2) God, the Father
Knowing the first person of the Trinity - The heavenly Father who loves us
When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He began with revolutionary words: “Our Father, who art in heaven.” For the Jews of the first century, calling God “Father” in such an intimate way was something surprising. In this lesson, we will explore the first person of the Trinity: God, the Father.
The Father in the Old Testament
Is God called Father in the Old Testament?
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Answer: Yes — 'O Lord, You are our Father'
Isaiah 63:16: "Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting."
Although the New Testament more fully develops the revelation of God as Father, this truth was already present in the Old Testament. God is Father of Israel as a nation and Father of all human beings as Creator.
In what sense is God the Father of all humanity?
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Answer: Because we are His offspring as Creator
Acts 17:28-29: "For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device."
The Father Revealed by Jesus
Who is the only source of true knowledge about the Father?
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Answer: The Son, who reveals the Father to whomever He wishes
Matthew 11:27: "All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him."
Jesus is the definitive revelation of the Father. Everything we know about the character of God the Father, we see perfectly in Jesus. “He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father,” Jesus said to Philip.
How did Jesus frequently refer to God in His prayers?
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Answer: Abba, Father
Mark 14:36: "And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt."
“Abba” is an Aramaic word of filial intimacy, trust and closeness. Jesus revealed that we can draw near to God as Father without losing the reverence due to His name.
“Our God is a tender, merciful Father. His service should not be looked upon as a heart-saddening, distressing exercise. It should be a pleasure to worship the Lord and to take part in His work.” — Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 103, par. 2.
The Attributes of the Father
What is the essential nature of God the Father?
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Answer: God is Spirit
John 4:24: "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."
The Father is Spirit: invisible, incorporeal, omnipresent. This does not mean He is impersonal or abstract. He is a real person with will, emotions and relationships.
“God is a Spirit; yet He is a personal Being; for so He has revealed Himself.” — Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 413, par. 1.
Can God the Father be seen by human beings?
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Answer: No one has ever seen God; the only begotten Son has revealed Him
John 1:18: "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him."
The Father dwells in “unapproachable light.” The theophanies (appearances of God) in the Old Testament were generally manifestations of the pre-incarnate Son, not direct visions of the Father.
Does God the Father change over time?
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Answer: With Him there is no change or shadow of turning
James 1:17: "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."
The Love of the Father
How did God the Father demonstrate His love for humanity?
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Answer: By giving His only Son to die for us
John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
The Father’s love is not abstract. It was demonstrated concretely in the sacrifice of Jesus. The Father did not send the Son unwillingly; He Himself suffered infinitely in seeing His Son die for our sins.
How does the Father treat those who repent and return to Him?
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Answer: Runs to meet them, embraces and kisses them
Luke 15:20: "And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him."
The parable of the prodigal son reveals the heart of the Father. He does not wait passively; He runs to meet the repenting sinner. He does not demand explanations; He embraces immediately. This is our heavenly Father!
“The parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son, bring out in distinct lines God’s pitying love for those who are straying from Him. Although they have turned away from God, He does not leave them in their misery. He is full of kindness and tender pity toward all who are exposed to the temptations of the artful foe.” — Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 198, par. 1.
The Role of the Father in Salvation
Who planned the salvation of humanity?
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Answer: The Father chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world
Ephesians 1:3-5: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,"
The plan of salvation originated in the heart of the Father. It was not Jesus who convinced a reluctant Father to forgive us: the Father and the Son worked together, in perfect harmony, from eternity.
Is it the Father or the Son who draws people to Jesus?
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Answer: No one can come to Jesus if the Father does not draw them
John 6:44: "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day."
And Now?
Knowing God as Father transforms our lives:
- We can pray with confidence: We speak with our loving Father, not some distant deity.
- We need not fear: The Father loves and cares for us as His children.
- We have a model of fatherhood: Earthly fathers can reflect the love of the heavenly Father.
- We belong to a family: We are brothers and sisters with all who call God Father.
My Decision
I accept God as my heavenly Father. I believe He loves me unconditionally and demonstrated that love by sending His Son to die for me. I desire to live as an obedient and loving child, trusting in His paternal care.