Growing up in Festus, Missouri, I attended Sacred Heart Church. There, in the vaulted dome above me each week, I saw a mural with three main characters: an old man with a long white beard, a younger looking man, and a dove inside of a triangle.
Even though I was an altar boy, choir singer, and later a commentator (I read from the gospels and epistles), no one ever explained how these three related to each other.
The Father
In looking at the King James Version of the New Testament, we see that “the Father” is found in all four gospels, the Book of Acts, and the seven epistles written to the Church. Just look at how often God describes Himself in this way:
Matthew (3), Mark (1), Luke (2), John (70), Acts (3), Romans (6), Corinthians (4), Galatians (3), Ephesians (5), Philippians (1), Colossians (5), Thessalonians (1). Obviously, with so many uses of “the Father” in the gospel of John, it shows Jesus Christ’s relationship to his Father, and also gives insight on how we can love and serve our heavenly Father.
The Father in Matthew
Matthew shows Jesus Christ as the Messiah, the king of Israel. Jesus Christ is the one who reveals the Father to us.
Matthew 11:27:
All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
There appears to be another use of “the Father” in Matthew.
Matthew 28:19:
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
This translation is based on Greek texts after 325-381 A.D., when Trinitarian dogma was forced on the Church. In earlier versions (Aramaic, Hebrew, and Latin), this verse reads “baptizing them in my name.” Early Christian leaders like Eusebius, Origen, and Jerome also quoted “in my name.” But how were people actually baptized in the early Church? Acts and the epistles show us that it was in the name of Jesus Christ, and not a Trinitarian formula. Look at Peter teaching people how to be born again on the first day of the Christian Church.
Acts 2:38:
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Philip baptized those in Samaria in the name of Jesus Christ.
Acts 8:16:
(For as yet he [it, the gift of holy spirit] was fallen upon none of them: only they [the people in Samaria] were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
Peter baptized the household of Cornelius in the name of Jesus Christ.
Acts 10:48:
And he [Peter] commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.
The believers at Ephesus were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
Acts 19:5:
When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Ananias baptized Paul in the name of the Lord.
Acts 22:16:
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
The Apostle Paul taught “baptism” in the name of Jesus Christ. This referred to being “baptized” (immersed) in what Jesus Christ accomplished by his death, resurrection, and ascension.
Romans 6:3:
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Galatians 3:27:
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Clearly, Matthew 28:19 never said to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Jesus Christ gave his disciples authority to “baptize” in what he had accomplished for them!
The Father in Mark and Luke
Mark shows Jesus Christ as a servant. The single use of “the Father” in Mark shows that only the Father, not angels or even Jesus Christ, knows when certain future events will occur.
Mark 13:32:
But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
Luke shows Jesus Christ as a man. Like Matthew, the only use of “the Father” shows that Jesus Christ is the one who reveals the Father to us.
Luke 10:22:
All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.
The Father in John
John shows Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Understandably, “the Father” is used seventy times in this gospel. All of these uses show the intimate relationship that Jesus Christ had with his heavenly Father (John 1:14,18; 3:35; 4:21,53; 5:19,20,21,22,23,26,30,36,37,45; 6:27,37,39,44,45,46,57; 8:16,18,27,29,44; 10:15,36,38; 12:49,50; 13:1,3; 14:6,8,9,10,11,13,16,24,26,28,31; 15:9,16,26; 16:3,15,16,17,23,25,26,27,28,32).
Jesus Christ made known the Father, Who is Spirit, to a world that did not understand spiritual things.
John 4:23,24:
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Jesus Christ promised that the Father would send the gift of holy spirit after Jesus was glorified (John 7:39). Those who would be born again could know how to walk with the Father.
John 14:26;15:26:
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me.
For further understanding on Jesus Christ in the gospel of John, please see Jesus in the Gospel of John, Part 3.
The Father in the Book of Acts
The uses of “the Father” in the Book of Acts relate to the early Church and to the promised gift of holy spirit that God would provide. Jesus Christ, just before ascending to heaven, commanded his disciples to wait for this promise in Jerusalem.
Acts 1:4:
And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
They wanted to know when Christ would come back. Jesus Christ told them that only the Father knew that.
Acts 1:7:
And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
The promised gift of holy spirit did come ten days later, when the twelve received it in the Temple on the Feast of Pentecost. Then Peter told others about the promise of the Father, and about three thousand got born again of God’s spirit.
Acts 2:33,41:
Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
The Father in the Church Epistles
The Book of Romans shows that it was the Father who raised Jesus Christ from the dead. We too can walk in that newness of life, and we can glorify God, the Father of Jesus Christ!
Romans 6:4:
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Romans 15:6:
That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Corinthians gives one of the clearest explanations of the relation between our Father and His Son, Jesus Christ—and our relationship to them today.
I Corinthians 8:6:
But to us there is but one God, the Father, of [ek, out of] whom are all things, and we in [eis, unto] him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by [dia, by means of] whom are all things, and we by [dia, by means of] him.
God is the Source of all things. He sent His only-begotten Son for us, and He gives us the gift of holy spirit when we believe (Romans 10:9,10). Yet, all things from the Father come to us through our lord and savior, Jesus Christ. The Father has given all authority to His Son, Jesus Christ. When all things are subdued to Jesus Christ, he will be subject to his heavenly Father.
I Corinthians 15:24,28:
Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
Our Father is the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He cares for us!
II Corinthians 1:3:
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort.
Galatians shows that Paul was called to be an apostle by God, the Father, and by Jesus Christ our lord. We receive grace and peace from the Father through Jesus Christ His Son (I Corinthians 8:6).
Galatians 1:1,3:
Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead).
Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians shows what we have individually in Christ, and how we can live together as one body of Christ, in him. This epistle shows us “the Father of glory,” that we have access to the Father by the gift of holy spirit, that we worship and give thanks to the Father of our lord Jesus Christ, and that our love and faith comes from them both.
Ephesians 1:17; 2:18; 3:14; 5:20; 6:23:
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
For through him [Jesus Christ] we both [Judeans and Gentiles] have access by one Spirit [the gift of holy spirit] unto the Father.
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians shows that we glorify the Father when we confess His Son, Jesus Christ, as lord.
Philippians 2:11
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Colossians reminds us to give thanks to the Father.
Colossians 1:3,12; 3:17:
We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you.
Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
It pleased the Father that all fullness should be in Christ. We can be comforted and knit together in love because we understand about our Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
Colossians 1:19; 2:2:
For it pleased the Father that in him [Christ] should all fulness dwell.
That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and [even] of the Father, and of Christ.
Thessalonians beautifully shows the love that Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy had for the believers in Thessalonica. These leaders understood that the Church is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ. God is the Source of our grace and peace, and Jesus Christ makes it available to us.
I Thessalonians 1:1
Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
So, Who Is the Father?
Jesus Christ intimately loved, knew, and declared God, Who is Spirit.
John 1:18:
No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
The gospels, the Book of Acts, and the epistles written to the Church show that the Father is Almighty God, the Creator of the heavens and earth—Who loves us and wants to know us intimately as His children. Jesus Christ showed us how to walk by the spirit, to believe God’s written Word, and to give his life in service to others. We can walk each day in newness of life, in fellowship with our heavenly Father, because Jesus Christ gives us access to Him.
Ephesians 3:12:
In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
The Father is not an old man with a long, white beard. He is Who His Word says that He is. Next time, in Part 2, we’ll learn more about the Son, our lord and savior, Jesus Christ.
