Does the phrase 'only begotten Son of God' refer to Jesus' birth in Bethlehem?
No. The phrase “only begotten Son of God” does not refer to Jesus’ birth at Bethlehem. The context says that idea is not where Christ became the only begotten Son. Acts 13 provides the real explanation, coming after Christ’s earthly ministry and crucifixion rather than at Bethlehem.
Les explains that Scripture’s term “only begotten Son of God” is often misunderstood. Most church members and Christians think it means His birth at Bethlehem, but Les says nothing could be further from the truth; that is not where Christ became the only begotten Son. He points to Acts 13 as the explanation, noting that the passage reviews the Jewish nation’s history—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, the twelve sons, and the prophets—and comes through Christ’s earthly ministry, crucifixion, and then verse 30. This is the doctrinal “tidbit” he says should solve confusion.