InstaStudy

Is God our Father, the Son of God?

This study explores the nature of God, examining biblical passages that reveal His singular identity and how He manifests Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

1. The Singularity of God

1.1 God is One

Verses: Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10-11
  • The foundational truth of scripture is that there is only one God.
  • He is the first and the last, and there is no God before or after Him.

1.2 There is no God besides Him

Verses: Isaiah 44:6; Isaiah 45:5
  • God explicitly declares that He knows no other God.
  • This affirms His absolute uniqueness and sole deity.

1.3 The Lord is the only God

Verses: 1 Corinthians 8:4-6
  • For believers, there is one God, the Father, and one Lord, Jesus Christ.
  • This passage distinguishes roles while maintaining the singularity of the divine being.

2. Jesus Christ: God Manifest in Flesh

2.1 Jesus is God

Verses: John 1:1; John 1:14; 1 Timothy 3:16
  • The Word, who was God, became flesh and dwelt among us.
  • God was manifest in the flesh, seen by angels, preached to the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

2.2 In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily

Verses: Colossians 2:9; Colossians 1:19
  • All the divine attributes and essence of God reside fully in Jesus Christ.
  • Jesus is not merely a part of God, but the complete embodiment of God.

2.3 He is the Father

Verses: Isaiah 9:6; John 14:7-9
  • Jesus is prophesied as the 'Everlasting Father'.
  • To see Jesus is to see the Father, indicating their singular identity.

2.4 He is the Spirit

Verses: 2 Corinthians 3:17; Romans 8:9-10
  • The Lord (Jesus) is that Spirit.
  • If the Spirit of God dwells in you, Christ is in you.

3. Understanding 'Father,' 'Son,' and 'Holy Spirit'

3.1 'Father' as God's relationship to creation and humanity

Verses: Malachi 2:10; Ephesians 4:6
  • God is our Father as the Creator and source of all life.
  • He is the one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

3.2 'Son' as God's human manifestation

Verses: Hebrews 1:1-3; Philippians 2:6-8
  • God spoke to us through His Son, the express image of His person.
  • Jesus, though being in the form of God, took on the form of a servant, becoming human.

3.3 'Holy Spirit' as God's active presence and power

Verses: Acts 2:4; John 14:16-18
  • The Holy Spirit is the power and presence of God working in the world and in believers.
  • Jesus promised to send 'another Comforter,' which is Himself returning in Spirit.

3.4 One God, various manifestations

Verses: 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; Ephesians 4:4-5
  • There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit; differences of ministries, but the same Lord; diversities of activities, but the same God.
  • There is one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.

4. The Name of God and Baptism

4.1 The saving name

Verses: Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:9-11
  • There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
  • God has highly exalted Jesus and given Him the name which is above every name.

4.2 Baptism in Jesus' name

Verses: Acts 2:38; Acts 8:16; Acts 19:5
  • Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.
  • The early church consistently baptized converts in the name of the Lord Jesus.

4.3 The name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is Jesus

Verses: Matthew 28:19; Luke 24:47
  • The commission to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is fulfilled by baptizing in the name of Jesus.
  • Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations.