How Scripture Calls "The Son"

The Son of GodThe term "Son of God" in the singular always refers to the Lord Jesus. On the one hand, He is the only begotten (unique) and eternal Son of God, who... More is central to the truth of Christianity and Christian fellowship (1 John 1:3).  It is also the special target of the attacks of the enemy (1 John 2:22.23).  But today we want to focus on the positive side: the sending of the Son marks the “fullness of time” (Gal. 4:4) and “the end of these days” (Heb. 1:2); in short it marks the beginning of a new era.

The Lord Jesus is Son in a twofold way:

1. He is the Son eternally: God sent the Son (John 3:16), and the worlds were made by the Son (Heb. 1:2). This sonshipIt is a special blessing for us to be sons of God (Gal 3:26). God destined us for this before the foundation of the world (Eph 1:5). Sonship (adoption) is... More has no beginning. It is an eternally subsisting relationship.  As Eternal Son He was not given life but in Him was life (John 1:3).  See also Heb. 7:3: “without genealogy”.
2. He is the Son as Man: Lk 1:35 (cf.  Ps. 2:6 and its divine interpretation as fulfillment in time in Acts 13:33)

The Bible considers several special expressions concerning the Son (other than “the Son”, “His Son” or “Son of God’), which show different glories of this wonderful Person. Let us consider seven of these in turn:

1. His only Son (Gen. 22:1)

• “Only son” occurs 7x in Scripture: 3x in Gen 22 (v.2.12.16) and then in Jer 6:26; Amos 8:10; Zech. 12:10; Luke 7:12 (in connection with grieving for the loss of an only son). This shows the greatness of God’s gift.
• Abraham was asked to offer up Isaac, his only son. Ishmael was also Abraham’s son (Gen. 16:15) but the promises were to come through Isaac (Gen. 21:12). In this sense Isaac was the only son.
• ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More was the only one who could bring redemptionRedemption is part of God's plan of salvation. Redemption means that someone is freed from bondage. The redemption of Israel from the power of Pharaoh is an example of this.... More. There was no other who could be laid on the altarPlace of sacrifice, i.e., place where a sacrifice is made. The Old Testament knows both the personal erection and use of an altar (usually made of earth or stones) and... More.
• Note that He was not chosen as eternal Son (there was no other) but as man (Is. 42:1; Psa. 89:3).

2. His own Son (Rom. 8:3.32; Acts 20:28)

   • This expression shows that God gave His very own Son. He bore the cost.
   • Rom. 8:3 shows that through Him God has condemned sinThe Bible carefully differentiates between sin and sins. • Sin: the evil power at work in man that causes him to engage in sinful activities (Rom 7:17, 18). God pronounced... More in the fleshThe term "flesh" is used in different meanings in the Bible: a) as an expression of physicality or humanity, which is inextricably linked to our life on earth. Examples: “the... More. Having given us His “own” Son we can be sure He will also give us all things (v.32).
   • In Acts 20 we learn that it was through the blood of His “own Son” that God acquired the church (Acts 20:28). We should never think of the church as ours – she is God’s. By the price He paid He acquired all rights over it.

3. The Only-begotten Son (5x in John’s writings: John 1:14.18; 3:16.18; 1 John 4:9)

• • Not related to any thought of beginning in time but what He has always been, even in the past eternity. Always in connection with the eternal Son.
  • The expression is used to convey that ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More was absolutely unique, the one and only one of His kind, the only one in whom God could reveal Himself (John 1:14), in whom man could see God and the Father was made known (John 1:18), the One in whom we receive eternal lifeEternal life is more than life without end. Eternal life is the highest conceivable quality of life. It is life in abundance (John 10:10). Christ himself is the true God... More (John 3:18). Any who do not believe on Him are condemned for eternity (John 3:18). In Him the whole love of God was manifested (1. John 4:9).

4. My beloved Son (7x of Christ in the NT, once in the parable (Luke 20:13))

• Mt. 3:17 (see Mk.1:11; Luke 3:22) à the one who stood out from the crowd and in Whom the Father delighted. See 2 Peter 1:17 (Mt. 17; Mk9; Lk 9): He will retain this place in the coming age.

5. The Son of His Love (Col. 1:13)

• He is at the center of a new sphere (or “kingdom’) and gives character to it. We have been translated from the power of darkness into this wonderful sphere.
• We have already received a new nature: enabled to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.

6. The Son of the living God
   

   • The living God is able and ready to act and intervene.
     • 1 Thess. 1:9: Serve the living God (not dead idols)
     • 1 Tim.3:15: the church of the living God à there is vitality and reality
   • Mt. 16:16: the Son of the living God
     • He is not revealed by fleshThe term "flesh" is used in different meanings in the Bible: a) as an expression of physicality or humanity, which is inextricably linked to our life on earth. Examples: “the... More and blood. He is the only foundation for the church (in Mk. 8:29 and Luke 9:20 we only find the 1^st half of this confession, and there the church is not mentioned).
     • The Son of the Living God went into death, but this was by graceTo the one who earns something through performance, the reward is not according to grace but according to debt (Rom. 4:4). Grace is a favor that is not given by... More, and He could not be held by death but overcame death. Satan’s stronghold is broken. HadesThe Greek term Hades, which is used in Mt 11:23; 16:18; Lk 16:23; Rev 1:18; 6:8; 20:13.14, corresponds to the term Sheol in the OT. This expression is used in... More will not prevail against the church. The church is built on (not failure and weakness) but graceTo the one who earns something through performance, the reward is not according to grace but according to debt (Rom. 4:4). Grace is a favor that is not given by... More and power!
   • 1 Thess. 1:10: We are waiting for Him: the Son of the Living God!

    

7. The Son of the Father (2. John 3)

• Only once in the Bible. The very personal aspect: emphasized in the face of the antichristian attack. The ApostleApostle (Greek) means "sent one." Today, we are "messengers" for Christ when we pass on the gospel (2 Cor. 5:20). But the highest-ranking messenger is Jesus Christ himself (Heb 3:1;... More holds the banner high – to encourage this family to be faithful to Him in at this difficult time.

Conclusion

Gal. 2:20: Let us live (daily) by faith in Him, the Son of GodThe term "Son of God" in the singular always refers to the Lord Jesus. On the one hand, He is the only begotten (unique) and eternal Son of God, who... More who loved me!