🔵 God the Father

Attributes & Domains

Divine Nature & Attributes

Christian theology describes God the Father through various attributes that reveal His nature:

Essential Attributes (What God Is)

• Omnipotent: All-powerful, able to do all things consistent with His nature
• Omniscient: All-knowing, perfect knowledge of past, present, and future
• Omnipresent: Present everywhere simultaneously, fills heaven and earth
• Eternal: Without beginning or end, exists outside of time
• Immutable: Unchanging in nature, character, and purpose
• Transcendent: Beyond and above creation, utterly distinct from the universe
• Immanent: Intimately involved in creation, near to His people

Moral Attributes (What God Does)

• Holy: Perfectly pure, separate from all evil, morally perfect
• Just: Perfectly fair, judges with righteousness, punishes sin
• Loving: Agape love, self-giving, desires relationship with humanity
• Merciful: Shows compassion, forgives sin, patient with sinners
• Faithful: Keeps promises, covenant-keeper, trustworthy
• Good: Source of all good, benevolent, generous provider

Key Biblical Narratives

God the Father's character is revealed through the great acts recorded in Scripture:

Old Testament Revelations:

• Creation (Genesis 1-2): Spoke the universe into existence over six days, crowned creation with humanity made "in Our image." Declared all creation "very good."
• Covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12-22): Called Abraham to leave his homeland, promised descendants as numerous as stars, tested faith through Isaac's near-sacrifice.
• Deliverance from Egypt (Exodus 1-15): Heard the cries of enslaved Israel, raised up Moses, sent ten plagues, parted the Red Sea, destroyed Pharaoh's army.
• Sinai Covenant (Exodus 19-24): Descended on Mount Sinai in fire and cloud, gave the Ten Commandments, established covenant relationship with Israel.
• Temple Dedication (1 Kings 8): Glory cloud filled Solomon's Temple, dwelling among His people while remaining transcendent: "Heaven cannot contain You."
• Prophetic Promises (Isaiah, Jeremiah): Announced coming Messiah, new covenant written on hearts, promise of restoration and redemption.

New Testament Revelations:

• Sending the Son (John 3:16): "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son." The supreme act of sacrificial love, giving up what is most precious.
• Jesus's Baptism (Matthew 3:16-17): Voice from heaven: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Trinitarian manifestation - Father's voice, Spirit's descent, Son's presence.
• Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39): Jesus prays "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will." Divine will and plan unfold.
• The Crucifixion (Matthew 27:46): Jesus cries "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" The mystery of the Father allowing the Son's suffering for humanity's redemption.
• The Resurrection (Acts 2:32): "This Jesus God raised up." The Father vindicates the Son, declaring victory over sin and death.
• Pentecost (Acts 2): The Father and Son pour out the promised Spirit, inaugurating the Church age and empowering believers.

Relationship within the Trinity

The Eternal Father

In classical Trinitarian theology, the Father is the "unbegotten" source from whom the Son is eternally begotten and from whom (with the Son) the Spirit proceeds. This is not temporal (there was never a time when the Son was not), but describes the eternal relationships within the Godhead.

• Father to the Son: Eternally generates the Son (not created, but begotten). Sends the Son into the world. Glorifies the Son. The Son does the Father's will.
• Father with the Spirit: The Spirit proceeds from the Father (and the Son in Western theology - the filioque clause). The Father sends the Spirit at Pentecost.
• Economic Trinity: In salvation history, the Father plans redemption, the Son accomplishes it, and the Spirit applies it to believers.

Worship & Prayer

How Christians Address the Father

Jesus taught His disciples to pray "Our Father who art in heaven" (Matthew 6:9), introducing an unprecedented intimacy with the Almighty. Prayer is offered to the Father, through the Son, in the power of the Spirit.

The Lord's Prayer

Liturgical Celebrations

• Trinity Sunday: First Sunday after Pentecost, celebrating the triune nature of God
• Christmas: Celebrates the Father's sending of the Son
• Easter: Celebrates the Father's raising of the Son
• Every Sunday: The Lord's Day, in honor of the Resurrection