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The Unity of God and Human Experience in Scripture

The concept of God's unity is a foundational principle in biblical thought, frequently asserted throughout Scripture. Moses declared, "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one" (Deuteronomy 6:4) [1]. This unity is not merely a theological abstraction but serves as a basis for human experience, particularly in the call to exclusive obedience and supreme love for God (Deuteronomy 4:39-40; 6:4-5; Mark 12:29-30) [1]. God himself affirms this unity, stating, "I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no God" (Isaiah 44:6, 8; 45:18, 21) [1]. Jesus also affirmed this truth (Mark 12:29; John 17:3), as did the apostles (1 Corinthians 8:4, 6; Ephesians 4:6; 1 Timothy 2:5) [1].

While the term "Trinity" is not found in Scripture, it is used to articulate the doctrine of God's unity subsisting in three distinct Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit [2]. This doctrine maintains that God is one, and there is only one God (Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 Kings 8:60; Isaiah 44:6; Mark 12:29, 32; John 10:30) [2]. The unity of God is consistent with the deity of Christ and the Holy Spirit, as seen in passages like John 10:30, where Jesus states, "I and the Father are one," and 1 John 5:7 [1]. The excellency and glory of Christ are presented both as God and as one with the Father (John 1:1-5; Philippians 2:6, 9-10; John 10:30, 38) [6].

The unity of God is further exhibited in his greatness and wonderful works, including creation and providence (2 Samuel 7:22; Psalm 86:10; Isaiah 44:24; 45:5-8) [1]. His exclusive possession of foreknowledge also demonstrates his singular nature (Isaiah 46:9-11) [1].

Human experience is deeply intertwined with this divine unity, particularly through the concept of union with Christ. This union is described as Christ being in believers and believers being in Christ (Ephesians 3:17; Colossians 1:27; 2 Corinthians 12:2; 1 John 5:20) [5]. It also includes union with the Father (John 17:21; 1 John 2:24) [5]. This union is a gift from God (1 Corinthians 1:30) and is maintained through faith, abiding in Christ, his word abiding in believers, feeding on him, and obeying him (Galatians 2:20; John 15:4, 7; 6:56; 1 John 3:24) [5]. The Holy Spirit witnesses to this union (1 John 3:24) [5].

The human nature of Christ was essential for his mediatorial office, serving as the "one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 2:17; Galatians 4:4-5) [3, 9]. His human nature is evidenced by his conception, birth, partaking of flesh and blood, having a human soul, and experiencing human emotions and needs such as weeping, hungering, thirsting, and weariness (Matthew 1:18, 25; John 1:14; Hebrews 2:14; John 11:35; 4:6-7) [3].

Through union with Christ, believers are made righteous, holy, and free, reflecting God's wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:30) [7]. This union allows believers to share God's glory and blessings, experiencing resurrection both presently and in the future (Ephesians 2:6) [8]. The unity of believers in Christ is a central theme, with Christ praying "that they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they may be one in us" (John 17:21) [12]. This unity among believers is a powerful witness to the world that God sent Christ [12]. The apostle Paul emphasizes this unity, stating that believers are to come "in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13) [4]. The church, as the body of Christ, exemplifies this unity, with many members forming an organic whole, all baptized by the one Spirit [10]. This unity is not uniformity but a diverse body united in Christ [10]. The benediction in 2 Corinthians 13:14, invoking the grace of Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, underscores the Trinitarian basis for this unity and fellowship [11].

