Jesus is not God’s Son (Son of God) in the sense of a human father and a son. God did not get married and have a son. God did not mate with Mary and, together with her, produce a son. Jesus is God’s Son in the sense that He is God made manifest in human form (John 1:1, 14). Jesus is God's Son in that He was conceived in Mary by the Holy Spirit. Luke 1:35 declares, “The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.’”
Jesus claimed many divine titles such as Son of God (Matt 16:15-17) (Luke 22:70). Son of God was a title used by Ceasar and Augustus to claim divinity and Jesus claimed that title for himself. As applied to Jesus, the term is a reference to his role as the Messiah, the King chosen by God. The contexts and ways in which Jesus' title, Son of God, means something more than or other than Messiah remain the subject of ongoing scholarly study and discussion.
Does Jesus in fact say that He is God’s Son, not just infer it?
Yes HE CLAIMED TO BE GOD (THE SON OF GOD)!
Yes HE CLAIMED TO BE GOD (THE SON OF GOD)!
Mark says it at the outset of his gospel (1:1).
The angel told Mary her child would be the Son of God (Luke 1:35).
John the Baptist said the same thing (John 1:34).
Nathanael said it (John 1:49).
Martha believed it (John 11:27).
The centurion said so (Matthew 27:54).
Jesus claimed that He said so (John 10:36)… Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
Jesus clearly implies it in John 11:4. When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son (Jesus) may be glorified through it.”
The demons called Jesus the Son of God (Matthew 8:29; Luke 4:41; Mark 3:11).
The charge against Jesus was that He claimed to be the Son of God (Matthew 27:43; John 19:7), a claim He never denied, and virtually admitted (Luke 22:70).
The Gospel of John was written to convince the reader that Jesus was the Son of God (John 20:31).
Why, you might ask, does Jesus not say so plainly. I think the answer is found in Jesus said that God the Father revealed that he was the Son of God to Peter, and that he was blessed by God because of this revelation Matthew 16:15-17:
15 He said to them, “And who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “You are blessed, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father in heaven!” (Matthew 16:15-17).
Jesus did not want Peter and His disciples to believe He was the Son of God just because He said so. He wanted God to bring them to this conclusion, based upon the overwhelming evidence of Scripture and our Lord’s life and teaching.
During His trial before the Jewish leaders, the High Priest demanded of Jesus, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God” (Matthew 26:63). “’Yes, it is as you say,’ Jesus replied. ‘But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven’” (Matthew 26:64). The Jewish leaders responded by accusing Jesus of blasphemy (Matthew 26:65-66).
Later, before Pontius Pilate, “The Jews insisted, ‘We have a law, and according to that law He must die, because He claimed to be the Son of God’” (John 19:7). Why would His claiming to be the Son of God be considered blasphemy and be worthy of a death sentence? The Jewish leaders understood exactly what Jesus meant by the phrase “Son of God.” To be the Son of God is to be of the same nature as God. The Son of God is “of God.” The claim to be of the same nature as God—to in fact be God—was blasphemy to the Jewish leaders; therefore, they demanded Jesus’ death, in keeping with Leviticus 24:15. Hebrews 1:3 expresses this very clearly, “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being.”
In conclusion, our view of Jesus is important if He was who He claimed to be. Who did He think He was? The Son of God. When He used this designation of Himself, He used it in a divine sense. As Son of God, Jesus is above all men, prophets, and divine angels. He is more than the prophets who spoke the truth. He is more than kings who uphold the truth. Jesus Himself is the truth. Prophets and kings asked others to believe them. Jesus asked others to believe in Him. Jesus claimed that as a result of God’s intense love for the world, He gave His ‘only begotten Son.’ Only’ sets Jesus above and apart from others of whom sonship is claimed. ‘Begotten’ is not here used in the sense of a birth or beginning, but as ‘unique.’ He follows this by claiming that anyone who puts their faith in Him will be granted eternal life, something neither priests, prophets, nor kings could deliver on.
Is there evidence outside of the Bible that Jesus existed? Yes!
Although there is overwhelming evidence that the New Testament is an accurate and trustworthy historical document, many people are still reluctant to believe what it says unless there is also some independent, non-biblical testimony that corroborates its statements.
