Return to AOCI  |
Who Is Jesus? Other Names of Christ
by Dr. Linda Smallwood, BBS, M.Min., D.Min.
|
|
The Nature of Christ | His Deity | His Work on Our Behalf
Introduction Bright and Morning Star Venus has often been called earth's "sister" world because it is approximately the same size. When Venus is moving toward the earth, it can be seen in the evening sky, thus it is called the "Evening Star". When moving away from earth, it is visible in the early morning sky and is called the "Morning star". In its various orbits, Venus appears to change in shape and size as it goes through different phases, similar to phases of the moon. This, of course, is because different parts become sunlit and others enter into darkness. Venus never really changes but only appears to. And so it is with the Lord Jesus Christ — He never really changes, but His appearance and how you behold Him changes, depending on where you are in proximity to Him. Chief Cornerstone The term first appears in Psalm 118:22 as a prophetic term referring to the Messiah being rejected by Israel: "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone." "...and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone." (Ephesians 2:20 MKJV) (See also Matthew 21:42, Mark 12:10, Luke 20:17, Acts 4:11, 1 Peter 2:7.) Obviously, in calling Jesus Christ the "chief cornerstone", the New Testament writers are pointing us to the conclusion that Jesus is the sure foundation on which to build our lives. He is also the One who determines our position and function in the Body of Christ, His Church. Firstborn over All Creation This verse does not mean Jesus is the first thing or person God created, as some cults incorrectly teach. We can know this because the next two verses tell us: "...by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." (vv. 16-17) What this verse in Colossians means is that Christ occupies the status and distinction we would give or assign to the firstborn or eldest, that He is pre-eminent [of greatest importance] above all others, and He is the Head of all things. Also, the Apostle John asserts: "All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made." (John 1:3) Holy One "For our shield belongs to the LORD, our king to the Holy One of Israel. Of old you spoke in a vision to your godly one, and said: 'I have granted help to one who is mighty; I have exalted one chosen from the people.'" (Psalm 89:18-19) "But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you." (Acts 3:14) "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: 'The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens." (Revelation 3:7) (See also Numbers 16:7; 2 Kings 19:22; Job 6:10; Psalm 71:22; 78:41; 106:16; Proverbs 9:10; 30:3; Isaiah 1:4; 5:19,24; 10:17,20; 12:6; 17:7; 29:19,23; 30:11,12,15; 31:1; 37:23; 40:25; 41:14,16,20; 43:3,14,15; 45:11; 47:4; 48:17; 49:7; 54:5; 55:5; 60:9,14; Jeremiah 50:29; 51:5; Ezekiel 39:7; Daniel 4:13,23; 8:13; Hosea 11:9,12; Habakkuk 1:12; 3:3; Mark 1:24; Luke 4:34; John 6:69; Acts 2:27; 13:35; 1 John 2:20; Revelation 16:5.) Judge "And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead." (Acts 10:42) "Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:8) KING of Kings and LORD of Lords "...which he will display at the proper time — he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords..." (1 Timothy 6:15) "Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, 'Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.'" (Revelation 19:16) Lily of the Valley "I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys." (Song of Solomon 2:1) The Lord Jesus Christ is compared to the lily because His spiritual sweetness very much excels and transcends the sweetest of anything this world has to offer. Of course, we know that white represents Christ's absolute holiness and purity. Also, the Bride of Christ is depicted in Scripture as being clothed in fine white linen. "And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints." (Revelation 19:8 KJV) Lion of the Tribe of Judah The lion is recognized as "the king of the beasts". For God to compare Jesus Christ to a lion, there are undoubtedly some necessary parallels we can make. The lion is known for:
Often people make the mistake of supposing Jesus' compassion and love are signs of weakness. Please consider: "They shall go after the LORD; he will roar like a lion; when he roars, his children shall come trembling from the west." (Hosea 11:10) "...and called out with a loud voice, like a lion roaring. When he called out, the seven thunders sounded." (Revelation 10:3) Living Water "Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him." (Proverb 30:5 MKJV) "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." (Matthew 5:8) "Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart." (1 Peter 1:22) (See also John 8:46; 18:38; Hebrews 4:15; 9:14; 1 Peter 1:15, 19.) "...then you turned around and profaned my name when each of you took back his male and female slaves, whom you had set free according to their desire, and you brought them into subjection to be your slaves." (Jeremiah 34:16) "But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness. They did not walk in my statutes but rejected my rules, by which, if a person does them, he shall live; and my Sabbaths they greatly profaned." (Ezekiel 20:13) "...in admitting foreigners, uncircumcised in heart and flesh, to be in my sanctuary, profaning my temple, when you offer to me my food, the fat and the blood. You have broken my covenant, in addition to all your abominations." (Ezekiel 44:7) The water supported Peter until he allowed his faith to be polluted by doubt (cf. Matthew 14:22-23). Just as pure water reflects images, Jesus Christ is a true reflection of God. "He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature." (Hebrews 1:3) "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord..." (2 Corinthians 3:18) "In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." (2 Corinthians 4:4) "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness." (Matthew 23:25-28) "Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you." (John 15:3) "...that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word..." (Ephesians 5:26) "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water." (Hebrews 10:19-22) Potentate "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder..." (Isaiah 9:6) "...which he will display at the proper time--he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords." (1 Timothy 6:15) One day, God will finally provide the perfect government that will be headed up by His Son. Prince of Peace