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Unity of God — A ground for obeying him exclusively -- De 4:39,40. A ground for loving him supremely -- De 6:4,5; Mr 12:29,30. Asserted by God himself. -- Isa 44:6,8; 45:18,21. Christ. -- Mr 12:29; Joh 17:3. Moses. -- De 4:39; 6:4. Apostles. -- 1Co 8:4,6; Eph 4:6; 1Ti 2:5. Consistent with the deity of Christ and of the Holy Spirit -- Joh 10:30; 1Jo 5:7; Joh 14:9-11. Exhibited in His greatness and wonderful works. -- 2Sa 7:22; Ps 86:10. His works of creation and providence. -- Isa 44:24; 45:5-8. His being alone possessed of fore-knowledge. -- Isa 46:9-11. His exercise”
  2. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Trinity — A word not found in Scripture, but used to express the doctrine of the unity of God as subsisting in three distinct Persons. This word is derived from the Gr. trias, first used by Theophilus (A.D. 168-183), or from the Lat. trinitas, first used by Tertullian (A.D. 220), to express this doctrine. The propositions involved in the doctrine are these: 1. That God is one, and that there is but one God (Deut. 6:4; 1 Kings 8:60; Isa. 44:6; Mark 12:29, 32; John 10:30). 2. That the Father is a distinct divine Person (hypostasis, subsistentia, persona, suppositum int”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Human Nature of Christ, The — Was necessary to his mediatorial office -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 2:17; Ga 4:4,5; 1Co 15:21; Ro 6:15,19. Is proved by his Conception in the Virgin's womb. -- Mt 1:18; Lu 1:31. Birth. -- Mt 1:16,25; 2:2; Lu 2:7,11. Partaking of flesh and blood. -- Joh 1:14; Heb 2:14. Having a human soul. -- Mt 26:38; Lu 23:46; Ac 2:31. Circumcision. -- Lu 2:21. Increase in wisdom and stature. -- Lu 2:52. Weeping. -- Lu 19:41; Joh 11:35. Hungering. -- Mt 4:2; 21:18. Thirsting. -- Joh 4:7; 19:28. Sleeping. -- Mt 8:24; Mr 4:38. Being subject to weariness. -- Joh 4:6. ”
  4. King James Version “[KJV] Ephesians 4:13 — Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Union With Christ — As Head of the Church -- Eph 1:22,23; 4:15,16; Col 1:18. Christ prayed that all saints might have -- Joh 17:21,23. Described as Christ being in us. -- Eph 3:17; Col 1:27. Our being in Christ. -- 2Co 12:2; 1Jo 5:20. Includes union with the Father -- Joh 17:21; 1Jo 2:24. Is of God -- 1Co 1:30. Maintained by Faith. -- Ga 2:20; Eph 3:17. Abiding in him. -- Joh 15:4,7. His word abiding in us. -- Joh 15:7; 1Jo 2:24; 2Jo 1:9. Feeding on him. -- Joh 6:56. Obeying him. -- 1Jo 3:24. The Holy Spirit witnesses -- 1Jo 3:24. The gift of the Holy Spirit is an ev”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Excellency and Glory of Christ, The — As God -- Joh 1:1-5; Php 2:6,9,10. As the Son of God -- Mt 3:17; Heb 1:6,8. As one with the Father -- Joh 10:30,38. As the First-born -- Col 1:15,18. As the First-begotten -- Heb 1:6. As Lord of lords, &c -- Re 17:14. As the image of God -- Col 1:15; Heb 1:3. As creator -- Joh 1:3; Col 1:16; Heb 1:2. As the Blessed of God -- Ps 45:2. As Mediator -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 8:6. As Prophet -- De 18:15,16; Ac 3:22. As Priest -- Ps 110:4; Heb 4:15. As King -- Isa 6:1-5; Joh 12:41. As Judge -- Mt 16:27; 25:31,33. As Shepherd -- Isa 40:10,11; Joh”
  7. 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 1:30: 1:30 When people are united . . . with Christ Jesus, God makes them righteous, holy, and free (see 6:11; Rom 3:21-26; 5:17-21). This work of Christ is an expression of God’s wisdom.”
  8. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:6: 2:6 united with Christ Jesus: Because of this union, believers share God’s glory and blessings, and experience resurrection both now and in the future (see Rom 6:4-14; Col 2:12-13; 3:1-4).”
  9. 1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 2:5: For there is one God--God's unity in essence and purpose is a proof of His comprehending all His human children alike (created in His image) in His offer of grace (compare the same argument from His unity, Rom 3:30; Gal 3:20); therefore all are to be prayed for. Ti1 2:4 is proved from Ti1 2:5; Ti1 2:1, from Ti1 2:4. The one God is common to all (Isa 45:22; Act 17:26). The one Mediator is mediator between God and all men potentially (Rom 3:29; Eph 4:5-6; Heb 8:6; Heb 9:15; Heb 12:24). They who have not this one God by one Mediator, have none: literall”
  10. 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 12:12: Unity, not unvarying uniformity, is the law of God in the world of grace, as in that of nature. As the many members of the body compose an organic whole and none can be dispensed with as needless, so those variously gifted by the Spirit, compose a spiritual organic whole, the body of Christ, into which all are baptized by the one Spirit. of that one body--Most of the oldest manuscripts omit "one." so also is Christ--that is, the whole Christ, the head and body. So Psa 18:50, "His anointed (Messiah or Christ), David (the antitypical David) a”
  11. 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 13:14: The benediction which proves the doctrine of the Divine Trinity in unity. "The grace of Christ" comes first, for it is only by it we come to "the love of God" the Father (Joh 14:6). The variety in the order of Persons proves that "in this Trinity none is afore or after other" [Athanasian Creed]. communion--joint fellowship, or participation, in the same Holy Ghost, which joins in one catholic Church, His temple, both Jews and Gentiles. Whoever has "the fellowship of the Holy Ghost," has also "the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ," and "the love”
  12. John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 17:21: that they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they may be one in us--The indwelling Spirit of the Father and the Son is the one perfect bond of union, knitting up into a living unity, first all believers amongst themselves; next, this unity into one still higher, with the Father and the Son. (Observe, that Christ never mixes Himself up with His disciples as He associates Himself with the Father, but says I in THEM and THEY in US). that the world may believe that thou hast sent me--sentest me. So the grand impression upon th”
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