Why does the Lord Jesus emphasize the title "Son of Man"?

Why does the Lord Jesus emphasize this title?

In the Gospels, the Lord refers to Himself as the Son of Man on 53 occasions. In all but one of these, the words could be translated literally "the Son of the Man," a form only used of Christ in the Scriptures. On the other occasion, the form is "Son of Man," the same construction used in the Greek translation of the Old Testament on every occasion "son of man" appears. To give some perspective, in the gospel records the Lord referred to Himself as "the Christ" on eight occasions. He referred to Himself as Lord on ten occasions. We have five recorded incidents when He stated He is the Son of God.

But why this emphasis? In Daniel’s prophecy (7:13), at least three truths are related to the Son of Man: His authority, His coming, His rejection. In contrast to others whose dominion would be taken from them, the Son of Man receives authority that will never pass away (v 14). His coming is with the clouds of heaven (v 13). That His rejection precedes His coming is evident in linking two other Old Testament passages with this prophecy. He is a man Who comes from heaven. This is parallel to the teaching of Psalm 110" TARGET="_blank">Psalm 110 (verses 1-3), where the coming ruler has enemies and his own people are unwilling for Him to reign over them while He is sitting at God’s right hand. Add to that verse 17 of Psalm 80," TARGET="_blank">Psalm 80, which appears to be messianic and links "the Man of Thy right hand" (His ascension) with "the Son of Man."

In at least seven of the recorded 53 occasions, He emphasizes His authority: over the Sabbath, the forgiveness of sins, all judgment, and entrance to the kingdom. Comparing Psalm 8" TARGET="_blank">Psalm 8 (v 4) and Hebrews 2" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 2 (vv 6-9), we conclude that the dominion over all the works of God’s hands was lost by Adam, the son of man, and now belongs to Jesus, the Son of Man, although all things are not yet put under to Him.

On at least 17 of these 53 occasions, the Lord is referring to His coming again - and always His coming to earth. He is anticipating His coming glory.

At least 26 of the occasions when He calls Himself the Son of Man, the Lord is emphasizing His rejection - including His death, burial, resurrection, or ascension. This is then a predominant thought associated with His title as the Son of Man.

As in Psalm 8" TARGET="_blank">Psalm 8 and various other passages, the term "son" does not always refer to physical generation, but refers rather to character (e. g., sons of Belial; see also Eph 2:2" TARGET="_blank">Eph 2:2 JND and Mat 23:31," TARGET="_blank">Mat 23:31, JND). The Son of Man embodies all that God ever intended a man to be.

His reasons for using this title so often, then, may be to emphasize His messiahship, coming glory, rejection, authority, and perfection, showing that He was both like, yet distinct from, every other man.

D. Oliver
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What does being "in Christ' mean?

Occurring 39 times in the New Testament, the phrase "in Christ" means a believer partakes in all that Christ has done, all that He is before the Father, and all that He ever shall be. The moment a person is saved, God views that individual as being "in Christ" (Ephesians 2:13)." TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 2:13). He stands before God in all the acceptability of Christ Himself (1:6). This is positional truth; the believer's spiritual condition can never alter this.

2 Corinthians 5:17" TARGET="_blank">2 Corinthians 5:17 states, "If any man be in Christ he is a new cre ation" (JND). Here the immediate context links this statement with the work of Christ, "He died for all," thus describing our position at conversion. Ephesians 1:3" TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 1:3 says we are "blessed with all spiritual blessings... in Christ." These are inexhaustible, yet possessed by all "in Christ." However, our spiritual condition affects our enjoyment of these. I Corinthians 3:1" TARGET="_blank">I Corinthians 3:1 shows that, in spite of such blessings, believers can become carnal and careless, thus stunting spiritual growth. Even in this condition, nothing can change our position "in Christ." The truth of 1 Thessalonians 4:16," TARGET="_blank">1 Thessalonians 4:16, "the dead in Christ shall rise first," encourages us that, even if we "fall asleep," we will be raised at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, so that being "in Christ" will only bring us into further blessings. Thus, being "in Christ" is a precious truth that is unchangeable; it commences with conversion, continues throughout life, and finally transports us into His glad presence to be "with Christ" forever.

