342# 在前一主题中（336—339），已经说明：得救之信仰乃是信主上帝救主耶稣基督。但这里要问：信祂的首要者是什么？回答是：承认祂是上帝的儿子。这乃是信仰的首要者；主来到世上时，所启示并宣告的正是这一点。因为若人没有首先承认祂是上帝的儿子，因而承认祂由上帝而来并为上帝，那么，祂自己以及后来使徒们传讲信祂，就都是徒然的。
如今，今日也有类似情形，尤其在那些凭自己思想的人那里，也就是凭单纯外在人或属自然之人思想的人那里；他们心里说：雅威上帝怎能生一子？人又怎能是上帝？因此，必须由圣言来确认并坚固信仰的这个首要者。为此，以下经文要被引来说明：
天使对马利亚说：“你要怀孕生子，可以给他起名叫耶稣。他要为大，称为至高者的儿子。”马利亚对天使说：“我没有出嫁，怎么有这事呢？”天使回答说：“圣灵要临到你身上，至高者的能力要荫庇你；因此，所要生的圣者，必称为上帝的儿子。”（路1:31-32，34-35）
当耶稣受洗时，有声音从天上来，说：“这是我的爱子，我所喜悦的。”（太3:16-17；可1:10-11；路3:21-22）又当耶稣变像时，也有声音从天上来，说：“这是我的爱子，我所喜悦的，你们要听他。”（太17:5；可9:7；路9:35）
【2】耶稣问门徒：“人说我是谁？”彼得回答说：“你是基督，是永生上帝的儿子。”耶稣说：“西门巴约拿，你是有福的；……我还告诉你，我要把我的教会建造在这磐石上。”（太16:13，16-18）
主说，祂要把祂的教会建造在这磐石上，也就是建造在这一真理与承认之上：祂是上帝的儿子。因为“磐石”表示真理，也表示主就神性真理而言。因此，凡没有承认这一真理，即承认祂是上帝的儿子者，他那里就没有教会。所以，上文说，这乃是信耶稣基督的首要者，因而是信仰在其源头中的形态。施洗约翰看见并作见证说，祂是上帝的儿子（约1:34）。拿但业对耶稣说：“你是上帝的儿子，你是以色列的王。”（约1:49）十二门徒说：“我们已经信了，……你是基督，是永生上帝的儿子。”（约6:69）祂被称为上帝的独生子，从父而来的独生子，在父怀里的独生子（约1:14，18；3:16）。耶稣自己在大祭司面前承认，祂是上帝的儿子（太26:63-64；27:43；可14:61-62；路22:70）。
“在船上的人都来拜”耶稣，说：“你真是上帝的儿子了。”（太14:33）那想要受洗的太监对腓利说：“我信耶稣基督是上帝的儿子。”（徒8:37）保罗归正以后，便传讲基督，说祂是上帝的儿子（徒9:20）。耶稣说：“时候将到，死人要听见上帝儿子的声音；听见的人就要活了。”（约5:25）“不信的人，罪已经定了，因为他不信上帝独生子的名。”（约3:18）“但记这些事，要叫你们信耶稣是基督，是上帝的儿子；并且叫你们信了，就可以因他的名得生命。”（约20:31）“我将这些话写给你们信奉上帝儿子之名的人，要叫你们知道自己有永生，并且叫你们信奉上帝儿子的名。”（约一5:13）
“我们也知道上帝的儿子已经来到，且将智慧赐给我们，使我们认识那真实者；我们也在那真实者里面，就是在他儿子耶稣基督里面。这是真神，也是永生。”（约一5:20）“凡认耶稣为上帝儿子的，上帝就住在他里面，他也住在上帝里面。”（约一4:15）
此外还有别处，如太8:29；27:40，43，54；可1:1；3:11；15:39；路8:28；约9:35；10:36；11:4，27；19:7；罗1:4；林后1:19；加2:20；弗4:13；来4:14；6:6；7:3；10:29；约一3:8；5:10；启2:18。
除此以外，还有许多地方，祂被雅威称为“儿子”，祂自己也称雅威上帝为祂的父，如以下经文所说：“父所作的事，子也照样作。……父怎样叫死人起来，使他们活着，子也照样使人活着；……叫人都尊敬子，如同尊敬父一样；……父怎样在自己有生命，也照样赐给他儿子也照样在自己有生命。”（约5:19-27）诸如此类，经文极多。又如大卫书中说：“我要传圣旨；雅威曾对我说：你是我的儿子，我今日生你。……当以嘴亲子，恐怕他发怒，你们便在道中灭亡；因为他的怒气快要发作。凡投靠他的，都是有福的。”（诗2:7，12）
【3】由此便得出这一结论：凡愿真正成为基督徒，并愿由基督得救的人，都必须相信耶稣是永生上帝的儿子。凡不如此相信，而只相信祂是马利亚之子的人，就会把关于祂的各种观念植入自己里面；这些观念对于他的救恩是有害且毁灭性的，关于这些可见上文（90，94，102）。
论到这些人，可以说他们与犹太人相似：他们不是把王冕戴在祂头上，而是把荆棘冠冕戴在祂头上；又给祂醋喝，并喊叫说：“你若是上帝的儿子，就从十字架上下来吧。”（太27:29，34，40）又如试探者魔鬼所说：“你若是上帝的儿子，可以吩咐这些石头变成食物。”又说：“你若是上帝的儿子，可以跳下去。”（太4:3，6）
这些人亵渎祂的教会和祂的圣殿，并使其成为贼窝。他们使对祂的敬拜类似于对穆罕默德的敬拜，并且不区别真正的基督教——也就是对主的敬拜——与自然主义。这样的人可比作那些乘车或马车行于薄冰之上的人；冰在他们下面破裂，他们便沉下去，而他们、马匹和车，都被冰水覆盖。他们也可比作那些用芦苇和灯心草编成小舟，并用沥青粘合使其连在一起的人；他们乘着这小舟驶入大海，但在那里，沥青的粘合松散了，他们便被海水窒息吞没，并被埋葬在海底。
342# 本章前面部分（TCR 336-339节）说明，得救的信仰是对主神，救主耶稣基督的信仰。但问题是，信祂的第一个原则是什么呢？答案是：承认祂是神的儿子。这是主降世时所揭示并宣告的第一个原则。因为除非人们首先承认祂是神的儿子，因而是来自神的神，否则祂自己和使徒们在祂之后传扬信祂是徒劳的。现在的情况有点类似：那些出于自我，也就是说，只出于外在人或属世人来思考的人对自己说：“耶和华神怎么可能生一个儿子，一个人怎么可能成为神呢？”因此，有必要从圣言来确认并确立信仰的这第一个原则。为此，引用以下经文；路加福音：
天使对马利亚说，你要在子宫里怀孕，生出一个儿子，要给祂起名叫耶稣。祂要为大，称为至高者的儿子。马利亚对天使说，我没有和男人亲近，怎么会有这事呢？天使回答说，圣灵要临到你身上，至高者的能力要荫庇你；因此你所要生的，必称为圣，神的儿子。（路加福音1:31-35）
马太福音：
耶稣受洗时，有声音从天上来，说，这是我的爱子，我所喜悦的。（马太福音3:16，17; 马可福音1:10，11; 路加福音3:21，22）
又：
当耶稣变了形像时，又有声音从天上来，说，这是我的爱子，我所喜悦的；你们要听祂。（马太福音17:5; 马可福音9:7; 路加福音9:35）
又：
耶稣问门徒，说，人们说我是谁？彼得回答，你是基督，是永生神的儿子。耶稣说，巴约拿的儿子西门，你是有福的。我告诉你，我要把我的教会建造在这磐石上。（马太福音16:13-18）
主说，祂要把祂的教会建造在这磐石上，也就是说，建造在“祂是神的儿子”这一真理和承认上；因为“磐石”表示真理，也表示神性真理方面的主。因此，教会不存在于那些不承认“祂是神的儿子”这一真理的人中间；这就是为何前面说，这是对耶稣基督的信仰的第一个原则，因而是在起源上的信仰。约翰福音：
