1 ?
Exploring the Biblical Significance of the Number “1”
The number “1” is rich in meaning throughout Scripture, symbolizing unity, primacy, and the uniqueness of God. This Bible study will explore how the theme of “one” is interwoven throughout the Bible, emphasizing God’s oneness, the unique way of salvation, and the call to unity among believers.
The Oneness of God
One of the foundational truths of the Bible is the absolute oneness and uniqueness of God. This theme is established early in the Old Testament:
Hear, O Israel: Jehovah our God is one Jehovah: - Deuteronomy 6:4 ASV
This declaration, known as the Shema, affirms that there is only one true God, setting biblical faith apart from polytheistic religions. The New Testament reaffirms God’s oneness:
there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we through him. - 1 Corinthians 8:6 ASV
The unity of God is fundamental to Christian theology—He is the only God, eternally existent in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (see Matthew 28:19 ASV).
One Way of Salvation
The number “1” also highlights the exclusivity and sufficiency of God’s plan of salvation through Christ. The Bible teaches that there is only one mediator and one way to be reconciled to God:
For there is one God, one mediator also between God and men, himself man, Christ Jesus, - 1 Timothy 2:5 ASV
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me. - John 14:6 ASV
These verses affirm the centrality of Christ in salvation. There are not many roads to God, but one—the Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we receive grace by faith (see also Acts 4:12 ASV).
Unity in the Body of Christ
The call to “oneness” is also directed at the church. Believers in Jesus are called to be united as one body, despite their diversity:
There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all. - Ephesians 4:4-6 ASV
This passage highlights the unity of believers, grounded in shared faith and the indwelling Holy Spirit. While Christians come from many backgrounds, their identity in Christ makes them one family.
The Priority of Loving God First
Jesus taught that the greatest commandment is to love God with all our being:
And he said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the great and first commandment. - Matthew 22:37-38 ASV
God deserves to be first in our priorities, affections, and worship.
Conclusion
The number “1” in the Bible is a powerful reminder of God’s uniqueness, the exclusivity of salvation in Christ, and the unity to which believers are called. In a world marked by division and confusion, Scripture calls us to focus on the one true God, the one way of salvation, and the one body of Christ.