Christ's Example and Identity as the Son of God
The identity of Jesus as the Son of God is a foundational aspect of Christian theology, frequently emphasized in the New Testament [4]. This title signifies his unique relationship with God the Father and underscores his divine nature. John the Baptist, for instance, bore witness that Jesus is the Son of God [5].
The phrase "Son of God" appears thirty-seven times in the New Testament as a distinctive title for Jesus [4]. This is distinct from the broader use of "sons of God" which can refer to angels or pious descendants of Seth, or even believers adopted into God's family [4]. Jesus's status as the Son of God is affirmed by God himself, as seen in Matthew 3:17 [1].
Jesus's identity as the Son of God is closely linked to his pre-existence and role in creation. He is described as the "image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation" [3]. This means he is the exact likeness and perfect representative of God [11]. Through him, all things were created [1, 6]. The unchangeableness of Jesus's doctrine is rooted in his unchangeable nature as the Son of God, co-equal with God [8].
Confessing Jesus as the Son of God is presented as a crucial element of faith, with the promise that God abides in those who make this confession [2, 9]. This confession implies acknowledging his divine personhood, distinct from merely being a man [9]. Denying Jesus as the true, proper, and eternal Son of God is seen as also denying the Father, as there cannot be a Father without a Son [13].
The demonstration of Jesus's sonship was evident throughout his life and ministry. His baptism and death confirmed his identity as the Christ, the Son of God, refuting early heresies that separated "the Christ" from the man Jesus [10]. While Jesus eternally existed as the Son of God, his resurrection powerfully demonstrated this truth, revealing him in his full power and glory [12]. Prophecies concerning Christ also foretold his identity as the Son of God [7]. Beyond his divine identity, Jesus also serves as an example in various roles, including Mediator, Prophet, Priest, King, Judge, and Shepherd [1].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Excellency and Glory of Christ, The — As God -- Joh 1:1-5; Php 2:6,9,10. As the Son of God -- Mt 3:17; Heb 1:6,8. As one with the Father -- Joh 10:30,38. As the First-born -- Col 1:15,18. As the First-begotten -- Heb 1:6. As Lord of lords, &c -- Re 17:14. As the image of God -- Col 1:15; Heb 1:3. As creator -- Joh 1:3; Col 1:16; Heb 1:2. As the Blessed of God -- Ps 45:2. As Mediator -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 8:6. As Prophet -- De 18:15,16; Ac 3:22. As Priest -- Ps 110:4; Heb 4:15. As King -- Isa 6:1-5; Joh 12:41. As Judge -- Mt 16:27; 25:31,33. As Shepherd -- Isa 40:10,11; Joh”
- I John “I John 4:15 (BSB) — If anyone confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.”
- Colossians “Colossians 1:15 (BSB) — The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Son of God — The plural, "sons of God," is used (Gen. 6:2, 4) to denote the pious descendants of Seth. In Job 1:6; 38:7 this name is applied to the angels. Hosea uses the phrase (1:10) to designate the gracious relation in which men stand to God. In the New Testament this phrase frequently denotes the relation into which we are brought to God by adoption (Rom. 8:14, 19; 2 Cor. 6:18; Gal. 4:5, 6; Phil. 2:15; 1 John 3:1, 2). It occurs thirty-seven times in the New Testament as the distinctive title of our Saviour. He does not bear this title in consequence of his mirac”