S. Wells
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What is the difference between redemption and propitiation?

What is the difference between redemption and propitiation?

Beginning at the end of 2004, Truth and Tidings printed our brother Lloyd Cain’s helpful series on great gospel words. A few brief comments at this point might once more "put us in remembrance of these" great gospel truths. Both truths are outcomes of that once-for-all work the Lord Jesus accomplished on the cross.

Redemption focuses primarily on the blessing the one who trusts Christ receives. Propitiation points to what God has received from the death of Christ, whether or not a sinner trusts Christ.

Redemption paints the sinner as a slave of sin and emphasizes three truths through three New Testament words. When Paul speaks about being redeemed from the curse of the law (Gal 3:13)," TARGET="_blank">Gal 3:13), the word tells us of the purpose of redemption. We have been bought out of the slave market of sin, delivered to serve righteousness. Paul again tells us that we have been justified through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Rom 3:24)." TARGET="_blank">Rom 3:24). This word emphasizes the power of redemption, delivering us completely. The third word draws our thinking to the price of redemption. Paul says "He gave Himself that He might redeem us" (Titus 2:14)." TARGET="_blank">Titus 2:14). What a price! Peter uses the same word to tell us we are redeemed "by the precious blood of Christ" (1Pe 1:18, 19)." TARGET="_blank">1Pe 1:18, 19). God is the loving, yet righteous One Who paid a great price to deliver and bless us.

Propitiation emphasizes the holiness and majesty of God, Who has been dishonored and affronted by sin. So infinite is the value of the sacrifice of Christ that in that death God has received full satisfaction for the offense of all sin! That satisfaction is through the blood of Christ Jesus (Rom 3:24, 25)," TARGET="_blank">Rom 3:24, 25), addresses our sins and the world’s (1Jo 2:2)," TARGET="_blank">1Jo 2:2), and is the foundation of all blessing that will ever result from the death of Christ (1John 4:10)," TARGET="_blank">1John 4:10), as pictured in the blood sprinkled on the mercy seat (the propitiatory, Heb 9:5;" TARGET="_blank">Heb 9:5; a related word).

David Oliver
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Sell Your Christian or Bible Website WTB

WTB - Want to Buy - Christian Website or your website based on the Bible, Sunday school, prayer, Bible study or related topic.

If you have a website that has been useful for sharing the Bible with the Internet audience but now find it difficult to maintain, please contact us at using the Contact link on the left.

Information we would like to know about your site:

1) Costs. How much are you asking to sell your site for?

2) Value. A website is valuable not for it's design, but for it's traffic. We are interested in buying a site that has some value in its assets such: established time online (more than one year), has some traffic (100 or more visits per day), some quality inbound links from other internet sites (such as dmoz or yahoo directory), some subscribers in a mailing list, and some search keywords that are in the first 10 results of Google, Yahoo or Bing (MSN).

3) History. Tell us about your site. Why and when did you create it? What makes you decide to no longer operate it?

GospelHall.org is a Christian website whose mission is to share the message of the Bible as God's Word. Any websites that we aquire are operated on this understanding.

Shad Sluiter

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What did "church" mean to the disciples?

What did the disciples understand by the word "church" (Matthew18:17)" TARGET="_blank">Matthew18:17)?

What the disciples understood from the Lord teaching wasn't always what they could and should have understood. This changed when the Comforter came (John 14:26)." TARGET="_blank">John 14:26).

The Lord taught (Matthew 16:13-19)" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 16:13-19) that their future identity was not Jewish. Their understanding of a church apparently developed from what they knew of synagogue life (see James 2:2," TARGET="_blank">James 2:2, "assembly" is "synagogue"). They therefore understood an assembly to be a place of prayer and scriptural instruction. Judaism's total rejection of Christ marked His followers as Christians (Acts 11:26)" TARGET="_blank">Acts 11:26) and meant the church of God was distinct from both Jew and Gentile testimonies (1 Corinthians 10:32;" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 10:32; Hebrews 13:13)." TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 13:13).

In Matthew 18," TARGET="_blank">Matthew 18, the Lord invests a church with distinct authority. God's purpose of a universal and eternal reign to be effected through His redemption of Israel (Exodus 15:18)" TARGET="_blank">Exodus 15:18) awaits fulfillment. Rejecting the Son brought the destruction of "The City of the Great King" (Matthew 5:32; 22:2-7)." TARGET="_blank">Matthew 5:32; 22:2-7). Until God moves to fulfill His purpose for Israel and the world, each church in the locality where it exists has authority to administer for God among His people, carrying out God's will on earth through His Word (18:15-20).

After the Passover supper (John 13:2)" TARGET="_blank">John 13:2) and after Judas left the room (1 Corinthians 11:24)," TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 11:24), the Lord instituted a new activity for a church. Distinct from the Passover, this supper would perpetuate the memory of the Lord and of His death. Later Paul taught that this necessitated mutual care (1 Corinthians 10:17; 12:25)." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 10:17; 12:25).

At a minimum, the disciples understood the Lord's teaching in Matthew 18" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 18 to mean that a church is a place for prayer, proclaiming the truth of God, and carrying out God's Word. Through the Spirit's further enlightenment, they understood its fuller uniqueness, significance, and preciousness.

D. Oliver
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Should a sister meet with the elders to discuss doctrinal issues?

Should a sister meet with the elders to discuss doctrinal issues?

The general statement regarding sisters is, "Let them ask their husbands at home" (1 Corinthians 14:35)." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 14:35). In some cases, the elders could all meet to teach the sister privately from the Scriptures; however, generally it would seem best to discuss the issue with the sister’s husband (where this is appropriate or possible). Shepherds, though, are responsible to shepherd all the sheep (Acts 20:28)," TARGET="_blank">Acts 20:28), whether male or female.

If, however, the question implies a sister’s meeting with the elders to correct them, instruct them, or direct them, this is in direct violation of Hebrews 13:17," TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 13:17, "Obey your leaders, and be submissive" (JND). Further, 1 Timothy 2:12," TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 2:12, "But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man," clearly opposes a sister’s teaching or directing the elders. "Entreating"them " as a father" (1 Timothy 5:1)" TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 5:1) would be an acceptable approach. Priscilla taught Apollos, but that is not relevant to this issue, since she was in her home and acted privately and in conjunction with her husband.

If the sister has doctrinal concerns, she is responsible to resolve them with her husband or father

(in the minority of cases where neither of these is an acceptable altemative, she could receive the private help of a couple of overseers). If she and her husband agree on this doctrinal issue, he can discuss the matter with the overseers. If, on the other hand, they disagree, her submission to him would keep her from overriding his judgment. If, after seeking help from a "multitude of counselors" (Proverbs 11:14; 24:6)," TARGET="_blank">Proverbs 11:14; 24:6), she feels responsible before God to express her concern, she could present to the elders a calm, respectful statement of disagreement.

D. Oliver
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sunday school lessons for children

Sunday School Lessons for Children

There are several good resources here for Sunday school lessons for children. Choose one of the following:

1. Lesson plans - in order to help you develop a long-term plan as well as apply Bible stories to life, over 250 Sunday school lessons for children will keep you on track for about three years of Sunday school teaching. Each lesson contains several talking points and a memory verse.

2. Printable activities - printable maps, 3D models, puzzles, self-evaluation quizzes and games will help you make your Sunday school lessons for children of all ages more engaged in your story. Most of these activities are PDF files or Power Point presentations. Most of projects require taping and cutting or coloring to complete.