施洗约翰看见了，就证明这是神的儿子。（约翰福音1:34）
又：
门徒拿但业对耶稣说，你是神的儿子；你是以色列的王。（约翰福音1:49）
又：
十二个门徒说，我们已经相信，你是基督，永生神的儿子。（约翰福音6:69）
又：
祂被称为神的独生子，从父生的在父怀里的独生子。（约翰福音1:14，18; 3:16）
马太福音：
耶稣亲自在大祭司面前承认，祂是神的儿子。（马太福音26:63，64; 27:43; 马可福音14:61，62; 路加福音22:70）
又：
在船上的人来拜耶稣，说，你真是神的儿子。（马太福音14:33）
使徒行传：
想受洗的太监对腓利说，我信耶稣基督是神的儿子。（使徒行传8:37）
又：
保罗转变信仰后，传扬基督，说祂是神的儿子。（使徒行传9:20）
约翰福音：
耶稣说，时候将到，就是死人要听见神儿子的声音，听见的人就要活了的时候。（约翰福音5:25）
又：
不信的人，已经受了审判，因为他不信神独生子的名。（约翰福音3:18）
又：
记这些事，要叫你们信耶稣是基督，是神的儿子，并且叫你们信了，就可以因祂的名得生命。（约翰福音20:31）
约翰一书：
我将这些话写给你们信神儿子之名的人，要叫你们知道自己有永生，信神儿子的名。（约翰一书5:13）
又：
我们知道神的儿子已经来到，使我们认识那位真实的；我们也在那位真实的里面，就是在祂儿子耶稣基督里面。祂是真神，也是永生。（约翰一书5:20）
又：
凡认耶稣为神儿子的，神就住在祂里面，他也住在神里面。（约翰一书4:15）
也可参看其它地方（如马太福音8:29; 27:40，43，54; 马可福音1:1; 3:11; 15:39; 路加福音8:28; 约翰福音9:35; 10:36; 11:4，27; 19:7; 罗马书1:4; 哥林多后书1:19; 加拉太书2:20; 以弗所书4:13; 希伯来书4:14; 6:6; 7:3; 10:29; 约翰一书3:8; 5:10; 启示录2:18）。还有许多经文，在那里，耶和华称祂为“儿子”，祂称耶和华神为祂的父，如在这段经文中：
凡父所作的，子也照样作；父怎样叫死人起来，使他们活着，子也照样随自己的意思使人活着；叫众人尊敬子如同尊敬父一样；父怎样在自己有生命，就赐给儿子也照样在自己有生命。（约翰福音5:19-27）
在其它许多经文中也是如此，包括大卫诗篇：
我要传圣旨。耶和华曾对我说，你是我的儿子，我今日生你。当亲吻儿子，免得祂发怒，你们就在路中灭亡，因为祂的怒气快要发作。凡投靠祂的，都是有福的。（诗篇2:7，12）
从这些经文中可以得出这个结论：凡想成为真正的基督徒并被基督拯救的人，都应当相信，耶稣是永生神的儿子。不相信这一点，只相信祂是马利亚之子的人，会在自己的心智中植入关于祂的各种观念，这些观念都是对救赎有害的、具有毁灭性的（对此，参看TCR 92，94，102节）。论到这些人，可以像论到犹太人一样：
他们把荆棘的冠冕，而不是冠冕，戴在祂头上，还给祂醋喝，并大叫，你如果是神的儿子，就从十字架上下来吧。（马太福音27:29，34，40）或像论到魔鬼，试探者一样，他说：
你若是神的儿子，可以吩咐这些石头变成食物，或你若是神的儿子，可以跳下去。（马太福音4:3，6）
这些人亵渎祂的教会和圣殿，使它成为贼窝。他们就是那些把对基督的敬拜变得像对穆罕默德的敬拜一样，不区分真正的基督教，即对主的敬拜，和自然主义的人。他们可以比作那些在薄冰上乘坐马车或长途汽车旅行的人，他们下面的薄冰破裂，他们就沉下去；所有的人、马和车都被淹没在冰冷的水中。他们也可以比作那些用芦苇和灯心草造小船的人，他们给小船涂上柏油，把它粘起来，然后乘船出海；但在海上，柏油的粘性被破坏，他们被海水呛到、吞没，埋在深海中。
III. 人通过靠近主，从圣言学习真理并照之生活来获得信仰
342. The preceding part of this chapter (337-339) showed that the faith that saves us is faith in the Lord God our Savior Jesus Christ. The question is, what is the first step toward faith in him? The answer is acknowledging that he is the Son of God. This was the first step toward faith that the Lord revealed and proclaimed when he came into the world. If people had not started by acknowledging that he was the Son of God, and therefore God from God, it would have been pointless for him, and later for his apostles, to have preached faith in him.
There is in fact something like this today among people whose thoughts are based on their own self-importance, that is, on their outer, earthly selves alone. They say to themselves, "How could Jehovah God conceive a son? How could a human being be God?" Therefore it is necessary to use the Word to establish and support this first step into faith; the following passages are offered for this purpose:
"The angel said to Mary, 'You will conceive in your womb and give birth, and you will call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Highest. ' And Mary said to the angel, 'How will this take place, since I have not had intercourse?' The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will descend upon you, and the power of the Highest will cover you; therefore the Holy One that is born from you will be called the Son of God'" (Luke 1:31-32, 34-35). When Jesus was baptized, a voice came from heaven saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:16-17; Mark 1:10-11; Luke 3:21-22). Furthermore, when Jesus was transfigured, a voice came from heaven saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear him" (Matthew 17:5; Mark 9:7; Luke 9:35).
