Attributes of the Son

Jesus Acknowledges the God of Heaven

The Biblical evidence about to be shown proves that Jesus is the Son of the Supreme God. It is necessary to establish this point because some really do not believe this. By identifying the Father and Son, we can appreciate when each speaks. Understanding what they are saying will help us to obey them. If Satan should influence us, as he usually does in so many ways, we can discern his voice and his motives because we know the true voice of God and His Son. It is very important to know the only true God and His Son. This assures us eternal life.

John 17:3: “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God [the Father], and Jesus Christ [the Son of God], whom thou [the Father] hast sent.”

Luke 2:48, 49: “And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he [Christ] said unto them [Joseph and Mary], How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” Do you suppose that Christ was talking about Joseph’s business or the Heavenly Father’s? Christ knew that God was his Father in heaven.

Matthew 6:9: “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.” Christ taught the disciples that God was his Father too.

2 John 3: “Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.”

John 20:17: “Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.”

Mark 12:29: “And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:” These verses clearly show that the Son of God had a God. Christ was the Son of God then and still is today. Jesus told the people there is one God; referring to the Father. The scripture states that in the new heaven and the new earth Christ will still be in subjection as a Son to His Father.

1 Corinthians 15:28: “And when all things shall be subdued unto him [referring to Christ], then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him [referring to the Father] that put all things under him [Christ], that God [the Father] may be all in all.” Christ, being in subjection to God through obedience, did not make Him any less of a Son. In fact, He was a perfect example for us to follow.

Jesus is Acknowledged as God’s Son:

At Christ’s baptism - Matthew 3:17: “And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” The Father acknowledges His Son.

At the transfiguration - Luke 9:35: “There came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.”

The high priest and people during Christ’s time knew that God had a Son! Matthew 26:63: “But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.” If God did not have a Son, they could never have asked such a question! There is a difference between God and His Son, and even these people knew it!

By Satan’s angels – Mark 5:7: “And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.” The devils did not refer to Christ as the Most High God, but as the “Son of the Most High God.”

The Bible does acknowledge that God has a Son, but never calls the Father “the Son.” The Father never came to the earth as “the Son.”

John 20:31: “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” If you do not believe this, you will not have life! By denying the truth, you become a liar. (See 1 John 2:22.)

Unified as One: “I and my Father are One.”

John 10:30: “I and my Father are one.” Some have misused this text to prove that the Father and Son are the same Being, causing more confusion. A good example of this is the statement: “God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, three in one.”

What is meant when Jesus said, “I and my Father are one” (John 10:30), and “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one [with us], even as we are one [with each other]?” (John 17:21, 22) Does this mean then, that we are also the Father or the Son because we are one with them? Jesus went on to say: “I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one...” (John 17:23)

By applying the principles found in Isaiah 28:10, we can understand the subject better. “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.” (Isaiah 28:10) Applying this principle to Genesis 11:6, we can begin to understand what God meant.

Genesis 11:6: “And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language.” Is this verse saying that all the people became one being?

Judges 20:1: “Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was gathered together as one man.” Is this really saying that many people became one man?

Christ is an individual Being, totally separate from the Father, but their desires and ideas toward mankind are for one purpose. If one does not study the Bible, it is easy to understand how a simple verse such as John 10:30 can cause confusion. God is not the author of confusion.

God’s people have not been responsible in obeying Him. 2 Timothy 2:15 says: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” We are found wanting in wisdom and understanding because we have been slack in studying!

The Result of Denying the Father and the Son

If you deny the truth about the Father and the Son, then you are a liar and antichrist. How so? 1 John 2:22 says: “Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.”

A good question to ask at this time is “who is the Christ”? Matthew 16:16: “And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Peter knew that the living God had a Son called Christ, the Anointed. How about you?

