In this article we are going to take a quick look at the different meanings of the phrase “son of God.” If you have spoken to some Jehovah’s Witnesses or Mormons (Latter-Day Saints as they prefer) you may be curious as to how they can seem to believe the same thing that you believe. It is amazing how people can use the same words, especially when referring to religious things and mean something completely different. Generally, when witnessing to someone in another religion (and yes, the teachings of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons are different religions than Christianity) remember: If in doubt, ask: What exactly do you mean by that?
There is a wealth of information online from people who were once committed Jehovah’s Witnesses or Mormons that go into detail to explain what people of these faiths really mean when they say certain things. If you’re interested in a quality resource for learning more about these religions teachings and how to witness to them, I would highly recommend Mike Winger’s videos, it will be time well spent to help equip you in your witnessing for Christ (https://www.youtube.com/user/EkimRegniw).
In the Scriptures there are four different possible meanings for the phrase, “son of God.”
1. Son of God can refer to humanity in general.
Yet, Yahweh, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we all are the work of your hands. – Isaiah 64:8
The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’ – Acts 17:24-28 NASB
… son of Enos, son of Seth, son of Adam, son of God. – Luke 3:38 CSB
2. Son of God can refer to the angels.
And there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before Jehovah; and Satan came also among them. – Job 1:6 DBY
Now it came to pass when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them, that the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful, and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose. – Genesis 6:1-2 NKJV
3. Son of God can refer to people who have been born of the Holy Spirit.
… for through faith you are all sons of God in Christ Jesus. – Galatians 3:26 CSB
…the Word… God… was in the world, and the world was created through Him, and yet the world did not recognize Him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive Him. But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of natural descent, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God. – from John 1:1,10-13 CSB
For all those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. You did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!” The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, and if children, also heirs — heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ — if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. – Romans 8:14-17 CSB
4. Son of God can refer to Jesus, the eternal God, co-existing as Father, Son, and Spirit.
“I and the Father are one.” Again the Jews picked up rocks to stone him. Jesus replied, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these works are you stoning me?” “We aren’t stoning you for a good work,” the Jews answered, “but for blasphemy because you — being a man — make yourself God.” – John 10:30-33 CSB
The Jews understood that when Jesus called Himself the son of God, He was claiming to be equal to God for just as the son of a man is also a man, for Jesus to claim to be the son of God and one with the Father was to claim deity. He claimed that He was God and the Jews also proclaim this in the Scriptures though of course Jesus proclaimed it as truth, and they proclaimed it to be blasphemy (hence the stones).
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6 NASB
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16 RSV (Notice how it says, “only Son” this along with all of Hebrews chapter 1 emphasize that Jesus is not an angel.)
I wanted to give you a short but helpful resource in understanding what the Bible and people can mean when they say, “son of God”. When a Jehovah’s Witness (JW) or Mormon (LDS) say that Jesus is a son of God, what they mean is: according to the teachings in their religion they believe that Jesus is an angel, a little “g” god, a created being, unworthy of worship, prayer, or equality with God the Father.
Jesus is the one and only true God, who came in the flesh so that by the shedding of His blood, our sins could be washed away, and we could become children of God by our and faith in Him.
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