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Jesus the Son of God, Part 1

by Phillip Hayes

Originally published in the "Trumpet Messenger" (No.84), a monthly publication by World Outreach For Christ, Inc., P.O. Box 350, Pleasant Hill, TN 38578.  HTML reproduction by Phil Maxwell and published at the internet home of ScatteredSheep.com, a ministry of Simple Truth Ministries, Kansas City, Missouri (USA), and presented here with permission of the author.  May be reproduced for non-profit purposes according to the terms and conditions stated at www.scatteredsheep.com/copy-it-right.htm.

Not long ago, the Lord kept me up all night with this revelation, and spoke over and over these words: "Jesus Christ is the Son of God - Jesus Christ is the Son of God - Jesus Christ IS the Son of God!"

He further said, "The Apostles didn't preach a doctrine of Trinity, Oneness, Twoness, or Jesus-Only!"

It is evident in Christianity today, that the battle line is drawn between the Trinity proponents and the One God proponents. If you do not believe in the Trinity, you are considered a heretic and antichrist by the Trinitarians. On the other hand, the One God proponents consider the Trinitarians pagans and followers of Catholicism. Neither side believes the other is saved! God has shown me plainly, by the Word, that the modern Apostolic Jesus only doctrine, as well as the Trinitarians, and Two God proponents ARE ALL WRONG in presenting their views, given the fact that the majority of them preach their positions as prerequisites for salvation!

Children of God, we have argued, and divided, and even hated one another, over positions that are entirely the doctrines of men! The Lord HAS NOT been on either side of the proponents of this issue! The Oneness and Trinity doctrines are MAN MADE. God never intended for His church to be denominated because of particular doctrines or creeds. Mystery Babylon of Revelations was full of names, but the church was to be united: "One Lord, one faith, one baptism." In fact, His will was for all to grow in the knowledge of our Lord and be one people, worshipping God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Although God is not the author of any of these earthly carnal movements, He has many people that are enslaved behind the sectarian walls men have erected in the name of God.

Many preachers in the Oneness movement have pointed the finger of accusation at everyone demanding that you must believe that Jesus was Jehovah God incarnated in the flesh, and if you didn't, you were not saved, but on your way to hell. Within the Oneness movement are those that teach that Jesus-Only doctrine. They take it a step beyond Oneness, and flatly declare that the Father and Son were inseparable in flesh and spirit; in other words, Jesus' flesh and spirit was God, that in fact the Son had no soul, will, or thoughts separate from the Father. However, it seems that the modern day Oneness have evolved into this belief that God is a Spirit, and that the flesh of Jesus was no more than a body that God emanated from. Today, the majority within the ranks of Oneness and majority within the ranks of Oneness and Jesus-Only organizations deny that Jesus Christ was a living, breathing, human being with a mind and soul of his own! The Trinity proponents have countered that the Apostolics and Jesus-Only people were antichrist; that they didn't believe in God the Son, and were going to hell. Those in the middle of the issue pretty well believed they were the only ones right, and the Oneness and the Trinity were both on their way to hell. But does any of these positions bring salvation to the lost? Did the Apostles teach these doctrines as qualifications for being saved; or for that matter, staying saved? Did Jesus or the Apostles instruct new converts to preach or teach any of these doctrines?

One thing that rings crystal clear when studying the scriptures about this subject, the word incarnation or incarnate is not in the Bible. We do not find that God was incarnated in the flesh! We do find these words: "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." (1Timothy 3:16) (Emphasis mine). Another plain scripture concerning this relationship between God and Christ is : "To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation." [2Corinthians 5:19]

Without question, the overall view of the Deity of Christ among all modern day proponents is that Jesus was the INCARNATION of God, rather than the MANIFESTATION of God. Also they do not teach that God was IN Christ! The Oneness and Jesus-Only preach that Christ IS God. The Trinity and Twoness believers preach that Jesus was the beginning as a separate God Person; (God the Father, and God the Son. The Trinity teachers believing also in God the Holy Ghost). All sides however, including the Oneness, believe that Jesus IS the INCARNATE Son of God, or rather that Jesus is God the Son. Let me explain; neither side preaches that Jesus was the Son of the Living God, a MAN born of a virgin by the Holy Ghost (Spirit) of God, and that God was manifested IN Him, and He became the Author of eternal salvation! There is an extreme difference between the words, MANIFEST and INCARNATE!

Incarnate, according to Webster's Dictionary: (endowment with a human body; in taking on of human form and nature by Jesus as the Son of God; any person or thing serving as the embodiment of a god or spirit). Manifest on the other hand according to Webster means, (to make clear or evident; to prove; be evidence of, or simply to "show openly").

Now children of God, the scriptures are very plain concerning what I am saying. I believe that we all seek truth! And I believe that you will agree with me that the only Truth is God's Word. Will you let God's Word speak for itself? Are you ready in these last days to be completely restored to the true apostolic doctrines of the Bible? And further, to know the truth, are you willing to lay aside everything that you have been taught concerning the Person of Christ, whether it has been Trinity, Oneness, Twoness, or Jesus only? You see, the Oneness demand the Trinity folks to admit they are wrong, and on the other hand, the Trinity folks demand the same of the Oneness. I ask, will all of you admit you are wrong, if proven wrong by the Word of God?! As the scripture has said, "Let God be true, and every man be a liar." If you will do this, you will see, as I have, that the unity of the faith is truly at hand, and we can unite together in the only message that will save the world!