A relationship is pointed out in 1 John 2:22 between two Beings, the Father and the Son. This Scripture tells us that the Father could not be the Son. If you do not understand this, you will believe a lie. The Bible could have said the antichrist is someone who denies God and Jesus, but it didn’t state it exactly as that! It actually said, they “denieth the Father and Son.” A relationship is expressed, indicating that this scripture can only be applied to the Father and His only begotten Son, definitely two separate Beings. If someone mentions that two men are coming to see you, that’s all you know about them. But if it is told to you that they are father and son, you now know more. You now know that there is a relationship involved. You will notice throughout all Scripture only two Beings are always mentioned, the Father and the Son! An example of such is found in Revelation 3:21: “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”

Revelation 22:3: “And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:” See also John 17:3; John 3:16; and John 14:6. A careful reading of these verses reveals that there are two thrones in heaven, not three.

Another Popular Misconception

Today there are many popular teachings about the Father and the Son and their relationship to each other. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia brings out one of these teachings stating that God is perfect, and so are His thoughts. There is nothing wrong with such a statement. However, the next statement is contrary to scripture. They explain that this perfect thought that is expressed is called God’s Son! (Paraphrased) Jesus fully reflected the character of God and we are admonished to have the mind that was in Christ Jesus, which is the Father’s. Yet, Jesus is more than just God’s thoughts expressed, He is His only begotten Son. This is an example of the feeble understanding of men concerning the Gospel.

The Bible explains very clearly who the Son of God is. God has thoughts, but His thoughts are not His Son. We also have thoughts, and just the same, our thoughts are not our children! Please read: John 3:16; John 20:31; 1 John 2:22; and John 17:3.

1 John 5:5:“Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” Dear friend, the Bible makes it plain that if you do not believe that Jesus is God’s Son you cannot overcome sin and the world. Actually, you will be a liar, denying Christ, and the Bible states plainly that you will be lost!

Revelation 3:21: “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”

Jesus is the Authentic Son of God

Jesus is not referred to as God the Father, God the Son, or even God the Holy Spirit in the Bible. The Bible declares Him to be the Son of God.

If you search the King James Bible, you will find the phrase “God the Father” is used thirteen times, referring to the Father. When you look up the phrase “God the Son”, you will not find that phrase referred to anywhere in the Bible! And you will never find “God the Holy Spirit” ever mentioned as such in the Bible.

Statements such as “God the Son” instead of “the Son of God”, and “God the Holy Spirit”, instead of “the Holy Spirit of God” are what causes confusion and helps to establish the mystery about the Trinity. Because of this kind of thinking we end up with the three-in-one concept. As you will see later, this thinking presents some major problems such as: denying that Jesus is the only begotten Son and denying His complete death on the cross. If Christ is the same as, or is, the Father, He could not die. The Bible says that “without [the] shedding of blood [there] is no remission” of sins. (Hebrews 9:22) The Bible would have to be rewritten, removing all the pages that would create conflicts! These are but a few of many such problems in denying the Father and Son relationship.

Jesus was Begotten of God

This indicates that there was a time when the Father was alone. According to the scriptures, Christ was begotten of God, and He was called the Son of God.

There are many scriptures in the Bible showing that Jesus Christ was begotten of God in heaven. This is the reason why He is called, “the Son of God.” When Christ’s birth took place in Bethlehem, He was referred to as “the Son of man.”

John 18:37: “Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world [Bethlehem], that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.” There are many references that confirm the fact about Christ’s being brought forth, which took place before and at Bethlehem.

Christ Existed Before the Earth was Created

Many believe that Christ came into existence at His birth in Bethlehem, but let us look at what the Bible says. Proverbs 8 gives a historical outline of Wisdom. Christ is referred to as the “Wisdom of God.” “But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:24) “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom,…” (1 Corinthians 1:30) Read Proverbs 8:12-21 in the Septuagint (Greek version of the Old Testament), and you will find that it reveals a verse not found in the modern Hebrew Bible. This is the correct translation of the missing part in verse 21. Christ speaking as Wisdom says, “If I declare to you the things that daily happened, I will remember also to recount the things of old.” (The Septuagint with Apocrypha - Greek and English a Benton publication by Hendrickson Publishers.)

Proverbs 8:22: “The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.” Notice how the word “possessed” [7069] is used in Genesis 4:1: “And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten [7069] a man from the LORD.”

Proverb 8:21-31: “If I declare to you the things that daily happened, I will remember also to recount the things of old. The LORD possessed [7069] me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.” These verses are actual quotes of Christ speaking.

