MANIFESTATION OF THE SONS OF GOD - Part 1 - Text: John 1:12

TOYE OGUNGBE·FRIDAY, JULY 28, 2017·

Who are the sons of God mentioned several times in the New Testament? In generic terms, they are the Spirit filled children (male and female) of God who have received the Lord Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.

However, in a deeper study we will discover that there are children and then there are mature sons and daughters. Even to the children God gives power at spiritual birth. As the scriptures states in John 1:12: “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become sons of God, even to them that believe on His name”. The word sons in this scripture is derived from the Greek word “Teknon”. This word relates mainly to birth. As in the relationship between a mother and her born child. Only Mary the mother of Jesus used this word to describe the Lord when she viewed Him in His humanity.

In John 1:18 the scripture states “No man hath seen God at anytime; the only begotten son, which is in the bossom of the Father, he hath declared Him”. Now the word Son in this portion of scripture comes from another Greek word “Huios”. This word denotes Christ’s character and His relationship to the Heavenly Father. Christ the Healer! Christ the Deliverer! Christ the Miracle Worker! So where Teknon signifies relationship by birth; Huios signifies relationship of offspring to parent. It is the Father in Him who was doing the work.

The difference is a bit clearer in Romans 8: 14-21. In Romans 8:16 the scripture states “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the CHILDREN of God. But in verse 14 it says “For as many are led by the Spirit of God, they are the SONS of God”. The difference here is that the “children” are born of God, however, the “sons” are also born of God but have matured in the likeness and character of Christ and are led by His Spirit. Electricity can power a device but it can also kill. The children are given power but are still learning how to use it. God expects us to grow up into mature sons and daughters who will manifest His power that works in us.