Begotten

Our prophet said: "There are some things upon which we must reason, and there are other things that we must not discuss." Ellen G. White. Sermons and talks Vol. 1. 'The foundation of our faith'. MS 46. 1904. Manuscripts Release 900. One area we cannot discuss is how God's Son was begotten, and it is not necessary for us to know. We are to believe and trust Him.

However, whether Jesus is the begotten Son of God prior to the incarnation is something we must discuss and study. One of the biggest arguments relates to Jesus having a beginning, or an origin, as some people prefer to say. 'If the Son had a beginning, He cannot be deity. He cannot have a God-nature.' Why not? There is nothing in the Scripture against it. God's Son inherited a divine nature at His birth, just as we inherit a human nature from our parents at birth. Simply having a beginning does not preclude Him having being born with immortal life and all the attributes of deity.

After His baptism, while Jesus was praying... "from the highest heaven was heard the voice of the infinite One, God the Father, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.'" 2 Sermons and Talks p167.

"The words of confirmation that Christ is the Son of God were given to inspire faith in those who witnessed the scene, and to sustain the Son of God in His arduous work. Notwithstanding the Son of God was clothed with humanity, yet Jehovah, with His own voice, assures Him of His Sonship with the Eternal. In this manifestation to His Son, God accepts humanity as exalted through the excellence of His beloved Son." 2 Spirit of Prophecy p60.

Our prophet said, "God sent His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, liable to physical infirmities, tempted in all points like as we are. He was the Son of the living God. His personality did not begin with His incarnation in the flesh." Letter 77. Aug 3. 1894. The word 'personality' means, 'individuality, or a person'. Jesus really is God's Son.

The Handbook of Seventh-day Adventists - Theology - Vol 13 p125, states the following under Sonship: "John 1:18 presents the same father-son relationship as independent from the Incarnation. 'No one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known.' Matthew also notes a father-son relationship that is prior to and independent of God's revelatory relation to His creation. 'No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.' Matt 11:27; Luke 10:22."

"Satan flattered himself that he could lead Christ to doubt the words spoken from heaven at His baptism. If he could tempt Him to question His Sonship, and doubt the truth of the word spoken by His Father, he would gain a great victory." Confrontation p40.

Jesus knew the Jews were determined to take His life, yet He fully explained His Sonship to them, the relation He bore to the Father, and His equality with Him. This left them without an excuse. "...though baffled in their designs, and over-awed by His divine eloquence and truth, the murderous hatred of the priests and elders was not quenched.... But they were so bound by the chains of pride and arrogance that they rejected the evidence of His divine power, resisted His appeals, and locked themselves in darkness." 2 Spiritual Gifts p172.

Dear Reader, will you ask yourself if your mind is also locked in darkness? Jesus died under the charge of being the Son of God. Of course you remember the demand of Caiaphas, "I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God." Matthew 26:63. Jesus is asked to answer the question under oath. The question is not, 'Did you become a Son when you came to this earth?' No. He meant it in the highest sense, the same sense Jesus had said it to the Jewish leaders some time earlier, and they picked up stones to kill Him for blasphemy. And what was Jesus' reply under oath? "Thou hast said..." Matthew 26:64. "I am..." Mark 14:62. It was for this they condemned Him to death. Did Jesus lie under oath? Or was He truly — Son of the living God?