[2] "Jesus asked his disciples, 'Who do people say I am?' Peter answered, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. ' Jesus said, 'You are blessed, Simon, son of Jonah. I say to you, on this rock I will build my church'" (Matthew 16:13, 16-18).
The Lord said, then, that he would build his church on this rock, that is, on the truth and the confession that he is the Son of God. In fact, a "rock" means a truth, and also the Lord's divine truth. The church does not exist in someone who does not confess the truth that Jesus is the Son of God. That is why I said just above that this is the first step into faith in Jesus Christ - this is faith at its very outset.
John the Baptist saw and testified that Jesus is the Son of God (John 1:34). The disciple Nathaniel said to Jesus, "You are the Son of God. You are the King of Israel" (John 1:49). The twelve disciples said, "We have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (John 6:69). Jesus is called the only begotten Son of God and the only begotten from the Father, who is close to the Father's heart (John 1:14, 18; 3:16). Jesus himself confessed before the high priest that he was the Son of God (Matthew 26:63-64; 27:43; ; Luke 22:70). "Those who were in the boat came and worshiped Jesus saying, 'Truly you are the Son of God'" (Matthew 14:33). The eunuch who wanted to be baptized said to Philip, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God" (Acts of the Apostles 8:37). After Paul was converted, he preached that "Jesus is the Son of God" (Acts of the Apostles 9:20). Jesus said, "The hour is coming when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live" (John 5:25). "Those who do not believe have already been judged because they have not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God" (John 3:18). "These things have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and by believing may have life in his name" (John 20:31). "I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life and so that you may believe in the name of the Son of God" (1 John 5:13). "We know that the Son of God came and enabled us to know the truth. We are in the truth in the Son of God, Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life" (1 John 5:20). "If any confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them, and they live in God" (1 John 4:15). Also elsewhere, as in Matthew 8:29; 27:40, 43, 54; Mark 1:1; 3:11; 15:39; Luke 8:28; John 9:35; 10:36; 11:4, 27; 19:7; Romans 1:4; 2 Corinthians 1:19; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 4:13; Hebrews 4:14; 6:6; 7:3; 10:29; 1 John 3:8; 5:10; Revelation 2:18.
