Who is the Father of Jesus?
This Bible study explores the identity of the Father of Jesus, examining scriptural declarations about the nature of God and His manifestation to humanity.
1. The Singular Nature of God
1.1 One God, One Lord
Verses: Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 44:6; 1 Corinthians 8:6
- Scripture consistently declares there is only one supreme divine being.
- This one God is identified as both the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1.2 God Alone is Creator and Savior
Verses: Isaiah 43:10-11; Isaiah 45:21-22
- The one God is the sole source of all creation and the only one capable of salvation.
- There is no other divine entity who shares these unique attributes.
1.3 No God Before or After Him
Verses: Isaiah 43:10; Isaiah 44:8
- The eternal nature of God means He has no predecessors or successors.
- His singularity is absolute, with no other divine being existing alongside Him.
2. Jesus: The Manifestation of the One God
2.1 God Revealed in Flesh
Verses: 1 Timothy 3:16; John 1:1, 14
- The invisible God chose to reveal Himself to humanity in a tangible form.
- Jesus is the physical embodiment of the divine Word, God Himself in human flesh.
2.2 Jesus Possesses All the Fullness of God
Verses: Colossians 2:9; Colossians 1:19
- Every attribute and characteristic of the Godhead resides completely within Jesus.
- He is not merely a part of God, but the totality of God expressed in human form.
2.3 Jesus' Divine Claims
Verses: John 10:30; John 14:9; John 8:58
- Jesus explicitly stated His unity with the Father and claimed pre-existence as God.
- To see Jesus is to see the Father, indicating their inseparable identity.
2.4 Jesus as the Alpha and Omega
Verses: Revelation 1:8; Revelation 22:13
- Jesus identifies Himself with titles reserved for the Almighty God, signifying His eternal and all-encompassing nature.
- He is the beginning and the end, the first and the last, demonstrating His absolute sovereignty.
3. Understanding 'Father' and 'Son'
3.1 The Father as the Eternal Spirit
Verses: John 4:24; Luke 24:39
- God, in His essential nature, is Spirit, without physical form.
- The 'Father' refers to God in His transcendent, eternal, and invisible spiritual essence.
3.2 The Son as the Incarnate God
Verses: Luke 1:35; Hebrews 1:5
- The 'Son' refers to God's manifestation in human flesh, born of a virgin.
- This title emphasizes His humanity and His role in redemption, distinct from His eternal Spirit nature.
3.3 Titles Reflecting Roles, Not Separate Beings
Verses: Isaiah 9:6; John 14:8-9
- Scripture uses 'Father' and 'Son' to describe different aspects or relationships of the one God.
- Jesus Himself is called 'Everlasting Father,' indicating that the Father is revealed in Him.
4. Jesus: The Father in Spirit, The Son in Flesh
4.1 The Father Dwelling in the Son
Verses: John 14:10; 2 Corinthians 5:19
- The divine Spirit (the Father) resided fully within the human body of Jesus (the Son).
- God was actively present and working through Christ to accomplish His purposes.
4.2 The Father's Name Revealed in Jesus
Verses: John 17:6; John 17:11; John 5:43
- Jesus came bearing the very name and authority of the Father.
- His mission was to make the Father known, revealing the one God to humanity.
4.3 Jesus as the Source of Life and Authority
Verses: John 5:26; Matthew 28:18
- The life and authority of the Father are fully vested in Jesus.
- He possesses all power in heaven and on earth, demonstrating His complete divinity.