Who is God the Father?
God the Father: A Graduate-Level Study in Baptist Theology
The doctrine of the Trinity is central to Christian theology, teaching that God exists as one Being in three eternal Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. This profound truth transcends human comprehension but is affirmed by Scripture and embraced by faith. The New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible provides key verses that underscore this foundational belief.
The Unity and Triune Nature of God
Scripture clearly asserts the unity of God:
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!” (Deuteronomy 6:4, NKJV).
“Yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.” (1 Corinthians 8:6, NKJV).
In addition to His unity, God is revealed in three Persons. The Great Commission affirms this triune relationship:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19, NKJV).
At Jesus' baptism, the three Persons are distinctly present:
“When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’” (Matthew 3:16-17, NKJV).
The equality and co-eternity of the Persons are evident:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.” (John 1:1-2, NKJV).
Understanding God the Father
The Identity of God the Father
God the Father is the first Person of the Trinity, functioning as its head. He is an infinite, personal Spirit, as Jesus taught:
“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24, NKJV).
God the Father has been identified as “Father” eternally, both in relation to His Son and to His chosen 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 3:16, NKJV).
“Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Israel is My son, My firstborn”’” (Exodus 4:22, NKJV).
The Masculine Depiction of God the Father
Though God is Spirit and transcends human gender, Scripture consistently uses masculine pronouns to describe Him, reflecting His role as Creator, authority, and provider. At the same time, His nurturing care is portrayed using feminine imagery:
“As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; and you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 66:13, NKJV).
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” (Matthew 23:37, NKJV).
The Functional Role of God the Father
While coequal with the Son and the Spirit, God the Father serves as the functional head of the Trinity. The Son and Spirit submit to His will in the divine economy, a voluntary submission that accomplishes the unified purpose of the Godhead:
“He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.” (John 14:24, NKJV).
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” (John 14:26, NKJV).
The Son is eternally begotten by the Father, and the Spirit proceeds from the Father through the Son:
“But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.” (John 15:26, NKJV).
The Father’s Acts in Creation and Redemption
God the Father is the source and initiator of all divine acts. He created the universe through the Son and by the power of the Spirit:
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” (Genesis 1:1-2, NKJV).
“For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.” (Colossians 1:16, NKJV).
The Father’s sovereign will extends to salvation and sanctification:
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” (Ephesians 1:3, NKJV).
“For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” (Romans 8:29, NKJV).
The Revelation of the Father through the Son
Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son, revealed the Father’s nature and character:
“If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.” (John 14:7, NKJV).
The Father’s love for His children is evident in His provision of salvation through the Son:
“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12, NKJV).
He invites believers into intimate relationship through prayer and obedience:
“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:6, NKJV).
Conclusion
God the Father is the eternal, sovereign, and loving head of the Trinity. He reveals Himself through His creation, His Word, and His Son. As believers, we are called to worship Him in spirit and truth, acknowledging His ultimate authority and infinite love. Every aspect of the Father’s nature calls us to a deeper reverence, faith, and obedience, glorifying Him for His work in creation, redemption, and sanctification.
“For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:36, NKJV).
The Father as Covenant Keeper
God the Father is depicted throughout Scripture as a covenant-making and covenant-keeping God. His promises are unwavering and fulfilled through Christ:
“And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you.” (Genesis 17:7, NKJV).
“For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.” (2 Corinthians 1:20, NKJV).
The covenants highlight His character as faithful, loving, and just. He initiates relationships with His people, requiring their faith and obedience while providing blessings and assurance.
The Sovereignty of God the Father
In Baptist theology, God the Father is sovereign over all creation. His providence governs the universe and directs history according to His perfect will. This sovereignty includes His authority over nations and individual lives:
“The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.” (Psalm 103:19, NKJV).
“Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure.’” (Isaiah 46:10, NKJV).
This sovereignty provides believers with confidence that all things work together for their good and His glory (Romans 8:28).
God the Father’s Role in Adoption
A cornerstone of Baptist soteriology is the doctrine of adoption. Through Christ, believers are brought into the family of God, with the Father as their ultimate parent:
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” (John 1:12, NKJV).
“For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’” (Romans 8:15, NKJV).
Adoption emphasizes the Father’s love, His provision of eternal security, and the intimate relationship believers share with Him.
The Father’s Discipline and Sanctification
As a loving Father, God disciplines His children to guide them toward holiness:
“For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.” (Hebrews 12:6, NKJV).
“But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’” (1 Peter 1:15-16, NKJV).
His discipline is not punitive but redemptive, shaping believers into the image of His Son.
The Father as the Giver of All Good Things
God the Father is depicted as the provider and sustainer, lavishing His creation with blessings:
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” (James 1:17, NKJV).
His provision extends beyond material needs, including spiritual blessings such as peace, joy, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (John 14:27, Galatians 5:22-23).
God the Father in Eschatology
Baptist theology emphasizes the Father’s role in bringing history to its culmination in the return of Christ and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. The Father has set the times and seasons for these events:
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Mark 13:32, NKJV).
“Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.” (1 Corinthians 15:24, NKJV).
This future hope reflects the Father’s ultimate authority over time and eternity.
Application in Worship and Daily Life
God the Father’s attributes call for a response of worship, trust, and obedience. In prayer, Jesus taught believers to approach the Father directly:
“In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.” (Matthew 6:9, NKJV).
Believers are encouraged to trust His care, even in trials, knowing He works for their good and His glory:
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7, NKJV).
Practical Implications
Evangelism: Understanding God as Father provides a relational context to share the gospel. The message is not merely about salvation from sin but adoption into His family.
Discipleship: Recognizing the Father’s sanctifying work encourages believers to submit to His discipline and grow in holiness.
Church Unity: As children of one Father, believers are called to live in unity, reflecting the love and oneness of the Trinity.
These aspects deepen the theological understanding of God the Father, drawing believers into awe and a closer relationship with Him.
