We're all Gods children, Right?

Question

Then why is it written that God sent forth his ONLY son, shoulden't it be God sent forth ONE of his sons?

Answer 1

Some Bible translators translate 1 John 4:9 with the phrase “only-begotten." Others simply use the phrase "only son," as you pointed out.

Here is a direct-quote explanation from a Bible encyclopedia regarding the Greek word translated "only-begotten."

“Some commentators object to the translation of the Greek word monogenes′ by the English “only-begotten.” So many translations speak of Jesus as the “only Son” (RS; AT; JB) rather than the “only-begotten son” of God. (Joh 1:14; 3:16, 18; 1Jo 4:9)

Edward Robinson’s Greek and English Lexicon of the New Testament (1885, p. 471) gives the definition of mo·no·ge·nes′ as: “only born, only begotten, i.e. an only child.” The Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament by W. Hickie (1956, p. 123) also gives: “only begotten.” The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, edited by G. Kittel, states: “The μονο- [mo·no-] does not denote the source but the nature of derivation. Hence μονογενής [mo·no·ge·nes′] means ‘of sole descent,’ i.e., without brothers or sisters. This gives us the sense of only-begotten. The ref. is to the only child of one’s parents, primarily in relation to them. . . . But the word can also be used more generally without ref. to derivation in the sense of ‘unique,’ ‘unparalleled,’ ‘incomparable,’ though one should not confuse the refs. to class or species and to manner.”—Translator and editor, G. Bromiley, 1969, Vol. IV, p. 738.

As to the use of the term in the Christian Greek Scriptures or “New Testament,” this latter work (pp. 739-741) says: “It means ‘only-begotten.’ . . . In [John] 3:16, 18; 1 Jn. 4:9; [John] 1:18 the relation of Jesus is not just compared to that of an only child to its father. It is the relation of the only-begotten to the Father. . . . In Jn. 1:14, 18; 3:16, 18; 1 Jn. 4:9 [it] denotes more than the uniqueness or incomparability of Jesus. In all these verses He is expressly called the Son, and He is regarded as such in 1:14. In Jn. [the Greek term[denotes the origin of Jesus.”

In view of these statements and in view of the plain evidence of the Scriptures themselves, there is no reason for objecting to translations showing that Jesus is not merely God’s unique or incomparable Son but also his “only-begotten Son,” hence descended from God in the sense of being produced by God. This is confirmed by apostolic references to this Son as “the firstborn of all creation” and as “the One born [form of gen·na′o] from God” (Col 1:15; 1Jo 5:18), while Jesus himself states that he is “the beginning of the creation by God.”—Re 3:14.”

From a consideration of the above, we can see that the phrase only-begotten is appropriate. Jesus was a unique son of God - directly created by God while all other creations were through Jesus himself.

Hannah J Paul

Answer 2

God formed us in His image with His hands. Jesus Christ was the begotten son. We can become begotten by the infilling of His Spirit. This infilling quickens (brings to life) our dead spirit, St. Jonh 3:5. We obey what is written in Acts 2:38. Repent, be baptized (by immersion) in the name of Jesus Christ, and our sins will be forgiven. Then we will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in a unknown language. Acts 2:4, 10:44-46, 19:6, and verified with St. Mark 16:16-17. Experience it for yourself my friend.

Answer 3

As I understand it, he sent forth Jesus, somehow most directly his son, to tell the rest of us that we are all brothers and sisters, and Sons and Daughters of God.

But then, I'm not a Christian anymore, so perhaps there are aspects of this I do not remember clearly from when my Methodist Sunday school teacher mother taught them to me back in the 1950s.

Answer 4

Jesus Christ is God the Son. He is the One and Only Son of God. He is the eternal Son, equal with the Father. We are all God's children in the sense that we are all His creation. This does not mean that we are all His children--as in a part of His family. Only those who have trusted the Lord Jesus as their personal Savior are children of God. The Bible puts it this way: "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12). You see, we each must make a choice--a decision to either receive Jesus Christ as Savior or reject Him.
Are you a part of God's family? Can you call yourself God's child based on what you have done with God's Son, Jesus Christ? Do you know that you are going to Heaven? All of the above can be yours because Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead for you. Open your heart to Christ today.

Answer 5

Hi.

Perhaps ONLY means the only one who knew God's messages from previous prophets better and perhaps it means the only one prophet so far who is an infallible and whose love for god should be imitate as he is the best example.

Perhaps ONLY means, the best man so far on man who knows how to venerate god and applies his divine laws.

Answer 6

I think Jesus is his special son because he is God and was never created. We were created at some point by him.

Answer 7

You sound like another person trying to pick apart Gods word instead of praying about it for the answer. There are none so blind as those that will not see.

Answer 8

no i'm not God's child. His only children are the one's who believe.

Answer 9

Because that's what white trash does... it procreates through inbreeding.

American white trash made their Christian god in their own image.

Answer 10

wrong he sent forth his only BEGOTTEN son