Understanding the Divine Begetting of the Son of God

Yes, it is the definitive truth that the Son of God was begotten of the Father in the remote reaches of eternity, a "terminus" so far back in the days of antiquity that to finite comprehension it is practically without beginningCHR 21.2+1. While He possesses life that is original, unborrowed, and underived, He is nonetheless the true, literal, only begotten Son of the Most High God, having been brought forth before the entire work of creation commenced5BC 1130.3+1.

The Meaning of His Begetting in Eternity

The begetting of the Son refers to His divine nature and occurred before any created being or world existed in the vast universeATO 132.2+1.

• At a Terminus in the Beginning: The Hebrew term ad signifies a "terminus" or the utmost extremity of time, marking the point in the "beginning" when the Son proceeded forth from the FatherCHR 21.2+1. This "beginning" (qedem) refers to the ancient, eternal priority of Christ, who was with God from all eternity as the only being who could enter into all His counsels7ABC 437.2+1.

• The Express Image of His Person: By birth and inheritance, the Son possesses all the attributes of Deity, being the "express image" of the Father’s person and the brightness of His gloryCHR 11.4+1. This was not a created status but a result of being of the very "substance and nature of God"CHR 21.2+1.

• A Begotten Son, Not a Created Subject: There is a clear distinction between being "begotten" and "created"; Christ was begotten of the Father's own substance, whereas angels and men are created subjectsCHR 21.2+1. As the first-begotten, He is the "beginning" or source of the creation of God, through whom all other things were brought into existenceATO 132.2+1.

Underived Life and Divine Sonship

The fact that Christ was begotten does not diminish His divinity, for the Father has given the Son to have life in Himself, even as the Father has life in Himself5BC 1130.3+1.

• Original, Unborrowed, Underived: In Christ is life that is original, unborrowed, and underivedDA 530.3+1. While our life is a "streamlet" received from the fountain, Christ is the fountain itself, possessing the power to perpetuate His own existence and to lay down His life and take it up againMM 7.3+1.

• The Days of Eternity (Owlam): The term owlam describes the hidden, indefinite duration of the Son’s existence, whose goings forth have been from "of old, from everlasting"7ABC 437.2+1. This signifies that He has been in the presence of the Father from all eternity, sharing His glory before the world was7ABC 440.6+1.

• The Foundation of Redemption: The entire Godhead—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—gave themselves to the plan of redemption, but it was the only begotten Son who was chosen to give Himself as an offering for sinPH148 5.3.

The Authority of the Godhead

The Trinity consists of three distinct, co-eternal persons who are perfectly united in spirit and counselPH148 5.3.

• Equal with the Father: Christ is "God essentially, and in the highest sense," being equal with the Father in nature, character, and purpose7ABC 437.2+1.

• The Work of the Spirit: The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead, works to recreate and sanctify human beings, fitting them for the courts of heaven1SM 394.3+1.

• A Mystery to be Accepted: The nature of the begetting of Christ and the nature of the Holy Spirit are mysteries too deep for human understanding, regarding which "silence is golden"ULe 20.5+1.

"But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting" Micah 5:2. 🌟📖