GOD THE FATHER
We believe that God the Father[1] works and acts[2] in history distinctly from, and in continuous cooperation with[3], the other persons of the Trinity. The Father disciplines[4], gives wisdom[5], and protects[6] according to his goodness and faithfulness. The Father loves[7] sacrificially, sending[8] the Son to accomplish the work of redemption[9]. The Father adopts[10] us into the family of God. He is intimately aware of[11], and faithfully provides for[12], the needs of his children.
Scripture References
[1] Isa. 63:16: For you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us, and Israel does not acknowledge us; you, O Lord, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name.”
– Romans 15:6: “ that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
[2] Hebrews 12:8-9: “It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.”
– 1 Peter 1:3: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
[3] Genesis 1:26: “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…”
– Luke 1:35: “And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.”
– John 6:27: “Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.”
– John 5:19-20: “So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel.”
– 1 Peter 1:2: “according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.”
[4] Proverbs 3:11-12: “My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.”
[5] James 1:5: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
[6] Psalm 46:1: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
– Habakkuk 3:19: “God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places.”
[7] Matthew 3:17: “and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
[8] John 8:42: “Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me.”
– John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
[9] 1 John 4:14: “And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.”
[10] 1 John 3:1: “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”
– Romans 8:15: “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
– 2 Corinthians 6:18: “and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”
[11] Matthew 6:8: “Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”
[12] Ephesians 1:3: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.”
– Psalm 145:15-16 “The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season.16 You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing.”
– James 1:17: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”