Who here believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?

Answer 1

“And [we believe] in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father . . . .”

In other words, although Jesus was a fully human person, he also was and is fully God. When we speak of the deity of Christ, we cannot water it down to mean that he was supernatural, or a divine being, or most God-like. He was and is God; but he was manifest in the flesh. This is why he alone is able to redeem us. This is why he is to receive our worship and our obedience.

Those who have rejected this teaching in part or in full often claim that the doctrine was formulated after the fact by the early church, and that it was never there in the Bible. But this is simply not so. The teaching is anticipated in elementary form in the Old Testament, imbedded in the Gospels, and fully explicated by the apostles. When we read the great prophecies of Isaiah about the Messiah, we catch a glimpse of what that greatness would be: he would have such an amazing birth (Isa. 7:14) that he would be known as Immanuel, “God with us.” And by his nature and through his works he would be known as the “Mighty God” and the “Everlasting Father” (Isa. 9:6). This one alone would bring everlasting peace and righteousness to the earth, for he would come into the world for that purpose. Isaiah is very precise: the child would be born, but the Son would be given. It would take the incarnation (the subject of a later section in this series) before people could fully comprehend what that meant.

A careful reading of other passages will also show that the prophecies identify the Messiah with or as the LORD. Isaiah 48:15 and 16 identifies him as the LORD, the one who is sent into the world by the Spirit. By itself this passage could be given different interpretations; but as part of the collection of Messianic passages it underscores the theme that the Messiah is not merely a mortal. Malachi 3:1-5 describes the Messiah as the messenger of the covenant who will come to his temple (the house of the LORD), but clarifies that it is Yahweh, the speaker, who will draw near. Proverbs 30:4 equates the Son with God the creator. These, but a few, give us a hint that this one who will be the Messiah will be much more than just a great human.

And the New Testament fully explicates these prophecies as fulfilled in the person of Jesus. There was a birth in Bethlehem, for Messiah was to be born of the family of Judah. He would be known as Jesus. But the Son of God did not begin at Bethlehem. John 1 claims that he was the eternal Word, God himself, who created everything that exists, and that in time he became flesh and dwelt among us. Philippians 2:6 makes it clear that he is God, and that he set aside the use of some of his attributes to take on the form of the human, and die for the sins of the world. Titus 2:13 equates Jesus with God. Romans 9:6 describes him as God, who is blessed forever. And Revelation 5:13 and 14 portray Christ as deity. These are but a few of the New Testament passages that one would consider first in dealing with the topic.

But the creed had to focus on some of the language the Bible uses for Christ, and some of that language has confused people from time to time. How could the Son be said to be begotten if he is eternally God? To study this more closely I have chosen to use a Pauline passage, Romans 1:1-7, which shows that Jesus is the son of David and the Son of God, and that he has authority over us by virtue of his deity. While we will be studying this passage we will consider other related passages as well, and have several more sections on the doctrine of Christ.

Answer 2

Simply chucking scripture around may not be the best avenue at this point, especially if they do not feel it is the inspired word of God. If Christ is not the Son of God, then, exactly, who * is * He? Was He just a cool teacher? If so, does your friend believe that Christ not only * said * He was the Son of God, but claimed that He was the "perfect sacrifice", fulfilling what the Jewish rituals can only do on a temporary basis? Perhaps something else to mention. Does this person feel they have a need for the purpose Christ served? A good many people see no need for Christ because they do not feel they are that bad. See if you can get them to tell you where they fall on the "good enough" scale. Then ask them how is one person better than another.

Answer 3

As an agnostic, I question the existence of god and therefore the mythology which is attributed to Jesus: i.e., the "virgin birth", the miracles, and the "resurrection". I tend to think that a man who is the basis for Jesus actually lived but that the religion which has evolved as a result of his life is largely embellished legend since the books of the New Testament were written long after his death and are, thus, unreliable in their content...

Answer 4

I do, undeniably, completely, the Son of God, Risen Savior

Answer 5

Yes. If Jesus is not the Son of God we all perish in our sin.

Answer 6

Christ Jesus is the Son of God. Not only that, He is my saviour, my shepherd, my supplier, my healer, my kinsmen redeemer, my wisdom..... etc... etc...

Answer 7

He is the Son of God, and He is God.

Answer 8

Joseph Smith saw God and Christ and God introduced him as his Son "This is my beloved Son, hear Him"

Answer 9

I do. not only do i believe that He is the son of God...but i believe that He is my savior.

Answer 10

HOLLA!!!!!!May God Bless U.