Some believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Others do not believe that Jesus is the Son of God. This has created two worlds, believers and non-believers. Believing that Jesus is the Son of God makes you a friend of Jesus whilst denying this fact does not make you his friend. In order to resolve this matter, we wish to refer to biblical facts of divine knowledge and history for the salvation of our souls.
What does the Son of God mean?
Son of God means child of God in scripture. He is one created by God in his own image, Genesis 1: 27; Psalms 82: 6. This is however no guarantee for eternal life. He is a person who God says is his son, example Jesus, Matthew 3: 17, Mark 1: 11; 9: 7; Luke 3: 22. He is a person who does God’s will through obedience in Christ Jesus, Luke 6: 35; Galatians 3: 26.
Sons of God are those who imitate Christ Jesus, and are blameless before him, Ephesians 5: 1; 1 John 3: 1; Revelation 2: 8. Those who submit to God’s discipline, Hebrews 12: 7. Those who believe in heart, and show by conduct, that Jesus is the Son of God, 1 John 5: 1. Those who show knowledge by faith in Christ Jesus,1 John 5: 19. Those who belong to God’s family, Matthew 5: 9; Luke 20: 36; John 1: 12; Romans 8: 14-17; 9: 8.
Is Jesus the Son of God?
We affirm that Jesus is the Son of God. God said so at Jesus’ baptism in Matthew 3: 17; 17: 5 this is my Son, the Beloved, in whom I am well pleased; listen to him. This is also repeated in Mark 1: 11; 9: 7; Luke 3: 22; 9: 35. The quotation suggests that Jesus is his most loved and pleasing. Angels also acknowledged Jesus as the Son of God in Luke 1: 35. Jesus himself said he was the Son of God in John 5: 25; 11: 4.
The apostle Mark confessed Jesus as the Son of God in Mark 1: 1. Peter said so in Matthew 16: 16. John confessed the same in John 1: 34, 49; 11: 27; 20: 31; 1 John 3: 8; 4: 15.The disciples said so in the boat in Matthew 14: 33. At the beginning of Paul’s ministry, he confessed Jesus as the Son of God in Acts 9: 20. Paul copiously maintained his position in Romans 1: 4; 5: 10; 8: 3; 1 Corinthians 1: 9; 2 Corinthians 1: 19; Galatians 2: 20; 4: 6; Hebrews 4: 14; 6: 6; 10: 29.
The devil knew this fact so in tempting Jesus, and to cast doubt on his persona, said in Matthew 4: 3, 6, 26: 63, 27: 40; Luke 4: 3, 9, “If you are the Son of God…” Demons when being cast out begged and referred to Jesus as the Son of God in Mark 3: 11; 5: 7; Luke 4: 41; 8: 28. Those who saw and discerned beyond the physical confessed to Jesus as the Son of God as God said of Christ Jesus, example Stephen in Acts 7: 56.
Why should we believe the bible?
The bible is the word of God to his creation. John 1:1 says, in the beginning was the word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Continuing from verse 14, and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth, we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. When we accept and believe the bible, we accept and believe God and his sent word of life to us.
On the biblical content, the bible says that every word is confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses, Matthew 18: 16. To the extent that we have many references to Christ Jesus being the Son of God, this fact if God’s Son is established. Witnesses as used in the above verse refer to truthful or credible witnesses. Jesus’ address was directed at faithful or credible people.
Paul equally said to the believers in 2 Corinthians 13: 1 any charge must be sustained by the evidence of two or three witnesses. Paul repeated this qualification for two or three witnesses in 1 Timothy 5: 19. It also applied to the allegations of violations against Moses’ law in Hebrews 10: 28. There are affirmations from God, Jesus himself, angels, disciples, and other believers that in truth Jesus is the Son of God.
1 John 5: 10-12 say those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony in their hearts. Those who do not believe in God have made him a liar by not believing in the testimony that God has given concerning his Son… Whoever has the Son has life, whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. We further read from 2 John 1: 9, everyone who does not abide in the teaching of Christ, but goes beyond it, does not have God; whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.
Why is Jesus God’s beloved Son?
God said in Matthew 3: 17; 17: 5; Mark 1: 1; 9: 7; Luke 3: 22, this is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased. Not all sons are beloved and pleasing to their Fathers but Jesus was. This was because Philippians 2: 6 says though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited. He kept and shared God’s word. Jesus said in John 17: 6, I have made your name (God) known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.
He did not sin. 2Corinthians 5: 21 says for our sake he (God) made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. He died for all to rescue us unto righteousness. 2Corinthians 5: 15 says and he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them. He is the nourishment for our souls. John 6: 51 says I am the bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh. Only Jesus was found worthy, so is God’s beloved Son.
What does God want of us?
God wants us to be like Jesus Christ. Jesus said in Matthew 11: 29 take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. God does not want us to perish but have eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord and without his spirit, we cannot be like him.
We must take up the cross and follow him. Jesus will be our strength along the way. Jesus was, and is not only a Son of God the Father but God’s most beloved and most pleasing. God says we should listen to Jesus and we must do so in obedience. Are we ready to be worthy children of the Most High God?
Prayers
Dear Lord Jesus, we believe in our hearts and confess with our mouth that you are Christ the Lord, the only savior of our perishing souls. In you only is salvation ordained by your blood. Come into our hearts, cleanse our wretch and save our souls today. Lead us along the narrow road to honour you in righteousness and holiness to your glory and honour in your holy name, Amen!!
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