The Fathers Sovereign Plan in Salvation and Redemption
The Father's Sovereign Plan in Salvation and Redemption
The concept of the Father's sovereign plan in salvation and redemption is rooted in biblical teachings that emphasize God's authority and providence. According to Ephesians 1:11, believers "have received an inheritance from God" because "God makes everything work out according to his plan" [10]. This plan is deeply connected to the idea of God's sovereignty over creation and redemption.
The biblical narrative portrays the Father as the head of the family, assuming a position of authority and likeness to the Almighty over his creatures (Genesis 3:16; 1 Corinthians 11:3) [1]. The father's blessing is seen as conferring special benefit, while his malediction brings special injury (Genesis 9:25, 27; 27:27-40; 48:15, 20) [1]. This familial structure is foundational to understanding God's relationship with humanity.
In the context of salvation, the Father's sovereign plan is executed through the Son, Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:5 states that believers were "made alive together with Christ," emphasizing the union between Christ and believers [2]. This union results in believers sharing in Christ's resurrection, both now and in the future (Ephesians 2:6; Romans 6:4-14; Colossians 3:1-4) [7]. The Father's plan involves the redemption of humanity through Christ's sacrifice, as seen in the expression of thanks "unto God and the Father...the Fountain of every blessing in Creation, Providence, Election, and Redemption" [8].
The Father's sovereign will is also highlighted in Colossians 1:19, where it is stated that "it pleased the Father" that Christ should dwell with all fulness, facilitating the reconciliation of all things to Himself [9]. This reconciliation is a key aspect of the Father's plan, aiming to bring believers into a new life through the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5) [3].
The execution of the Father's plan involves the transformation of believers, who are created anew in Christ Jesus to do good works planned by God (Ephesians 2:10) [4]. Believers are no longer strangers and foreigners but are fully accepted into God's family, becoming children of God (Ephesians 2:19) [5]. This new identity is characterized by the stripping off of the old sinful nature and the putting on of the new nature, allowing Christ to be Lord and guide their lives (Colossians 3:9-10) [6].
The Father's sovereign plan is further underscored by the concept of inheritance, where believers receive an inheritance from God due to their union with Christ (Ephesians 1:11; Romans 8:17; Galatians 3:29; 4:7; Colossians 1:12; 3:24) [10]. This inheritance is a result of God's sovereign will and pleasure.
The various Christian traditions represented in the sources converge on the understanding that the Father's sovereign plan is central to salvation and redemption. While the specifics of this plan are articulated differently across traditions, the core idea remains that God's sovereignty is the foundation of the redemption narrative.
The biblical and theological understanding of the Father's sovereign plan highlights the intricate relationship between God's authority, the redemption through Christ, and the transformation of believers. As seen in the biblical texts and interpreted by various Christian traditions, this plan is a testament to God's providence and love for humanity. The emphasis on the Father's role in salvation underscores the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, where the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work in harmony to achieve the redemption of humanity.
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Father — The position and authority of the father as the head of the family are expressly assumed and sanctioned in Scripture, as a likeness of that of the Almighty over his creatures. It lies of course at the root of that so-called patriarchal government, (Genesis 3:16; 1 Corinthians 11:3) which was introductory to the more definite systems which followed, and which in part, but not wholly, superseded it. The father's blessing was regarded as conferring special benefit, but his malediction special injury, on those on whom it fell, (Genesis 9:25,27; 27:27-40; 48:15,20”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:5: 2:5 gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead (literally made us alive together with Christ): Joined with Christ, believers share in his resurrection, now and in the future (see 2:6; Rom 6:4-14; Col 3:1-4). • It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved: See Eph 1:2; 2:8-9.”
- Titus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Titus 3:5: 3:5 not because . . . but because: The contrast is between human actions that might be thought to merit salvation and God’s grace (see Gal 2:16). Salvation is through faith in God’s mercy alone (Eph 2:8). • He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth: See Ezek 16:9; John 3:1-15; Eph 5:26; Heb 10:22; 2 Pet 1:9. • and new life through the Holy Spirit: This signifies a complete departure from the life of sin and death and a transfer into the realm of life and purity (see also Rom 12:2; 2 Cor 5:17; Col 3:10).”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:10: 2:10 He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us: Good works are the result, not the cause, of salvation. God’s Spirit, working through a transformed heart, produces a good life (Gal 5:22-23).”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:19: 2:19 Gentiles who believe are no longer strangers and foreigners (2:11-12, 17). Through Christ, they are fully accepted into God’s family. They become children of God, just like believing Jews (see Rom 8:14-17).”
- Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 3:9: 3:9-10 your old sinful nature . . . your new nature: Paul contrasts old and new identities (see also Rom 5:12-21; 6:6; Eph 4:22-24). Believers strip off their old life and put on Christ’s new life, allowing him to be Lord and to guide the way they live.”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:6: 2:6 united with Christ Jesus: Because of this union, believers share God’s glory and blessings, and experience resurrection both now and in the future (see Rom 6:4-14; Col 2:12-13; 3:1-4).”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 5:20: thanks . . . for all things--even for adversities; also for blessings, unknown as well as known (Col 3:17; Th1 5:18). unto God and the Father--the Fountain of every blessing in Creation, Providence, Election, and Redemption. Lord Jesus Christ--by whom all things, even distresses, become ours (Rom 8:35, Rom 8:37; Co1 3:20-23).”
- Colossians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Colossians 1:19: For it pleased the Father,.... The phrase, "the Father", is not in the original text, but is rightly supplied; since he is expressly mentioned in the context, as he who makes the saints meet to be partakers of the heavenly glory; who deliver, them from the power and dominion of sin, and translates them into the kingdom of his dear Son; and who, by Christ, reconciles all things to himself, Col 1:12, and whose sovereign will and pleasure it is, that in him should all fulness dwell: by which is meant, not the fulness of the deity, though it is read by some the fuln”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 1:11: 1:11 we have received an inheritance from God: Paul often talks about salvation as an inheritance, something promised to our spiritual ancestors and received by us (see Rom 8:17; Gal 3:29; 4:7; Col 1:12; 3:24). • Because God is sovereign, he makes everything work out according to his plan (cp. Rom 8:28-30).”