A.      In the previous lesson, we considered some descriptions that aid our understanding of Jesus as the Christ.

B.      In this lesson, we will consider some descriptions that aid our understanding of Jesus as the Son of God.

II.      THE MEANING OF “SON OF GOD”

A.      The term “Son of God” implies that Jesus has sameness with God.

                                                             1.      Scripture uses the terms “son,” “child,” “father,” etc., to connect persons to their likenesses.

a.       For example, presumably because of their hot tempers, Jesus gave James and John the name Boanerges, which means “Sons of Thunder” (Mark 3:17; Luke 9:51-56).

b.       Another example is in John 8:38-44, where Jesus told the Jews that they were sons of the devil because they did the deeds of the devil.

c.        Also consider Joseph of Cyprus who gave a generous gift for the saints and was therefore called Barnabas, which means “Son of Encouragement” (Acts 4:36-37).

                                                             2.      Likewise, the term “Son of God” connects Jesus to God, His Father in heaven.

a.       When the virgin Mary was told that she would bear a child, it was explained to her that He would be called the Son of God because He would be conceived by the Holy Spirit and “the power of the Most High” (Luke 1:35).

b.       Notice Matthew 1:23, where Joseph was told that Jesus would fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14 – “’Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel,’ which translated means, ‘God with us.’”

c.        Although Jesus was miraculously conceived, His relationship with God did not depend on birth.  Instead, He is connected with God by sharing all of the attributes of God in nature, character, wisdom, glory, and power.

i.         Notice that John 1 explicitly describes Jesus as the pre-incarnate God who put on flesh, dwelt among us, and thus explained God to us (vv. 1, 14, 18).

ii.        Christ was already the Son of God before God sent Him into the world (John 3:16; 17:5; Phil. 2:6-7; 1John 4:9).

iii.      Colossians 2:9 states that “in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form.”

iv.      Hebrews 1:3 describes the Son of God as “the exact representation of [God’s] nature.”  Similarly, Colossians 1:15 describes Jesus as “the image of the invisible God” (see also 2Cor. 4:4).

d.       Many came to understand that Jesus is the Son of God by observing His works and listening to His words.

i.         Peter declared, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:16).  Jesus said it was the Father who revealed this to him.

ii.        Martha said, “I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world” (John 11:27).

iii.      When Thomas saw the risen Jesus, he declared, “My Lord and My God!” (John 20:28).  Jesus said, “Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”

                                                             3.      Jesus gave a great discourse on the meaning of His Sonship in John 5:17-47.

a.       After the Jews took issue with Jesus for healing on the Sabbath, He said, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working” (v. 17).  The Jews then understood that Jesus had implied that He was equal with God by calling God His Father (v. 18).

b.       Jesus took this occasion to explain His relationship with God (He used the name “Father” fourteen times in vv. 19-47).  Notice the equality and sameness of the Son and the Father.

i.         Jesus and the Father are equal in action (vv. 19-20).

ii.        Jesus and the Father are equal in giving life (vv. 21, 26).

iii.      Jesus is endowed by the Father with all judgment (vv. 22, 27, 30).

iv.      Jesus is equal in honor with the Father (v. 23).

v.       Belief in Jesus is equal to belief in the Father (vv. 24, 38).

vi.      Jesus called Himself “Son of God” in verse 25.

c.        To prove the truth of these words, Jesus cited the witnesses of John, His miraculous works, His Father, and the Scriptures (vv. 31-47).

B.      Only Jesus can be called the only begotten Son of God.

                                                             1.      Others are collectively called “sons of God” in the Scriptures.

a.       It appears that angels are called “sons of God” in Genesis 6:2,4 and Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7.

b.       Faithful Christians are also described as “sons of God” and “children of God” (Matt. 5:9; Jn. 1:12; Lk. 20:36; Rom. 8:14, 16, 19; 9:8; Gal. 3:26; Phil. 2:15; 1Jn. 3:1-2, 10: 5:2).

                                                             2.      However, Jesus is separated and exalted as the only begotten Son of God.

a.       The phrase “only begotten” is accurately translated from a single Greek word monogenes.

i.         This word is used in the New Testament in reference to only two relationships – Isaac’s relationship to Abraham (Heb. 11:17), and Jesus Christ’s relationship to God the Father (John 1:14, 18; 3:16, 18; 1John 4:9).

ii.        It is an interesting coincidence that Abraham was also willing to sacrifice his “only begotten” son.  However, the application of the word monogenes to Christ’s relationship to the Father has a much different and deeper meaning than for Isaac’s relationship to Abraham.

b.       In Jesus’ relationship to the Father, God’s “only begotten” indicates the unique position of Jesus as the Son of God.

i.         Jesus is the sole embodiment of the person and character of the One who sent Him (2Cor. 4:4; Col. 1:15; Heb. 1:3).  To see and hear Jesus is to see and hear the Father (John 14:9-10).

ii.        There is no other being that could hold this position.  Only Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, is exceedingly qualified above angels (Heb. 1-2), Moses (Heb. 3:1-6), Aaron (Heb. 4:14-5:10), and all others.

c.        This is the reason the Father has commanded, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!” (Matt. 17:5).

III.   TWO OTHER DESCRIPTIONS OF THE SON OF GOD

A.      The Son of God is described as the firstborn to express a variety of truths about Jesus.

                                                             1.      The term “firstborn” typically means more than just the first child born in a family.  It generally applies to the firstborn son who is the rightful heir of the position and estate of his father.

                                                             2.      Jesus is called “firstborn” to indicate His preeminent position in the universe (Col. 1:15; Heb. 1:6).

                                                             3.      Jesus is also called “firstborn” to indicate that He was the first of many who are to be raised from the dead (1Cor. 15:23; Col. 1:18; Rev. 1:5).

                                                             4.      Another use of “firstborn” signifies Jesus’ position as first in the household of God (Rom. 8:29).  As such, He is “heir of all things” (Heb. 1:2).

B.      Many times the Son of God described Himself as the Son of Man.

                                                             1.      The term “Son of Man” as a designation of the Christ comes from Daniel 7:13, and Jesus applied Daniel’s prophecy to Himself in Matthew 24:30; 26:64; Mark 13:26; 14:62; Luke 21:27.

                                                             2.      “Son of Man” may seem like a curious term to describe the Son of God, but consider its meaning.

a.       Just as the description “Son of God” shows the connection between Jesus and God, so also the description “Son of Man” shows the connection between Jesus and man.

b.       Jesus put on flesh and lived as a man so that He could be our Advocate and represent us before the Father (John 1:14; Phil. 2:6-8; Heb. 2:14-18; 4:14-16; 1John 2:1-2).

                                                             3.      Jesus seemed to prefer the term “Son of Man” for Himself because, like teaching in parables (Matt. 13:11-17), it concealed the obvious truth from those who were unbelieving and hard-hearted.  Such people openly questioned of Him, “Who is this Son of Man?” (John 12:34; see vv. 35-43 for an explanation).

IV.    CONCLUSION

A.      Certainly, we could go into greater depth in discussing Jesus as the Son of God, but for our scope this lesson should be sufficient to give us a fundamental understanding of the meaning of this description.

B.      In the next lesson, we will consider another category of descriptions for Jesus, which characterize Jesus as the Savior.