Adopted vs. Begotten

[SMP]

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Romans 8:15

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. John 1:12

Jesus is the only begotten son of God. Christians are the sons and daughters of God by adoption. I know we can all agree on these two points.

Let's see what Webster's Dictionary has to say about the word begotten. Begotten is the past participle of the verb beget. "Beget: 1. To procreate as a sire; generate. 2. To produce as an effect; to cause.

If Jesus is the only begotten son of God, being a human just like all the rest of us (albeit a sinless one), then that must mean that we are begotten sons of God too. After all, one becomes a Christian by being "born again" or "born from above" in a spiritual act of regeneration.

But that presents a problem. Why does John 3:16 say that Jesus is the ONLY begotten son of God?

Are we God's begotten children in he same sense that Jesus is?

Scripture says that we are God's children by adoption. According to John 1:12, both Jews and Gentiles are adopted as God's children if they believe on the name of Christ. Therefore, to say that Romans 8:15 refers only to Gentiles or that only Gentiles are "adopted" as God's children is fallacious. All who believe on His name and receive Him, whether Jew or Gentile, are adopted as the children of God.

So, what is different about being adopted by God as a son, in contrast to being God's only begotten Son? Could it perhaps be that there is something very special about Jesus that is not true of the rest of humanity? Is Jesus the only begotten Son of God because He lived a sinless life, or because of something different, something very profound?

 

[St_Worm2]

So, what is different about being adopted by God as a son, in contrast to being God's only begotten Son? Could it perhaps be that there is something very special about Jesus that is not true of the rest of humanity? Is Jesus the only begotten Son of God because He lived a sinless life, or because of something different, something very profound?

All humans are image bearers of God, and some have, and more will, become His adopted children. But we will never have the same nature as God. That is the profound difference between us and the "only-begotten" Son of God. He is Creator, we are creature (John 1:1-3). We are His creation. We are, in fact, His "masterpiece" (Ephesians 2:10a), but we are not, nor could we ever be, God.

Here's part of a paper I came across written by Professor and Theologian, Dr. Allen Ross, that will explain more fully.

The “Only Begotten Son”. The second piece of evidence we must examine is the expression “only-begotten.” It is the Greek word “monogeneis.” This is not simply “begotten,” for that expression can be applied to all believers, those who have been begotten or born again by the Spirit. This is a unique expression for a unique person, the only-begotten Son of God. The expression appears in John 1:14, 4:18, 3:16, and 3:18. It would literally mean the “only generated one.” This is the key expression for the doctrine of “the eternal generation of the Son,” meaning, he always was the only begotten Son. The expression does not refer to the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, because he is the Son from eternity past.

Perhaps the language can be better understood if contrasted with synonyms. Take the verbs “make,” “create,” and “beget.” The verb “make” is general; one can make dinner, clothes, a house, or any other product. The “create” can have the same objects, but usually elevates the act to an art: one creates a masterpiece, or a work of art, or a symphony. While these creations bear the imprint of the creator, they do not share his nature. But “beget” is different. You can only beget a child that has the same nature as you have--a son or a daughter. There is nothing else you can beget (unless you were speaking very figuratively). Your son or your daughter will inherit his or her nature from you--genes, personality--all of it. You can use “make” or “create” for producing a child; but when you use “beget” it only means you produce a child that has your nature.

Now follow this carefully. If Jesus is said to be the begotten Son of God (using the figure from human language to make the point), then Jesus has the same nature as the Father. If Jesus has the same nature as God the Father, then Jesus is divine and eternal as well. If he is eternally God, then there was never a time he was literally begotten--which is why we know the language is figurative to describe his nature, and not his beginning. To call Jesus “the only begotten Son” means that he is fully divine and eternal. He is God the Son.

This is why the creed says that Jesus was “begotten, not made.” Why? Because he is of one substance with the Father.

One more point. The word “begotten” has “only” (mono-) prefixed to it. There is only one. This means that Jesus has a unique relationship with the Father--they two along with the Holy Spirit make up the Godhead. You and I, if we are believers, have been born into the family of God--we are said to be begotten of God. But we are not “only-begotten.” That refers to Jesus’ divine nature. We were adopted by grace and given the divine nature by the Spirit so that we may be called the children of God. But Jesus--he is very God of very God. He is the only-begotten Son of God (that is the part of the creed that reads “of very God”), which means that he is God (that is the part that reads “very God”).


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"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being by Him,
and apart from Him, nothing came into being
that has come into being."
John 1:1-3​

 

[Phantasman]

Men are born of Adams seed. Jesus was born of the Holy Spirits (Gods) seed.

Adam was created.

With todays knowledge, it would be a wonder to see Jesus DNA.