The Lord Jesus had just finished praying when one of His disciples requested, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1). Christ then said to His followers, “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:9, 10).
Please notice that the beautiful prayer taught by Christ to His disciples begins with the words, “Our Father, which art in heaven.” As we continue our study on the triune nature of God we will consider the relationship of the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit. This lesson will primarily deal with the nature and work of the Father and the Son.
Article III: DECLARATION OF FAITH
Section B. The True God: 1. The Father:
We believe that He is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:3), and the Father of all who come to God through Christ (John 1:12). We rejoice that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men; that He hears and answers prayer: and that He so loved the World that HE gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
1. Who alone has the right to call God “Father”? See John 1:12 and Romans 8:14 – 17. Compare with John 8:44 – 45.
2. How does God concern Himself with the affairs of men? See Matthew 5:44 – 45 and Matthew 6:25 – 33.
3. Our statement of faith says “He hears and answers prayer”. Read Matthew 6:9 – 13. What did Jesus tell us to ask of the Father?
4. What are two reasons that the Father might withhold answers to our prayers? See Psalm 66:18 and James 4:3.
5. God the Father was the originator, the fountainhead of grace and salvation. Why did He send His son into the world? (John 3:16)
2. The Son: a. His place in Scripture. We believe that the whole of scripture centers about the Lord Jesus Christ, and points to His suffering and the glory that should follow (Luke 24:27, 44).
6. How does Luke 24:27, 44 demonstrate that Jesus Christ is the primary focus of the Scriptures?
7. What is one of the primary purposes of the Scriptures? See 2 Timothy 3:15.
8. When Paul declared the gospel of salvation in 1 Corinthians 15:1- 4, what authority did he site to back his facts?
2. The Son: b. His Incarnation. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God; being supernaturally conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary (Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18 – 25; Luke 1:35)
9. How do the following passages support the truth that the father-son relationship between Christ and God is an eternal relationship?
· Isaiah 7:14; 9:6
· Hebrews 1:2
10. What is unique about Jesus Christ’s birth? (Matt. 1:18 – 25; Luke 1:14)
2. The Son: c. His Passion. We believe that He was without sin in His own life (1 Peter 2:22), but that He was made to be sin for us upon the Cross of Calvary where He suffered all the wrath of God against sin as a vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice (1 Peter 2:24). His burial declares the complete putting away and removal of our sin (Romans 6:6), and His literal, bodily resurrection assures our justification and manifests His complete victory over sin, death and Satan (1 Corinthians 15:1-8).
11. Why is it important that Jesus be without sin in His own life? See 1 Peter 2:22 – 24 & Isaiah 53:4, 5.
12. How has the believer’s relationship with sin changed because of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection? See Romans 6:4 – 7.
2. The Son: d. His Ascension. We believe that the risen Lord Jesus ascended into heaven, and is now exalted at the right hand of God, where as our great High Priest, we have in Him an advocate with the Father, who ever liveth to make intercession for His own (1 Jn. 2:1 – 3).
13. What is the Lord Jesus, as our High Priest, doing for us in heaven? See Hebrews 7:25.
Praise God for His so great salvation! “God the Father is the originator, the One who brings forth. He is the fountainhead of grace and salvation. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son…” God the Son is the executor, the One who brings to pass that which originated from the Father. He is the One who came to obey the will of the Father, and to pay the penalty for man’s sin. And God the Holy Spirit is the applicator, the One who through the work of regeneration and sanctification makes operative that which originated from the Father and was executed by the Son.” – Richard W. De Haan, How To Know God, Radio Bible Class 1981.
Have you received God’s gift of eternal life? Trust the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour from sin today.
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