Searching the Scripture

Lesson 10 The Relationship of the SON to the FATHER

Part 1

The relationship of the SON to the FATHER is a controversial point with many cults who deny the deity of CHRIST. They say that JESUS is a son of God just like us, but that HE is not GOD. They say that HE is a son who is subservient to the FATHER and use Scripture to prove their point. As evangelicals, how do we answer?

Personally, I believe that as GOD, JESUS in HIS pre-incarnate state was, is, and shall ever be equal with GOD the FATHER. However, in HIS incarnate state JESUS was most definitely subservient to GOD the FATHER. A study of the pre-incarnate CHRIST will help us to appreciate and be grateful of what the SON did for us when HE chose to become our SAVIOUR.

Philippians 2:5-8 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:
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

JESUS CHRIST as GOD is equal to the FATHER
I John 2:23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

John 5:18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

The Jews recognized only one GOD. “The LORD our GOD is one LORD” and they considered CHRIST´S claims as blasphemy and felt it was worthy of death by stoning.

John 10:30 I and my Father are one.
This is surely proof of CHRIST´S equality with GOD.

John 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?
They are one and indivisible.

Colossians 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
CHRIST is the visible reflection of the invisible GOD. Remember, GOD is SPIRIT and is therefore invisible to our physical eyes.

John 10:33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
JESUS was trying to prove to them that HE was GOD, but they refused to believe.

Philippians 2:5-6 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:

John 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
JESUS is referring to HIS pre-incarnate glory.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

I John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
John, in the Gospel of John as well as in the epistles, states repeatedly that JESUS is GOD.

Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Referring to one person only.

Hebrews 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

Jude 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

To say that HE, JESUS CHRIST, is only “a” son of GOD is to insult and blaspheme the SAVIOUR. At the Transfiguration we get a glimpse of the glory of the pre-incarnate CHRIST. Matthew 17:2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

Anyone who refuses to accept JESUS as GOD and equal to the FATHER is guilty of the terrible sin of rejecting the WORD of GOD. Questioning or denying the eternal pre-existence and pre-incarnation of CHRIST does not change the fact that JESUS is and has always been GOD.
Let us glory in the fact that even though JESUS is true GOD and equal to the FATHER, HE loved us so much that HE put aside HIS garments of majestic deity and became sin for our sakes. We need to fall down at HIS feet in worship and praise and adoration of HIS great sacrifice.