Meaning of SON OF GOD (II)

One of the titles of the Messiah (Ps. 2:7: Jn. 1:49; cf. 2 Sam. 7:14) that expresses, in its deepest sense, the mysterious relationship that exists between the Father and the Son in their eternal relationship within the Deity.

This title, frequently used in the NT, clearly designates our Lord (e.g., in Mt. 4:3, 6; 16:16; 26:63; 27:43; Mark 1:1; Luke 3 :38, however, applies it to Adam).

Christ is also called the “only begotten Son of God” (John 3:16, 18). There are two reasons that justify this expression:

(A) Christ, being eternal, has no beginning or end (Heb. 7:3);

(B) His birth was a miracle, having been begotten by the operation of the Holy Spirit (Lk. 1:35).

Being the son of God, Christ is God himself, endowed with the infinite perfections coming from his divine essence (John 1: 1-14; 10: 30-38; Phil. 2: 6).

He is equal to God the Father (John 5:17-25); However, to fulfill the will of the Father, he assumed the condition of man. He was sent by God, who worked through Him (John 3:16, 17; 8:42; Gal. 4:4; Heb. 1:2).

The term "Son" does not relate to the mission of Christ, but to his nature, identical to that of God, implying his equality with Him.

Jesus claims this title for Himself (Lk. 22:70; Jn. 10:36; 11:4; 19:7), and the apostles proclaimed that Jesus is the Son of God (Acts 9:20; Gal. 2: 20, etc.; 1 Jn. 3:8; 5:5, 10, 13, 20).

It is for having maintained this title before the Sanhedrin that Jesus was sentenced to death as a blasphemer (Mt. 26:63-66; Mark 14:61-64). The right to this title had been confirmed by the descent of the Spirit, on the occasion of his baptism; the Father gave an audible testimony from heaven (Mt. 3:16, 17; Mark 1:10, 11; Luke 3:22; John 1:32-34).

The divinity of Jesus was also confirmed at the transfiguration (Mt. 17:5; Mark 9:7; Luke 9:35; 2 Pet. 1:17). The character of Jesus' works is proof that he was truly the Son of God (John 1:14; 5:36; 10:36-38; Heb. 1:3).

"He was declared the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead" (Rom. 1:4), as well as by his ascension (Heb. 1:3).