Scripture Query and Answer: God as Father

From: Bible Treasury: Volume 20

Luke 3:38; Genesis 6:2; Malachi 2:10 • 1 min. read • grade level: 8

Q.-In Luke 3:38³⁸Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God. (Luke 3:38) Adam is called son of God; in Gen. 6:2²That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. (Genesis 6:2) his posterity are called the sons of God. Mal. 2:10¹⁰Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers? (Malachi 2:10), says, “Have we not all one Father? hath not one God created us”? Paul, in Eph. 4:6⁶One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (Ephesians 4:6), says “there is one God and Father of all.” Is it therefore lawful to speak of the universal Fatherhood of God? J. H.

A.-Undoubtedly, as angels are called sons of God in Gen. 6 and Job, so also it is extended to the human race as distinguished from the beasts that perish. Indeed man distinctively was made in God's image, after His likeness, which is never said of angels. Hence in the third parable of Luke 15 the two are spoken of as sons naturally; and Paul, in preaching to the Athenians, adopts the sentiment that we are His offspring, even the heathen. With this agrees the statement in Eph. 4:6⁶One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (Ephesians 4:6): “one God and Father of all.” So far Dr. Crawford was more scripturally correct than the late Dr. Candlish in their controversy. But this universal Fatherhood of God only makes man's wickedness and unbelief more inexcusable and ruinous. It has to do with nature only, which is now fallen and sinful, and proved to be God's enemy by rejecting His Son, sent to save. Salvation therefore is by grace, not nature, and through faith, not works of law or any other creature means. Salvation is in no other than Christ Jesus, His only begotten Son, and our Lord. Then only are we who believe His sons by grace.

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