Who is God the Father?
Who Is God the Father?
God the Father is the first Person of the Trinity, sharing one divine essence with the Son and the Holy Spirit. Together, the three Persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—constitute the one, true God. This mystery of the Trinity is revealed in Scripture and forms the foundation of Christian theology, particularly in Baptist teaching. While the full reality of the Trinity is beyond human comprehension, its truth is clearly taught in the Bible and is embraced by faith.
The Trinity: One God in Three Persons
Unity of Essence
The Bible unequivocally affirms that God is one:
Deuteronomy 6:4: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!" (NKJV).
1 Corinthians 8:6: "Yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live" (NKJV).
This oneness does not negate the existence of the three distinct Persons within the Godhead. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are co-equal, co-eternal, and consubstantial, meaning they share the same divine essence.
Distinction of Persons
The distinction among the Persons is not one of essence but of relational roles:
Matthew 28:19: "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (NKJV).
2 Corinthians 13:14: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen" (NKJV).
The order of the Persons—Father, Son, and Spirit—is often reflected in Scripture and theological formulations, emphasizing the Father’s role as the initiator in the divine economy.
God the Father: The First Person of the Trinity
The Father’s Eternal Role
God the Father has been Father from eternity, not merely in relation to creation but within the eternal relationships of the Trinity. He is the eternal Father to the Son, who is eternally begotten, and the origin from whom the Spirit eternally proceeds:
John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (NKJV).
John 15:26: "But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me" (NKJV).
These relationships are not hierarchical in essence but reflect the Father’s role as the source and initiator within the Godhead.
The Nature and Attributes of God the Father
Infinite and Personal Spirit
God the Father is an infinite, eternal, and personal Spirit:
John 4:24: "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth" (NKJV).
He transcends physical limitations yet engages personally with His creation, demonstrating both His greatness and His intimate involvement with humanity.
Fatherly Love and Care
God the Father’s relationship with His people is marked by both authority and tenderness:
Father to the Son:
The Father’s eternal love for the Son is foundational to the Trinity:John 17:24: "Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world" (NKJV).
Father to His People:
He relates to believers as a loving Father who provides, disciplines, and adopts them into His family:Romans 8:15: "For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father'" (NKJV).
Gender and Imagery
While God the Father is referred to with masculine pronouns in Scripture, He is neither male nor female, as He transcends human categories. Feminine imagery is also used to describe His tender care:
Isaiah 66:13: "As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; and you shall be comforted in Jerusalem" (NKJV).
God the Father’s Role in Creation and Providence
Creator of All Things
The Father is the ultimate source of all creation, working through the Son and the Spirit:
Genesis 1:1–2: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters" (NKJV).
Colossians 1:16: "For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him" (NKJV).
Sustainer and Provider
The Father actively upholds and sustains all things, demonstrating His providential care:
Matthew 6:26: "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" (NKJV).
God the Father’s Role in Redemption
Initiator of Salvation
The Father is the architect of redemption, sending the Son to accomplish salvation for humanity:
John 3:17: "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved" (NKJV).
The Father's Love in Redemption
The depth of the Father’s love is demonstrated in the giving of His Son:
Romans 5:8: "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (NKJV).
God the Father in the Life of Believers
Adoption and Relationship
Through Christ, believers are adopted into the family of God and share in the blessings of being His children:
Ephesians 1:5: "Having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will" (NKJV).
Discipline and Guidance
As a loving Father, God disciplines believers to refine and sanctify them:
Hebrews 12:6: "For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives" (NKJV).
God the Father as the Object of Worship
Prayer Directed to the Father
Jesus taught His disciples to pray directly to the Father, emphasizing His role as the One to whom worship and supplication are directed:
Matthew 6:9: "In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name" (NKJV).
Worship Through the Son and Spirit
Worship is directed to the Father, mediated by the Son, and empowered by the Spirit:
John 4:23–24: "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth" (NKJV).
Conclusion
God the Father, as the first Person of the Trinity, reveals His nature as Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, and Loving Parent. He is infinite and eternal, yet personally engages with humanity through His Son and Spirit. His role within the Trinity and His relationship with believers reflect His perfect love, wisdom, and authority. Understanding God the Father deepens our worship and draws us closer to the One who has made us His children through the work of Christ.
God the Father’s Sovereignty
Supreme Authority Over All Things
God the Father exercises sovereign authority over all creation and history. His will is supreme and encompasses all things, both in the natural and spiritual realms:Isaiah 46:10: "Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure'" (NKJV).
Daniel 4:35: "All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, 'What have You done?'" (NKJV).
Providential Rule
The Father works all things according to His purpose, ensuring that His plan is fulfilled:Ephesians 1:11: "In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will" (NKJV).
The Father’s Role in Election
Choosing His People
The Father’s sovereign choice in election demonstrates His grace and mercy. He predestines believers for adoption through Christ:Ephesians 1:4–5: "Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will" (NKJV).
Establishing the Covenant of Grace
The Father initiated the covenant of grace, choosing to redeem humanity through the work of the Son:Jeremiah 31:33: "But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people" (NKJV).
God the Father’s Holiness
The Source of Holiness
The Father is perfectly holy and calls His people to reflect His holiness:Leviticus 11:45: "For I am the Lord who brings you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy" (NKJV).
Judgment Against Sin
As the holy and righteous Judge, the Father executes justice and ensures that sin is punished:Psalm 96:13: "For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with His truth" (NKJV).
The Father’s Relationship with Creation
Sustainer of the Universe
The Father not only created the universe but continues to sustain it moment by moment:Colossians 1:17: "And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist" (NKJV).
Father of All Creation
In a general sense, God is referred to as the Father of all creation because all life originates from Him:Malachi 2:10: "Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us? Why do we deal treacherously with one another by profaning the covenant of the fathers?" (NKJV).
God the Father’s Revelation Through General and Special Means
Revelation in Creation
The Father reveals His glory and power through the created world:Psalm 19:1: "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork" (NKJV).
Romans 1:20: "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse" (NKJV).
Revelation Through the Word
The Father’s character and purposes are revealed through Scripture, which is inspired by the Spirit:2 Timothy 3:16: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (NKJV).
Revelation Through the Son
The ultimate revelation of the Father is found in Jesus Christ:John 1:18: "No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him" (NKJV).
Hebrews 1:3: "Who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high" (NKJV).
The Father’s Role in Prayer
Prayer Addressed to the Father
Jesus teaches that believers should address their prayers to the Father, acknowledging His role as the ultimate provider:Matthew 6:9: "In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name" (NKJV).
Intercessory Role of the Son and Spirit
While prayers are directed to the Father, they are mediated by the Son and empowered by the Spirit:Romans 8:26: "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered" (NKJV).
Hebrews 7:25: "Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them" (NKJV).
God the Father’s Role in Glorification
Glorified by the Son
Jesus’ life and ministry were aimed at glorifying the Father:John 17:4: "I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do" (NKJV).
Glorification of Believers
The Father ensures the glorification of His children, completing the work He began in them:Philippians 1:6: "Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ" (NKJV).
Conclusion
God the Father, as the first Person of the Trinity, is the sovereign Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, and Judge of all creation. His role encompasses initiating the plan of salvation, revealing His glory through creation and Scripture, and sustaining all things by His providence. He is the loving Father of believers, adopting them into His family and sanctifying them for eternal glory. The Father’s actions are directed toward the ultimate glorification of His name and the fulfillment of His eternal purposes, giving believers a foundation for faith, worship, and hope. This understanding aligns with Baptist theology, which emphasizes the centrality of the Father’s sovereignty, love, and grace in the life of every believer.