Let's start at the beginning, and I would like to open with the first verse in the Gospel according to Mark, chapter one:

THE beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God

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.

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. [Matthew 1:18-20]

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God

And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: [Luke 1:30-32]

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. [Luke 1:35]

I am sure everyone is familiar with the events surrounding the birth of Jesus. Old Testament prophets had prophesied that a virgin would conceive, and she would birth the Messiah into the world: "Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bring forth a Son." As the story of His birth unfolds, we find that the Christ was named by the angels of God and proclaimed to be THE SON OF GOD: "That which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost." In Luke's account, the angel said, "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee," and the angel went on to say, "That holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." Thus the miracle of Christ's birth was that His mother had never had relations with a man. The Father of this child was God Himself! How could this be? Simply; the same God that spoke the worlds into existence, created in the womb of Mary an embryo, by the Spoken Word, that grew in the womb as any normal child would, and was born the Son of God! The scripture states plainly that Jesus is the "ONLY BEGOTTEN OF THE FATHER." The word begotten (#1080) in the Strong's means: bear, beget, be born, bring forth, conceive. Again, the angel said in Matthew 1:20; "For that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost." The word CONCEIVED here is #1080 in Strong's Concordance, the same as the word BEGOTTEN (#1080) used in every instance in the New Testament where it says, "This day I have begotten thee." See: Acts 13:33, Hebrews 1:5, and Hebrews 5:5.

He had no earthly father! Although he was born a normal human being in all respects, His Father was the Spirit from the beginning.

There are some who have taught that Jesus was not begotten of God until He was baptized by John. The scriptures however, plainly state the contrary; therefore, this thought has no merit.

At Christ's baptism, the Voice that spoke from Heaven simply said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." It does not say, "Today, I have begotten you." To make this scripture say anything else is to add to the scripture. And this adding or taking away from the scripture is what has led most folks down the wrong road. Again, the scriptures are plain, and they reveal exactly what God intended they reveal!

Jesus was begotten in the beginning by the Holy Ghost, just as the scripture indicates. And if you could possibly believe otherwise; then why did Jesus call God his Father when He was only twelve years old?

And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.

And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.

But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a days journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.

And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.

And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

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 said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Fathers business?

Here is a glimpse of a twelve year old Jesus that astonished the wisest and most learned doctors of divinity of that day, and when questioned by His mother told her that He must be about His Father's business. It was certainly not Joseph's carpenter business that He was concerned with! He knew at that young age that Joseph was not His father.

And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. [Luke 2:40-52]

We see by this last verse that Jesus was NOT born with all wisdom and power, but in fact, GREW as a man in wisdom, and in stature, and in favor with God and man. I have heard preachers teach that God ruled the universe while a little baby in Bethlehem! No where does the scriptures teach or imply any such thing!

Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,

And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. 23 And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli. [Luke 3:21-23]

I love how Luke inserted the phrase (as was supposed) in this text! It had been supposed that Jesus was the son of Joseph; when in fact, He was the Son of God! Notice, the scripture doesn't say that Jesus received the Holy ghost, but that the Holy Ghost descended "upon" him. Matthew said, "The Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him." Clearly, neither account testified that Jesus received the Holy Ghost at this time. This vision John saw of the Spirit descending like a Dove upon Jesus identified Him as the One John the Baptist was looking for. Here is John's own testimony concerning Jesus' baptism:

And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.

And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

Again the next day after, John stood, and two of his disciples;

And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! [John 1:32-36]

John bore record that Jesus is the Son of God! Also, please note that John the Baptist is the ONLY person recorded that actually saw the Spirit descending upon Christ, or for that matter, heard the Voice speak to Christ! Clearly, it was God's way of identifying who Jesus was to John.

These scriptures are plain as to the record God the Father, and John the Baptist gave of Jesus: "JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD."

Our message is declaring just who the Son of man, Jesus Christ is. The question was also poised by Christ Himself to His disciples with a remarkable reply:

When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist; some, Elias; and others Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. [Matthew 16:13-17]

The first question Jesus asked was, " Whom do men say that I am?" The second question, and far more important was "Who do you (His disciples) say that I am?" Men do not have the answer to this question, but there is one that does and that One is God! When Jesus asked this question of His disciples, Peter suddenly spoke and said, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." This answer didn't come from the reasoning of Peter's mind. The answer came by the REVELATION OF THE SPIRIT! Jesus answered Peter with these words, "Flesh and blood hath not revealed this unto you, but my Father which is in heaven."

This is the revelation that God has given in His Word, by the Spirit: Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God! I ask you, "What did the Father reveal concerning the Son of man.............?" "THOU ART THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD!" Has the revelation changed? NO!

Six short days after this revelation was given, Jesus took Peter, James and John with Him up on a high mountain. While on this mountain, Jesus was transfigured before them, and there appeared Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus. The three disciples saw all this!

Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. [Matthew 17:4-5]

Again, we find God giving witness that Jesus was the Son of God, and that only the Son was to be heard. No longer would God speak by Moses or the Prophets but by His Son Jesus. Jesus preached in Luke 16:16, "The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it."

We also find these glorious words in Hebrew 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.

What do these scriptures so loudly declare? Without controversy, that Jesus is the Son of God, and that God will only speak by Him!

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