Was Jesus the Son

Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, not a created being who became the Son only at His birth. In the incarnation, He took upon Himself a true human nature while remaining who He had been from eternity: God the Son, one with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

The Son Existed Before the Creation of the World

Holy Scripture calls Jesus the Word, who was with God "in the beginning" and was Himself God. This means that Christ did not begin to exist in Bethlehem. His earthly birth was the beginning of His human life among us, but not the beginning of His existence.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God." John 1:1–2

The apostle John further explains: He who was God and was with the Father became flesh. Christ did not cease to be God when He took upon Himself a human body; He united in His Person the fullness of the Godhead and true humanity.

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14

Jesus Himself spoke of the glory He shared in the presence of the Father before the world was made. Thus, the title "Son of God" does not describe a moment when Christ was supposedly created, but rather His eternal, unique relationship with the Father.

"And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was." John 17:5

What Does the Title "Son of God" Mean?

In biblical language, the word "son" does not always denote physical descent or creation. Angels are called sons of God, and believers become children of God through adoption. Yet Jesus is the Son in a completely unique sense. He is not one of many created sons: He is the Only Begotten, that is, the one and only, unique Son who reveals the Father perfectly.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

The word "gave" is particularly significant. The Father sent into the world the One who was already His Son. He did not create a new Son at the moment of Jesus' birth. Seventh-day Adventists uphold the biblical truth regarding the deity of Christ: the Son is eternal, equal with the Father in nature, authority, and glory.

Why Did the Angel Say that Jesus "Will Be Called the Son of God"?

The angel Gabriel explained to Mary the miracle of Jesus' conception by the Holy Spirit. These words emphasize the holiness and supernatural character of Christ's birth as a human being. Jesus had no earthly father; His human nature was assumed through the power of the Holy Spirit.

"The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God." Luke 1:35

This passage does not teach that Jesus became the Son of God for the first time at His conception. Rather, it indicates that the eternal Son of God entered human history through a miraculous birth. He who had always been the Son was born as the Holy Child and was acknowledged as the Son of God in His visible earthly life as well.

"You Are My Son, Today I Have Begotten You"

Some understand the words of Psalm 2 as evidence that Christ had a beginning. However, the New Testament applies this verse primarily to the royal proclamation and the resurrection of Jesus, not to the creation of His divine Person. God the Father openly confirmed the Son as the Messiah, King, and Conqueror of death.

"I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, 'You are My Son, today I have begotten You.'" Ps 2:7

"God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: 'You are My Son, today I have begotten You.'" Acts 13:33

Ellen G. White also bore clear testimony to Christ's preexistence: "In Christ is life, original, unborrowed, underived" (The Desire of Ages). This life was not conferred upon Him at birth; it has belonged to Him from all eternity.

Why Is This Truth Essential for Salvation?

Only One who is fully God could reveal to us the Father's character and offer a sacrifice of infinite worth for the sin of the world. And only One who became truly human could be our near Savior, experience temptation without sin, and represent us before God as a compassionate High Priest.

"For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." Heb 4:15

Jesus was and is the Son of God from eternity. In Bethlehem, He did not begin to be God; rather, He became human for our salvation. The practical application of this truth is straightforward: trust Christ completely. He possesses divine power to save, human sympathy for your weaknesses, and today invites everyone to come to Him in faith.