we experience His love. Because God has eternally existed as Father, Son, and Spirit, God is love in His very nature. Even before the world was made, there was a relationship of love within the Godhead.

When you come to Christ, you aren't just following a set of rules; you are being invited into that eternal relationship. You have a Father who chose you, a Savior who died for you, and a Holy Spirit who lives within you to guide you every day.

Take Your Next Step in the Word

Are you ready to dive deeper into these foundational truths? Whether you are a new believer or someone seeking answers, we want to walk with you.

Join a Fundamental Truths Small Group The best way to understand the nature of God is in community. Join one of our Life Groups as we study the "Fundamental Truths" together. We offer both in-person groups in Memphis and digital groups through our online community.

We’d love to connect with you. Visit www.boundlessonlinechurch.org to join our community from anywhere, or if you're in the Memphis area, find us at www.famemphis.org.

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