ANOINTED BIBLE COLLEGE
Doctrine of GOD the FATHER
(Paterology)
Introduction
The Father is mentioned 256 times in n the New Testament alone! Jesus Himself refers to Him no less
than 17 times during the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:16, 45, 48; 6:1, 4, 6). He continues to be the
focus of attention in the remaining New Testament books, being in Paul's writings, Hebrews, James,
Peter's writings, John’s epistles, Jude and Revelation.
QUESTION 1. HAS ANYONE ACTUALLY SEEN THE FATHER?
ANSWER: The Scriptures declare that the Father is, by His very nature, invisible to the human eye (John
1:18; Col. 1:15; 1 Tim 1.17; Heb 11:27). But He has chosen some human witnesses to manifest Himself in
visible fashion.
A. Moses saw sapphire pavement under His feet (Exod. 24:9-10).
B. Isaiah saw angelic seraphim and cherubim hovering around God's throne singing of His holiness (Isa.
6:1-3; Rev. 4:6-8).
C. Ezekiel saw wondrous being, resplendent in glory, whose throne was made of blue sapphire (Ezek.
1:26-28).
D. Daniel referred to God as ancient of days. His clothing was as white as snow, and His hair like whitest
wool. He sat on a fiery throne with wheels of blazing fire. A river of fire flowed from His presence.
Hovering around the throne were millions of angels ministering to him. (Dan. 7:9-12).
E. John saw an emerald-like glow surrounding God's throne, and flashes of lightning and the sound of
thunder came from it. The angelic seraphim and cherubim sang of His holiness without ceasing (Rev.
4:2-7).
QUESTION 2. WHO ARE SOME OLD TESTAMENT TYPES OF THE FATHER?
ANSWER:
A. Abraham. A number of striking similarities can be seen between Abraham the father and God the
Father.
1. Both had a beloved son (Gen. 21:3-8; Matt. 3:17; 17:5).
2. The births of both sons were predicted long before they occurred (Gen. 15:4; Isa. 9:6-7; Mic. 5:2).
3. Both sons were named prior to their birth (Gen. 17:19; Luke 1:31).
4. The mothers of both sons were divinely reassured before giving birth (Gen. 18:14; Luke 1:37).
5. Both sons were miraculously born (Gen. 21:6-7; Luke 1:34-35).
6. Both sons were born at the exact divinely appointed time (Gen. 21:2; Gal. 4:4).
7. Both had submissive sons – that is sons who were willing to be offered up(Gen. 22:6-8; John 10:18).
8. Both offered up their sons, probably on the same spot (Gen. 22:2, 9; John 19:17).
9. Both received their sons back with great joy (Gen. 22:14).
10. Both made careful preparations for their sons’ weddings (Gen. 24:2-4; Matt. 22:1-2).
11. Both entrusted all things to their sons (Gen. 25:5; Phil. 2:9-11).
12. Both were directly linked to the nation Israel (Gen. 12:2; Rom. 11:26).
B. Jacob.
1. Both Jacob the father and God the Father clearly loved their sons (Gen. 37:3; Matt. 3:17; 17:5).
2. Both sent their sons to their hostile brothers (Gen. 37:13-18; John 1:11).
C. David.
1. After securing His throne, David asked, “Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may
shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake?” (2 Sam 9:1).
2. David became a beautiful type of the heavenly Father. The heavenly Father seeks to show kindness to
poor, lost, crippled sinners.
D. Hosea
The strangest book in all the Bible, for God instructed his prophet to “take unto thee a wife of
whoredoms.”
By marrying an unfaithful wife, Hosea could, as perhaps no other single prophet understand
somewhat the anguish in God‘s own heart over the northern kingdom, whose people were constantly
committing spiritual fornication and adultery against Jehovah. God had often compared His relationship
to Israel to that of a marriage. (Isa. 62:5; Jer. 3:14; Hos. 2:19.)
QUESTION 3. WHO IS A NEW TESTAMENT TYPE OF THE FATHER?
ANSWER:
Luke 15:20-24 – The parable of the Prodigal Son does not serve to illustrate the salvation of a lost sinner,
but rather the restoration of a wayward son. Furthermore, the key individual in the account is not the
prodigal or his older and selfish brother, but rather the father of these two boys. The father shows his
love to his returning son.
