ETCF IV. 30 Jesus Christ as the Only Begotten

From Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul
(c) 1992 R. C. Sproul Published by Tyndale ISBN 0-8423-2006-1

Part IV. Jesus Christ ~ 30 Jesus Christ as the Only Begotten

Biblical passages for reflection[links to ESV]:

John 01.01-18; Colossians 01.15-19; Hebrews 01.01-14;

Summary

1. That Jesus is called “the only begotten of the Father” and “firstborn over all creation” has sparked controversy in church history over the deity of Christ.

2. Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons use these passages to deny the deity of Christ.

3. The Nicene Creed clearly spelled out that Jesus was “begotten, not made.” This careful distinction was a reflection of the New Testament’s affirmation of Christ’s deity.

4. Jesus is called “the only begotten” of the Father. Jesus is uniquely begotten of the Father, not as a creature, but as the eternal Son of God, the Second Person of the Trinity.

5. The term firstborn must be understood from a first-century Jewish background. Jesus is the “firstborn over all creation” in the sense that He is the heir of all that belongs to the Father.


ETCF 4.30 Googlebooks

Another Link to all the Audio:

http://bit.ly/ETCF_030_JESUS_CHRIST_AS_THE_ONLY_BEGOTTEN_wpl