📌 The main idea of the lecture

The lecture explains the meanings of the word “One” in the Holy Bible and shows how it is used in different contexts: individuality, spiritual unity, and unity of divine essence, emphasizing the correct Orthodox understanding.

🔹 First: “One” meaning an individual

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that the simplest meaning of “one” is an individual or something not multiple, as in:

• “God is one” (James 2:19)

• “The Lord our God is one Lord” (Deut. 6)

• “One language” in Genesis 11

🔹 Second: spiritual unity

His Holiness explains that “one” can refer to unity of heart and spirit among believers, such as:

• “The multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul” (Acts 4:32)

• “With one accord” in prayer and worship (Acts 2:46)

This does not mean one literal soul, but unity in spirit, feelings, and faith.

🔹 Third: unity of the divine essence

His Holiness affirms that Christ’s saying “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30) means unity of divine essence — one nature, one Godhead, one essence — not merely agreement of thought.

Christ also combines unity of spirit for believers with unity of divine essence in John 17:22.

🔹 Fourth: one in faith

His Holiness notes that the Church proclaims: “We believe in one Church,” and Christ is the one Shepherd of one flock (John 10:16), confirming the unity of faith and spiritual leadership.

📚 The spiritual essence

His Holiness distinguishes between types of oneness: individuality, unity in spirit, and unity of divine essence, emphasizing that the Bible uses the word “one” with depth and precision, preserving the Orthodox faith from simplification or deviation.

For better translation support, please contact the center.