Topical Bible: Christ is God: As Son of God

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Topical Encyclopedia

The doctrine of Christ as God, particularly in His role as the Son of God, is a central tenet of Christian theology. This belief is rooted in the understanding that Jesus Christ, while fully human, is also fully divine, sharing in the essence and nature of God the Father. The title "Son of God" signifies not only a unique relationship with the Father but also an affirmation of His divine nature.

Biblical Foundation

The New Testament provides numerous references to Jesus as the Son of God, affirming His divinity. In the Gospel of John, Jesus' divine sonship is a prominent theme. John 1:14 states, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." This passage highlights the incarnation of the divine Word, identifying Jesus as the unique Son who reveals the Father.

In John 10:30 , Jesus declares, "I and the Father are one," a statement that underscores His unity with God. This assertion of oneness with the Father was understood by His contemporaries as a claim to divinity, as evidenced by the reaction of the Jewish leaders who sought to stone Him for blasphemy (John 10:31-33).

The apostle Paul also affirms the divinity of Christ in his epistles. In Colossians 2:9 , Paul writes, "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form." This verse emphasizes that the entirety of God's nature resides in Jesus, confirming His divine status.

Theological Implications

The recognition of Christ as the Son of God has profound theological implications. It affirms the doctrine of the Trinity, which posits that God exists as three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—yet is one in essence. The Son's divinity is integral to the understanding of the Trinity, as it maintains the unity and co-equality of the Godhead.

Furthermore, the divine sonship of Christ is essential for the doctrine of salvation. As the Son of God, Jesus possesses the authority and power to atone for sin and reconcile humanity to God. His sacrificial death and resurrection are efficacious because of His divine nature, which enables Him to bear the weight of humanity's sin and conquer death.

Christ's Self-Identification

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus frequently refers to God as His Father, indicating a unique and intimate relationship. In Matthew 11:27 , Jesus states, "All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him." This passage highlights the exclusive knowledge and authority shared between the Father and the Son, further affirming Jesus' divine identity.

Witness of Others

The recognition of Jesus as the Son of God is also affirmed by others in the New Testament. At Jesus' baptism, a voice from heaven declares, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17). Similarly, at the Transfiguration, the voice from the cloud reiterates, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!" (Matthew 17:5).

The apostle Peter, in his confession of faith, acknowledges Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16). This confession is foundational to the Christian faith, recognizing Jesus' divine sonship and messianic role.

Conclusion

The doctrine of Christ as God, particularly as the Son of God, is a cornerstone of Christian belief. It is supported by scriptural testimony, theological reflection, and the witness of the early church. This understanding of Jesus' divine nature is essential for comprehending the mystery of the Trinity and the efficacy of His redemptive work.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 26:63-67
But Jesus held his peace, And the high priest answered and said to him, I adjure you by the living God, that you tell us whether you be the Christ, the Son of God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Greek

5207. huios -- a son
... For the believer, becoming a son of God begins with being reborn () by
the heavenly Father -- through Christ (the work of the ). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5207.htm - 8k

2128. eulogetos -- well spoken of, ie blessed
... well of"; to . 2128 ("blessed") is used of God the Father and Christ (God
the Son), showing the is. Indeed, is , ""! [The suffix ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2128.htm - 7k

2424. Iesous -- Jesus or Joshua, the name of the Messiah, also ...
... is His name, as the incarnate, eternal Son of God (Mt 1:21,25, see also Lk 1:31) --
the Christ, the divine Messiah (the second Person of the holy Trinity). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2424.htm - 7k

5043. teknon -- a child (of either sex)
... This prompts God to them into . ... profoundly learn this as we are receptive to Christ
speaking His ... Usage child (13), children (76), children's (2), son (8), sons ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5043.htm - 7k

Library

Christ not God, but the Son of God.
... Homily XVI. Chapter XV."Christ Not God, But the Son of God. When Simon
heard this, he said: "Since you say that we ought not to ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter xv christ not god but.htm

Christ the Son of God.
... IV."CHRIST THE SON OF GOD. ... That Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, is
the fundamental, pivotal fact in the Christian religion. ...
/.../iv christ the son of god.htm

That Christ, the Son of God, Created all Things, and Has Appointed ...
... to the assembly of the saints." Chapter V."That Christ, the Son of God, created
All Things, and has appointed to Every Thing the Term of its Existence. ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter v that christ the son.htm

The Son of God Incarnate; Or, the Titles and the Kingdom of Christ ...
... Hymns. Book 1. Hymn 1:13. The Son of God incarnate; or, The titles and the
kingdom of Christ, Isa. 9. 2 6 7. 1 The lands that long ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/watts/hymns and spiritual songs/hymn 1 13 the son of.htm

Jesus Christ, Being the Only Son of God, is at the Same Time Man.
... Wherefore Christ Jesus, the Son of God, is both God and man; God before all worlds;
man in our world: God, because the Word of God (for "the Word was God" [1149 ...
/.../augustine/the enchiridion/chapter 35 jesus christ being the.htm

Demonstration xvii. --Of Christ the Son of God.
... Demonstration XVII."Of Christ the Son of God. 1. (This is) a reply against
the Jews, who blaspheme the people gathered from among ...
/.../aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration xvii of christ the son.htm

Christ Predestinated to be the Son of God.
... A Treatise on the predestination of the saints, Chapter 31."Christ
Predestinated to Be the Son of God. Therefore in Him who is ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 31 christ predestinated to be.htm

Whether this Proposition is False: "Christ as Man was ...
... to the Son of God; it is more proper to say that "Christ, as Man, was predestinated
to be the Son of God," than that, "Christ, as Son of God, was predestinated ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether this proposition is false .htm

Whether Christ as Man is the Adopted Son of God?
... But according to those who suppose two persons or two hypostases or two supposita
in Christ, no reason prevents Christ being called the adopted Son of God. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ as man is.htm

The Grace of God is Clearly and Remarkably Displayed in Raising ...
... Chapter 36."The Grace of God is Clearly and Remarkably Displayed in Raising
the Man Christ Jesus to the Dignity of the Son of God. ...
/.../augustine/the enchiridion/chapter 36 the grace of god.htm