"John 3:16 ... God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." This verse says that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God. As it is true, God has not given birth to Jesus Christ. That is, Christ was not born, but he was begotten son by declaration. We will see from the Scripture when and how he became the begotten Son of God.
All Christians accept that Jesus Christ is the begotten Son of God. But nobody seems to know the details of his birth. How he became the begotten Son to God? Was he born before the creation of the universe? If he was, who was his mother? What was his birthday? If he was not born, was he created? Did he become the begotten Son of God by his birth through the Virgin Mary? The Bible should have answers to all such questions. Let us get the answers from the Word of God.
"Matt 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost." By the above verse, without considering the concept of the wholesome word of God, Christians think that Mary was the mother of Jesus and the Holy Spirit was the father of Jesus, which will qualify him as the begotten Son of God. "Luke 1:34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." The above verse also seems to say that both God the Most High and God the Holy Spirit have jointly became the father while Mary being the mother. But there are three important points to consider. (1). If this is true, then Mary was no more a virgin and Jesus was not born of a virgin. "Matt 1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son..." So, if Mary was still a virgin until the birth of Jesus, then God was not the father of Jesus by his birth. (2). Even though the word of God leads us to address God in the masculine gender, God is neither male nor female. So, God could not have begotten a child as a male beget a child through a female. So, God could not be the father of Jesus through his birth. (3). Preachers say that Jesus of Nazareth was the very essence or substance came out from the body of God. But God is Spirit. His Spirit body does not contain the seed of flesh as an essence or substance to plant it in the womb of Mary. In reality, God the Most High and God the Holy Spirit have created a body in the womb of Virgin Mary from the substance of the body of Mary so that it may be the seed of the woman, Virgin Mary. The soul of God the Word left the Omni-Power Body of God (The Spirit Body) and entered the flesh body in the womb of Virgin Mary to be born as baby Jesus. The person, who was God while he was in the Spirit Body became a baby boy as he entered the flesh body of a human. The same person, God the Word became flesh, a mere man, Jesus of Nazareth.
"Gen 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Luke 1:28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS." God has ordained that the seed of a woman would bruise the head of Satan. So, Jesus was not the seed of God, but the seed of a woman. God favoured Virgin Mary to be that woman. "Heb 10:5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:" The Holy Spirit and God the Most High have created a body in the womb of Mary from her own body, which was almost the same way God made Eve from the body of Adam. Thus, Mary's own body produced the child and this was the seed of Mary. The person in “God the Word,” his soul came out of the Spirit body and entered this body and was born as a human baby boy. Thus, God the Word became flesh, a mere man. In the incident of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, God the Word did not become the Son of God. But he became 'flesh', a creation of God, the child from the seed of Virgin Mary. Thus, the Word became flesh. "John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us--"
"Col 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:---" A few groups of people like 'Jehovah Witnesses' say by quoting this verse, that Jesus was a created person. However, the same verse refers him as the firstborn more than as the first creature. Further, verse eighteen explains what he refers as a creature. Jesus Christ is the firstborn of every creature, where the quickened saints are referred as creatures. Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. James 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures." The creatures are the spiritual people and they are not the created things or created beings of the world.
The Bible says that 'God the Word' became flesh (a mere man). "John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us,---" He ceased to be equal with God and became a man and as a man, he humbled himself and obeyed God as a servant unto his death on the cross. "Phil 2:5 ---, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." Jesus of Nazareth was dead on the cross and was buried.
Therefore, 'God the most High' exalted him to the
uttermost high position so that every
knee on all earth, on all hell and on all heaven should bow at his name.
"Phil 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted
him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10
That at the name of
Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things
in earth, and things under the earth;
11
And that every tongue
should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the
Father." 'God the Most high'
and 'God the Holy Spirit' raised him up from the
dead. At this time, God the Most high declared a decree that
Jesus was his begotten Son. Second
Psalm prophesied this. Book of Acts explains the fulfillment of prophecy. God did not give birth
to a Son,
but
On the same day, by that same declaration which is explained above, 'God the Most High' became 'God the Father'. "Heb 1:5 --Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?" That is, for almost the last two thousand years, they are 'God the Father' and 'God the Son'.
