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      "The Person and Work of the Father"
      Selected Scriptures
      Theme: God the Father is sovereign over all things.

        1. The Ascription of "Father"

          1. His Person Within the Trinity

            1. It is revealed in Scripture that "the Father," is often seen as the representative of the entire Godhead – cp. 1 Corinthians 8:6; Hebrews 12:9
            2. In a similar sense, the title "God" when used alone usually refers to the Father – cp. James 1:5; 1 Peter 3:18
            3. In the works of God, the Father stands evidently in the foreground as in the "Council of Redemption" – cp. Psalm 2:7-9; Psalm 40:6-9; John 6:37-38; John 17:4-7
            4. In this sense, the Father is called the "First Person" of the Triune God.

          2. His Position over Humanity

            1. Understanding that God is "Father" in the Trinitarian Sense within the Godhead, we also recognize that He is the Father of mankind because of His work of creation – cp. Ephesians 4:6
              1. This verse does not teach the concept of "universalism" – that all men are under the safety of a kind and benevolent heavenly father who winks at their sin and will ultimately save all men – cp. 1 Timothy 4:10
              2. Rather, we understand that this refers to the position of God as the source of all that which is created.
            2. However, he is the spiritual Father only of those who believe in Christ Jesus, the Son of God – cp. Romans 8:14; 2 Corinthians 6:18
            3. Thus, God the Father is:
              1. … divinely the Father in relationship to the Son within the Trinity;
              2. … the ethical Father of all Creation as the Creator; and,
              3. … the spiritual Father of sinners who believe in His Son and are therefore in Christ Jesus.

        2. The Authority of the Father

          1. The Purpose of the Father

            1. God the Father’s authority is established as He orders and disposes of all things according to His own purpose and grace – cp. Psalm 145:8-9; 1 Corinthians 8:6
            2. He has decreed for His own glory all things that come to pass – cp. Ephesians 1:11
            3. It is the wisdom of His sovereign council that determines what occurs - Acts 2:23; Acts 4:27-28; 1 Corinthians 2:7
            4. This sets God up as the final authority that no man can set aside – God’s purpose will be fulfilled.

          2. The Providence of the Father

            1. Thus, God conducts His universe as sovereign in providence – Psalm 103:19; Romans 11:36
            2. He continually upholds, directs, and governs all creatures and events – 1 Chronicles 29:11
            3. However, He cannot be charged with being the author of sin nor giving approval to it – cp. Habakkuk 1:13; James 1:13
            4. Ultimately all things will come to a state of acknowledging His sovereign power and rule – and be subjected to Him – cp. 1 Corinthians 15:25-28

        3. The Adoption by the Father

          1. The Predestination to Adoption

            1. Here God the Father’s role is clearly established from before the foundation of the world – cp. Ephesians 1:4, 6
            2. He has graciously chose from eternity past thos whom He would have as His own and then gives them to the Savior for salvation – cp. John 6:37

          2. The Performance of the Adoption

            1. He then saves from sin all who come to Him through Jesus Christ
            2. He adopts as His own all those who come to Him by faith – cp. John 1:12; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:4; Hebrews 12:5, 9

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