The Significance of the Father's Declaration

The vocal declaration from God during Jesus' baptism, stating 'You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased,' has raised questions regarding Jesus' divine sonship. Some argue that this moment marks Jesus' adoption as the Son of God, suggesting he only became divine at his baptism. This perspective has been critiqued, particularly by those like Bart Ehrman, who contend that such declarations imply a change in status. However, the argument falls short by failing to recognize that a declaration does not inherently indicate a change in reality, as evidenced by everyday situations where individuals are simply affirmed in their existing identities.