There are many other passages in which Jehovah mentions his Son and the Son himself calls Jehovah God his Father, as in the following: "Whatever the Father does, the Son does. As the Father raises the dead and brings them to life, so does the Son. As the Father has life in himself, so he has given the Son to have life in himself, therefore all should honor the Son as they honor the Father" (John 5:19-27). This also happens in many other passages, including David: "I will announce this decision: Jehovah said to me, 'You are my Son. Today I fathered you. ' Kiss the Son or he will be angry and you will perish on the way because he will flare up with his brief anger. Blessed are all those who trust in him" (Psalms 2:7, 12).
[3] On the basis of these passages, we can now draw the conclusion that everyone who wants to be a true Christian and be saved by Christ has to believe that Jesus is the Son of the living God.
Those who do not believe this and think of Jesus as only the Son of Mary implant in themselves various ideas about him that are damaging and destructive to their salvation (see above, 90, 94, 102). One could say the same thing about them as about the Jews - instead of a royal crown, they put a crown of thorns on Jesus' head, give him vinegar to drink, and shout, "If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross" [see Matthew 27:40]. Or else they say what the devil who tempted him said: "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread," or, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down [from the Temple roof]" (Matthew 4:3, 6).
People like this desecrate the Lord's church and his house of worship. They make it a den of thieves. They are the people who turn devotion to the Lord into something like devotion to Muhammad. They do not distinguish between true Christianity, which is worship of the Lord, and materialist philosophy. They could be compared to people riding in a carriage or a wagon on thin ice, and the ice breaks under them, and they sink, and they and their horses and carriage disappear into the icy water. They could also be compared to people who weave a life raft out of rushes and reeds, using tar to glue it together; and they set out onto the great expanse of the ocean, but out there the tar glue dissolves; and choked by the brine, they are swallowed up and buried in the depths of the sea.
342. The previous section (336-339) showed that saving faith is in the Lord God the Saviour Jesus Christ. But the question may be raised, what is the leading point of faith in Him? The answer is that it is acknowledgment that He is the Son of God. This was the leading point of faith which the Lord revealed and announced, when He came into the world. For if people had not first acknowledged that He was the Son of God, thus God proceeding from God, He Himself, and afterwards the Apostles, would in vain have preached faith in Him. Now because the situation at the present day is similar, but in the case of those who think from the self, that is, only from the external or natural man, saying to themselves, 'How can Jehovah God beget a son, and how can a man be God?', this leading point of faith must be proved and established from the Word. I shall quote therefore the following passages:
The angel said to Mary, You will conceive in your womb and give birth [to a son], and you are to give him the name of Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High. And Mary said to the angel, How shall this be, seeing I have no knowledge of a man? The angel replied, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you, so that the holy thing that is born of you will be called the Son of God, Luke 1:31-32, 34-35.
When Jesus was being baptised, a voice came from heaven, saying, This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased, Matthew 3:16-17; Mark 1:10-11; Luke 3:21-22.
Then when Jesus was transfigured, again a voice came from heaven which said, This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased, listen to him, Matthew 17:5; Mark 9:7; Luke 9:35.
[2] Jesus asked his disciples, Who do men say I am? Peter replied, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus said, Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah. I tell you, on this rock I shall build my church, Matthew 16:13, 16-18.
The Lord said that He would build His church on this rock, that is to say, on this truth and admission, that He was the Son of God. For rock means truth, and also the Lord in His capacity as Divine truth. Therefore where anyone fails to admit this truth, that He is the Son of God, the church is not present. That is why it was stated above that this is the leading point of faith in Jesus Christ, and so the true source of faith.
John the Baptist saw and bore witness that He is John 1:34.
Nathanael the disciple said to Jesus, You are the Son of God, you are the King of Israel, John 1:49.
The twelve disciples said, We believe that you are the Christ, the Son of the living God, John 6:69.
He is called the only-begotten Son of God, the only-begotten of the Father, who is in the Father's bosom, John 1:14, 18; 3:16.
Jesus Himself admitted before the High Priest that He was the Son of God, Matthew 26:63-64; 27:43; Mark 14:61-62; Luke 22:70.
Those who were in the boat came and worshipped Jesus, saying, Truly, you are the Son of God, Matthew 14:33.
The eunuch who wished to be baptised said to Philip, I believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, Acts of the Apostles 8:37.
Paul after his conversion preached Christ 1 as being the Son of God, Acts of the Apostles 9:20.
Jesus said, The hour will come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live, John 5:25.
He who does not believe has already been judged, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God, John 3:18.
These things have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, so that by believing you may have life in His name, John 20:31.
I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have everlasting life and you may believe in the name of the Son of God. 1 John 5:13.
We know that the Son of God came and gave [us understanding,] so that we might know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and everlasting life. 1 John 5:20.
If anyone shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him, and he in God. 1 John 4:15.
Also elsewhere, as Matthew 8:29; 27:40, 43, 54; Mark 1:1; 3:11; 15:39; Luke 8:28; John 9:35; 10:36; 11:4, 27; 19:7; Romans 1:4; 2 Corinthians 1:19; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 4:13; Hebrews 4:14; 6:6; 7:3; 10:29; 1 John 3:8; 5:10; Revelation 2:18.