The following verses also reinforce the fact that the day of the
resurrection of Jesus Christ is the day of his birth as the begotten Son of
God by the declaration of God the Most High. "Col
1:18 And
he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from
the dead; Rev 1:5 And from Jesus
Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead,.
There is still one more unresolved piece in the puzzle.
"John
3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, ---"
Christians think
this
verse refers to God’s giving of Jesus of Nazareth on the cross for the salvation
of the world. I also thought the same way until I have learned about the
begotten son. Now, let us look at the verses on more time with the connected
verses in the context.
"John
3:14..
as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be
lifted up:
15
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life."
Actually verses 14 and 15 explains about God’s giving of "God the Word" as the
Son of man, Jesus of Nazareth to die on the cross.
"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." This verse tells about God’s giving of the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of the world. "Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life." That is, we are forgiven from the penalty for our past sins by the death of Jesus of Nazareth on the cross and we are saved from our future sinning by the life of the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ.
Christmas is the day that God the Word became flesh and was born as a baby boy. God created the sun, the moon, the stars, the world with everything in it, the birds, the animals, the people, the germs, the bacteria, the atoms, and all other things that are created. This Great God decided that he should become the sacrifice to redeem his people. Since God is eternal and he cannot die, he had to become a man, which is the Lamb of God, to die for the sins of the world. God became a mere man on this day, which is the true Christmas day.
As
a man he lived a pure life and became a perfect sacrifice to be a propitiation
for the sins of the people so that He may forgive the sins we have committed. "Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set
forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his
righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance
of God;" As a man, Jesus Christ preached the gospel.
Therefore, we can detect between the false and true gospel by comparing it with
the gospel of Jesus Christ. "Matt
4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in
their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, ---" Further, Jesus lived as
an example so that the people may know how to live. Those who love God
and believe his gospel will follow his steps in obedience.
"1 Pet 2:21
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving
us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
22
Who did no sin, neither was
guile found in his mouth:---
Easter is also a day for celebration. Traditionally we celebrate it as the day of resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. We also celebrate his victory over death and rejoice in it. We know that 'God the Word' came from heaven, became a Man, accomplished his works and now he went back to heaven where he belongs. Even though it appears that way, it is much more than this. "Phil 2:5 ---, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:."
God the Word ceased to be God, he became a human, and humbled himself to be the servant of God. Therefore, God has raised this man to the utmost glory and honor of God so that every knee should bow to him. Thus, the man Jesus was raised to the heavenly status of honor and power. "Phil 2:9 -Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
God wants us to humble ourselves and to live in the purity of Jesus, so that God may raise us also as he raised Jesus. "1Pet 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4.To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,." See, how our life is attached in hope with the rewarded life of Jesus Christ. He was the first fruit and we are right after him. If we suffer with him, we will rule with him. If we die with him, we will live with him. "2 Tim 2:10 --- I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:." Now he is the Only Begotten Son. There are many begotten sons on the making. You can be one among them, with Jesus. "1 Thes 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." Jesus was raised to heaven (caught up or raptures) on the Easter Day. Those who remain in him will be raised to heaven (caught up or raptures) on our resurrection day.
God became a man and came to the world on Christmas day. He came to die for the forgiveness of our sins, which we have committed. He lived a life without sin and presented that as a sample life for us to live. God took this man to heaven, declared him as the Son of God and placed him on the throne of God on Easter day. Now as God, Jesus Christ helps his people supernaturally, by giving his grace, in order to make us able to live a sinless life as he has lived. If we strive and become free from sin, Easter will give us hope of the same resurrection, the same adoption as sons, and the same access to the same throne. "2 Cor 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. Rev 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". Son of God was not born. A Man was declared to be the Son of God. That gives us hope that we may also be declared as sons of God to sit on his throne of God to rule the nations. Is it not good news, which is the gospel? God may declare also as the begotten son of God. Is it not a tremendous opportunity? Why don't you go for it?
If we love God with reverential fear, we will obey God - We will stop sinning.
the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
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