The Bible says Christ is the only begotten Son of God.
The Bible says Christ is the Firstborn Son of God.
I have found that not too many on this Forum seem to understand that as well I would like.
Be that as it may for now. The Christian is to be "conformed to the image of His Son that He might be the Firstborn among many brothers." (Rom. 8:29)
What kind of " ____ izing" is God going to use to get us there?
For us to "grow up into Him in all things who is the Head" (Eph. 4:15)
What does that mean to you? Does that mean to you that God will take us away to a happy place?
I think it has to do with growing in the divine like for a corporate expression of Christ filling the church for a manifestation of God in man.
" . . . unto the building up of the Body of Christ, until we all arrive at the oneness of the faith and of the full knowledge of the Son of God, at a full grown man, at the measure of the stature of the fullness of CHrist." (Eph. 4:12b-13)
What does that mean to you? Does that mean to you that we FINALLY figure out that there IS a God and are no longer atheists?
Does that mean to you that God transports us above to a happy place forever - heaven ?
If it is about going somewhere it is going into the mingling of God and humanity giving Christ a Body of which He is "the Head".
Life knows how to grow. You were born. You grew to maturity.
Life knows how much to grow, how fast and when to stop.
We redeemed who have been saved have been "born again"
"Born again" does not mean giving of a ticket to be admitted to heaven.
"Born again" is for GROWTH again.
You may have been taught " Born again means that's my ticket to go to a happy place. NO born again is a process initiation which will culminate in a holy city New Jerusalem as the human habitation of God in spirit (Eph. 2:22) and the corperate entity which will match and marry Jesus Christ her Husband.
And "born again" is to be tended to on the farm of the practical local church life that growth and naturity may develop as long as we are on this earth preparing to meet the Lord Jesus.
@divegeester
See folks? I am not the only one who can post three of four posts at a time am I ?
@sonship saidJohn, who frequently speaks of Christians as having been "begotten" by God, also tells us that Jesus Christ is the "only-begotten" or "unique" Son of God (John 1:14,18; 3:16,18; 1 John 4:9). At the very least, this means that we are NOT sons of God in the same sense that Christ is the Son of God, nor will we ever be. Christ was careful to distinguish between His Sonship and that of His followers (e.g., John 20:17).
The Bible says Christ is the only begotten Son of God.
The Bible says Christ is the Firstborn Son of God.
I have found that not too many on this Forum seem to understand that as well I would like.
Source already provided.
@sonship
"...to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.' Gal. 4:5
Why does Paul speak of our adoption if we are the natural sons of God?!
@Ghost-of-a-Duke
In Ephesians 1:5 "adoption" is not the best translation.
The place of a son - "sonship" is better.
It is more organic and related to life not just legality.
New International Version
he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will--
A Faithful Version
Having predestinated us for sonship to Himself through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His own will,
Literal Emphasis Translation
Having predetermined us unto sonship through Jesus Christ unto Himself according to the good pleasure of His will,
Recovery Version
Predestinating us unto sonship through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.
@sonship saidThe New Testament itself always interprets the spiritual birth which makes believers sons, not as a conversion of men into gods, but as a renewal in the MORAL likeness of God, produced by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and resulting in an intimate relationship with God as a Father who provides for His children's needs (Matt. 5:9,45; 6:8,10,32; 7:11,21; Rom. 8:14-17; Gal. 4:6-7; 1 John 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1-5).
@Ghost-of-a-Duke
In Ephesians 1:5 "adoption" is not the best translation.
The place of a son - "sonship" is better.
It is more organic and related to life not just legality.
New International Version
he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will--
A Faith ...[text shortened]... us unto [b]sonship through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.
http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/godsrus.htm
@sonship saidThe quote I gave was from Gal. 4:5 - "...to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.'
@Ghost-of-a-Duke
In Ephesians 1:5 "adoption" is not the best translation.
But even in Ephesians the KJV says:
'Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.'
"Sonship" is the preferred better translation to many in both Eph. 1:5 AND Gal. 4:5 Or something that brings out the organic nature of the saved with God in life not just legality.
Recovery Version - "That He might redeem those under law that we might receive the sonship."
Other English versions -
Darby Bible Translation
that he might redeem those under law, that we might receive sonship.
New International Version
to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.
Weymouth New Testament
in order to purchase the freedom of all who were subject to Law, so that we might receive recognition as sons.
Amplified Bible
so that He might redeem and liberate those who were under the Law, that we [who believe] might be adopted as sons [as God’s children with all rights as fully grown members of a family].
Literal Emphasis Translation
So that he may redeem those under law, so that we may receive back the placement as sons.
Romans was written almost 2000 years ago.
That's a long 'shortly.'
"But do not let this one thing escape you, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day." (2 Pet. 3:8)
That is at most two days with God.
Besides the church needed to be torture tested that it could not be destroyed from within or without.
She has passed the test. The athiests like Ghost of a Duke are welcomed to keep
tryin.