QUESTION 4. WHAT IS THE FATHER’S ROLE IN THE TRINITY?
ANSWER:
A. According to the Westminster Confession of Faith: In the unity of the Godhead there be three
persons, of one substance, power, and eternity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost.
The Father is of none, neither begotten, nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father; the
Holy Ghost eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son.
B. According to the New Hampshire Baptist Confession (1833): We believe that there is one, and only
one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is Jehova, the Maker and Supreme
Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all honor, that in the unity of
the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; equal in *perfection, and
executing distinct offices in the great work of redemptions
C. According to R. C. Sprout: The doctrine of the Trinity affirms the triunity of God. The Bible affirms both
the oneness of God and the deity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Trinity is distinguished by the work
assumed by the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Gen. 12:2, Rom. 11:26)
QUESTION 5. WHAT ARE SOME INACCURATE VIEWS ABOUT THE FATHER’S ROLE IN THE TRINITY? –
ANSWER:
A. The false view of tri-theism: This holds that the Trinity consists of three separate but cooperating
gods. This error reduces the Trinity to a crude kind of pagan polytheism.
B. The false view of modalism: According to this view there is but one God who simply reveals himself
through three different modes, or roles.
QUESTION 6. WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE FATHER AND THE SON?
ANSWER:
Theologian Dan Mitchell believes this relationship has existed from eternity past: “In the
beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1 [ESV]). He then
adds, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and
only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth" (1:14).
It affirms that the historical person, Jesus of Nazareth is actually God from eternity.
QUESTION 7. HOW IMPORSANT WAS THE MINISTRY OF THE FATHER IN THE EARTHLY MINISTRY OF
JESUS?
ANSWER:
A. Our Lord began and concluded His ministry by referring to the Father.
1. In the temple of Herod (Luke 2:49).
2. On the Mount of Olives (Luke 24:49).
B. Jesus began and concluded His calvary experience by praying to the Father.
1. His first statement (Luke 23:34).
2. His final statement (Luke 23:46).
QUESTION 8. WHAT ARE SOME OLD TESTAMENT CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN THE FATHER AND THE
SON?
ANSWER:
A. The conversations in the Psalms (Ps. 2:2-3, 7; 110:1).
B. The conversations in Isaiah (Isa. 48:16; 63:9-10). The “Son” is speaking, about the “Father” who sent
Him, and the “Holy Spirit."
QUESTION 9. WHAT ARE SOME NEW TESTAMENT GONVERSATIONS BETWEEN THE FATHER AND THE
SON?
ANSWER:
A. At the time of Jesus’ baptism (Luke 3221-22).
B. At the time of Jesus’ transfiguration (Matt. 17:5)
C. At the time of Jesus’ triumphal entry (John 12:27-28)
QUESTION 10. WHAT HONORS HAS THE FATHER BESTOWED UPON HIS SON?
ANSWER:
A. He sent His Son (John 3:16; 6:38; 8:16; 12:49; Gal 4:4; 1 Jn. 4:14).
B. He commanded the angels to worship His Son (Luke 2:8-15; Heb. 1:6).
C. He sealed His Son (John 6:27).
D. He bore witness to His Son (John 8:18).
E. He loved (and loves) His Son (John 10:17).
F. He anointed His Son (Luke 4:16-21).
G. He delighted in His Son (Isa. 42:1; Matt. 3:17).
H. He taught His Son (John 8:28)
I. He glorified His Son (John 12:27-28; 17:1, 5)
J. He listened to His Son (John 11:41-42).
K. He offered up His Son. (Rom. 8:32; 1 Jn. 4:9-10).
L. He raised His Son (Gal. 1:1; Eph. 1:20).
M. He exalted His Son (Eph 1:21; Phil 2:9-11).
N. He has made His Son head of the church (Eph 1:22).
O. He has committed future judgment to His Son (John 3:35; 5:22, 27; Acts 17:31).
The Father and the Holy Spirit
QUESTION 11. WHAT IS THE FATHER’S RELATIONSHIP TO THE HOLY SPIRIT?
ANSWER:
A. The request involved: The Son asks the Father to send the Holy Spirit (John 14:16; 15:26).
B. The results involved: The ministry of the Holy Spirit is of course seen throughout the entire Old
Testament beginning in Genesis 1:2.
