THE DOCTRINE OF THE FATHER

Imagine yourself among a group of Christians who have been given a biblical test with but three essay questions on it. Here are the questions.

Number 1

Put down everything you know about the Person and work of Jesus Christ, the second Person in the Trinity. (Probably most of the group could fill several pages of material about the Savior in a reasonable amount of time. So far, so good!)

Number 2

Put down everything you know about the Person and work of the Holy Spirit, the third Person in the Trinity. (Now the pens do not move as rapidly or as confidently as before. There are long pauses between sentences. At the end of the given time period the average believer has probably written at least one-half page or more.)

Number 3

Put down everything you know about the Person and work of God the Father, first Person in the Trinity. (Oh, how silent the room now becomes! Finally, one statement is written: "He is the Father of Jesus Christ." But what can be added to this? It is my opinion that precious few in that group of Christians would be able to write even one-half dozen lines about the Father.)

This all but univeral ignorance about the Father is inexcusable, for he is mentioned by the Savior alone well over 200 times during his earthly ministry. Our Lord taught the following about him:

A. He is spirit (Jn. 4:24).

B. He is omnipotent (Mt. 19:26).

C. He is omniscient (Mt. 10:29).

D. He is holy 0n. 17:11).

E. He is righteous (Jn. 17:25).

F. He is loving (Jn. 3:16; 17:23).

G. He is good (Mt. 6:26, 28-30; 10:29, 30).

W. Graham Scroggie writes:

"But the outstanding truth which Christ taught about God is that He is Father. This term, applied to Him, occurs 189 times—in Matthew, 44; in Mark 4; in Luke, 17; and in John, 124." (A Guide to the Gospels, p. 560)

I. He is the Father of all life.

"For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light" (Ps. 36:9).

"For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself" (Jn. 5:26).

"God that made the world and all things therein ... he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things" (Acts 17:24, 25).

"This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart" (Eph. 4:17, 18).

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork" (Ps. 19:1).

"Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light. Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. Let them praise the name of the Lord: for he commanded, and they were created" (Ps. 148:2-5).

~ THE DOCTRINE OF THE FATHER

C. He tends and cares for the weather.

“Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places. He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries" (Ps. 135:6, 7).

“Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains. ... He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes. He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold? He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow" (Ps. 147:8, 16, 18).

"Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word" (Ps. 148:8).

D. He tends and cares for the seasons.

"While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease" (Gen. 8:22).

"Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness" (Acts 14:17). D. He Is the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ. During his earthly ministry Jesus spoke more about the Father than any other subject.

A. The Father sent his Son.

"Then said Jesus to them again, peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you" (Jn. 20:21).

"As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father" (Jn. 6:57).

"The Father that sent me beareth witness of me" (Jn. 8:18).

"But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman" (Gal. 4:4).

"And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world" (1 Jn. 4:14; see also Jn. 3:16; 8:16; 12:49).

B. The Father commanded the angels to worship his Son.

"And . . . when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith. And let all the angels of God worship him" (Heb. 1:6; see also Lk. 2:8-15).

C. He sealed his Son.

"Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed" (Jn. 6:27).

D. He honored (and honors) his Son.

"Jesus answered. If I honour myself, my hour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God" (Jn. 8:54).

E. He bore witness to his Son (Jn. 8:18).

F. He loved (and loves) his Son.

"Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again" (Jn. 10:17).

G. He glorified his Son.

"Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again" (Jn. 12:27, 28).

"These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee. . . . And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was" (Jn. 17:1, 5).

H. He taught his Son.

"Then said Jesus unto them. When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things" (Jn. 8:28).

I. He anointed his Son.

"And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them. This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears" (Lk. 4:16-21).

"For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him" (Jn. 3:34).

J. He delighted in his Son.

"Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles" (Isa. 42:1).

"And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Mt. 3:17).

"While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said. This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him" (Mt. 17:5).

"For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory. This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (2 Pet. 1:17).

K. He listened to his Son.

"Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of

the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me" (Jn. 11:41, 42).

"Then said Jesus unto him. Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Think- est thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?" (Mt. 26:52, 53).

L. He offered his Son.

"Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?" (Jn. 18:11).

"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Rom. 8:32).

'In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins" (1 Jn. 4:9,10).

M. He was totally satisfied by his Son.

"And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him" (Jn. 8:29).

N. He raised his Son.

"Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead)" (Gal. 1:1).

"Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places" (Eph. 1 : 20 ).

O. He exalts his Son.

"Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Phil. 2:9-11).

"Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come" (Eph. 1:21).

P. He makes his Son head of the church.

"And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church" (Eph. 1:22).

