Created: Sun 27-July-2025 - 09:03
Are there Two God’s?
In modern Christianity, a certain sentiment can be discovered which seemingly puts the god of the Old Testament against the god of the New Testament. In this brief message, we are going to discover that there is but One God, One Elohim, One Adonai.
What is the Great Commandment?
During Yeshua's ministry, there occurred one significant moment answering a very foundational question: "What is the great commandment?"
Without hesitation, Yeshua answered in a way that many Christians today are either not aware of, or tend to ignore: He answered with the Jewish Sh'ma prayer.
Deut 6.4
Hear, Israel: Yahweh is our God. Yahweh is one.
Deut 6.5
You shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might.
The 2-Commandments Doctrine
From this passage, something that can be referred to as "2-Commandments Doctrine" has found its way into the minds and the hearts of many believers. This doctrine concludes that Yeshua only gave 2 commandments which are to be followed by believers:
- Love God
- Love your neighbour
This oversimplification has caused many truthful believers to look at Scripture through a veil over their eyes. Furthermore, it has resulted in a theology that dismisses the Tanakh and the Jewishness of Yeshua, His disciples, and the Jewishness of the B'rit Chadashah (בְּרִית חֲדָשָׁה - New Testament/New Covenant) in its totality.
Such a doctrine makes it easy to claim that there would be two gods: one of the old testament, one of the new.
This division is not only false. It goes against the Word of God given through the Prophets and Messiah Yeshua.
The Shema Prayer - Foundational to Yeshua's Ministry
Let us look at Deuteronomy 6:4 — it clearly states that YHWH is our God, and that God is one. There cannot be more than one God, more than one Elohim. This passage is the beginning of the Jewish Shema prayer, one of the highest prayers in Judaism which is recited at least twice a day.
Is it not remarkable that Yeshua cited the Sh'ma when asked about the great commandment?
Paul affirms
In Paul's writing to the Romans, we find yet another affirmation about the Oneness of God. There is only one God, for the Jews as well as for the Gentiles and all the nations. Yeshua himself gave His disciples the great commission to go out into the nations and to make disciples. Even more so, to baptise them, and make them follow God's commandments which He spoke through Yeshua during His earthly ministry.
We now have more than 2 witnesses which in Judaism is required to establish a matter:
- Yeshua
- Torah
- Paul
In the Siftei, we find a commentary on the Deuteronomy passage which brings further depth:
Siftei Chakhamim, Deuteronomy 6:4:1 | Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009
Adonoy Who is presently our God, etc. Otherwise it should say, “Listen, Yisroel! Adonoy is one.” Rather, the verse means: Listen, Yisroel! Now He is only [recognized as] our God, but the time will come, etc. In other words, all the idolaters will acknowledge that He is One in heaven and on earth, and in all four directions. And this is the Oneness that our sages derive from this verse, as Scripture says (Zechariah 14:9), “On that day Adonoy will be King...Adonoy will be One, etc.”
God is a God not only for the Jews and Israel, but for all nations. Therefore, a differentiation or separation between believers is undesirable as it would violate the great commandment which Yeshua cited.
Rewards
In the Midrash Tanchuma, we see that there is seemingly a reward from the Father to those who keep and perform His commandments (Mitzvah) as written in the Torah. This is a remarkable parallel to Yeshua who tells us in the Sermon on the Mount that the Father will reward us for doing good deeds such as charity. Something that is of immense importance in the Torah and the wholeness of the Tanakh. Taking care of widows and the fatherless, giving charity, helping others, leaving grains on the field for the poor to pick—Judaism is deeply social and devoted to be holy and walk in the righteousness of God.
Midrash Tanchuma, Noach 3:6
We learn from these verses that the first part of the Shema (Deut. 6:4–9) does not mention a reward given in this world, while the second part does: And if ye shall hearken diligently unto My commandments which I command thee this day … I will give the rain of your land in its season (Deut. 11:13). This reward is given to those who perform the commandments (contained in the Written Law) even though they neglect the study of Talmud.
One God - One Torah - One Obedience
The Torah has already shown us that obedience rewards blessings, and disobedience rewards curses. And since God is One—i.e. the same God for Jews and Gentiles—we might deduct from that that not only are the blessing (and curses) for Israel, but for all nations who join themselves to God.
This would then imply that not only Israel (and Messianic Jews) are meant to keep God's commandments, but also Gentiles coming to Messiah.
How can God have two different standards for Messianic Jews and Messianic Gentiles in the same vine?
Yeshua told us that God is One. Paul affirmed and applied this principle which is deeply ingrained in (Messianic) Judaism. Yeshua's followers are called to follow and abide in His words.
It is not enough to acknowledge the Oneness of God; it is also implied that those who believe in the Father also believe in the Son and therefore, upon receiving the the Holy Spirit, will abide in God's Commandments with delight.