The Father is the Only True God
Brother Richie Juatco: The most basic fundamental belief or teaching of any religion is who is it that they recognize as God? Now, depending on what people use as a basis of their belief, there are various gods people recognize. So if the basis used is the Bible, well who is the God in the Bible? Stay with us, this is what we’ll study today, here on The Message.
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Brother Richie Juatco
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Richie: Hello, I’m Brother Richie Juatco.
Brother Richie: And with me again here in our San Francisco Bay Area studios is Brother Bernard Daos. Hi again, Brother Bernard.
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Brother Bernard Daos
Minister of the Gospel
Who is the one true God?
Brother Bernard Daos: Hi, Brother Richie. Now, this particular topic that we’re discussing is to help clear up confusion because although many people identify or describe themselves as being Bible-based, their belief regarding who God is varies, and sometimes, even contradicts each other. So, based on the Bible, who is the one true God?
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The Father is the Only True God
Brother Richie: Now, let’s learn from the prayer of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is written in John 17:1, 3, and it says this:
Jesus said these things. Then, raising his eyes in prayer, he said: Father, it’s time. Display the bright splendor of your Son So the Son in turn may show your bright splendor. And this is the real and eternal life: That they know you, The one and only true God, And Jesus Christ, whom you sent.
[John 17:1,3 The Message]
Brother Richie: Here, the Lord Jesus Christ clarifies a few things in His prayer. First of all, who [is] He is praying to? He said, and He called Him, “Father.” What did Jesus say to the Father He was praying to? He said, “…this is the real and eternal life: That they know you…And Jesus Christ…” Now, in order to receive eternal life, what should be known about the Father, and what should be known about Jesus Christ?
According to Jesus Christ, the Father is the one and only true God. So, Christ has shut down any other option of someone else being the one true God. To Christ, it is only the Father. What should we understand about Christ? Jesus Christ clarified that He is the one whom God sent.
Brother Bernard: Therefore, God of the Bible is the God that sent Jesus Christ. The God of the Bible, it is the Father, the one and only true God. Now, is Jesus Christ the only person in the Bible that teaches that the one and only true God is the Father?
Brother Richie: Well, we can also read what is written in 1 Corinthians 8:5-6, and this is what’s also written. It says:
It is really not important if there are things called gods, in heaven or on earth. (And there are many things that people call “gods” and “lords.”) But for us there is only one God. He is our Father. All things came from him, and we live for him. And there is only one Lord—Jesus Christ. All things were made through Jesus, and we also have life through him.
[1 Corinthians 8:5-6 International Children’s Bible]
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The Father is the Only True God
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Brother Richie Juatco
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Richie: Now, according to the apostles, they acknowledge that there are many things that people call and label as “gods” or “lords.” But what did Apostle Paul clarify? He said, “…for us there is only one God.” Who is the one and only God, according to the apostles? Apostle Paul said, “He is our Father.” Why is the one and only true God of the Bible our Father? Well, the truth is that, “All things came from him, and we live for him.”
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Brother Bernard Daos
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Bernard: In the verse you just read, it also teaches about the very important role of the Lord Jesus Christ. It said, “All things were made through Jesus, and we also have life through him.” Now, what does that mean, that all things were made through Jesus? Why are all things through our Lord Jesus Christ?
Brother Richie: Well, we can read the Biblical explanation in what’s recorded in 1 Timothy 2:5. It says here:
For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,
[1 Timothy 2:5 New International Version]
Brother Richie: This verse again reinforces what we’ve been learning. That there is, it says, one God, which we have learned is the Father. It also clarifies the position of Jesus Christ. [This] is why, as you mentioned, Brother Bernard, you pointed out in the verse reading that all things are through Him. Why is that? We read that Christ is the one mediator between God and mankind. Now, being the one and only mediator in between, would that make Christ part god and part man? Well, the verse clears any confusion by stating that the one and only mediator is, “…the man, Christ Jesus.”
Brother Bernard: Now, dear viewers, we know that there is a very good possibility that some of you watching and learning these biblical verses, maybe for the first time, might be conflicted because of what you have been taught, what you have learned before about God. But take note, the conflict is not in regards to how many true gods are in the Bible. The conflict, rather, is who is the true God?
There are no other gods besides the Father
Brother Richie: The popular, widespread belief that the one true God has three persons that make up the trinity is neither written in the Bible, nor even implied. That teaching is not what the Lord Jesus Christ taught, nor His apostles. But instead, they clearly teach that the one true God is the Father only.