However, at pentecost, the Father would send Him to bring about a number of ministries to all
believers.
1. He would permanently ______ them (John 14:16).
2. He would seal them (2 Cor. 1:21-22. Eph. 1:13; 4:30)
3. He would empower them (1 Jn. 4:4).
4. He would teach them (John 14:26).
5. He would make Christ real within them (John15:26).
6. He would reassure the believer of intimacy with the Father (Rom. 8:15-16; Gal. 4:6).
7. He would aid them in their prayer life and actually pray for them (Rom. 8:26-27).
8. He would give them spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:4-11).
9. He would usher them in before the very presence of the Father (Eph. 2:18).
Roles and Relationships of the Father to His Creation
QUESTION 12. WHAT WAS THE FATHER’S ROLE IN CREATION?
ANSWER:
A. The analogy: Questidn: Who created the universe?
According to David, the Father created all things (Ps. 19:1). However, John declares the Son did
it (John 1:3-4). Finally, in other passages, the Holy Spirit is said to have performed the initial act of
creation. All three persons in the Trinity had a part. The executive is the Father, the Architect is the Son,
and the Contractor is the Holy Spirit. (Ps. 104:30; Job 26:13, Job 33:4).
B. The assignments: In creation, the Father, it appears, has taken personal responsibility in four areas:
1. Plant life (Ps. 104:14, 16; Matt. 6:28-30).
2. Animal life (Ps. 104:14; 16-18, 20-21, 27; Matt. 10:29).
3. The weather (Ps. 135:6-7; 147:8; 16-18; 148:8).
4. The seasons (Gen. 8:22; Acts 14:17).
QUESTION 13. WHAT IS THE FATHER’S RELATIONSHIP TO ANGELS?
ANSWER:
A. They worship and minister to Him (Dan. 7:9-10; Rev. 4:2-3; 10-11).
B. He commanded them to worship His Son at Bethlehem (Heb. 1:6).
C. He controls their activities (Ps. 68:17; Matt. 26:53).
D. He sends them to aid believers (Heb. 1:14).
QUESTION 14. WHAT WAS THE FATHER’S ROLE IN REDEMPTION?
ANSWER:
The entire Trinity was involved in redemption. The Father had a primary role
A. He foreknew and predestined us (Rom. 8:29a; 11:2; Eph. 1:5, 11).
B. He chose and elected us (Matt. 24:31; Rom. 8:33; Eph.1:4; 2 Thes. 2:13; 1 Pet. 1:2)
C. He called and conformed us (Rom. 8:28-30).
D. He justified and glorified us (Rom. 8:30).
E. He sent His Son to us (1 Cor. 5:19; 9:15).
F. He is the co-giver (along with the Son) of grace and peace (Rom. 1:7;1Cor. 1:3).
G. He is the source of all good gifts (Jas. 1:17).
QUESTION 15. WHAT IS THE FATHER’S RELATIONSHIP TO THE BELIEVERS?
ANSWER: Jesus’ invitation to each believer to personally pray to the Father (Luke 11:1-23 Matt. 6:9-13).
In the Old Testament, the first person in the Trinity is only referred to as Father 15 times and is
never viewed as Father of individual Israelites but rather of the entire nation Israel!
What an amazing contrast that the New Testament has scores of references assuring us of a
personal relationship between the Father and the Christian! In fact, Paul carries this a step further,
describing that incredible intimacy that exists between each child of God and the Father (Rom. 8:15-16;
Gal. 4:6, 1 Jn. 3:1).
QUESTION 16. HOW DOES THE FATHER MINISTER TO BELIEVERS?
ANSWER: The Father performs many ministries to each blood-washed son and daughter.
