His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, in this lecture, explains the different meanings of the word “One” in the Holy Bible, showing its progression from a simple individual sense to a deep spiritual and theological concept.

1. One as an Individual:
This is the simple meaning, as in the verse: “The Lord our God is one Lord” (Deuteronomy 6:4), meaning that God is one and has no equal. Likewise, James says: “You believe that God is one; you do well.”

2. One in the Spirit:
Scripture says, “The multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul” (Acts 4:32). This does not mean they were a single person but that they were united in spirit, love, and purpose.

3. One in Essence:
When Christ said, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30), He meant unity in divine essence and nature—the Father and the Son are one in divinity and substance.

4. Unity in Faith and the Church:
Saint Paul teaches in Ephesians that there is “one Lord, one faith, one baptism,” meaning the Christian faith is grounded in unity of doctrine and baptism within one body—the Church.

5. Combining Both Meanings:
Christ prayed, “That they may be one as We are one” (John 17:22), calling believers to be united in spirit as the Father and the Son are united in essence.

Spiritual Message:
The Pope clarifies that “one” in Christian understanding is not merely a number but a symbol of divine unity, harmony in faith, and spiritual oneness. God is one in His essence, and the Church is called to be one in love, faith, and fellowship—reflecting divine unity on earth.

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