Q. He commits judgment unto his Son.

"The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand" (Jn. 3:35).

"For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son. . . . And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man" (Jn. 5:22, 27).

Lewis Chafer writes the following concerning the relationship between the Father and the Son. "The relationship of the second person to the first person has from all eternity been that of a Son, and, like all else, related to the Godhead, is not only eternal but is unchangeable. He did not become a Son of the Father, as some say that He did, by His incarnation, or by His resurrection, nor is He a Son by mere title, nor is He temporarily assuming such a relationship that He may execute His part in the covenant of Redemption.

He was the only begotten of the Father from all eternity, having no other relation to time and creation than that He is the Creator of them. It is evident that the Father and Son relationship sets forth only the features of emanation and manifestation and does not include the usual conception of derivation, inferiority, or distinction as to the time of beginning.

It is probable that the terms Father and Son, as applied to the first and second persons in the Godhead, are somewhat anthropomorphic in character. That sublime and eternal relationship which existed between these two persons is best expressed to human understanding in the terms of Father and Son, but wholly without implication that the rivo Persons, on the divine side, are not equal in every particular." (Systematic Theology, Vol. I, pp. 313-315)

III. He Is the Father of All Believers. While God is the Creator of all men (Gen. 1:27; Eccl. 12:1; Acts 17:24-26), he is the Father only of believers.

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not" (1 Jn. 3:1).

A. He foreknew the believer (Rom. 8:29; 1 Pet. 1:2).

B. He predestinated the believer.

"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren" (Rom. 8:29).

"In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will" (Eph. 1:11).

"And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed" (Acts 13:48).

C. He elected the believer.

"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" (Eph. 1:4).

"But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth" (2 Thess. 2:13).

"Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect ac-

~ THE doctrine of the father ~

cording to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied" (1 Pet. 1:1, 2).

"Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls" (1 Pet. 2:9).

D. He gave all the elected believers to Christ.

"All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out" (Jn. 6:37).

"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" (Jn. 6:44).

"My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand" (Jn. 10:29).

"Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God" (Jn. 13:3).

E. He called the believer (Rom. 8:30).

F. He conforms the believer to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29).

G. He redeemed the believer.

"In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace" (Eph. 1:7).

H. He justified the believer (Rom. 8:33).

I. He indwells the believer.

"Jesus answered and said unto him. If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him" (Jn. 14:23).

J. He sealed the believer with the Holy Spirit.

"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise" (Eph. 1:13).

"And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption" (Eph. 4:30).

It was, of course, the Father who sent the Holy Spirit at the request of Christ to the believer in the first place. See John 14:16, 26; 15:26.

K. He keeps the believer.

"My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand" (Jn. 10:29).

"And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are" (Jn. 17:11).

L. He honors the believer.

"If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour" (Jn. 12:26).

M. He blesses the believer.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" (Eph. 1:3).

N. He loves the believer.

"Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace" (2 Thess. 2:16).

"He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him" (Jn. 14:21).

"And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning" (Jn. 15:27).

O. He comforts the believer.

"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort" (2 Cor. 1:3).

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" (Rev. 21:4).

"Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace" (2 Thess. 2:16).

P. He sanctifies the believer.

"Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called" (Jude 1).

"Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee" (Jn. 17:17).

Q. He bestows peace upon the believer. (See Rom.

1:7; 1 Cor. 1:3; Gal. 1:3; Eph. 1:2; Phil. 1:2; Col.

1:2; 1 Thess. 1:1; 2 Thess. 1:2; Titus 1:4.)

R. He is glorified when the believer bears fruit.

"Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples" (Jn. 15:8).

S. He reveals truth to the believer.

"At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes" (Mt. 11:25).

"And Jesus answered and said unto him. Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven" (Mt. 16:17).

"In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so. Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight" (Lk. 10:21).

"That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him" (Eph. 1:17).

T. He supplies the needs of believers.

"(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteous-

ness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Mt. 6:32, 33).

"Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness" (Eph. 4:19).

U. He seeks the worship of believers.

"But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him" 0n. 4:23).

V. He chastens believers.

"And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children. My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness" (Heb. 12:5-10).

W. He restores the believer.

"He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake" (Ps. 23:3).

"Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit" (Ps. 51:12).

"And the son said unto him. Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants. Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry" (Lk. 15:21-24).

X. He will someday gather all believers in Christ.

"That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him" (Eph. 1 : 10 ).

Y. He will someday reward all believers.

"Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven" (Mt. 6:1).

"But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Heb. 11:6).

"Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing" (2 Tim. 4:8).

Z. He will someday glorify all believers.

"Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified" (Rom. 8:30).