John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
The Gospel of John calls Jesus the only begotten of the Father from its first chapter: “the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth,” and “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.”2 The First Epistle of John returns to it: “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.”3
Monogenēs
“Only begotten” translates the Greek monogenēs (Strong’s G3439), “single of its kind, only.”4 The Latin Vulgate rendered it unigenitus, the source of “only begotten” in English Bibles and in English versions of the Nicene Creed; many modern translations prefer “one and only” or “only Son.” Scholars still discuss whether the word stresses uniqueness alone or also sonship by begetting.5
In the church’s words
The church describes itself as offering “a scientific explaination to foundationalize and solidify in the believer's mind, the knowledge that God is real, alive today and loves us all unconditionally.”6 Its sacraments serve the same end:
“We believe in the use of sacred holy herbs and substances by sacrament (modeled after the eucharist removed from modern day christianity) in the pursuit of knowledge and understanding of one’s personal humanitarian life purpose, mental, health, physical health, and a greater understanding of what it means to be an eternal being in order to encourage a closer, more complete relationship with Jesus Christ.”
Read more in The Science Behind the Religion, the Declarations of Faith and the Sacraments overview.
Questions and answers
What does “only begotten Son” mean?
It translates the Greek monogenēs, “only” or “one of a kind,” which the Gospel of John uses of Jesus as the unique Son of the Father. The King James Version renders it “only begotten”; many modern translations say “one and only” or “only.”
Where does the phrase appear in the Bible?
In the King James Version, Jesus is called the only begotten of the Father in John 1:14, 1:18, 3:16 and 3:18, and in 1 John 4:9.
Is the church affiliated with another denomination?
No. The Church of the Only Begotten Son is an independent Free Church in Cahone, Colorado, with no 501(c)(3) contract of incorporation.
Sources
- John 3:16 (KJV) — Bible Gateway
- John 1:14–18 (KJV) — Bible Gateway
- 1 John 4:9 (KJV) — Bible Gateway
- Strong’s G3439, monogenēs — Blue Letter Bible
- Monogenēs — usage and translation history, with references
- Home — The Church of the Only Begotten Son
- Practice & Community — The Church of the Only Begotten Son
Scholarly claims about sacred plants in history are summarized with their sources, and contested claims are marked as contested. The church’s own beliefs are quoted exactly and linked to the page where they appear.