Brother Bernard: So, let’s find out, what does the Father teach about Himself? And if He recognizes any other persons or recognizes anyone else as God?
Brother Richie: Let’s go to what God does teach about Himself. We’ll read in Isaiah 45:21, and He says this:
Tell and bring forth your case; Yes, let them take counsel together. Who has declared this from ancient time? Who has told it from that time? Have not I, the LORD? And there is no other God besides Me, A just God and a Savior; There is none besides Me.
[Isaiah 45:21 New King James Version]
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The Father is the Only True God
Brother Richie: According to God Himself, He is the one that says, “…there is no other God besides Me, A just God and a Savior; There is none besides Me.”
Therefore, there are no other gods besides the Father. Anyone who teaches that there are multiple persons who are God would actually be contradicting God. Anyone who teaches of a god other than the Father—for example, if anyone teaches that Christ is God, then that person would be opposing Christ because Christ taught that the Father is the one and only true God. So now that we know who the God of the Bible is, Brother Bernard, what should we know about the biblical God?
Brother Bernard: Well, let’s continue to learn about the true God from the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ, and we will read what is here in the book of John 4:24:
God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
[John 4:24 New King James Version]
Brother Bernard: Based on the teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ, we should understand that God is Spirit.
Brother Richie: Now, Brother Bernard, what exactly does that mean, that God is Spirit?
Brother Bernard: Well, since it was the Lord Jesus Christ who taught us, let’s read His explanation of what it means that God is Spirit, and that we can find in the Book of Luke 24:39. Here is what He says:
Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.”
[Luke 24:39 New King James Version]
Brother Bernard: According to the Lord Jesus Christ, “God is Spirit” means that God does not have flesh and bones. Now what reference did our Lord Jesus Christ use to show the difference of God being Spirit and someone who has flesh and bones? Jesus Christ said, “…as you see I have.” So take note, our Lord Jesus Christ is using Himself as an example of what God is not because remember, God is Spirit.
Brother Richie: You know, Brother Bernard, although that is so very clear, what’s an easier way to understand that God has no flesh and bones because He’s Spirit?
Brother Bernard: So, let’s continue to read how the Bible describes the one true God, here in the book of 1 Timothy 1:17. This is what the apostles teach us:
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
[1 Timothy 1:17 New King James Version]
Brother Bernard: The Bible clearly describes God as “…the King eternal, immortal, invisible…”
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Brother Bernard Daos
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Bernard: Now, naturally, this makes sense—complete sense—because if God has no flesh and no bones, then He is invisible.
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Brother Richie Juatco
Minister of the Gospel
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The Father is the Only True God
Brother Richie: So, since God is invisible, we have to ask: Can a craftsman design imagery that [depicts] God? Now, we ask this because it is obvious that there are those who say that their faith or religion is based on the Bible, yet they have imagery in their life that represents who they worship or believe is God. Is that possible, Brother Bernard, since we just learned God is Spirit?
Brother Bernard: Well, let’s turn to the instruction here in the Book of Acts 17:29. Here is what the apostles taught, according to the Holy Scriptures:
And since this is true, we shouldn’t think of God as an idol designed by craftsmen from gold or silver or stone.
[Acts 17:29 New Living Translation]
Brother Bernard: According to the Bible, “…we shouldn’t think of God as an idol designed by craftsmen from gold or silver or stone.” So, if even thinking of God in that way, how much worse is it if one would actually possess an idol or would give honor to an image that was created by craftsmen to depict God? Beloved viewers, that should not happen.
Brother Richie: Now, for those that might be watching who don’t even believe in the Bible, you might be thinking, “What’s the proof that God even exists since what was mentioned is that He’s invisible?”
Brother Bernard: Because we know—right, Brother Richie? There are those who live by the saying that, “Seeing is believing.” So, how do God’s words written in the Bible respond to those who may question His existence because God is invisible?
Brother Richie: Well, let’s read the response of the Bible, here in Romans 1:19-20, and the Bible says this:
since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
[Romans 1:19-20 New International Version]
Brother Richie: For those that question God’s existence, the Bible is the one that states what may be known of God is plain to them. Why? “Because God has made it plain to them. You might be thinking, “How is it that knowing God exists is plain to see since we learned He’s invisible?” We read, “God’s invisible qualities…have been clearly seen.” How? It says, it is “being understood from what has been made…”
So although one cannot see the Creator, what He has created is clearly seen and cannot be denied. Why does the Bible clarify this? We read, “…so that people are without excuse.”
Brother Bernard: So, Brother Richie, what are the things that God created that not only prove that God exists, but even more so, it’s proof of His eternal power and glory?
