1. Rev. Christopher J. Respass ABI—Major Bible Themes, Lesson 6 Fall 2014

2. Introduction. The God is a triune God who exists as three (3) persons—Father, Son, Spirit. The Godhead operates as one, but each person has a unique, functional role. The Father elects, loves and bestows. The Son suffers, redeems and upholds the universe. The Spirit regenerates, indwells, baptizes, energizes and sanctifies. Concerning the First Person, God the Father, we will look at four (4) distinct aspects of his fatherhood.

3. I. God’s Fatherhood over Creation “ Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” (Gen. 1:26) “For although there may be so- called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.” (1 Cor. 8:5-6)

4. “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named ” (Eph. 3:14-15) “Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us….” (Mal. 2:10)

5. All creatures owe their existence to God and thus all of the created order should see the Creator as its father. It is important, however, to note that this does not mean that God is the spiritual father of all people and all things. No Universal Salvation Q: What is “universal salvation”?

6. II. God’s Fatherhood by Intimate Relationship A. The “father-son” imagery is used to describe the intimacy and concern God has for Israel. “Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord, Israel is my firstborn son, and I say to you, “Let my son go that he may serve me.” If you refuse to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son.” Exodus 4:22-23

7. B. This declaration expressed God’s concern and relationship for Israel was more than that of a Creator for his creation, but it fell short of stating that Israel was already eternally saved. (see, Rom 9:6b-7a, “not all Israel is Israel”) C. God’s deep concern extends to households and individuals: 1) House of David (2 Sam 7:14) 2) Those who trust in God (Ps. 103:13)

8. III. God as Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ A. John 3:16 is perhaps that one verser we all know which expresses the nature of the relationship between the 1 st and 2 nd person of the trinity. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

9. B. Unfortunately, the “father,” “son,”“first born” verbiage has caused some to misunderstand the unity and equality within the Godhead, notwithstanding the functional differences in their divine roles. (e.g., error of Arius in 4 th Century) C. The full extent of the relationship between God the Father and God the Son is better understood when considered along with John 1:1-2, 14 and Col. 1:15-20.

10. 1. Jesus is eternal in existence and equal with God. The Father and Son have a oneness of life, character and attributes. Yet, there is operational order that exists. 2. This order allows for the fulfillment of divine roles without any diminishing of their divinity. Thus, the Father can “give” a son who then responds “obediently” to the father’s request.

11. D. More Support for the Father-Son Relationship 1. The Son of God is said to be begotten by the Father (Ps. 2:7, John 3:16). 2. The Father acknowledged Jesus Christ as his son (Matt. 3:17, Luke 9:35). 3. The Son acknowledged God as his Father (John 8:16-29).

12. 4. Others acknowledge God as the Father of Jesus Christ (Matt. 16:16, John 1:32-34). 5. The Son acknowledges the Father by submitting to him (John 6:38). 6. Even demons recognize the relationship between the Father and the Son (Matt. 8:29).

13. IV.God the Father of All Who Believe in Jesus Christ A. God is the Father, in a special way, of all those who believe in Jesus Christ and have received eternal life. B. God is the Father of all (for the purposes of creation), but not the Father of all (for the purposes of salvation).

14. 1. Salvation is only for those who have received Jesus as their savior. Only this specific group can say that God is their “Father” in a spiritual sense (John 1:12-13, Gal. 3:26, Eph. 2:19) 2. As a child of God, the Believer can refer to God as “Abba, Father” (Rom. 8:15) and is an heir of God and co-heir with Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:16).

15. Only those who are saved can claim God as their spiritual Father

16. QUESTIONS

17. Chapter 7God the Son: Deity & Eternity