Proofs

[1] Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:5a; 1 Thessalonians 1:9.

Comments

We are here taught that (a) there is only one God; (b) He is the Living God; and (c) He is the True God.

The first proposition, which answers the catechism question directly, reminds us that, in the history of mankind, many polytheistic religions have been invented, no doubt under satanic influence. Apart from Old Testament Judaism, which was monotheistic, almost all other ancient civilizations worship more than one god. The Babylonians, the Assyrians, the Egyptians, the Greeks, the Hindus, the Chinese, all have their pantheon of gods. It is interesting to note that, as society progresses, polytheism is more and more discarded by the world. But instead of believing in monotheism as taught in the Bible, Satan has blinded the world to believe rather in atheism or pantheism, both of which are seriously in error, not only from a biblical standpoint but from logical reasoning.

The second proposition negatively refutes idolatry—since idols are dead (Ps 115:4–7), and positively teaches us that God is the source of all life (Acts 17:28a, 1 Tim 6:13).

The third proposition negatively reminds us that man has invented many false gods (1 Cor 10:20) and positively teaches us that the LORD alone is the true God. “But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king:… The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.… They are vanity, and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish” (Jer 10:10–15).

It is of course not sufficient for us to know that God is one. We must also know that He is triune, which the subject of the next question.