There are also many passages where Jesus is called Son by Jehovah, and He calls Jehovah God His Father, as in this:
Whatever the Father does, this the Son does; as the Father raises up the dead and gives them life, so does the Son; so that all may honour the Son, as they honour the Father. As the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted to the Son to have life in Himself.' John 5:19-27.
There are very many examples elsewhere; and it is the same in the Psalms of David:
I will bring news of a decree. Jehovah said to me, You are my son, today have I begotten you. Kiss the son, so that he may not be angry and so that you do not perish on the way. For in a short while his wrath will blaze up; blessed are all who trust in him, Psalms 2:7, 12.
[3] These passages now permit the conclusion that everyone who wishes to be a true Christian and to be saved by Christ should believe that Jesus is the Son of the living God. Anyone who does not believe this, but only that He is the son of Mary, is implanting in his mind various ideas about Him which are damning and destructive of his salvation; see above on this (92, 94, 102). Much the same might be said of these people as of the Jews, that in place of a King's crown they put on His head a crown of thorns; and also that they give Him vinegar to drink and cry, 'If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross' [Matthew 27:29, 34, 40]. Or as the devil said tempting Him, 'If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread' or 'If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down' (Matthew 4:3, 6). These people profane His church and temple, and make it a robbers' cave. These are those who make His worship like the cult of Mohammed, and do not distinguish between true Christianity, which is the worship of the Lord, and nature-worship. They can be likened to people riding in a carriage or a trap over thin ice, when the ice breaks beneath them and they are drowned, as freezing water closes over them, the horses and the carriage. They can also be likened to those who fashion a boat out of rushes and reeds, and glue it with pitch to make it hold together, and entrust themselves to it on the open sea; but the pitch that holds it together comes unstuck, and they are drowned and swallowed up in sea-water, and find their grave in its depths.
Footnotes:
1. The Latin has 'Jesus', but this is corrected in the author's copy.
342. In the preceding section (n. 336-339), it is shown than saving faith is faith in the Lord God the Savior Jesus Christ. But the question arises, What is the first principle of faith in Him? The answer is, The acknowledgement that He is the Son of God. This was the first principle of faith, which the Lord revealed and announced when He came into the world. For unless men had first acknowledged that He was the Son of God, and thus God from God, in vain would He Himself and His Apostles after Him have preached faith in Him. Now as the case is somewhat similar at the present day - but with those who think from their selfhood, that is, solely from the external or natural man, saying to themselves, How could Jehovah God beget a Son, and how can a man be God? - it is necessary to confirm and establish from the Word this first principle of faith. For this reason the following passages are quoted:
The angel said to Mary, 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 Most High. And Mary said unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered, The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee therefore that which is to be born of thee shall be called Holy, the Son of God (Luke 1:31-35)
When Jesus was being baptized, there came a voice out of heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased (Matthew 3:16, 17; Mark 1:10, 11; Luke 3:21, 22).
Again when Jesus was transfigured, there also came a voice out of heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him (Matthew 17:5; Mark 9:7; Luke 9:35).
[2] Jesus asked His disciples, saying, Who do men say that I am? Peter answered, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus said, Blessed art thou, Simon son of Jonah. I say unto thee, that upon this rock I will build my church (Matthew 16:13-18).
The Lord said that upon this rock, that is, upon the truth and the confession that He is the Son of God, He would build His church; for "rock" signifies truth, and also the Lord in respect to Divine truth. So with those who do not confess this truth that He is the Son of God, the church is not; therefore it is said above, that this is the first principle of faith in Jesus Christ, and thus is faith in its origin.
John the Baptist saw and bare witness that this is the Son of God (John 1:34).
The disciple Nathanael said to Jesus, Thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel (John 1:49).
The twelve disciples said, We have believed that Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God (John 6:69).
He is called the only begotten Son of God, and the only begotten from the Father, who is in the bosom of the Father (John 1:14, 18; 3:16).
Jesus Himself confessed before the high priest, that He was the Son of God (Matthew 26:63, 64; 27:43; Mark 14:61, 62; Luke 22:70).
They that were in the ship came and worshiped Jesus, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God (Matthew 14:33).
The eunuch who wished to be baptized, said to Philip, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Acts of the Apostles 3:37).
Paul, when he was converted, preached Christ, that He was the Son of God (Acts of the Apostles 9:20).
Jesus said, The hour cometh, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and they that hear shall live (John 5:25).
He that believeth not hath been judged already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God (John 3:18).
These are written that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God; and that believing ye may have life in His name (John 20:31).
These things have I written unto you who believe in the name of the Son of God that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe in the name of the Son of God (1 John 5:13).
We know that the Son of God is come, and hath given that we may know Him that is True, and we are in Him that is True, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life (1John 5:20).
Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God abideth in him and he in God (1John 4:15).
(Again elsewhere, as in Matthew 8:29; 27:40, 43, 54; Mark 1:1; 3:11; 15:39; Luke 8:28; John 9:35; 10:36; 11:4, 27; 19:7; Romans 1:4; 2 Corinthians 1:19; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 4:13; Hebrews 4:14, 6:6; 7:3; 10:29; 1 John 3:8; 5:10; Revelation 2:18.) There are also many passages where He is called "Son" by Jehovah, and where He calls Jehovah God His Father, as in this:
Whatever the Father doeth, that the Son doeth also; as the Father raiseth up the dead and quickeneth them, even so doth the Son; that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father; as the Father hath life in Himself, even so gave He to the Son to have life in Himself (John 5:19-27).
