2218 Jesus Christ, Son of God

A title emphasising Jesus Christ’s deity, his office as Messiah and his pre-eminence as the object of the church’s faith and worship and as the content of its gospel.

“Son of God” in the OT

Israel as God’s son Ex 4:22-23 See also Jer 31:9,20; Hos 11:1

The future Messiah/king as God’s Son Ps 2:7 See also Ps 89:27; Ac 13:33; Heb 1:5; Heb 5:5 Jesus Christ perfectly fulfils all the OT promises concerning God’s son, whether referring originally to Israel or to the Messiah.

Jesus Christ is the Son of God

Jesus Christ affirms he is God’s Son Jn 10:36 See also Lk 22:70 pp Mt 26:63-64 pp Mk 14:61-62; Jn 19:7; Rev 2:18

The Father affirms Jesus Christ is his Son Mt 3:17 pp Mk 1:11 pp Lk 3:22 See also Mt 17:5 pp Mk 9:7 pp Lk 9:35; 2Pe 1:17

Others affirm Jesus Christ is God’s Son Mt 14:33 See also Mk 15:39 pp Mt 27:54; Jn 1:34; Ro 1:4; Heb 4:14; 2Jn 3

Demons affirm Jesus Christ is God’s Son Mk 5:7 pp Mt 8:29 pp Lk 8:28 See also Mk 3:11; Lk 4:41

“Son of God” as a taunt

“Son of God” stresses Jesus Christ’s deity

Jesus Christ is the Son of God the Father Jn 3:35 In John’s Gospel in particular, the terms Son/Father are used many times to speak of Jesus Christ’s unique relationship with God. See also Mt 11:27 pp Lk 10:22; Mt 24:36 pp Mk 13:32; Jn 5:20-22; Heb 1:1-2; 1Jn 1:3; 1Jn 2:22-23; 2Jn 9

“Son of God” implies Jesus Christ’s equality with God Jn 5:18 See also Jn 5:23; Jn 10:30,33; Jn 14:9-10

“Son of God” implies Jesus Christ’s obedience to the Father

Jn 5:19 See also Mt 26:39 pp Mk 14:36 pp Lk 22:42; Mt 26:42; Jn 8:28; Jn 12:49; Jn 14:31; Jn 15:10; Ro 5:19; Heb 5:8; Heb 10:9

Jesus Christ as “Son of God” is the Messiah

“Son of God” as a Messianic title for Jesus Christ Mt 26:63-64 pp Mk 14:61-62 pp Lk 22:70-23:2 See also Mt 16:16; Mk 1:1; Lk 1:32; Lk 4:41; Jn 1:49; Jn 11:27

“Son of God” as one sent by God Gal 4:4 See also Mt 21:37 pp Mk 12:6 pp Lk 20:13; Jn 3:16-17; Ro 8:3,32; 1Jn 4:9

Grounds for regarding Jesus Christ as the Son of God

The virgin birth Lk 1:35

Jesus Christ’s resurrection Ro 1:3-4

Jesus Christ’s works Jn 10:36-38 See also Jn 5:17,19,36; Jn 14:11

Jesus Christ’s oneness with the Father Jn 10:30 See also Jn 12:45; Jn 14:10; Jn 17:21

Jesus Christ as Son of God is the object of the church’s faith

Jn 6:40 See also Jn 3:36; Jn 20:31; Ac 8:37 fn; Gal 2:20; 1Jn 3:23; 1Jn 4:15; 1Jn 5:5,13

Jesus Christ as Son of God is the content of the church’s gospel

Ro 1:9 See also Ac 9:20; 2Co 1:19; 1Jn 5:9-12

See also