Question 3: Do Titles Like “Son of God” or “Messiah” Prove Jesus Is God?

The Question

Question 3: Christians say that Jesus was God because he was called Son of God, Son of Man, Messiah, and “saviour”. Ezekiel was addressed in the Bible as the Son of Man. Jesus spoke of “the peace makers” as Sons of God. Any person who followed the Will and Plan of God was called SON OF GOD in the Jewish tradition and in their language (Genesis 6:2,4; Exodus 4:22; Psalm 2:7; Romans 8:14). “Messiah” which in Hebrew means “God’s anointed” and not “Christ”, and “Cyrus” the person is called “Messiah” or “the anointed”. As for “saviour”, in II KINGS 13:5, other individuals were given that title too, without being gods. So, where is the proof in these terms that Jesus was God when the word son is not exclusively used for him alone?

The Short Answer 

Your main question is: Can Titles Make Jesus God? And the short answer to that is: Titles can’t and doesn’t make Jesus God.

What Does “Son of Man” Mean?

There’s a sense in which Son of Man simply means a human being, a male or female who is human. That’s right. But there’s also a sense in which the Son of Man can refer to a political title, and that’s the main idea I will try to explain in this article.

To understand the political angle of the title “the Son of Man,” you have to see it from a kingdom or government perspective. God is not ruling over a religion. God is ruling over a Kingdom.

Now, as a political title, whoever is called a Son of Man holds an office in the Kingdom of God that makes him a representative of men (humanity).

Just as a senator represents his constituency in the senate, so does a Son of Man represent the entire human race in the divine council of God, which consists of Sons of God representing different beings (humans, cherubs, seraphs, etc.), classes, and jurisdictions.

In the days of the Bible, a son of a house is a legal representative of that house who can legally inherit or manage the possessions of the house. Jesus tells us that there are many mansions (or houses) in His Father’s house (or Kingdom). John 14:1-3. The earth and the human race are included in the domain of the Kingdom of God. The human race is one of the many houses (rooms, mansions) in God’s Kingdom (house).

Whoever is called a Son of Man (Adam, human race) by heaven is actually a representative of the entire human race in the divine assembly of senators.

Ezekiel the Son of Man

Ezekiel was called Son of Man about 90 times, and we see that Ezekiel stood before God on behalf of the people and was also called the watchman of Israel. In that capacity as a Son of Man, he is obliged to stand before God, speak to the people for God, give them warnings from God, or answer for their blood if he fails in his tasks. Ezekiel 2:1, 3, 6, 8; 3:17; 33:1-9.

Someone would say if this is true, then Ezekiel was the Son of Israel, not the entire human race.

True, but there’s an important office that Israel, as a nation, occupies in the council of God within the families (or houses) of the earth as “the firstborn son.”

Exod.4.22 – Then you shall say to Pharaoh, “Thus says the LORD: “Israel is My son, My firstborn.

That means Israel comes first spiritually among nations. That means whoever is the spiritual Prince or Watchman for Israel (a Son of Israel) is automatically the Prince and Watchman of all humanity (Son of Man).

So when Ezekiel was made Watchman for Israel, he was automatically the same for the rest of mankind.

Ezek.3.17 – “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me

It’s just like becoming the President of America (or whichever nation is first among the rest); you’re not just the president or king of the country that elected or appointed you; you’re also president or king of the rest of the nations of the world. You’re the President of the world.

Daniel Saw a Son of Man 

In Daniel’s vision in Daniel 7, he saw someone “like” a Son of Man who was given dominion such that all other people (humans) should serve Him.

Many conclude that this Son of Man is deity because he received the Kingdom, dominion, and glory. But in verse 27, we see that the kingdom, dominion, and glory were actually given to a people, not to one person (the Son of Man in verse 13-14). 

That Son of Man was only the representative of the people who was brought near to God and stood in the council of God. There is nothing in the text that points to him being deity; it’s clearly a political situation.

An aside: I believe the Son of Man in this picture is Jesus Christ, the people are the true and genuine Christians, the Kingdom is God’s, and the dominion is the earth, which Adam lost, being taken from the power of darkness and turned over to Jesus Christ and His people. This event will soon take place.

Jesus, the Ultimate Son of Man 

“The Son of Man” was Jesus’ favourite title for Himself, used over 80 times. And when you listen to the assignment or work He came to fulfill, the scope was for all humanity, beginning with Israel (the spiritual firstborn among other nations).

As a Son of Man, He was sent by God to speak the words of God, do the works of God, give His life for many, etc., and after everything, He must return back to God.

What picture does that paint in your mind?

Whether you go by the natural or political meaning or perspective for the Son of Man ( as an official or corporate identity), it is clear that this title of “Son of Man” doesn’t make the bearer God, but a Son, creation, and servant of God.

See Matthew 8:20; 9:6; 12:8; 16:13; 26:64, Ezekiel 2:1,3,6,8; 3:1,3,4

Son of God 

The word “son” can mean a few things, like heir, prince (ruler), offspring, product, creation, etc., and the title “son of God” can also mean a couple of things. With Jesus Christ as the focus of this brief explanation, a Son of God is a direct creation of God that is filled with the Spirit of God. 

This is why Adam can be called a Son of God. He was a direct creation of God. This is also why Christians can be called Sons of God. Through Christ, we became new (direct) creations of God, filled with the Spirit of God.

So the title wasn’t exclusive to Jesus, and it doesn’t make Him God. Some mentions of Sons of God in the Bible refer to spirit beings (angels), and that’s because they too are God’s creation made in God’s image and likeness.

See Job 1:6; Job 2:1; Job 38:7; Luke 3:38; Romans 8:14, Galatians 3:26, 2 Corinthians 5:17

Just as all lion’s cubs are lions, all God’s sons are gods because they have the form of God and are born of God. However, while these sons/gods (including Jesus) have the Father as their God, the Father Himself has no God over and above Him. That’s why Jesus calls Him the true God, and Scripture calls Him the God of gods.

Among the Sons of God, Jesus is the Firstborn and therefore Lord over them, even though He humbly relates with them as brothers. 2 Peter 1:4, Romans 8:29, Hebrews 2:11

Anointed, Saviours…

An “Anointed” is anyone upon whom God pours out His oil/Spirit to enable him/her to function in an office and have the ability to do things only God could otherwise have done. This title doesn’t make Jesus God (as the question rightly points out); it was used for many others in the Bible. 2 Samuel 19:21, Isaiah 45:1

Every anointed person is empowered to function for God and as God (or gods if you prefer) in the area and capacity of their anointing. 1 Samuel 16:13, Micah 3:8, Judges 14:6.

Jesus was anointed to do what every other anointed person before Him had done and more. This gives Him preeminence over all who have ever been or will ever be anointed. Acts 10:38, Luke 4:18

Saviours are people through whom God brings deliverance and restoration. Jesus was also raised by God and is the ultimate Saviour. He saved His people from their sin, not just the consequences of their sin.

See Judges 3:9, 15, Nehemiah 9:27, 2 Kings 13:5, Acts 3:22, 26; 5:30; 13:23

Conclusion

Son of Man, Son of God, Saviour, Messiah, or any other title can’t and doesn’t make Jesus God. Titles don’t make people what or who they’re not. Meanwhile, Jesus is not even interested in being God like many forcefully want Him to be. John 14:28; 17:3; 20:17.

Next, I’ll be answering the question: Why do some Christians interpret John 10:30 and John 17:21-23 differently?

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