A. He foreknew us (Rom. 8:29; 1 Pet. 1:2).
B. He elected us (Luke 18:7; Rom. 8:33; 1 Thes. 1:4; Titus 1:1; 1 Pet. 1:2).
C. He predestined us (Rom. 8:29; Eph. 1:5, 11).
D. He has given us to Christ (John 6:37, 44; 10:29).
E. He justified us (Rom. 8:33)
F. He (wonder of wonders!) indwells us (John 14:23).
G. He loves us (John 14:21, 23; 2 Thes. 2:16).
H. He comforts us (2 Cor. 1:3-7; 2 Thes. 2:16). ©
I. He gives us victory in the hour of temptation (1 Cor. 10:13).
J. He is glorified when we bear fruit (John 15:8).
K. He supplies our needs (Matt. 6:32-33; Phil. 4:19).
L. He seeks our worship (John 4:23).
M. He chastens us when necessary (Heb. 12:5-11).
N. He restores us (Luke 15:21-24).
O. He will someday gather us in Christ (Eph. 1:10).
P. He is preparing a kingdom for us (Matt. 13:43; 25:34; 26:29; Luke 12:32; John 14:3).
QUESTION 17. WHAT IS THE FATHER'S RELATIONSHIP TO ISRAEL?
ANSWER: The Old Testament describes the Father's relationship to Israel:
A. As His firstborn (Exod.-4:22; Ps. 89:27; Jer. 31:9).
B. As His son (1 Chr. 17:13; Hos. 11:1).
C. As His unfaithful wife (this is the most common analogy) (Num. 25:1; Judg. 8:27; Ilsa. 54:5-6).
However, this sad story will have a happy ending, for someday God will cleanse and restore His faithless
wife (Rev. 19:7; 21:9).
D. As His vessel (Isa. 64:8).
E. As the apple of His eye (Deut. 32:10; Ps. 17:8; Zech. 2:8).
F. As jewels in His collection (Mal. 3:17).
G. As the source, strength, and sustainer of His people (1 Chr. 29:10-12).
QUESTION 18. WHAT IS THE FATHER SHELA HONSNIP-FO GENTILE NATIONS?
ANSWER:
A. His present, general rule from heaven.
1. He has established human government (Gen. 9:6).
2. He dispersed people into nations after the Flood (Gen. 10:32).
3. He has ordained the power structure in those nations (Rom. 13:1).
4. He (on occasion) both rules and overrules in-the-affairs of national leaders (Ps. 22:28; 95:3).
5. He allows both good and evil to exist alongside in those nations (Matt. 13:24-30).
6. He will someday judge all Gentile nations.
B. His future, permanent rule on earth.
The person involved: The Father will setup the millennial kingdom and establish His Son as King (Ps.
2:6; Isa 9:6-7; Dan. 7:13-14; Luke 1:31-33; Rev. 11:15).
QUESTION 19. WHAT*IS THE FATHER’S RELATIONSHIP TO THE UNBELIEVERS?
ANSWER:
A. He is the creator of all men, fashioning them in His own image and likeness. However, we may
understand this, there seems to be an image of God in all men that cannot be lost, and an image that
can be lost. Thus:
B. His wrath is upon all unbelievers (John 3:36; Rom 1:18; Eph 5:6; Col. 3:6).
C. His long-suffering and mercy is extended to all unbelievers, desiring their repentance (Rom 2:4; 1 Tim
2:4; 2 Pet 3:9).
CQUESTION 20. WHAT IS THE FATHER’S RELATIONSHIP TO SATAN?
ANSWER:
A. He originally created a powerful, brilliant, and talented cherub angel called Lucifer (isa. 14:12; Ezek.
28:12-14).
B. He then judged Lucifer (Satan) by casting him out of heaven's fellowship after a rebellion against the
Trinity (Isa. 14:13-15; Ezek. 28:15-17).
C. He protected His Son on several occasions while the Savior was on earth from satanic attempts to kill
him (Matt. 2:13-15, Luke 4:28-30).
QUESTION 21. IS THERE A CHRISTIAN HYMN DEDICATED EXCLUSIVELY TO THE PERSON AND WORK OF
THE FATHER?
ANSWER: There is a lamentable absence of theological books that overview the person and work of the
Father, as contrasted to the abundance of volumes that speak of the Son and Holy Spirit! This sad fact
would certainly also apply to gospel songs and hymns. Thousands point our attention to the second and
third persons in the blessed Trinity. Among them:
A. Regarding the Son:
1. Tell Me the Story of Jesus
2. Fairest Lord Jesus
3. The Name of Jesus
4. May Jesus Christ Be Praised
5. Jesus Paid it All
B. Regarding the Spirit:
1. Come Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove
2. The Comforter Has Come
3. Breathe on Me, Breath of God
4. Holy Ghost with Light Divine
5. Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart
