It seems like one of the arguments is was Jesus, the son of God, also God. So what does scripture say about if. Some parts are worded funny and uses metaphors based on understanding the Torah in depth. I’ll go into them later. But understanding Son of Man vs Son of God is important. Jesus uses both to refine him. Son of Man is actually associated more with spiritual stuff and a stronger claim. Many from people , and angels, were referred to as sons of God but not so much with son of man.
Anyways scripture says this about Jesus.
John 1:1-5 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
The Deity of Jesus Christ
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
- Here it says in the beginning was the word and word was with God and the word was God. So whatever the word was the word was with God and also the word was God.
John 1:14 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
The Word Made Flesh
14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
- That word that was with God and was a God became flesh and dwelt among us. That means God became flesh and dwelt among us. The only begotten son is a different phrase than the son. Monogenés is the word and it implies a unique position of being the single one ( only one of its kind). Such as a man having just one daughter or one son. So it’s putting The Son in a state saying the only son out of the sons of God. This son was distinctly different from any one else called the son.
Philippians 2:5-11 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
- Here it says that Jesus existed in the form of God. But Jesus did not consider himself equal to God when he emptied himself into the form of a bond servant. He took on the form of a man and obeyed his form that was still God ( signifying two separate personhoods which is also clearly shown through his prayers and temptation). So Jesus existed as God , but became human and humbled himself to a being lesser than God.
Hebrews 2:9, New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Jesus Briefly Humbled
9 But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone… 14 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. 16 For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham. 17 Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.
- Why did God become flesh and humble himself as a person of flesh and blood? In short because it was necessary in order to take away the power of death in a justifiable way. He needed to complete something so that his father could grant grace and mercy though him.
Matthew 1:23 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.”
- The angel said to Joseph his son will be called Immanuel that means God with us linking further the fact that Jesus was God and God became flesh to be with us. The name is clearly being treated as a title and not a birth name.
So dispute some things being very confusing such as when Jesus said, “ why do you call me good only one is God and it’s God” , it can be cleared up as scripture progresses and it’s hammered out in more digestible ways for us to understand. It’s scripturally clear that Jesus was the flesh that became God among us. It’s clear Jesus existed as God prior to becoming flesh and blood and humbling himself. It’s clear that despite being God, in his humbled form as a man, he had to grow up exactly like a man and face the war of flesh vs spirit and overcome Satan to overcome death and fulfill the law so that through his grace and mercy can be given to justify saving mankind instead of destroying them.