3. worksheets - although somewhat repetative, puzzles can be used occasionally to review the points you make in your Sunday school lessons for children. The worksheets include crosswords, word finds, word scrambles and others. Each worksheet is specific to a Bible story which avoids the problem with most puzzle books - general questions that apply to no specific part of the Bible.

4. Newsletter - when Saturday night comes to your house and you need to invent another Sunday school lesson for your children, a weekly lesson in your inbox might be just what you need to start your thinking process started. The visitor metrics to this site spike every Saturday by about 20% above the normal amount of daily visitors. Each week the new items are added to the printable activities section. This newsletter will get you the newest updates to the site first. Feedback from subscribers provides new ideas for future activities.

All material on the site is free to use. Please use it and share it with others who are creating Sunday school lessons for children. Although the activities retain their copyrigh, permission is granted for non-profit use in an educational environment.

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Material on noah ark for children church

Material on Noah's Ark for children church

The following lesson activities will help a Sunday school teacher plan a lesson using Noah's ark for a Children's church activity.

3D model of Noah's Ark - Scale model 130:1 includes artwork of Noah, his wife and the animals.

Worksheet and Lesson Plan - Guided discussion on Noah's Ark and the flood.

Go to the main Sunday school page for puzzles, lesson plans and other activities for Sunday school teachers.

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If man is incapable of pleasing God in his sins, then why does God commend Cornelius in Acts 10?

How do the commending statements about Cornelius harmonize with teaching regarding human depravity?

Cornelius was just and reputable, prayed, feared God, and gave alms (Acts 10:2, 4, 22, 24, 31, 35)." TARGET="_blank">Acts 10:2, 4, 22, 24, 31, 35). These notable commendations coordinate with Peters growing awareness ("I perceive," verse 34) through previous revelation (eg. Luke 24:47)," TARGET="_blank">Luke 24:47), his vision (Acts 10:11-16)," TARGET="_blank">Acts 10:11-16), and his circumstances (verses 19-33) that God makes no distinction between Jews and Gentiles who seek Him (verse 35).

"There is not a just man upon earth" (Ecclesiastes 7:20;" TARGET="_blank">Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:10);" TARGET="_blank">Romans 3:10); "there is no fear of God" in man by nature (Romans 3:18);" TARGET="_blank">Romans 3:18); "there is none that seeketh after God" (Romans 3:11)." TARGET="_blank">Romans 3:11). These harmonize with what is said about Cornelius only because he responded to the light of divine revelation and the dealings of the Spirit of God. Although he was not saved (Acts 11:14)," TARGET="_blank">Acts 11:14), he chose to do right things; yet each of those acts came short of Gods righteous requirements (Romans 3:23)." TARGET="_blank">Romans 3:23). None of what is said about Cornelius indicates that he was saved apart from grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8)." TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 2:8). Gods grace spoke to Cornelius, granting him repentance (11:18) and remission of sins (10:43). Before and after his salvation, Cornelius had nothing in which to boast before God. As is proper, he submitted to God.

D. Oliver
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How can I help to make our assembly Bible Readings edifying?

How can I help to make our assembly Bible Readings edifying?

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Timothy 3:16-17)." TARGET="_blank">2 Timothy 3:16-17). This text should be the evaluator of all our Bible Readings. Each believer in assembly fellowship is committed to the profit of the assembly. May I suggest three things to help the character of our Bible Readings:

   1. For all: pray daily for brethren responsible to teach the Word; also, become acquainted revealed in the with the passage to be considered.
   2. For those responsible: learn the context of the passage by repetitive reading and prayer. Teaching the meaning and sense is true edification and, when applied to the need, will produce scriptural, intelligent action.
   3. For overseers: distribute the responsibility of opening the discussion. This encourages responsibility and development. It also enables responsible brethren to discern potential ability (2 Timothy 2:2)." TARGET="_blank">2 Timothy 2:2). This avoids a stagnation of exercise fostered by one man's monopoly.

Bible Readings are a pasture for the flock. Shepherds who learn to feed as did the Chief Shepherd will edify a happy, healthy flock being led in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

J. N. Smith

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