The Names Christians Wear

Sons and Daughters of God 2 Corinthians 6: "Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you." "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."

Galatians 3:26 -- You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus….

Matthew 13:43 -- Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

Philippians 2:15 -- so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe….

Luke 6: But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Matthew 6:31-32 – “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.”

We Are Children By Adoption John 1: Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

Ephesians 1: For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— Ephesians 3: For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. God’s fatherhood defines ALL fatherhood.

Hebrews 12:5-8 – “And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.”

Abba Father Term appears three times in New Testament Mark 14:36 -- "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.“ Romans 8:15 --For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."

Galatians 4:6 -- Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father.“ Some who have decided that they can address Almighty God as “Papa” or “Daddy” based upon these three verses. Depends upon an understanding of the word Abba and what the word means in Aramaic. Often look with condescension upon those who are so unenlightened to think we cannot be so “familiar” with God our Father.

Origins of the thought Traced to Joachim Jeremias, a Bible scholar who suggested the etymological origins of abba was found in child speak, much like “dada” in English. Asserted that as such, it was a pet name for Father equivalent to Daddy or Papa. Hotly debated by other scholars of the time. Evidence strong that adults used the term, not as a term of endearment, but as a term of respect and honor.

The combination of Greek and Aramaic The term appears the same each time: Abba Ho Pater – Father The Father If this was intended to be understood as a pet name, why wouldn’t the Aramaic and the Greek phrases both reflect this familiarity? Greek had phrases available, such as pappas, papas and papias if that was the intention.

What Jesus WAS saying: Greatly furthered the understanding of God as a loving Father rather than an angry avenger. Appreciated a close relationship with God and taught His disciples to seek that relationship as well. Said, simply, Father, O Father… absolute respect mixed with love and honor.

What Jesus PROBABLY WAS NOT saying Was not saying that we should see our heavenly father in the same vein as we see our earthly fathers. Was not saying that we have the right to be absolutely familiar with our God. We are still to stand in awe and reverence before God. But – He IS our Father. A good and loving Father. And we ARE His children.