Brother Richie: For the answer, we’ll go to Psalm 19, we’ll read 1-4, it says this:
How clearly the sky reveals God’s glory! How plainly it shows what he has done! Each day announces it to the following day; each night repeats it to the next. No speech or words are used, no sound is heard; yet their message goes out to all the world and is heard to the ends of the earth. God made a home in the sky for the sun;
[Psalm 19:1-4 Good News Bible]
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Brother Richie Juatco
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Richie: The Bible teaches that the sky reveals God’s glory. Why does it reveal His glory? It says, “…it shows what He has done!” So, the things we see in the sky, right? The sun, the moon, the stars, the planets, the universe—these things God has done or created.
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Brother Bernard Daos
Minister of the Gospel
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The Father is the Only True God
Brother Bernard: Now, as technology continues and the knowledge of the universe around us increases, we have learned how precise, how delicate, how intricate the universe really is and how minute and insignificant all of us are in regards to creating it. Remember, we cannot create the things in the sky yet God can Because God, He is almighty. And that we can read in Genesis 35:11.
Brother Richie: And although the Creator is invisible, how are God’s visible creations proving His existence,and His power, and His might? Well we read, “Each day announces it to the following day; each night repeats it to the next. No speech or words are used, no sound is heard; yet their message goes out to all the world…”
Brother Richie: Now we ask, is it only the things in the sky that He created? Does that give evidence of His existence and power? We ask this, Brother Bernard, because how about the things on this earth specifically? What did God create here that also proves He really is all-powerful?
Brother Bernard: Brother Richie, here is a very important Biblical truth for us to share with all of our friends and loved ones. That is recorded here in the Book of Job 12:7-10:
“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.
[Job 12:7-10 New International Version]
Brother Bernard: Here, the Bible has a suggestion to those who question what God has done or created. What was the instruction? The Bible says, “ask the animals…or the birds in the air…speak to the earth… or let the fish of the sea inform you.” Now what can be learned by simply observing the world around us? We will learn “that the hand of the LORD has done this.”
Brother Richie: It really is only God that can create the things the Bible gave as examples. Because no matter how intelligent or powerful people might feel they are, they can never create these things. They can never create animals, or birds, or fish… people cannot create life. Why not Brother Bernard?
Brother Bernard: Well, Brother Richie, Remember the truth is that “the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind” the Bible reminds us “ [is] in [God’s] hand.” Now, this is the truth of the matter we cannot give. We cannot make or create life by our own power. And you know what Even our own life or our own breath is something we cannot hold onto longer than God will allow. So even powerful people, influential people, knowledgeable people, we all understand this, especially when one [is] on their deathbed.
Brother Richie: It is so true what we read earlier through God’s creations “people are without excuse” when it comes to God’s existence. Now, with all that has been said, we understand that there are people [who] argue nothing that we have mentioned so far, from the universe to planets, the earth, life of animals and mankind, they do not believe that that proves God’s existence or that He created all these things. So how do they explain it? Instead, some believe in a theory that all these things just came about by random chance and just so happen to evolve into what we see as the world today. Now since we are learning about the God of the Bible, Brother Bernard, what is the biblical truth regarding what we are learning, all these things that are created?
Brother Bernard: Brother Richie, another important biblical truth that we would love to share with all of our viewers is recorded here in the Book of Hebrews 3:4 here is what it says:
Every house, of course, is built by someone—and God is the one who has built all things.
[Hebrews 3:4 Good News Bible]
Brother Bernard: The Biblical truth is that “Every house… is built by someone.” You know [no one] in their right mind [who] would look at a building or a house and think that somehow that was a random chance or maybe by just some big explosion and it became to what it is now. Even though we do not see the construction workers, the carpenters, the plumbers, the builders of every house, just by seeing that house we know without a shadow of a doubt that the ones who built it exist.
Brother Richie: So how about the things that man cannot build? How is it that they came into existence?
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Brother Bernard Daos
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Bernard: Well, the Bible reminds us again the truth God is the one who built all things. God alone is the Builder and Creator of all things, which we ourselves are included among his creations.
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Brother Richie Juatco
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Richie: So not only have we learned that the one true God of the Bible is the Father only, we know that He is the Creator of all things. So as part of His creations, what is God’s purpose for creating us, mankind? Is God’s purpose in creating people the same as His purpose in creating all other living beings? Brother Bernard, is it the same as his purpose in creating animals?