So in many other passages. And again in David:
I will declare the decree; Jehovah hath said unto Me, Thou art My Son; this day have I begotten Thee. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and ye perish in the way, for His anger will soon be kindled. Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him (Psalms 2:7, 12).
[3] From the foregoing now comes this conclusion, that everyone who wishes to be truly a Christian and to be saved by Christ, ought to believe that Jesus is the Son of the living God. He who does not believe this, but only that He is the Son of Mary, implants in his mind various ideas respecting Him, which are injurious and destructive to that salvation (On which see above,92, 94, 102). Of such it may be said, as of the Jews, that instead of a royal crown, they place upon His head a crown of thorns, and also give Him vinegar to drink, and they cry out, If thou art the Son of God, come down from the cross (Matthew 27:29, 34, 40).
Or as the devil, the tempter, said, If thou art the Son of God, command that these stones become bread or, If thou art the Son of God, cast thyself down (Matthew 4:3, 6).
Such profane His church and temple, and make it a den of robbers. These are they who make the worship of Him like the worship of Mohammed, and do not distinguish between true Christianity, which is the worship of the Lord, and naturalism. They may be compared to men riding in a carriage or coach over thin ice, and the ice breaks under them, and they sink, and they, with their horses and vehicle, are covered by the icy water. They may also be likened to men who make a little boat of woven reeds and rushes, daubing it with pitch that it may hold together, and in it put out to sea; but there the cohesiveness of the pitch is destroyed, and they are choked by the waters of the sea and swallowed up and are buried in its depths.
342. In the preceding proposition, 337-339, it was shown that a saving faith is a faith in the Lord God, the Savior Jesus Christ. It may be asked, however, what is the first principle of a faith in Him? The answer is: It is the acknowledgment that He is the Son of God. This was the first principle of faith which the Lord, when He came into the world, revealed and announced. For unless men had first acknowledged that He was the Son of God, and thus God from God, in vain would He Himself and His apostles after Him have preached faith in Him. A somewhat similar situation arise to-day; but with men who think from their proprium, that is, from the external or natural man only. They say within themselves, "How can Jehovah God conceive a Son, and how can man be God?"
Thus it is necessary that this first principle of faith should be confirmed and established from the Word, and therefore the following passages are adduced from it.
The angel said to Mary, "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... Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered... The HOLY SPIRIT 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 1:31-32, 34-35.
When Jesus was being baptized there came a voice from heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Matthew 3:16-17; Mark 1:10-11; Luke 3:21-22.
So again, when Jesus was transfigured, a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him" Matthew 17:5; Mark 9:7; Luke 9:35.
[2] Jesus asked His disciples, "Who do men say that I am?" Peter answered, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus... said... "Blessed are thou, Simon, son of Jones (A.V., Bar-Jona)... I say unto thee... upon this rock I will build my Church" Matthew 16:13, 16-18.
The Lord said that upon this rock He would build His Church, that is, on the truth and confession that He is the Son of God; for rock signifies truth, and also the Lord as to Divine Truth. Therefore the Church does not exist in any one who does not confess this truth that He is the Son of God; and for this reason it was said above that this is the first principle of faith in Jesus Christ, and consequently faith in its origin.
John the Baptist "saw, and bare record that He is the Son of God" John 1:34.
Nathaniel, the disciple, said to Jesus, "Thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel" John 1:49.
The twelve disciples said, "We believe... that thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" John 6:69.
He is called the only begotten Son of God, the only begotten of the Father, "which is in the bosom of the Father" John 1:14, 18; 3:16.
Jesus Himself confessed before the High Priest that He was the Son of God. Matthew 26:63-64; 27:43; Mark 14:61-62; Luke 22:70.
Those who were in the ship came and worshiped Jesus, saying, "Of a truth thou art the Son of God" Matthew 14:33.
The eunuch who desired to be baptized, said to Philip, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." Acts 8:37.
Paul, after his conversion, preached Jesus, 'that He was the Son of God' Acts 9:20.
Jesus said, "The hour is coming... when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live" John 5:25.
"He that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God" John 3:18.
"These things are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God: and that believing ye might have life through His name" John 20:31.
"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God" 1 John 5:13.
"We know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us to know Him that is true (A.V., an understanding that we may know Him that is true); and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life" 1 John 5:20.
"Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God" 1 John 4:15.
See also other places, as Matthew 8:29; 27:40, 43, 54; Mark 1:1; 3:11; 15:39; Luke 8:28; John 9:35; 10:36; 11:4, 27; 19:7; Romans 1:4; 2 Corinthians 1:19; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 4:13; Hebrews 4:14; 6:6; 7:3; 10:29; 1 John 3:8; 5:10; Revelation 2:18.
The same is taught in many other places, where Jehovah calls Him Son, and where He Himself calls Jehovah His Father, as in the following passage:
"Whatsoever the Father doeth, this also doeth the Son... As the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them, so doeth the Son... As the Father hath life in Himself, so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself... All men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father" John 5:19-27.
Besides these numerous passages there is also this in David:
"I will declare the decree: JEHOVAH hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and ye perish from the way; for His wrath will be shortly kindled (A.V., when His wrath is kindled but a little). Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him" Psalms 2:7, 12.
