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Pillars
of the Faith God
the Father created and rules all creation; he planned redemption, our
spiritual relationships, our life, and he cares for his kingdom. We
believers depend upon him to care for us and to direct us (Ephesians 1;
John 17; John 14; Matthew 6.8-13). 1. Doctrine
of God the Father 1.
The
Father is the eternal God. He
is identified as God by the Bible (Psalm 90.2, “Before the mountains
were born, Or Thou didst give birth to the earth and the world, Even
from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God.” 2 Corinthians 1.2,
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ.” 2.
The
Father is spirit, therefore He does not have flesh, blood, and bones
and is invisible (Jn 4.24; 6.46;
Lk 24.39). Jesus Christ became man and while He was on earth He
explained what the unseen Father is like (Jn 1.18). 3.
The
Father makes the plan for history and the life of each believer (Eph
1.3-14). 4.
The
Father is the personal spiritual Father of all believers. A father-son
relationship exists (Gal 4.6; Eph 4.6; 1 Jn 3.1). As sons, believers are
the objects of the Father's love (Jn 16.27) and heirs of the Father's
very best benefits (Rom 8.17; 1 Jn 3.1-2). 5.
The
Father-son personal benefits for the believer include 1) access to the
Father (Eph 2.18), 2) the spiritual wealth and benefits for time and
eternity (Eph 1.3-8), 3) the Word of God (Jn 14.24; 17.14-17), 4) we are
to be like our Father (Eph 5.1), 5) He will provide all the necessities
of life for us (Mt 5.26-33), 6) He wants the believer to return to
fellowship with Him (Lk 15.11-32; 1 Jn 1.3-10), 7) He sent the Holy
Spirit to the believer (Jn 14.26), 8) we are to pray to the Father (Jn
16.23; Eph 5.20), 9) the Father desires to answer our prayer (Mt 7.11),
10) we can glorify the Father (Jn 15.8), 11) we worship the Father (Jn
4.21-24), 12) the Father directs our production (Jn 15.1, 13) the Father
comforts and encourages us during our suffering (2 Cor 1.3-4). 6.
The
Father has taken personal responsibility for the believer's benefit (Eph
1.3-8), security (Rom 8.28-39), destiny (Rom 8.28-30; 1 Jn 3.1-2), and
victory (1 Jn 5.4-5). 2. The
Father’s relation to believers has at least four main emphases. 1.
He
is our spiritual father and each of us is his spiritual child (1 John
3.1-2; Galatians 4.6). 2.
Our
Father takes personal responsibility for us and our lives (Romans
8.28,31-32,38-39; ). 3.
Our
Father cares for us and comforts us (1 Peter 5.7; 2 Corinthians 1.3-4;
Luke 15.11-32; Philippians 4.19). 4. Our Father is a pattern for human fathers (Ephesians 5.1; Luke 15.11-32). |