- John “John 1:34 (BBE) — This I saw myself and my witness is that he is the Son of God.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Christ is God — As Jehovah -- Isa 40:3; Mt 3:3. As Jehovah of glory -- Ps 24:7,10; 1Co 2:8; Jas 2:1. As Jehovah, our RIGHTEOUSNESS -- Jer 23:5,6; 1Co 1:30. As Jehovah, above all -- Ps 97:9; Joh 3:31. As Jehovah, the First and the Last -- Isa 44:6; Re 1:17; Isa 48:12-16; Re 22:13. As Jehovah's Fellow and Equal -- Zec 13:7; Php 2:6. As Jehovah of Hosts -- Isa 6:1-3; Joh 12:41; Isa 8:13,14; 1Pe 2:8. As Jehovah, the Shepherd -- Isa 40:11; Heb 13:20. As Jehovah, for whose glory all things were created -- Pr 16:4; Col 1:16. As Jehovah, the Messenger of the covenant -- Mal ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prophecies Respecting Christ — As the Son of God -- Ps 2:7. Fulfilled. -- Lu 1:32,35. As the seed of the woman -- Ge 3:15. Fulfilled. -- Ga 4:4. As the seed of Abraham -- Ge 17:7; 22:18. Fulfilled. -- Ga 3:16. As the seed of Isaac -- Ge 21:12. Fulfilled. -- Heb 11:17-19. As the seed of David -- Ps 132:11; Jer 23:5. Fulfilled. -- Ac 13:23; Ro 1:3. His coming at a set time -- Ge 49:10; Da 9:24,25. Fulfilled. -- Lu 2:1. His being born a virgin -- Isa 7:14. Fulfilled. -- Mt 1:22,23; Lu 2:7. His being called Immanuel -- Isa 7:14. Fulfilled. -- Mt 1:22,23. His being born i”
- 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 1:19: Proof of the unchangeableness of the doctrine from the unchangeableness of the subject of it, namely, Jesus Christ. He is called "the Son of God" to show the impossibility of change in One who is co-equal with God himself (compare Sa1 15:29; Mal 3:6). by me . . . Silvanus and Timotheus--The Son of God, though preached by different preachers, was one and the same, unchangeable. Silvanus is contracted into Silas (Act 15:22; compare Pe1 5:12). in him was yea--Greek, "is made yea in Him"; that is, our preaching of the Son of God is confirmed as ”
- 1 John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 John 4:15: Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God,.... The only begotten of the Father; that he is not a mere man, as the Jews, and Ebion and Cerinthus said, but a divine person, equal with the Father; which contains all that relates to the dignity of his person, and his fitness for his office as a Saviour, and which was the test of faith in those times, and the grand article of belief: not that a bare assent to this had what followed annexed to it; for the devils believed and owned that Jesus was the Son of God; and so might, and did, unregenerate persons, as the ”
- 1 John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 John 5:6: 5:6 And Jesus Christ was revealed as God’s Son by his baptism in water and by shedding his blood on the cross (literally This is he who came by water and blood): John’s contemporary, the heretic Cerinthus, taught that “the Christ” descended as a spirit on the man Jesus when he was baptized but left him before he died. The truth is that Jesus’ baptism and death confirmed his identity as the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus of Nazareth was and is truly the Christ, the Son of God, from the beginning and forever.”
- Colossians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Colossians 1:15: They who have experienced in themselves "redemption" (Col 1:14), know Christ in the glorious character here described, as above the highest angels to whom the false teachers (Col 2:18) taught worship was to be paid. Paul describes Him: (1) in relation to God and creation (Col 1:15-17); (2) in relation to the Church (Col 1:18-20). As the former regards Him as the Creator (Col 1:15-16) and the Sustainer (Col 1:17) of the natural world; so the latter, as the source and stay of the new moral creation. image--exact likeness and perfect Representative.”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:4: 1:4 he was shown to be: Although Jesus eternally existed as the Son of God (1:3), his resurrection demonstrated him to be God’s Son, revealing him in all his power and glory.”
- 1 John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 John 2:23: Whosoever denieth the Son,.... Jesus Christ to be the true, proper, natural, essential, and eternal Son of God: the same hath not the Father; or does not hold the Father; or "believe the Father", as the Syriac version renders it; for there cannot be a father without a son; and he that honours not the Son, by owning him as such, honours not the Father; whatever reflects dishonour on the Son, reflects dishonour on the Father. If Christ is not truly and properly the Son of God, the Father is not truly and properly the Father of Christ; if Christ is only a Son in a figu”