[3] From these passages this conclusion is reached, that every one who desires to be truly a Christian, and to be saved by Christ, ought to believe that Jesus is the Son of the living God. He who does not believe this, but who only believes that he is the son of Mary, implants in his mind various ideas concerning Him that are hurtful, and destructive of that salvation, as may be seen above in 92, 94, 102. Of such it may be said, as of the Jews, that they put on His head a crown of thorns, instead of a royal crown, and also give Him vinegar to drink, and cry, "If thou art the Son of God, come down from the cross;" [Matthew 27:29, 34, 40], or, as the tempter, the devil, said, "If Thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread;" or, "If Thou be the Son of God, cast Thyself down" Matthew 4:3, 6.
Such persons profane His Church and His Temple, and make it a den of thieves. They make the worship of Christ like that of Mohammed, 1 and make no distinction between true Christianity, which is the worship of the Lord, and naturalism. They may be likened to persons traveling by car or coach over thin ice, which breaks under them. They are submerged, and all are overwhelmed, men, horses and coach, in the icy water. They may also be compared to those who make a little boat of reeds and canes, which they daub with pitch to make it hold together. On it they launch into the deep; but there the pitch is washed away, and they are drowned in the waters of the ocean, swallowed up and buried in its depths.
Footnotes:
1. Mohammad, the founder of Mohammedanism or Islam, A.D. 571-632, was born at Mecca, where his father was spiritual and temporal head. He married a wealthy and devout widow, and owed much to her influence. In the visions to which he was subject he received confirmations of his Divine mission. He also received messages from Gabriel which were incorporated in the KORAN, the sacred book of Mohammedanism. Early persecution drove him from Mecca and in the year A.D. 622 he fled to Medina, where he was cordially welcomed. This flight, or Hejira, marks the beginning of the Mohammedan year, and from Medina he set out on his conquest of Arabia. Mohammedanism proclaims the unity of the God-head, and condemns idolatry; but the peaceful methods of propaganda soon gave place to ruthless persecution of infidels and merciless extermination of idolators.
342. In Lemmate praecedente, a 337-339, 1 ostensum est, quod Fides salvifica sit in Dominum Deum Salvatorem Jesum Christum, sed quaeritur, quid Primum fidei in Ipsum est, et respondetur, quod sit AGNITIO QUOD FILIUS DEI SIT; hoc Primum fidei fuit, quod Dominus, dum in Mundum venit, revelavit et annuntiavit: nam nisi primum agnovissent, quod esset FILIUS DEI, et sic DEUS A DEO, frustra praedicavisset Ipse, et postea Apostoli, fidem in Ipsum. Nunc quia simile quid est hodie, sed apud illos, qui ex proprio cogitant, hoc est, ex solo Externo seu naturali homine, dicentes secum, quomodo potest Jehovah Deus concipere filium, et quomodo potest Homo esse Deus; necessum est ut hoc Primum fidei ex Verbo confirmetur et constabiliatur; quare sequentia loca inde adducentur; Dixit Angelus ad Mariam, concipies in utero, et paries [Filium], et vocabis Nomen Ejus JESUS; Hic erit magnus, et FILIUS ALTISSIMI vocabitur: et Maria dixit ad Angelum, quomodo fiet hoc, quoniam virum non cognosco; respondit Angelus, Spiritus Sanctus veniet super te, et VIRTUS ALTISSIMI obumbrabit te, unde quod nascitur ex te SANCTUM, vocabitur FILIUS DEI, Luca 1:31-32, 34-35. Quando Jesus baptizabatur, vox e Coelo venit, dicens, HIC EST FILIUS MEUS DILECTUS, in quo complacuit Mihi, Matthaeus 3:16-17, Marcus 1:10-11, Luca 3:21-22. Tum, quando Jesus transformatus est, etiam vox e Coelo venit, dicens, HIC EST FILIUS MEUS DILECTUS, in quo complacuit Mihi, Ipsum audite, 2 Matthaeus 17:5; Marcus 9:7; Luca 9:35.
