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Divinity of Christ, book by H. H. Pope Shenouda III

13- The Son

St-Takla.org Image: Jesus Christ Pantocrator the Almighty, illustration, 2012, used with permission - by Mina Anton صورة في موقع الأنبا تكلا: السيد يسوع المسيح البانطوكراطور الضابط الكل، رسم توضيحي، 2012، موضوعة بإذن - رسم الفنان مينا أنطون

(24) The phrase 'the Son' in the Holy Bible means Christ only. The Lord Jesus Christ says of Himself" Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed' (Jn. 8:36). He said these words in preaching that He came to free them from their sins.

St. John the Evangelist said: "He who has the Son has life, he who does not have the Son of God does not have life" (1 Jn. 5:12). Thus he used in one verse the two terms: 'the Son' and 'the Son of God' to refer to One Person. He also said: "And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world' (1 Jn. 4:14). The term 'the Son' on its own means Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ talked about Himself as the Son and as the Son of God.

(25) The Jews understood this Sonship to God with its Divine meaning, and we have discussed this issue before here on st-takla.org in other pages. That was why when they asked Him in the Sanhedrin if He was the Son of God and He replied in the affirmative, "the high priest tore his clothes, saying, 'He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses?' " (Matt. 26:65)

The Gospel according to St. John says: "Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God' (Jn. 5:18). This Divinity was the reason for the Jews seeking to kill Him, as they said to Him, "For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make yourself God' (Jn. 10: 33). That was the accusation for which they crucified Him, saying to Pilate: "We have a law, and according to our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God' (Jn. 19:7). The common sonship, of which Isaiah said: "O Lord, You are our Father" (Is. 64:8), was not the reason of sentencing Christ to death, but it was the particular Sonship which carries the meaning of His Divinity and that He is equal with God. This leads us to the ninth proof.

Jesus is the Son of God

Divinity of Christ Books by H. H. Pope Shenouda III

Jesus is the Only Son of God