Posted By: The Wanderer
IN WHAT SENSE IS CHRIST THE SON OF GOD? - 09/02/19 01:38 AM
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God the eternal Son became incarnate in Jesus Christ. Through Him all things were created, the character of God is revealed, the salvation of humanity is accomplished, and the world is judged. Forever truly God, He became also truly man, Jesus the Christ. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived and experienced temptation as a human being, but perfectly exemplified the righteousness and love of God. By His miracles He manifested God's power and was attested as God's promised Messiah. He suffered and died voluntarily on the cross for our sins and in our place, was raised from the dead, and ascended to minister in the heavenly sanctuary in our behalf. He will come again in glory for the final deliverance of His people and the restoration of all things. - God the Son, Fundamental Belief 4
IN WHAT SENSE IS CHRIST THE SON OF GOD?
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"I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You."?(Psalms 2:7)
Jesus Christ holds so important a place in the scheme of redemption, it is necessary to form correct ideas of his nature, character and office. As he is the foundation of Christianity, the sentiments we form of him, will affect our whole picture viewpoint respecting the method of salvation. It cannot be expected that the superstructure will be better than the basis. If we begin with error, then, the whole fabric of our belief will be erroneous.
When Christ appeared in the world, it was a prominent inquiry among the Jews whether he was the Son of God. The inquiries whether he was the Christ, or whether he was the Son of God were of the same import. They expected that when the promised Messiah appeared, he would appear in the character of God's Son. In the Old Testament God acknowledges him to be his Son. By his prophet he said, ?Thou art my Son.? Many Jewish authors admit that the term Son in the 2d Psalm is applied to Christ.
To put the question beyond dispute the apostle Paul quotes this short passage, and applies it to Christ:
God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: 'YOU ARE MY SON, TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU.'?(Acts 13:33)
When Jesus claimed the title, Son of God, and the title, Christ, the Jews considered him claiming the same prerogatives. At one time they accused him of calling himself Christ. At another time they accused him of calling himself the Son of God; and they viewed the accusations of the same import.
Christ once inquired of his disciples what was the opinion of people respecting himself After they had named several opinions, which were entertained of him, he inquired of them saying,
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?Whom say ye, that I am.'?' Peter, who was always ready to give an answer, said, ?Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.-'
Jesus replied, ?Blessed art thou Simon Barjona; for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee; but my Father, which is in heaven.?
Jesus replied, ?Blessed art thou Simon Barjona; for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee; but my Father, which is in heaven.?
This reply proved that Peter had formed right ideas of him; and gave him an appropriate name. Jesus Christ was predicted by the name, Son. When he came into the world he maintained that he was the Son of God.
When he was on trial before the council, the high Priest adjured him by the living God, that he should declare whether he was the Christ, the Son of God. When the Centurion saw the miracles at his crucifixion, he exclaimed, ?Surely this was the Son of God.? The apostles preached the same doctrine. After Saul was converted to the Christian faith, he ?straightway preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.?
Even evil spirits acknowledged the same sentiment; and gave him the same title. The relationship of Christ to the Father expressed by the term Son was acknowledged by himself; by his apostles; and by early Christians.
Soon after Christ left the world, various opinions arose respecting him. Some believed that he was wholly divine; that he assumed only the appearance of humanity. Some held that a super-angelic nature was united with his human nature. Others maintained that he was a mere man, furnished with extraordinary communications. This variety of sentiment respecting Jesus Christ early disturbed and divided the Christian Church. The same distinctions, with their various modifications, have perpetuated divisions in the Christian world.
The phrase, "Son of God," is often applied in the scriptures to Jesus Christ. He frequently claims this title. The Father often calls him his Son; his own Son; his dearly beloved Son, in both The New Testament, and The Old. I have been finding that scripture names are remarkable for their pertinence; and there is no doubt that a peculiar and appropriate sense/context is to be attached to this title:
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"For to which of the angels did He ever say: "YOU ARE MY SON, TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU"? And again: "I WILL BE TO HIM A FATHER, AND HE SHALL BE TO ME A SON"??(Heb 1:5)
Therefore, it is important to inquire in what sense Christ is the Son of God?