1 Evidence from Tacitus
2 Evidence from Pliny the Younger
3 Evidence from Josephus
4 Evidence from the Babylonian Talmud
5 Evidence from Lucian
Ancient Evidence for Jesus from Non-Christian Sources
http://www.bethinking.org/jesus/ancient-evidence-for-jesus-from-non-christian-sources
Was the Deity of Christ invented at the council of Nicaea?
The First Council of Nicaea was the first ecumenical council of bishops held in 325 AD at Nicaea in Asia Minor (modern Turkey). The purpose was to resolve disputes in the church - primarily those concerned with Arianism - (an ancient heresy which denies the divinity of Jesus Christ).
First Council of Nicaea determined the authenticity of the deity of Christ through evidence of scripture. It was not the invention of the council, but an affirmation of His deity to safeguard and protect the church from erroneous doctrine and heretics such as ancient Arianism. Neither the deity of Christ or the Christian faith was created at Council of Nicaea, but acted as a confirmation of the faith founded upon Christ and established through his original NT apostles.
First Council of Nicaea >>> https://www.theopedia.com/first-council-of-nicaea
Arianism >>> erroneous https://www.theopedia.com/arianism
Although there is overwhelming evidence that the New Testament is an accurate and trustworthy historical document, many people are still reluctant to believe what it says unless there is also some independent, non-biblical testimony that corroborates its statements.
1 Evidence from Tacitus
2 Evidence from Pliny the Younger
3 Evidence from Josephus
4 Evidence from the Babylonian Talmud
5 Evidence from Lucian
Ancient Evidence for Jesus from Non-Christian Sources
http://www.bethinking.org/jesus/ancient-evidence-for-jesus-from-non-christian-sources
The First Council of Nicaea was the first ecumenical council of bishops held in 325 AD at Nicaea in Asia Minor (modern Turkey). The purpose was to resolve disputes in the church - primarily those concerned with Arianism - (an ancient heresy which denies the divinity of Jesus Christ).
First Council of Nicaea determined the authenticity of the deity of Christ through evidence of scripture. It was not the invention of the council, but an affirmation of His deity to safeguard and protect the church from erroneous doctrine and heretics such as ancient Arianism. Neither the deity of Christ or the Christian faith was created at Council of Nicaea, but acted as a confirmation of the faith founded upon Christ and established through his original NT apostles.
First Council of Nicaea >>> https://www.theopedia.com/first-council-of-nicaea
Arianism >>> erroneous https://www.theopedia.com/arianism
Jesus Christ Is LORD
Generally speaking, a lord is someone with authority, control, or power over others; to say that someone is “lord” is to consider that person a master or ruler of some kind. In Jesus’ day, the word lord was often used as a title of respect toward earthly authorities; when the leper called Jesus “Lord” in Matthew 8:2, he was showing Jesus respect as a healer and teacher (see also Matthew 8:25 and 15:25). So can refer to "Lord" when speaking of the idol Baal?
NO! Baal is a small "L" lord, as in a master or ruler whom the idolatrous people subject themselves to.
While “LORD” (Yahweh) of the Hebrew Bible is equated with the “Lord Jesus” by the apostles. The statement “Jesus is Lord” means that Jesus is God.
Jesus has “all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18).
He is Lord of the Sabbath (Luke 6:5).
He is “our only Sovereign and Lord” (Jude 1:4).
He is, in fact, the Lord of lords (Revelation 17:14).
However, after the resurrection, the title “Lord,” as applied to Jesus, became much more than a title of honor or respect. Saying, “Jesus is Lord,” became a way of declaring Jesus’ deity. It began with Thomas’ exclamation when Jesus appeared to the disciples after His resurrection: “Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’” (John 20:28).
