What Do Christians Mean When They Say ‘I Believe in God the Father’?
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What do Christians mean when they say ‘I believe in God the Father’? Are those special words meant for certain occasions or circumstances? Perhaps you have heard someone saying ‘I believe in God the Father’ in church during prayer time or while attending a Bible Study group. There may have been a time of distress when you have leaned on your faith and shared, “I believe in God the Father’. Maybe you have seen the words ‘I believe in God the Father’ displayed on a plaque, a notecard, or in a letter. When we accept Jesus as our Savior and ask God to come into our life, we are acknowledging that there is only one true God. When we speak or write the words ‘I believe in God the Father’ we are showing our love for God and sharing His love with others. We are placing full faith and trust in God.
Will there be times of confusion, testing, and doubt? Yes, but when those times arise, we are comforted knowing God the Father is with us and we can rest in His assurances.
Who Is God the Father?
God the Father is the creator of all things (Genesis 1:1-31 NIV). Scripture shares how God created everything from the beginning. The book of Genesis gives details of each day. From creating the waters and the earth, to separating the light from the darkness, to making the sky to separate water from water, each day was filled with God’s creations. God the Father created land and seas. He allowed the land to produce vegetation with seed-bearing plants and trees. God created the sun and the moon and the stars. God created creatures of the sea and winged birds, livestock, and animals.
Then God created mankind to rule over all the seas and the sky and all the creatures. Scripture tells us that God created mankind in His own image, male and female. God also blessed His creations. After six days of God creating these things, He saw that everything was good. God the Father chose the seventh day for rest (Genesis 2:2 NIV). God encourages us to rest, too. By resting our minds and bodies, we can gain renewed strength and be ready to encourage others with the message of His love and glory.
God loves us more than we can ever understand or comprehend. He loves and forgives. When we fall short of what we are supposed to do, we can go to the Father and ask for His forgiveness. God gave His only Son so that we may have eternal life with Him. Some people have loving and caring relationships with their earthly fathers. Some people have a strained relationship with their earthly father or no relationship at all.
As Christians, when we accept Jesus into our life, we are able to find comfort and peace knowing we are loved and cherished by God the Father. Yes, there will be times of failure. As Christians, we can go to the Father and seek His forgiveness and guidance.
God the Father has eternal love for His creations. We can go to God the Father and share our hearts and souls with Him at any time. He is always listening and hearing our prayers. He already knows our thoughts, yet we can still express our feelings to Him. He is always available.
What Does it Mean to Say ‘I Believe in God the Father’?
When we say ‘I believe in God the Father,’ we are acknowledging our love and knowledge of God and His glory. Perhaps you have heard a child say, ‘I believe what my teacher said’ or ‘I believe what my parents told me’ or ‘I believe I will have peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch’. In each statement, there can be a firm belief that something will happen or has happened. Life experiences allow us to further grow our faith and share that faith and love of God with others.
Scripture shares how one of the disciples was doubtful. Thomas told the other disciples that he would not believe Jesus had risen until he saw the nail marks in the hands of Jesus and put his finger where the nails were and his hand into the side of Jesus (John 20:24-29 NIV). Doubting Thomas soon learned the truth when he saw Jesus.
When a Christian says, ‘I believe in God the Father,’ that is a profound statement of faith. As humans, we often want to physically see something for proof of existence. When we accept Christ, we can rely on God to be with us in every moment. There are times when situations may help our faith grow stronger. Life experiences help us grow in faith. How we handle each moment can show others how to have a closer relationship with God the Father.
Do we want to physically see God the Father? The time will come when Christians will be with God the Father. Until that time arrives, we have the opportunity to share His love and help draw others and ourselves to have a closer relationship with God the Father. We do not need to see God the Father physically in order to believe. When times arise that we want physical proof of what will happen, we can find comfort and peace in going to the Lord in prayer. Reading His Word can help us in every moment. Remembering that God has a plan for us can bring peace ( Jeremiah 29:11 NIV).
Why Is This Part of the Apostles’ Creed?
The Apostles’ Creed is sometimes found printed in church bulletins or displayed in a church hallway or narthex. The Apostles’ Creed states what Christians believe about God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. This is known as the Holy Trinity. There is only one God, who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The first words in the Apostles’ Creed state, “I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth.” With that declaration of faith, the creed continues stating the belief that Jesus Christ is His only Son. The Apostles’ Creed shares about the conception, birth, suffering, and death of Jesus. The creed continues by sharing how Jesus descended into hell, and on the third day, he rose from the dead and ascended into heaven. He now sits on the right hand of God the Father.
As the Apostles’ Creed continues, the words state more about belief, the communion of saints, forgiveness of sins, and the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. The Apostles’ Creed can be spoken out loud or read. Either way, this is an important part of sharing our belief in God the Father.
Have you ever shared your faith with a family member, friend, or stranger? If you have had that opportunity, how did you share? Did you begin with prayer? Or did you ease into the conversation? We are called to share the good news with others. When we share the love of God and His forgiveness, we are given the opportunity to help others draw closer to Him. Through sharing the love of God, we are opening the door to a closer relationship with Him, too. When you are asked the question, ‘What do Christians mean when they say, ‘I believe in God the Father?’, pray and ask God for guidance in how to answer. Remember you have the opportunity to help others develop a relationship with God.
Photo credit: Pexels/Cliford Mervil
Melissa is the author of Licky the Lizard and Grumpy the Gator. Her passions are helping in the community and church. Melissa is an Elder, Deacon, and Stephen Minister.
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