God the Father

The Gospel of John starts with an elaborate chiastic structure which ends with these words: “No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him” (John 1:18; cf. 1:1-2; NKJV). What does God the Father do and what is He uniquely responsible for? Which two aspects of the Father does the Bible highlight especially?

During the next few weeks, Lord willing, we will be focusing on each of the three Persons of the Trinity: first on God the Father, then on God the Son and thereafter we will focus on God the Holy Spirit. What follows today is a partial summary of an article written by Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum from Ariel Ministries about God the Father, emphasising that the Fatherhood of God distinguishes His personality from the other two Persons of the Trinity as well as the works that God the Father did (and does).

Each of the three Persons of the Trinity was (and is) involved in creation, but of the Father is said that He is the Father of creation (cf. 1 Corinthians 8:6; James 1:17). As Creator, God the Father is the Father of all angels (Genesis 6:1-4; Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7) and also the Father of all human beings (Acts 17:29; Ephesians 3:14-15). Even though all angels were created as sons of God, we know that after their creation a third of the angels fell and that eventually the devil and his angels will be thrown into the everlasting fire (cf. Matthew 25:41; Revelation 12:4). Even though His fatherhood is universal because God the Father is the Creator of all human beings, this does not mean all human beings will be saved, because not all people respond and accept the gospel of Christ. Nevertheless, as Creator of his creatures, God the Father remains the Father of all angels and of all human beings.

The Scriptures testify that God the Father is the Father of the nation Israel. For example, in Exodus 4:22, the LORD says, “Israel is My son, My firstborn”. As a nation, Israel is the national son of God the Father. Other texts which confirm the same truth is Deuteronomy 32:6, Isaiah 64:8, Jeremiah 3:4, Hosea 11:1, Malachi 1:6 and Romans 9:13; 11:1-12.

God the Father is the Father of all human beings because as Creator He created us all, but not all human beings become children of God (cf. John 1:12). For those people who are born again, He is the Father of all believers (cf. Matthew 5:45; 6:6–15; Romans 8:14–17; 1 John 3:1).

The Son of God exists from everlasting, His goings forth are from of old, from everlasting (Micah 5:2). Still, there is Biblical ground to say that God the Father is the Father of the Messiah (Psalm 2:7, John 1:14; 3:16-17; 1 John 4:9). This fact is confirmed by the Father (Matthew 3:17), by Christ himself (Matthew 11:27; John 8:54; 14:12-13), by other people (Matthew 16:16) and even by demons (Matthew 8:28-29).

The unique works of the Father distinguishes him from God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Five works are mentioned here: Firstly, God the Father generates the Son for all eternity (John 5:17-26). Secondly, God the Father is the author of the decree that brings to pass all that He wills (Psalm 2:7–9). Thirdly, the work of election is said to be the work of God the Father (Ephesians 1:3-6). Fourthly, it is God the Father who sent the Son to do the work of redemption (John 5:36). Fifthly, God the Father disciplines his children (Hebrews 12:9). Because He is the Father of believers, He has the right to divinely discipline his children.

God the Father is Lord of heaven and earth; no person has more authority than He (Matthew 11:25; cf. 1 Corinthians 15:27-28). It is the will of the Father that must be done on earth as it is done in heaven (Matthew 6:10). In case you are not yet a believer, you too can know God the Father, but we know Him only through Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Matthew 11:25-30; John 14:6).

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