John 3:13, 16, 18: “And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.… For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.… He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

Genesis 1:26: “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:” Christ was there at creation with the Father.

John 1:1: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with [the] God, and the Word was [of] God. (See the original text in the Interlinear Bible.)

Philippians 2:5-7: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.” Christ was in heaven in the image of the Father. In heaven He had to leave off the form He had and come in another form, that of a man. From these verses we see that Christ actually lived in heaven before He came to earth as a baby.

Micah 5:2: “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” You have already read about this going forth in Proverbs 8:21-31. In Micah 5:2 the term “going forth” [4163] means origin or going out from. The word translated “everlasting” [5769] means “indefinite or unending future.” Many people misapply this word to mean “without beginning or end.”

Romans 6:22: “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” This verse is saying that if we obey God we will have everlasting life. Everlasting life is promised to God’s people. Do you know any of God’s people today who did not have a beginning? Have they always existed? Of course not.

Psalm 115:18: “But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore [5769].” “For evermore” here has a beginning.

Psalm 103:17, 18: “But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting [5769] to everlasting [5769] upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.” The promise is to those who are obedient to God. All these people have a beginning, but not an end, if they obey.

Let us review what we have just covered here. When God spoke to His people about an everlasting [5769] promise, it meant that as they conform to His ways His promise will begin to be fulfilled. In other words, this everlasting has a starting point but not necessarily an ending. This very principle is also applied to the Son of God. Jesus had a beginning of days. In Micah 5:2 the word “everlasting” refers to “the days of eternity,” where Christ had His beginning. Christ was brought forth in the days of eternity, this is why He is called the Son. Micah 5:2 mentions Christ being brought forth twice: first in heaven, then in Bethlehem. In Isaiah 9:6 we read: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting [5703] Father, The Prince of Peace.”

The word translated “everlasting” [5703] is described as “world without end” in Isaiah 45:17. The world had a beginning as the scriptures tell us. The reference, however, is to show that there is a beginning, but not necessarily an end. When you read Isaiah 9:6, remember what the word Father means. (Go to page i to review.)

Some Extra Texts:

John 16:27, 28: “For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.”

John 17:5-8: “And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.”

John 8:42: “Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.”

John 6:62: “What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?” Scripture is very clear on the point that Christ was in heaven before He came down to this earth. Anyone teaching differently than what these Bible verses reveal is a deceiver.

Colossians 1:15-17: “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature [referring to Christ]: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” Remember, when Christ came to this earth as a babe, creation week was already finished. Christ had to be present at the beginning of creation for anything to have been created!

Proverbs 30:4: “Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell?”

The Bible teaches about God and His Son. If you do not accept it, you simply do not believe God’s word! Abraham believed what God said and that was counted as righteousness for him. If you do not believe what God says, you are counted as an unrighteous person. In Revelation the Bible says that only the righteous will enter into heaven.

John 1:15: “John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.” It is obvious John knew this truth that so many have forgotten.

John 3:31-36: “He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony. He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. For he [Christ] whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

Think of the Love the Father has for Us.

There is a wonderful reason why the sacrifice of Christ is so special. Just like your children are real to you, Jesus is the real Son of God. It was Jesus, not the Father, who actually died for your sins and mine! The Father allowed this sacred sacrifice.

John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Luke 9:35: “…This is my beloved Son: hear him.” God said He had a Son and that is exactly what He meant! Humans understand what a son is: a male offspring, a male that is younger than the parents! Christ is the real Son of God. The Father is older than the Son. This is what Christ meant when He said “my Father is greater than I.” (John 14:28)

Is Christ Co-Eternal with the Father?

Many say that Christ is co-eternal with the Father. What does the word “co-eternal” mean? It means always was and still is. In order to apply the word co-eternal to Christ, He would have to be the same age as the Father, never having a beginning. However, the Bible tells us Christ had a beginning in the days of old, the days of eternity when there was no earth.

As we humanly understand, a son is younger than the parent. It would be incorrect for a grandson to call a grandfather “son”. A forty year old man calling another forty year old man his son is lying! God cannot lie, He called Christ a Son because He was one! Applying the word co-eternal, meaning that there was never a beginning to the Son of God, negates what the Scripture says about Him.

