God the Father

It is important for us to learn about God the Father, His nature and character.

Who, then, is the Father?

"And at that time Jesus answered and said, 'I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes'" (Matthew 11:25At 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.
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God the Father is the supreme ruler of the whole universe. Everything in the heavens and the earth is subject to His authority (1 Corinthians 15:27-28 [27] For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
[28] And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

See All...). He is spirit (John 4:24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
See All...) and possesses immortality (1 Timothy 6:16Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
See All...). Life is inherent within the Father. (To learn more, please request our free booklet Who Is God ? )

He has absolutely perfect righteous character, and Jesus expressly told us to become like Him. "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect," said Christ (Matthew 5:48Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
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Further, God the Father is the source of every blessing. A passage in Ephesians 1:3-10 [3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
[4] 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:
[5] Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
[6] To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
[7] In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
[8] Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
[9] Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
[10] 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:

See All... makes this truth abundantly clear. The Father is the subject of these verses, and they show how He is generously working out His eternal plan for humankind. He has made known unto us "the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself" (verse 9). We suggest that you study this whole passage carefully in one or more modern translations as well as the King James or New King James version.

What one word describes the character of God the Father perhaps better than any other?

"And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him" (1 John 4:16And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
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Love is the foundation of the character and law of God. It is the basis of everything that God has revealed to mankind in the Holy ScripturesThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18). (Matthew 22:35-40 [35] Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,
[36] Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
[37] Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
[38] This is the first and great commandment.
[39] And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
[40] On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

See All...). Eventually God, through His power, will overcome evil, forever banishing it from the coming holy city of God which will come down to earth (RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 21:1-3 [1] And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
[2] And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
[3] And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

See All..., 27). Only those who have this kind of godly love will remain in the Father's presence.

Paul called love the greatest Christian attribute (1 Corinthians 13:13And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
See All...). It is the first fruit of God's Spirit that he mentions (Galatians 5:22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
See All...). It is the bond of perfection, binding everything together in perfect harmony (Colossians 3:14And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
See All...). It is the fulfilling of the law (Romans 13:10Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
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This word is used in the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. to sum up the wonderful character of the Father. God is love.

But, lest we misunderstand, we must define our terms. In some instances the English language is not nearly as precise as the Greek. The word love is a case in point. In English love encompasses at least several attributes and feelings. In some ways it is one of the most abused words in the language. The Greek language, however, is much more specific. It uses at least four words for love, although two are not used in ScriptureThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18)..

Eros encompasses sexual love—the love that a man and woman should enjoy within the marriage relationship. Storge is limited in its meaning to the love of parents for children (and vice versa) and the normal, familial love of siblings for each other. Philia is used in the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. and describes warm and tender feelings between people. It can include physical affection that is decent and appropriate. But the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. uses none of these three words to describe the Father.

Agape is the term the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. uses to describe godly love, the love of God. Agape generously embraces concern for the one loved. It depicts unconquerable benevolence and goodwill. It even encompasses love for one's enemies.

God's nature and character are characterized by this kind of love. We can receive this type of love only from God Himself and His Son, Jesus Christ. Upon repentance we can begin to exhibit this kind of love through the Holy Spirit. Our Christian love must be patterned by agape . Read Matthew 5:43-48 [43] Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
[44] But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
[45] That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
[46] For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
[47] And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
[48] Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

See All.... Here we learn that the Father sends His rain on the just and the unjust, makes His sun shine on both good and evil and is kind even to the unthankful and evil.

We must learn to think as God thinks and do as He does—to love as the Father loves. In exercising this kind of love, we express the image of God (reflecting His character), even though we are still human. But we hasten to add that human beings cannot generate this type of love of and by themselves. It emanates ultimately only from God (Romans 5:5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
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In what major way has the Father expressed this love (agape) for all people?

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
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From God's perspective, the world is not easy to love. Certainly the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. tells us not to love its evils (1 John 2:15-17 [15] Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
[16] For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
[17] And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

See All...). Living in the world, we are all too aware of the many human problems that afflict every continent, island, region, city and village. But the Father is guided by His wondrous plan, not by the whims, foolish ideas and pervasive sins of mankind.

The Father began to rescue humanity from itself by sending His Son to earth. Jesus Himself said: "...I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself" (John 12:32And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
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What is the relationship between God and Jesus Christ?

"The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God" (Mark 1:1The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;
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"All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son..." (Matthew 11:27All 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.
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"We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ..." (Colossians 1:3We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
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These passages describe a close family relationship.

So close is Their relationship that Christ could say, "He that has seen Me has seen the Father" (John 14:9Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
See All...). These two Beings share a close and deep bond with each other (John 10:15As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
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Perhaps more than any other apostle, John describes the relationship that Jesus Christ enjoyed with His Father. To gain a much clearer understanding, please read through the entire fourth GospelThe good news of God's everlasting kingdom to be established on earth after Christ's return and how we may be a part of that kingdom. This message was central to the teaching of Jesus Christ and the apostles. The term is used about 100 times in the New Testament . and the first epistle of John with that one-of-a-kind relationship firmly in mind.