[2] Jesus interrogavit Discipulos suos, quem Me dicunt homines esse; respondit Petrus, TU ES CHRISTUS, FILIUS DEI VIVENTIS; et Jesus dixit, beatus es Simon, fili Jonae; Ego tibi dico, super hac petra aedificabo Ecclesiam meam, Matthaeus 16:13, 16-18, dixit Dominus, quod super hac Petra aedificaturus sit Ecclesiam suam, nempe super Veritate et Confessione, quod sit Filius Dei; Petra enim significat veritatem, et quoque Dominum quoad Divinum Verum, quare apud quem non confessio illius veritatis est, quod sit Filius Dei, non est Ecclesia; ideo supra dictum est, quod hoc sit primum fidei in Jesum Christum, ita fides in sua origine: Johannes Baptista vidit et testatus est, quod sit FILIUS DEI, Johannes 1:34. Nathanael Discipulus dixit Jesu, TU ES FILIUS DEI, TU ES REX ISRAELIS, Johannes 1:50. 3 Dixerunt duodecim Discipuli, nos credidimus, quod TU SIS CHRISTUS FILIUS DEI VIVENTIS, Johannes 6:69. Vocatur UNIGENITUS FILIUS DEI, UNIGENITUS A PATRE, qui in sinu Patris est, Johannes 1:14, 18; 3:16. Ipse Jesus coram Sacerdote magno confessus est, quod ESSET FILIUS DEI, 4 Matthaeus 26:63-64; 27:43; Marcus 14:61-62, 5 Luca 22:70. Illi qui in navi erant, venientes adorabant Jesum, dicentes, VERE FILIUS DEI TU ES, Matthaeus 14:33. Eunuchus, qui voluit baptizari, dixit ad Philippum, CREDO FILIUM DEI ESSE JESUM CHRISTUM, Actis Apostolorum 8:37. Paulus quando conversus est praedicavit Jesum, 6 QUOD ESSET FILIUS DEI, Acta 9:20. Jesus dixit, veniet hora quando mortui audient VOCEM FILII DEI, et qui audiunt, vivent, Johannes 5:25. 7 Qui non credit, jam judicatus est, quia non credidit in NOMEN UNIGENITI FILII DEI, Johannes 3:18. Haec scripta sunt, ut credatis quod JESUS SIT CHRISTUS, FILIUS DEI, ut credentes vitam habeatis in Nomine Ipsius, Johannes 20:31. Haec scripsi vobis, qui creditis in NOMEN FILII DEI, ut sciatis, quod vitam habeatis aeternam, et ut credatis in NOMEN FILII DEI, 1 Johannes 5:13. Scimus quod FILIUS DEI venerit, ac dederit, ut cognoscamus Verum, et sumus in Vero in FILIO 8 IPSIUS JESU CHRISTO: Hic est verus Deus, et vita aeterna, 1 Johannes 5:20. 9 Quisquis confessus fuerit, quod JESUS SIT FILIUS DEI, Deus in illo manet, et ille in Deo, 1 Johannes 4:15. Tum alibi ut Matthaeus 8:29; 27:40, 43, 54; Marcus 1:1; 3:11; 15:39; Luca 8:28; Johannes 9:35; 10:36; 11:4, 27; 19:7; Romanos 1:4; 2 Corinthios 1:19; Galatas 2:20; Ephesos 4:13; Hebraeos 4:14; 6:6; 7:3; 10:29; 1 Johannes 3:8; 5:10; Apocalypsis 2:18. Praeter multis in locis, ubi a Jehovah vocatur Filius, et Ipse vocat Jehovam Deum suum Patrem, ut in hoc, Quicquid PATER facit, hoc FILIUS facit: sicut PATER suscitat mortuos et vivificat, ita FILIUS; sicut PATER habet vitam in Seipso, 10 ita dedit FILIO vitam habere in Seipso; ut omnes 11 honorent FILIUM, sicut honorant PATREM, Johannes 5:19-27, et perpluries alibi: et quoque apud Davidem, "Annuntiabo de statuto, Jehovah dixit ad me, FILIUS MEUS TU, Ego hodie genui te. Osculamini FILIUM, ne irascatur, et pereatis in via; quia exardebit brevi ira ejus: BEATI OMNES CONFIDENTES IN IPSUM," Psalm 2:7, 12.
[3] Ex his nunc fit hoc conclusum, quod omnis, qui vult vere Christianus esse, et a Christo salvari, credere debeat, QUOD JESUS SIT FILIUS DEI VIVENTIS; qui hoc non, credit, sed modo quod sit Filius Mariae, implantat sibi varias ideas de Ipso, quae damnosae et destructivae salutis illius sunt, de quibus videatur supra 90, 12 94, 102; de his simile potest dici quod de Judaeis, quod loco coronae regiae imponant Capiti Ipsius coronam ex spinis, et quoque quod dent Ipsi acetum bibere, et clamant, si Filius Dei es, descende de cruce[, Matthaeus 27:29, 34, 40]; aut sicut dixit diabolus tentator, si Filius Dei es, dic, ut lapides hi panes fiant, aut si Filius Dei es, mitte Te deorsum, Matthaeus 4:3, 6. Hi Ecclesiam Ipsius et Templum Ipsius profanant, et faciunt hoc speluncam latronum. Hi sunt, qui Cultum Ipsius faciunt similem cultui Mahumedis, et non distinguunt inter verum Christianismum, qui est cultus Domini et Naturalismum: assimilari possunt illis qui feruntur curru aut rheda super tenui glacie, et glacies rumpitur sub illis, et submerguntur, ac illi et equi et currus aqua glaciali operiuntur. Assimilari etiam possunt illis, qui naviculam contexunt ex juncis et cannis, et conglutinant illam pice, ut cohaereat, et super illa se immittunt in pelagum, sed quod ibi conglutinatio picea solvatur, et illi suffocati aquis pelagi absorbeantur, et in fundo ejus sepeliantur.
Footnotes:
2. Prima editio: audite.
3. Sic Schmidt sed 1:49 apud Novum Testamentum Graecum et Biblia Anglica.
4. ESSET FILIUS DEI ubi in prima editione esset Filius Dei (cum italicis).
5. Prima editio: 41-42.
6. Nisi legeris Christum, sic in margine exemplaris scriptoris et Novum Testamentum Graecum et Biblia Anglica.
7. Prima editio: Vs.
8. Prima editio: Filio (cum italicis).
9. Prima editio: 20-21.
10. Prima editio: se Seipso.
11. Prima editio: omnes.
12. Prima editio: 92.