Does this mean that Christ was created then? Absolutely not! There is a difference between something being created and someone being born. God can create something from nothing, such as the angels. Angels are not born from other angels, they are created. This is not so with us, or the Son of God. Christ came forth from His Father, and we came forth from our parents. We were not invented or created, we were born! The word born can be found in Proverbs 8:24, where it says: “I was brought forth [2342].” See Job 39:1; Isaiah 51:2; and Isaiah 54:1 for the proper usage of this word.

We need not speculate on just how the Son of God was brought forth. The Bible does not give us the details, we must leave that alone.

Titus 1:2 tells us that God cannot lie. Hebrews 6:18 states: “That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie,...” If it was not true that God had a Son, then the Father would never have said, “This is my beloved Son, hear him.” (Luke 9:35)

John 5:26: “For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself.” The Father had to be first in order to give His Son life. The co-eternal concept that comes from the Trinity teaching negates all that God has said about His Son. The way that Satan gets away with this lie, and deceives many, is by telling people it is a “mystery.” A mystery is something you really cannot understand because it is hidden!

Friends, God expects us to understand all that He has revealed to us. If something was hidden and it is now revealed to you, it’s no longer a mystery, is it?

Romans 1:20: “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.”

Romans 16:25, 26: “Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith.”

In other words, God has revealed this knowledge to all so that all people of the world would come to know the truth and follow it by faith. Remember, faith comes by hearing, and hearing the word of God.

Acts 17:29, 30: “Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent.”

What should we repent from? God wants us to repent from our ignorance concerning Him and His Son. Remember, this is life eternal, to know God and His Son!

John 14:28: “…For my Father is greater than I.” The Father was before the Son.

John 5:30: “I [Christ] can of mine own self do nothing.”

John 6:38: “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” Christ came from heaven (which means that He existed first in heaven) to earth.

Hebrews 1:1, 2: “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.”

Colossians 1:16: “For by him [Christ] were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.”

John 5:34, 36: “I receive not testimony from man: ... But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.” The Father sent the Son to show us the way, and to leave us an example.

John 14:6: “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (See also 1 Peter 2:21.)

What is a Name?

Although the Son is called by many names such as the Anointed One, Messiah, Intercessor, Mediator, and Lord, yet the scriptures clearly state that He is a separate Individual from the Supreme God. At times the word “name” can be misleading and cause confusion to some. “Name,” as used in the Bible, refers to a certain type of character or nature. Character is described as the combination of qualities or features that distinguishes one person, group, or thing from another. “Name” is a description of a person’s attributes, nature, traits, or abilities. When one prays in Jesus’ name, we are actually praying in His character. The Scripture says that if we ask anything in Jesus’ name (character), the Father will give it to us. John 15:16: “…that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, [asking in or having my character] he may give it you.”

John 16:23: “And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.”

2 Peter 1:4: “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature [character], having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” In other words, we put away the thinking of the world and partake of Christ’s mind, name, or nature instead.

Isaiah 9:6: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name [character] shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (See pages 10, 11 to define the word “everlasting.”) The Father has these very characteristics that Jesus is attributed with. Jesus is the express likeness of the Father, therefore He can bear those characteristics or names of the Father. When we behold Christ we become like Him, and we are called Christians, or Christ-like. We can bear His name. When His mind is in us as Philippians 2:5 says, we too become partakers of His divine nature.

2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Summary of the Father and the Son

1. Scripture says there is One God, not three. God’s word is credible and whatever He says He means. He can be trusted.

2. The Son of God acknowledges the Father as His God. Christ is not the Father; the Supreme God. The Father is not Christ.

3. The Father leads us to His word through His Son, thus making us all “one” in them. When Christ’s mind is in us, it makes us one with Him. The conclusion is the Father and the Son are two separate Beings.

4. The Son of God was brought forth before, and at, Bethlehem. Christ had a beginning but will not have an end.

5. When someone looks at us, they should be able to see Christ in us because we bear His character, or name. We become partakers of the divine nature.

“But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.” (1 Corinthians 8:6)

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