Names of God--Son of Man, Only Begotten, First-Born

NAMES OF GOD-SON OF MAN, ONLY BEGOTTEN, FIRST BORN Spring Valley Mennonite; November 14, 2021; Daniel 7:1-10, 13-14; John 1:47-51; John 1:14; Acts 13:30-34; Colossians 1:15-18; 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 In our study of the Names of God, we have begun to concentrate on the New Testament names of God the Son, the second person of the Trinity. The Trinity is difficult to "wrap our minds around" and down through the history of the church various wrong interpretations have developed. These erroneous ideas have been refuted by gatherings of church leaders in several "Church Councils," most notably the Council of Nicaea in 325 which refuted the idea that Christ was a created being. "The council's description of "God's only-begotten Son", Jesus Christ, as of the same substance with God the Father became a touchstone of Christian Trinitarianism." Most Christians have no difficulty accepting that Jesus is co-equal with God the Father, but as we consider the terms used by our Lord Himself, such as "Son of Man," and others like "only begotten" and "First Born" we can understand the possible confusion. These three terms are the subject of our study this morning. We will begin with: I. SON OF MAN Our first thought when we consider this term is that it deals with the incarnation, the taking on of flesh by the Son of God. He became man, or "a son of man." I found that this is not the main meaning. "Son of Man" was our Lord's favorite way of self identifying Himself. Jesus used this term 80 times in the Gospels to refer to Himself, 31 times in Matthew, 13 in Mark, 24 in Luke, and 12 in John! The reason Jesus used this term takes us back to the book of Daniel, Chapter 7. Turn there with me, beginning to read in verse 1 (Read vv. 1-8). Daniel records a vision of four terrifying beasts coming out of the sea, each one different. There was first a lion with wings, second a bear-like creature, third a swift leopard, and fourth a ten-horned beast, "dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong" with huge iron teeth that destroyed everything in its path. Like an earlier vision explained to Daniel, these four beasts represented the successive kingdoms of Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome. After this revelation comes words describing God the Father, called the "Ancient of Days" on His heavenly throne (Read vv. 9-10). A book of judgment is opened, and the beast, which we know from the Book of Revelation is the Antichrist, is slain and consigned to the Lake of Fire. Now comes the passage giving background to Jesus using the name "Son of Man" (read 13-14.) "Son of Man" is a Messianic title describing the giving of dominion, glory and a kingdom by the Father to the Son. It describes the future everlasting kingdom "which will not pass away" in contrast to the major kingdoms of mankind. 80 times Jesus used this term and 80 times He was claiming the authority of the promised Messiah of prophesy. For example, listen to Matthew 9:6: these words were spoken after the healing of a paralyzed man: "But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins, then He said to the paralytic, Rise, take up your bed and go home." In chapter 24 of Matthew, describing the future, Jesus uses the term six times to describe His second coming: verse 27, "For just as the lightning comes from the east, and flashes even to the west, so shall the coming of the Son of Man be." We see Jesus using the term "Son of Man" in verses 30 (quoting the Daniel passage), 37, 39, and 44. One further example, one of 80, is found in the first chapter of John, verse 51. The setting is the disciple Nathaniel (also called Bartholomew) when he met Jesus. (Turn and read, beginning in verse 47 through verse 51.) Nathaniel confessed that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God, the King of Israel, to which Jesus replied as He described Himself as the pathway between heaven and earth, between man and God. All the times Jesus used this Messianic term, He was claiming the divine privilege and right to forgive sins, set new rules regarding the Sabbath, and fulfill the prophesies of His suffering, death and resurrection. No one else addressed Jesus personally with this term. Another term which relates to Jesus' origin is: II. ONLY BEGOTTEN John 1:14: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory , glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." Commonly we assume the word "begotten" has the root word and idea of "begat." In genealogies found in Scripture we find that a father "begat" his son. But this is a misleading translation, for the Greek word speaks of the uniqueness, the only one of its kind. MacArthur says of this term, "The term 'only begotten' is a mistranslation of the Greek word (monogenais). The word does not come from the term meaning beget but instead has the idea of "the only beloved