Scripture shows that God is reproducing Himself in man, that believers will be born into His very family, and share His nature as glorified sons and daughters.
Let’s walk through it step by step.
See my post, ARE YOU BORN AGAIN for more information
1. Man was created in God’s image for a purpose
- Genesis 1:26–27
“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…”
From the beginning, mankind was made in God’s likeness—not in appearance only, but with the capacity to share His nature and character. - Psalm 82:6
“I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.”
This is not saying men are gods now, but that God’s plan is to make mankind His divine children.
2. We are begotten now as God’s children—not yet born
- John 1:12–13
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born [better: begotten], not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
Believers are begotten children of God now—awaiting a future birth into His family. - 1 John 3:1–2
“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”
We are God’s children now in a spiritual embryo state, but will be glorified to be like Him at Christ’s return.
3. God is reproducing His kind
- John 3:3, 6
“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God… That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
We are first begotten by God’s Spirit, and at the resurrection will be born into His family—spirit beings as He is. - Romans 8:14–17, 29
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God… The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ… For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”
Christ is the firstborn Son, and many brethren (us) will follow—sharing His glory and family relationship with the Father.
4. We will be glorified as God is
- Philippians 3:20–21
“For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body…”
Our physical bodies will be transformed to be like Christ’s glorified, divine body. - 2 Peter 1:4
“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature…”
God is sharing His own divine nature with us—we are not just saved, but changed into His kind. - Revelation 21:7
“He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.”
This is a literal family relationship—God reproducing Himself.
✅ Summary:
The Bible shows a clear progression:
- Man was created in God’s image.
- Through Christ, we are begotten by God’s Spirit as His children.
- At the resurrection, we will be born of the Spirit into His family.
- We will be glorified, immortal spirit beings—like God is God.
This is why Christ is called the firstborn among many brethren (Romans 8:29). God is in the process of reproducing Himself in man.
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Let’s look at how some of the early Church writers—within about the first two centuries after the apostles—understood this teaching. You’ll see they echoed the same truth Scripture reveals: that salvation means becoming part of the God family and sharing His nature.
1. Irenaeus (c. 130–202 AD) – Disciple of Polycarp, who was taught by John
“If the Word has been made man, it is so that men may be made gods.”
— Against Heresies, Book 5, Preface
Here, Irenaeus is saying that the Son of God became human in order that humans could become sons of God—sharing in His nature.
2. Athanasius (c. 296–373 AD) – Defending the Incarnation
“For the Son of God became man so that we might become God.”
— On the Incarnation, 54:3
This is a very direct statement: Christ took on humanity so we could take on divinity.
3. Clement of Alexandria (c. 150–215 AD)
“The Word of God became man, that thou mayest learn from man how man may become God.”
— Exhortation to the Heathen, ch. 1
He points to the Word (Christ) becoming human as the path for mankind to become divine.
4. Justin Martyr (c. 100–165 AD)
“Men are deemed worthy of becoming gods, and of having power to become sons of the highest.”
— Dialogue with Trypho, ch. 124
Justin ties this directly to the scriptural promise of sonship and godhood.
5. Hippolytus of Rome (c. 170–235 AD)
“If, therefore, man has become immortal, he will also be God… For God has adopted him as His son.”
— Refutation of All Heresies, Book 10
Hippolytus shows the process clearly: adoption, immortality, then divinity.
🔑 Summary:
- The early Church understood and taught that salvation is more than forgiveness—it is entering the divine family of God.
- They often expressed it in shorthand as “becoming God” or “made gods,” but always in the sense of children in God’s family, not rival gods.
- This harmonizes perfectly with John 10:34–36, where Jesus quotes Psalm 82: “I said, Ye are gods”—and applies it to those who receive the Word of God.
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Here’s a study sheet you can use or share. It puts Scripture on one side and early Church writings on the other, showing the same truth: God is reproducing Himself in mankind—we are begotten now, but will be born into His Family as divine sons and daughters.
✨ God Is Reproducing Himself in Man ✨
Scripture & Early Church Witness
1. Created in God’s Image
Bible:
- Genesis 1:26–27 — “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…”
- Psalm 82:6 — “I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.”
Early Church:
- Justin Martyr (100–165 AD): “Men are deemed worthy of becoming gods, and of having power to become sons of the highest.” (Dialogue with Trypho, ch. 124)
2. Begotten as Sons of God
Bible:
- John 1:12–13 — “As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God… born [begotten] of God.”
- 1 John 3:1–2 — “Now are we the sons of God… but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him.”
Early Church:
- Irenaeus (130–202 AD): “If the Word has been made man, it is so that men may be made gods.” (Against Heresies 5, Preface)
3. Born Again—From Flesh to Spirit
Bible:
- John 3:6 — “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
- Romans 8:14–17 — “As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God… and joint-heirs with Christ.”
Early Church:
- Clement of Alexandria (150–215 AD): “The Word of God became man, that thou mayest learn from man how man may become God.” (Exhortation to the Heathen, ch. 1)
4. Glorified as Christ Is Glorified
Bible:
- Philippians 3:20–21 — “[Christ] shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body.”
- 2 Peter 1:4 — “…that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature.”
Early Church:
- Athanasius (296–373 AD): “For the Son of God became man so that we might become God.” (On the Incarnation, 54:3)
- Hippolytus (170–235 AD): “If, therefore, man has become immortal, he will also be God… For God has adopted him as His son.” (Refutation of All Heresies, Book 10)
5. Final Inheritance—God’s Family
Bible:
- Romans 8:29 — “[Christ] the firstborn among many brethren.”
- Revelation 21:7 — “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.”
Early Church:
- Irenaeus: “The Word of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, through His boundless love, became what we are, that He might bring us to be even what He is Himself.” (Against Heresies, Book 5, Preface)
✅ Summary:
The Bible and the earliest Christians both taught the same breathtaking truth:
- Man was created in God’s image with the potential to enter His Family.
- We are begotten now through the Spirit.
- At the resurrection, we will be born of Spirit, glorified, and share the very nature of God as His sons and daughters.
This is the real meaning of salvation: God is reproducing Himself in mankind.
See my post, ARE YOU BORN AGAIN for more information
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