Part 5: SON OF GOD & SON OF MAN

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Part 5: SON OF GOD & SON OF MAN

The Bible clearly illustrates to us that Jesus Christ had two distinct natures in a way that no other human being ever has. He was fully God and fully human (except for sin). When we say the name Jesus, it can be used to describe either aspect (God or man), or both. When we say Jesus lives in our hearts, we mean His divine Spirit is there. When we say Jesus died on the cross, we mean His human flesh died on the cross.

The dual nature of Jesus is the key to understanding who Jesus was when He was in the earth, and who He is for all eternity. Most questions about the Godhead are resolved if we properly understand the dual nature of Jesus – and when we read a certain passage, we need to determine if it’s describing His deity, His humanity, or both; whether He was speaking from His position as a human, as the one God, or both. We should not think of two persons in the Godhead and certainly not two Gods, but as the one indivisible divine Spirit clothed in human flesh:

As a HUMAN, Jesus was born a baby (Luke 2:7); grew mentally, physically, spiritually, socially (Luke 2:52); was tempted by the devil (Luke 4:2); hungered (Matthew 4:2); thirsted (John 19:28); grew weary (John 4:6); slept in a storm (Mark 4:38); prayed (Luke 22:41); was scourged and beaten (John 19:1-3); died (Mark 15:37); was a sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 10:10-12); did not know all things (Mark 13:32); had no power (John 5:30); was inferior to God (John 14:28); and was a servant (Philippians 2:7-8).

However, as GOD, He existed from eternity (Micah 5:2, John 1:1-2); never changes (Hebrews 13:8); cast out devils (Matthew 12:28); was the bread of life (John 6:35); miraculously fed multitudes (Mark 6:38-44); gave living water (John 4:14); gave rest (Matthew 11:28); calmed the storm (Mark 4:39-41); answered prayer (John 14:14); healed the sick (Matthew 8:16-17); raised His own body from the dead (John 2:19-21; John 20:9); forgave sin (Mark 2:5-7); knew all things (John 21:17); had all power (Matthew 28:18; Colossians 2:10); was equal to God and was God (John 5:18); was King of Kings (Revelation 19:16).

Son of God

When the scriptures use the title “Son of God” to describe Jesus, we need to think in terms of the incarnation (God clothed in flesh to dwell among us) – the divine nature of Jesus coupled with the fact of His virgin birth. He is the Son of God because He was not conceived by an earthly man (therefore did not inherit the sinful nature), but instead He was conceived by the almighty and eternal Spirit of God. Literally, God was His father (Luke 1:35). The title “Son of God” recognizes His humanity while simultaneously calling attention to the absolute deity of Jesus. It means, in short, the one God manifest Himself in human flesh.

It’s worthy of note here the angels are called sons of God in Job 38:7, because God created them directly. Adam also was the son of God by creation in Luke 3:38. Those who are saved are called sons of God or children of God because He has adopted us into that relationship (Romans 8:14-19). However, Jesus is called the “only begotten Son of God” in John 3:16 in the sense that no other human being was or has been conceived (“begotten”) by the almighty and eternal Spirit of the one God. Therefore, Jesus has a unique “Sonship” that attests to His deity.

Son of Man

When we see the title “Son of Man” in the scriptures, it’s clearly drawing our attention to the authentic humanity of Jesus. It reminds us that He is offspring of humanity. One of the main principles of my One For All series calls for the necessity of grounding ourselves in Old Testament definitions and concepts as far as our theological education goes, so when certain terms are used in the New Testament, we’re positioned appropriately mentally and spiritually to receive and understand them. Case in point here – the Old Testament uses the phrase “son of man” many times to refer to humanity in general or any man without specific identification. Here are just a few examples: Psalm 8:4, Psalm 146:3; Isaiah 51:12; Jeremiah 49:18.

Jesus used the title “Son of Man” many times when referring to Himself; basically, as a synonym for the pronoun of “I.” Based on the context when He was quoted as using it, it appears it was to emphasize His humanity and to remind us that ALL power and authority were given to the Son by the eternal Spirit of God. Matthew 24:30; Matthew 25:31. But essentially, the title’s main purpose as used by Jesus was to remind us that He had an intact complete and authentic human nature, and therefore uniquely qualified to be humanity’s kinsman redeemer, substitutionary sacrifice. If Jesus was not fully human, then the sacrifice would not have been sufficient because a sinless human being could only fulfill that role in the redemptive plan of God.

The Son in History and Eternity

As discussed, the title “Son of God” refers directly to the incarnation of the one indivisible God incarnate in human flesh. Scriptures are also clear that God planned the redemptive role of the Son before he created the world, but the role of the Son did not actually commence until the time was come. The Son (God in human flesh) had a beginning, which was when the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary and caused conception in her womb. The role of the Son will have an end, which is when Satan, sin, and death are judged and abolished. Please note! I did not say Jesus will have an end. It’s the role of the Son that will have an end. The Son was a role that could only be completed by a sinless human being, as the ultimate purpose of the Son was to provide a means of salvation for us, fallen humanity.

Admittedly, the doctrine of Jesus as being fully God and fully human is complex – the infinite and all-powerful God coming in finite and imperfect flesh. It’s also difficult to wrap our brains around the fact that Jesus had a complete and perfect divine nature simultaneously with a complete and authentic human nature (with the exception of sin). But one thing is certainly clear: the doctrine of Jesus is an absolutely wonderful and beautiful truth. God’s perfect love for His creation could not be personified any more completely and evidently than the role of the Son in His redemptive plan.

For God so loved the world, He robed Himself in flesh – became one of us – to save us! Reconciling the world to Himself as the Son of God (2 Corinthians 5:19). YHWH, Jehovah, The Almighty, the creator of everything, humbled Himself so that we could see Him, understand Him, and have fellowship with Him. He made a human body for Himself, called the Son of God.

In conclusion, God Himself provided the means of redemption for His creation. Isaiah 59:16 tells us Jehovah saw there was no man who could fulfill the role needed, so His arm brought salvation. When we recognize who Jesus is, we are giving glory to God our Father. He revealed Himself to the world and reconciled His own creation to Himself by personally seeing through the completion of the role of the Son.

Thank you for reading. May God continue to bless you richly as you seek to know Him and serve Him with all your heart.

-Paul

Concepts and ideas have been adapted from the Oneness of God and other books and lectures by author David Bernard. I highly recommend picking up a hard copy.

The One For All series of short articles discusses my view on the oneness of the creator of the heavens and our enclosed plane earth. I do not claim to have the fullest revelation of God. This is my opinion only. For a longer explanation of what I feel strongly the Bible is teaching us, please see “Part 0 – What I Believe” https://paulontheplane.com/part-0-what-i-believe/