Why is Jesus called the Son of God?

The title "Son of God" ascribed to Jesus Christ is a profound and multifaceted designation that encapsulates deep theological truths about His nature and mission. To fully grasp why Jesus is called the Son of God, we must delve into the doctrine of the Hypostatic Union, the testimony of Scripture, and the historical and theological context of this title.

The Hypostatic Union is a theological term that describes the union of Christ's two natures—divine and human—in one Person. This doctrine asserts that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man, two natures coexisting without confusion, change, division, or separation. This union is essential for understanding why Jesus is called the Son of God.

In the New Testament, the title "Son of God" is used in several ways, each revealing different aspects of Jesus' identity and mission. Firstly, it denotes His unique relationship with God the Father. In the Gospel of John, we read about this intimate relationship: "The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand" (John 3:35, ESV). This verse highlights the unique and eternal relationship between the Father and the Son, a relationship that is characterized by love and authority.

Moreover, the title "Son of God" also emphasizes Jesus' divine nature. In the opening verses of John's Gospel, we find a profound declaration of Jesus' divinity: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1, ESV). Later, John identifies this Word as Jesus: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14, ESV). Here, John affirms that Jesus, the Word made flesh, is the only Son from the Father, underscoring His divine origin and nature.

The Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) also present Jesus as the Son of God, particularly in the context of His baptism and transfiguration. At Jesus' baptism, a voice from heaven declares, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17, ESV). Similarly, during the transfiguration, a voice from the cloud says, "This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!" (Luke 9:35, ESV). These divine affirmations underscore Jesus' unique status as the Son of God, chosen and beloved by the Father.

Furthermore, the title "Son of God" is intrinsically linked to the concept of the Messiah, the anointed one promised in the Old Testament. In Psalm 2, a messianic psalm, we read: "I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, 'You are my Son; today I have begotten you'" (Psalm 2:7, ESV). This verse is understood as a prophetic reference to the Messiah, who is identified as God's Son. The New Testament writers, particularly in the book of Hebrews, apply this psalm to Jesus, affirming His messianic identity and divine sonship: "For to which of the angels did God ever say, 'You are my Son, today I have begotten you'? Or again, 'I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son'?" (Hebrews 1:5, ESV).

The title "Son of God" also conveys Jesus' role in salvation history. In John 3:16, one of the most well-known verses in the Bible, we read: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (ESV). This verse underscores the salvific mission of Jesus, the Son of God, who was sent by the Father to redeem humanity. The title, therefore, is not only a statement of Jesus' divine nature but also a declaration of His redemptive purpose.

Historically, the early Church grappled with understanding and articulating the nature of Jesus as the Son of God. The Council of Nicaea in AD 325 was a pivotal moment in this theological development. The Nicene Creed, formulated at this council, affirms that Jesus Christ is "the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father." This creed was a response to Arianism, a heresy that denied the full divinity of Jesus, and it underscored the Church's belief in the true and eternal sonship of Christ.

Theologically, the title "Son of God" also speaks to the mystery of the Trinity. Within the Godhead, there are three distinct persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—who are co-equal and co-eternal. The Son, Jesus Christ, is eternally begotten of the Father, a relationship that transcends human understanding but is foundational to Christian faith. This Trinitarian relationship is beautifully expressed in the prologue of John's Gospel and in Jesus' High Priestly Prayer in John 17, where He prays for the unity of His followers, reflecting the unity He shares with the Father: "Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one" (John 17:11, ESV).

In addition to the biblical and theological dimensions, the title "Son of God" has practical implications for believers. It calls us to recognize and respond to Jesus' authority and lordship. When Peter confesses Jesus as "the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16, ESV), Jesus affirms that this revelation is from the Father and establishes Peter's confession as the rock upon which the Church is built. This confession of Jesus as the Son of God is foundational to Christian faith and discipleship.

Moreover, the title "Son of God" invites believers into a relationship with God through Jesus. As the Son, Jesus reveals the Father to us and mediates our relationship with Him. In John 14:6, Jesus declares, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (ESV). Through faith in Jesus, the Son of God, we are adopted into God's family and become children of God: "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12, ESV).

In conclusion, the title "Son of God" is a rich and multifaceted designation that reveals Jesus' unique relationship with the Father, His divine nature, His messianic identity, and His redemptive mission. It is a title that has been affirmed and articulated throughout the history of the Church, rooted in the testimony of Scripture and the doctrine of the Hypostatic Union. As believers, recognizing Jesus as the Son of God calls us to faith, worship, and a deeper relationship with God through Him.