From then on, the apostles’ message was that Jesus is Lord, meaning “Jesus is God.” Peter’s sermon on the Day of Pentecost contained that theme: “Let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah” (Acts 2:36). Later, in Cornelius’s house, Peter declared that Jesus is “Lord of all” (Acts 10:36). Note how in Romans 10:9 Jesus’ lordship is linked to His resurrection: “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Jesus referred to Himself as “Lord” many times (e.g., Luke 19:31; John 13:13). And when we compare the Old Testament with the New, we find several times when the “LORD” (Yahweh) of the Hebrew Bible is equated with the “Lord Jesus” by the apostles. For example, Psalm 34:8 says, “Taste and see that the LORD is good,” and that passage is alluded to in 1 Peter 2:3, except there Jesus is the “Lord” who is good. Isaiah 8:13 says that “the LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy”; in 1 Peter 3:15 we are commanded, “In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy” (ESV).
Amazingly, the Lord Jesus left His exalted position in heaven and came to earth to save us. In His Incarnation, He showed us what true meekness looks like (see Matthew 11:29). Just before His arrest, Jesus used His power and authority to teach us humility: “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14). The last will be first, according to our Lord (Matthew 19:30).
In saying, “Jesus is Lord,” we commit ourselves to obey Him. Jesus asked, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46). An acknowledgment of Jesus’ lordship is logically accompanied by a submission to Jesus’ authority. If Jesus is Lord, then He owns us; He has the right to tell us what to do.
A person who says, “Jesus is Lord,” with a full understanding of what that means (Jesus is God and has supreme authority over all things) has been divinely enlightened: “No one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:3). Faith in the Lord Jesus is required for salvation (Acts 16:31).
Jesus is Lord. It’s the truth, whether or not people acknowledge the fact. He is more than the Messiah, more than the Savior; He is the Lord of all. Someday, all will submit to that truth: “God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9–11).
What Does the Greek Word Kurios (Lord) Mean?
When referring to the true God, the New Testament sometimes uses the Greek word kurios translated as "Lord." It is important that we have a correct understanding of the word because it is often misunderstood.
It Does Not Always Refer To God
The thought behind the word kurios is supremacy and authority. Kurios is used a number of different ways in the New Testament.The Word Can Mean Sir
Sometimes the word is merely a polite title meaning, "Sir.""Sir," [kurios] they said, "We remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, 'After three days I will rise again.' " (Matthew 27:63).
It Also Means Master Or Owner
In some contexts, it has the idea of a title such as, "Master," or "Owner."A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master [kurios] (Matthew 10:24).
Kurios Can Refer To Husbands
Even husbands are called by the word kurios.Thus Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him master [kurios] (1 Peter 3:6).
The Word Was Used Of Idols
Paul uses the plural of kurios to refer to idols.Indeed, even though there may be so-called gods [kurios] in heaven or on earth-as in fact there are many gods and many lords (1 Corinthians 8:5).
It Can Also Mean The LORD (Yahweh Or Jehovah)
There are many times, however, that kurios is equivalent to the divine name Yahweh, or Jehovah.But Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord (Acts 15:40).
Jesus Is Addressed As Both Human And Divine
We find Jesus being addressed by the human and divine usages of kurios. The polite form of kurios meaning, "Sir," is used. In John's gospel Jesus met a woman at a well in Samaria. She addressed Him as kurios (sir).The woman said to him, "Sir (kurios), you have no bucket, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? (John 4:11).There are other times when kurios speaks of Jesus' full Deity as God the Son.
So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:10,11).Paul wrote to the Romans.
That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9).
Divine And Human Usage In The Same Verse
We find both uses of kurios in the same verse.Slaves, obey your earthly masters {kurios] in everything, not only while being watched and in order to please them, but wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord [kurios] (Colossians 3:22).
Summary
The Greek word kurios has a number of different meanings. It can mean sir, master, owner, or even refer to an idol. However on a number of occasions it is the Greek equivalent to the Hebrew word Yahweh or Jehovah. This is the divine name for God. Jesus Christ is designated as the Lord in many New Testament references. This is the consistent truth of Scripture - Jesus is Yahweh or Jehovah.
Other Links
What does it mean that Jesus is Lord?
https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-is-Lord.html
29 Bible Verses about Christ Is Lord
https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Christ-Is-LordWhat Does the Greek Word Kurios (Lord) Mean?
https://www.blueletterbible.org/faq/don_stewart/don_stewart_1307.cfm
Anonymous at 5/16/2020 08:56:00 PM