What is the motivating force that defines and guides this relationship?

"Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again...This command I have received from My Father" (John 10:17-18 [17] Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
[18] No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

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"But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do" (John 14:31But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.
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The world at large rarely equates love with obedience. Yet Jesus expressed His love to the Father by obedience. That same kind of love is required of all Christians. Christ said to His disciples, "If you love Me, keep My commandments" (John 15:10If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
See All...). Also John, the apostle of love, wrote: "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome" (1 John 5:3For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
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In what miraculous way did the Father express love to His Son?

"Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him [Jesus Christ], they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. But God raised Him from the dead" (Acts 13:29-30 [29] And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.
[30] But God raised him from the dead:

See All...; compare Romans 8:11But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
See All...; 10:9).

"...God...raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory..." (1 Peter 1:21Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
See All...; compare Ephesians 1:20Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
See All...; 1 Corinthians 6:14And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.
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"Paul [is] an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead)" (Galatians 1:1Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)
See All...; compare Colossians 2:12Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
See All...; 1 Corinthians 6:14And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.
See All...; 15:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 1:10And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
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God the Father raised His Son, Jesus Christ, from the dead. This is clearly confirmed in many scriptures. Remember, after our reconciliation to the Father through the blood of Christ, we are saved by His life (Romans 5:10For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
See All...). The book of Hebrews shows that He regularly intercedes with the Father on our behalf as our High Priest.

Who came to reveal or unveil the Father to humankind?

"Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him" (Matthew 11:27All 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.
See All...; compare Luke 10:21-22 [21] 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.
[22] All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.

See All...). One of the major reasons that Jesus Christ came in human flesh was to fully reveal the Father to especially called and chosen people (compare Acts 2:38-39 [38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
[39] For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.

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Who is the ultimate source of all biblical truth?

"And the Jews marveled, saying, 'How does this Man know letters, having never studied?' Jesus answered them and said, 'My doctrine is not Mine, but His [the Father's] who sent Me'" (John 7:15And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?
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"...I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things" (John 8:28Then 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.
See All...; compare verse 26; 14:10).

Who initiates salvation?

"No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day [the resurrection]" (John 6:44No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
See All...; compare 6:65).

Although it is certainly true that we can be saved only through the name of Jesus Christ and His actions on our behalf (Acts 4:12Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
See All...), it is also true that God the Father begins the salvation process. Even the original disciples were drawn by the Father (John 17:6I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.
See All..., 11). Jesus prayed all night to Him for guidance before He chose the 12 (Luke 6:12-13 [12] And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
[13] And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;

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Of whom has this world always been largely unaware?

"Then they said to him, 'Where is your Father?' Jesus answered, 'You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also'" (John 8:19Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.
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"O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known Me that You sent Me" (John 17:25O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.
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This is why the apostle Paul called man's civilization "this present evil world" (Galatians 1:4Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
See All..., KJV). This is why "the whole world lieth in wickedness" (1 John 5:19And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
See All..., KJV). Humankind has been blinded to the right knowledge of God and His plan for all of us—and the world suffers horribly as a result. A time is coming, however, when "the knowledge of the LORD" will cover this earth "as the waters cover the sea" (Isaiah 11:9They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
See All...; Habbakuk 2:14).

To whom should we address our prayers?

"In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven; hallowed be Your name" (Matthew 6:9After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
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"So he said to them, 'When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name'" (Luke 11:2And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
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What is commonly called the Lord's Prayer is a model, or outline, prayer. Although it is certainly not wrong to repeat the prayer verbatim, a better practice is to include the elements Jesus Christ discussed in this outline in most of our prayers rather than repeating the exact words (see Matthew 6:9-13 [9] After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
[10] Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
[11] Give us this day our daily bread.
[12] And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
[13] And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

See All...; Luke 11:2-4 [2] And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
[3] Give us day by day our daily bread.
[4] And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

See All...). The BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. discourages needless repetition in prayers (Matthew 6:7But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
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Did Jesus Christ follow the instructions He gave to His disciples?

"Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: 'Father, the hour is come...'" (John 17:1These 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:
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The 17th chapter of John records a long prayer of Jesus Christ. Several times during this prayer, Christ shows that He is directing His prayer to His Father (John 17:5And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
See All..., 11, 21, 24-25).

Is God the Father of Jesus Christ only?

"Jesus said to her [Mary Magdalene], 'Do not cling to Me [touch me, KJV], for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God'" (John 20:17Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
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This important passage serves as a fitting introduction to the final section of this lesson: the knowledge of the purpose for human life. But, speaking of a Christian's time as a human, the apostle Paul's fondest desire for Christians was "that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him" (Ephesians 1:17That 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:
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