THE UNIQUENESS OF EACH MEMBER OF THE TRINITY

Each member of the Trinity is a full expression of God. However, each one is distinguished from the others. However, each is equal to the others. One is not less than or more than another is. However, each has done, is doing, or will do things that distinguish that member from the others ... and that is the emphasis in the next three segments of this lesson. Two or three members of the Trinity share many of these actions and activities. The order of each list is not that of importance ... nor are all possible distinguishing positions and actions covered. There are many other things that God has done, is doing, and will do.

THE UNIQUENESS OF THE FATHER. The Father has always been, is, and always will be fully and totally God. However, we see Him uniquely doing particular things that distinguish Him from the Son and the Spirit.

He is the father of all mankind in the creator/creature sense. This refers to the physical fatherhood rather than spiritual fatherhood of God. God's spiritual fatherhood is different from this ... and it is conditioned on faith. Malachi 2:10, Acts 17:29

He is the father of Israel. He is the father of Israel as nation of people. This does not imply that He is the spiritual father of each person of Israel ... that is based on individual faith. His being the father of Israel is not the same as His being the father of the Church. The Church is the bride of Christ ... Jesus is the bridegroom ... and God the Father is the father of the bridegroom. Exodus 4:22, Isaiah 63:16

He is the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. All members of the Trinity are equal ... but God the Father is positionally the Father of Jesus Christ. This does not mean that the Father is greater than the Son is. Ephesians 1:3, John 3:16, John 5:37

He is the Father, the spiritual Father, of all who believe in Christ. We are His children. Psalm 103:13, John 1:12, Galatians 3:26

He delegates authority to world rulers and sets the boundaries and times for nations. Acts 17:26, Romans 13:1-7, 1 Peter 2:13-14

He is the author of salvation. He is the one who chooses ... the one who elects ... the one who calls men to believe. Ephesians 1:3-12, Romans 8:28 - 9:24

He gives us direction. The Father gives us His will for our days and lives. Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalm 32:8, Jeremiah 29:11

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KNOWING GOD 6    PAGES: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10   
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Disciplemaking 1, copyright 2003, is available free from www.MyDisciplemaker.org where you can study online or print free copies. You may copy this course, any any part of it, for free or at-cost distribution ... without change to the content ... and with this copyright policy attached. Published by www.ActsOneEight.org. Bible Quotations are from the NASB unless noted.