Brother Bernard: Well, for the answer, Brother Richie, let’s continue to read what’s recorded in the Holy Scriptures. We’ll turn now to the Book of Psalms 100:2-3 here is the biblical instruction:
Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
[Psalm 100:2-3 New King James Version]
Who is God in the Bible?
Brother Bernard: The Bible is clear that the purpose is to “Serve the Lord.” Now why is this duty of all mankind, all creation to serve God? The Bible teaches, “It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves.” Therefore we are created to be servants of God. But before we can properly fulfill this purpose of God, to be His servants, what is necessary? The Bible teaches, “Know that the Lord, He is God.”
Brother Richie: So we need to first know who is the true God of the Bible in order to understand who to serve. Without this crucial understanding, we are not able to fulfill the meaning of our life. This is the reason why we here inside the Church Of Christ we put so much effort in revealing God’s true message in the Bible, particularly today on who is the true God.
Brother Bernard: Maybe one who is watching this episode and realizes that the one true God of the Bible is the Father, and only the Father would that then meet the biblical requirement of the instruction of knowing who the Lord is God? Is that going to be good enough?
Brother Richie: Well, we can get the Biblical definition of knowing God, what is the proof of that? We’ll read from what is written in I John 2:3. It says this:
Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.
[I John 2:3 New King James Version]
Brother Richie: So truly knowing God is only proven “if we keep His commandments.” So to answer your question, Brother Bernard, right, is it enough—if watching this episode is good enough to meet the biblical instruction of knowing God? Well, it is a good step in the right direction, but one has to keep learning, they have to keep understanding, they have to keep receiving God’s words in order to know what to follow. And because of this, we invite everyone to learn God’s words with us in the Church Of Christ. Come sit in a Bible study, we invite you to come to an evangelical mission. Look at all the content that has been produced here in INC Media because all of it is based on God’s words.
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Learn more about the Church Of Christ
Brother Bernard: And remember beloved viewers, as the servants of God, God is seeking this service from us. He created us for this purpose. But what is [the] main type of service that God created people for? That service where people would be able to constantly hear His commands so they would get to know really who God is.
Brother Richie: We’ll go to Psalm 95:6-7 to answer that important question. We will read here what is our purpose:
Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, And the sheep of His hand. Today, if you will hear His voice:
[Psalms 95:6-7 New King James Version]
Brother Richie: So here the Bible instructs us. It says “Oh come, let us worship.” This is the main type of service God created us for. Why do we need to render worship service to the Lord God?
Brother Richie: Well, we read, “the Lord our Maker. For He is our God, And we are the people.” This is the whole purpose of our existence. We are created to serve and Worship our Creator. The one and only true God of the Bible, our Father.
Brother Bernard: And beloved viewers, this is the very reason why, in addition to our Bible studies or our Evangelical missions, we wholeheartedly invite all of you to join us in the worship services being conducted inside the Church Of Christ. So that we can fulfill that purpose of God to serve Him to worship Him and then all of us can continue to know the one and only true God.
Brother Richie: On behalf of all of us here at The Message, we would like to thank you for joining us in our study of God’s message. We encourage you to continue in your search for the truth and visit incmedia.org.
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Brother Richie: Before we go, please join us for a short prayer.
Our heavenly Father, we are so very grateful to You to be able to hear Your words, Your truth that is written in the Holy Bible. To be able to know and understand who You are. You are our Creator, You are our Father, You are the one and only true God. We praise, we worship Your most holy name. We ask that You, please allow this truth to remain in our hearts. Please bless all those that are watching this program. Please allow them to feel Your mercy and Your compassion, that You are the one revealing this to them. So that all of us will continue to learn about Your teachings. We will learn how to remain under Your mercy and care.
Our Lord Jesus, we also approach You. Because we learn that You are the only mediator we have to go to the only true God. It is from You that we learn who the one and only true God is. You are the one that taught us that it is only the Father. We are asking You, as our mediator, to please bring to Him this prayer. Please ask him to forgive us of the many sins that we have committed. And please ask Him that He continue to be kind and merciful to us, giving us the opportunity to learn His holy truth so that we will know how to properly live in this life that He has given to us. This life that He has intended us to live.
We thank You so much, dear Father. We return to You in our prayer. We ask You, please give us the guidance we need every day. Please help us that we will be able to always remain strong inside the truth. We even pray for the administration that You have placed inside the true Church. Help us that all of us will remain one, will remain united in receiving Your holy teachings. We believe You hear our prayer. We believe You will continue to be kind. We believe that You will answer our prayers and allow us to receive Your holy teachings always. We ask for all of these things through the name of Your Son, our one and only mediator, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Amen.
