Episode 2: God the Father | We Believe: A Study of the Apostles Creed
The Father: Initiator of Salvation and Creation
In our previous episode, we touched on the first line of the Apostles' Creed, "I believe in God," and now we move forward to the title "The Father." Why is this such an important designation for God? The title "Father" speaks to a deep intimacy. God isn’t just some distant, unknowable being; He is our Father, present, protective, and personal. When we think of fathers in our earthly experience, we often think of stability, safety, and provision, and these qualities are reflected in our Heavenly Father.
This concept of God as Father is not just a metaphor—it's the foundation of our faith. As we read in the Bible, God the Father is the one who initiates creation and salvation. While the Son and the Spirit have crucial roles, the plan for salvation begins with God the Father. In the words of the Puritan theologian John Owen, each person of the Trinity evokes a unique emotional response. The Father, in His sovereignty and care, calls us into a relationship that is both intimate and transformative.
The Role of the Father in Our Salvation
God the Father’s role extends beyond creation to the very heart of salvation. We read in Ephesians 1:3-5 that it is the Father who predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ. Before the creation of the world, God chose us to be holy and blameless in His sight. This is not a passive, distant act; it’s a purposeful, loving decision to bring us into His family. The concept of adoption here is powerful—God, in His grace, chooses us to be His children. This idea is echoed throughout Scripture, with God’s fatherly love being the ultimate source of our identity as sons and daughters of the Most High.
The Father also plays a crucial role in sending His Son. We see this in John 3:16—"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son." The Son’s obedience to the Father’s will results in the salvation of the world. The Father sends, and the Son responds. This perfect relationship between Father and Son exemplifies the deep, intimate union of the Trinity.
Adoption into God's Family: A Picture of Grace
The Father sends the Son into the world to accomplish the work of redemption. This mission is initiated by the Father's will and carried out by the Son’s obedience to that will. John 5:36 reminds us of this, "For the works that the Father has given me to finish— the very works that I am doing— testify that the Father has sent me." One of the most beautiful aspects of understanding God as Father is realizing that because of the Father’s plan and the Son’s obedience, we are adopted into His family. Adoption, in the human sense, is a choice. It’s not based on merit or worthiness; it’s a decision made out of love and grace. Similarly, God the Father chooses us. He predestines us for adoption into His family. This adoption is not based on anything we’ve done but on His grace alone.
Think about the process of earthly adoption. It requires great sacrifice, effort, and intentionality. Parents go through immense lengths to adopt a child—paperwork, financial investment, and emotional commitment. In a similar way, God the Father chose us before time began. He made the choice to love us, to adopt us as His own, and to bring us into His eternal family. This should stir our hearts with gratitude and awe.
Living as God's Children
Being adopted into God’s family changes everything. As we walk in the faith, we become part of a transformative relationship with our Heavenly Father. This adoption is not just a legal transaction; it’s a living, breathing relationship that affects every part of who we are. Romans 8:29-30 talks about how God predestined us to be conformed to the image of His Son. This is the process of sanctification—God is shaping us, molding us, and making us more like Jesus as we walk in faith.
As God’s adopted children, we are heirs of His kingdom. Everything that belongs to the Father is now ours through Jesus Christ. This isn’t just a future promise; it’s a present reality. We are co-heirs with Christ, sharing in the richness of God’s love and grace. The Father’s heart is for us to experience His goodness fully, not just in the afterlife but here and now.
Conclusion
The title "God the Father" is much more than a theological statement; it’s a call to understand the depth of God’s love for us. He is not distant or detached; He is near, He is personal, and He is the initiator of our salvation. His fatherly love is the foundation of our faith and identity, and it’s a love that we are invited to experience intimately and profoundly. As we continue to walk in this truth, we remember that we are adopted into His family, chosen by a loving Father who will never leave us. What a privilege it is to call God our Father!
