See in Reader
1.7 KiB
God the Father
"God the Father" is the one true God. He is the creator of everything that exists. He is also called “Father” and “heavenly Father.” He is the father of the people with whom he made a covenant. In the Old Testament, he made a covenant with the Israelites (see: 1 Chronicles 39:10). In the New Testament, he makes a covenant with anyone who believes in Jesus (see: Romans 1:7).
God is also the father of Jesus (see: Romans 15:6; 2 Corinthians 1:3; Ephesians 1:3). Jesus called God “my father” (Matthew 7:21; Luke 22:29; John 5:17; 15:1). God is father of Jesus in a unique way. It is different than the way God is father of his people. Jesus said that he and the Father are one (see: John 10:30). Jesus meant that he and his Father are perfectly united in every way. This unique relationship between God the Father and God the Son is a mystery to humans.
The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all God. No one is greater than anyone else. However, most of the time in the New Testament the word “God” means “God the Father.”
God the Father is not the father of Jesus or of his covenant people in the same way that a human father is the father of his child. Jesus has always been God the Son. God created all people and chose the ones he calls his children (see: Deuteronomy 32:6; Ephesians 1:4). However, God has chosen to use the word “father” to tell people about who he is. God loves and cares for Jesus and his people in the same way a human father loves and cares for his children.
See: Covenant; People of God; Holy Spirit; Trinity; Elect (Election)