one." It, therefore, has the idea of singular uniqueness, of being beloved like no other. By this word John emphasized exclusive character of the relationship between the Father and the Son in the Godhead. It does not connote origin but rather unique prominence." Psalm 2:7-8: "I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, "You are My Son, today I have begotten You. Ask of Me and I will give You the Nations for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Your possession." In addition to this verse speaking of the future earthly Kingdom of Jesus Christ, it speaks of a particular time and event, related to the coming Kingdom. To find what event is spoken of, we go to Acts 13, where Psalm 2:7 is quoted. This is Paul's sermon in an Asian city called Pisidian Antioch (to be distinguished from Syrian Antioch.) I'll begin reading in verse 30 where Paul speaks of Jesus' death and resurrection: (Read 30-34). The resurrection of Jesus completed His work of redemption through His offering the final and complete sacrifice for our sins. Having completed that work, by sacrificing His life on the cross, He was raised from the dead. Jesus triumphantly returned to heaven, taking His seat at the right hand of the Father. At the time determined by the Father, He will return as the conquering King, pictured in Revelation 19. The name "Only-Begotten" is best seen as describing Jesus' completed work as He is exalted as the only unique Son, the only One. As God the Son became the Messiah, the God/man and lived a sinless life, this qualifying Him as the perfect sacrifice. Only as a man could God die. His resurrection proved Jesus was the promised Messiah, the unique God-Man. The third term which often has been mistaught as saying Jesus was created is: III. FIRST BORN Jesus was born like all of us, but the term "first born" is speaking of position, preeminence and the right of inheritance of all of creation. He existed before all creation, was the agent of creation, as John 1:3 states (All things came into being by Him) and by virtue of being the first born is exalted in rank above all creation. Again, we return to Psalm 2:7 but add verse 8: "I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, You are MY Son, Today I have begotten You. Ask of Me and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance and the very ends of the earth as Your possession." Jesus will take the exalted position of King of Kings over all the earth at His second coming. Looking at several verses where "first born" is used, Romans 8:29: "For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren." Jesus is the most notable, the first of all, the preeminent One. This relates to Him being the Head of the Body which is the Church. He is the Divine Groom of His bride the church, the pre-eminent One. He also is called the firstborn of all creation in Colossians 1:15. The Greek word for "firstborn" can refer to the child born first of a family, but most often it speaks of pre-eminence in position or rank, much like "only begotten." In position or rank Jesus is number 1! As we read this passage it becomes very clear that Jesus was not created-listen to verse 15-18 (Turn and read.) Christ cannot be the Creator and be the first created at the same time! Verse 18 states that Jesus Christ is the "firstborn from the dead," meaning He was the first to be bodily resurrected to never die again. Those Jesus raised from the dead like Lazarus died, but after our resurrection, we will follow the pathway of Jesus and will never experience death again. Some of us may survive until Jesus returns and we will be given eternal bodies at the rapture. Jesus was raised in the flesh and is in heaven right now in His resurrected body. This is the truth of 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 (Turn and read.) Like the first tomato of early summer which promises a bountiful harvest, Jesus was the first-fruit of many who will be resurrected to eternal life. IV. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR US IN THESE TERMS? a. These terms of Son of Man, Only Begotten and First-born prove that Jesus is God, that He has existed eternally, and that through Him we can have eternal life. He was who He said He was. He is NOT a created being, and any idea that Jesus is any less than God can be laid to rest. b. Jesus is worthy of all our worship, and He led the way in conquering death. Through Him we have eternal life. He is the Only One to trust, salvation is found in no one else. He has proven that He is God. He can be trusted, and true purpose and meaning can be found in Him alone. c. There is an empty tomb, unlike any other founder of a world religion. He is risen! d. As a man, Jesus was the first to be resurrected to never die again. We can look forward to new eternal, resurrected bodies, free from all the effects of sin. These bodies will not age, get sick, wear out. We will not ever decline in health or ability. 2