God the Father & His Son

To Glorify the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

Knowing the True God of Scripture

"For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen."—

The Godhead

Scripture reveals that God exists as three distinct Persons who are one in essence and purpose: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. In the Pauline epistles, the fulness of this Godhead is shown to reside perfectly in Jesus Christ.

"For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily."

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The Father

The supreme Source of all things, who conceived the eternal purpose of grace in Christ before the foundation of the world.

The Son

Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Creator and Redeemer, who died for our sins, shed His blood for justification, and rose for our eternal life.

The Spirit

The Holy Spirit of promise, who seals every believer unto the day of redemption, and searches the deep, rich things of God.

Foundational Truths

"But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him."

"Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible... all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist."

"Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty... But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."

The Sovereignty of God

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"God's sovereignty is His inherent right, authority, wisdom, and power to rule over all creation and to accomplish every aspect of His eternal purpose for His own glory. Nothing can ultimately thwart His will or frustrate His plans."

() For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

() Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

The absolute sovereignty of God over all creation is the ultimate bedrock of sound doctrine. God does not merely react to the decisions of mankind; rather, He operates all events, histories, and redemptive programs according to His eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord before the world began.

1. God’s Sovereign Counsel and Purpose

Nothing lies outside the boundaries of God's perfect coordination. The Scriptures affirm that God's plan is absolute and that He is currently working all things after the counsel of His own will to fulfill His pre-determined pleasure.

"In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will."

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2. Unconditional Election in Grace

Under the Dispensation of Grace, our salvation and position "in Christ" are shown to rest entirely upon the eternal election of the Father. This choice was initiated in eternity past, completely independent of human works, performance, or foreseen merit.

"According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will."

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3. Volition and Natural Depravity

While man possesses real volition and is fully accountable for his actions, the biblical account reveals that the "natural man" is spiritually dead in trespasses and sins. Consequently, his will is bent toward disobedience and he lacks any neutral, self-generated moral capacity to seek God without the quickening of grace.

"And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins... But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)"

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4. The Harmony of Grace and Responsibility

Grace does not violate or force the human will; rather, it liberates it. When God quickens a sinner, He speaks light into their dark heart, creating a new spiritual environment in which the Spirit of God works in the person to gladly and voluntarily embrace the Lord. Salvation is fully of grace, yet man's responsibility to believe the Gospel of Grace remains absolute.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

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To Him Be Glory

Our desire and faith before God should lead us to yield our bodies, hearts, and minds to His truth and purpose. As we rightly divide the Word of Truth, we stand in absolute awe of God's wisdom, which kept the mystery of salvation hidden in Himself since the world began, only to reveal it for our glory today.

() But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

() Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.