The phrase “son of God” demonstrates the special relationship between parent and child. It indicates closeness, favor, protection, guidance and love. 

In Luke 3:38, Mary’s genealogy records that Adam was a “son of God.” Adam was created perfect in God’s image and likeness (see Genesis 1:27, Deuteronomy 32:4), and God was his heavenly Father. The Lord lovingly provided for all of his son’s needs in the Garden of Eden. However, when Adam sinned, God cast him and Eve out of the garden and turned His face (favor) from them (Genesis 3). That family relationship ended. Now the human race are “children of your father the devil” (John 8:44) and are “by nature the children of wrath” (Ephesians 2:3). Until Jesus was born, humans were either a friend (Abraham), servant or enemy of God.

In Genesis 6:2, the angels are called “sons of God” and states they “saw that the daughters of humans were beautiful, and they married…” These angels, as stated in Jude 1:6 (NKJV), “who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode (in heaven), He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day.” They are no longer considered “sons of God” due to their sins. Related texts which demonstrate that obedient angels in heaven are called “sons of God” are found in Job 1:6 and Job 38:7.

Jesus is called the son of God in Mark 1:1. 

When Jesus came to earth, grew to adulthood and was being baptized by John the Baptist, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). Before Jesus came to earth, he was called the Word (Logos in Greek) and is God’s first and only begotten son (John 1:18, John 3:16, Revelation 3:14). Today, those who accept Jesus as their Savior receive the privilege or liberty to become the “sons of God” (John 1:12). As is declared respecting the gospel church – the true followers of Jesus – “Now are we the sons of God…” (1 John 3:2; Romans 8:14, 17)

Once God’s heavenly family is complete, the work will begin to make “sons” from all of humankind. All will be awakened from the dead and given an opportunity for full restoration back into sonship with God. Revelation 21:3,7 confirms this: “And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God, Himself will be with them and be their God…He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.” Oh, won’t that be a joyous day indeed!

Additional Resource:
Christian Questions Podcast Episode #1299: “Who is God? (Part III)”
The revolutionary changes Jesus taught us to better understand God
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes

Full 3-part series: “Who is God?”