Rose of Sharon Christ is likened to the Rose of Sharon because in that day when He reigns on earth, all the earth will be redeemed and restored to that which God intended, as prophesied in Isaiah 35:1-3— "The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God." Sun of Righteousness According to "World Book" encyclopedia: "The sunlight given off by the sun's surface is made up of many colors. These colors are not all equally bright. Various elements in the photosphere absorb some of the colors and prevent the sun from giving off those colors. Scientist can see what colors are absorbed by passing sunlight through a glass prism to form a spectrum." Various colors have always been used to describe the glory of God. "And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald." (Revelation 4:3) "Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head, and his face was like the sun, and his legs like pillars of fire." (Revelation 10:1) With the naked eye, we cannot see the actual colors in the sun, only its light. However, with a prism, be it natural [rainbow] or man-made, we can see a small part of the color of the sun. But the part that we can see is so small that we can have little appreciation for all that is the sun. The same can be said about our eternal God who shines as bright as the noonday sun. "In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength." (Revelation 1:16) The Bible also says we cannot fully comprehend or view the sun or the Son in this present age. "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face..." (1 Corinthians 13:12). Thus, we can have little appreciation for all that will someday be made available to us. Just as the prism enables us to see a part of the color of the sun, God has given us a written prism, His Word, so that we might see Him. But one day, we will behold Him face-to-face! "And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb." (Revelation 21:23) Alpha and Omega "'I am the Alpha and the Omega,' says the Lord God, 'who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.'" (Revelation 1:8) Revelation 22:13— For an in-depth discussion of Jesus as God, go to "Who Is Jesus: The LORD". I Am When Jesus ascribed to Himself this title, the Jews tried to stone Him for blasphemy. They understood that He was declaring Himself to be the eternal God, the unchanging Jehovah/Yahweh of the Old Testament (cf. Exodus 3:14). [Go to "Who Is Jesus: The Word" to learn more about Jesus' identity as I Am.] Immanuel/Emmanuel Matthew 1:23— The Holy Spirit interprets the name for us when He says it means "God with us". There are other passages in God's Word which God interprets for us so there can be no chance of man's misinterpreting or abusing these passages with religious prejudices or slants. John 1:41— "And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull)." (Mark 15:22) "And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, 'Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?' which means, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'" (Mark 15:34) When God interprets something, it must be a matter of great importance to Him. When He said His Son would be called Immanuel and then interpreted it for us to mean "God with us", He obviously wants man to know that He is a God of infinite concern because, after all, He came to be with us! [To learn more about the God who became Man, go to "Who Is Jesus: The LORD".] Lord of All "As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all)..." (Acts 10:36) True God This is a direct assertion that Jesus, being the true God, is not only divine, but is the Divine. Since the Bible teaches there is only one God, this can only be describing His nature as part of the triune God. Advocate "My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." (1 John 2:1) Author and Perfecter of our Faith "...looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2) Ephesians 2:8-9— Bread of Life "Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.'" (John 6:35) "I am the bread of life." (John 6:48) Luke 22:19— Bridegroom "And Jesus said to them, 'Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.'" (Matthew 9:15) "And the angel said to me, 'Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.' And he said to me, 'These are the true words of God.'" (Revelation 19:9) Captain of Our Salvation "'You subjected all things under his feet.' For in subjecting all things to Him, He did not leave anything not subjected to Him. But now we do not see all things having been subjected to him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor, that He by the grace of God should taste death for all. For it became Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons into glory, to perfect the Captain of their salvation through sufferings." (Hebrews 2:8-10) Just as God instructed Moses to assign captains among the tribes of Israel as they passed through the wilderness (cf. Numbers 2:3,5,12), so also we need a Captain — a Guide, a Leader, a Defender — to bring us safely through this world of difficulties and dangers. Deliverer Acts 7:35— Just as the Israelites needed God to deliver them from bondage in Egypt and from other kingdoms that would rise up against them, so Christ is our Deliverer from the bondage of sin. "And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, 'The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob.'" (Romans 11:26) Door and Good Shepherd The ancient sheepfold was an enclosure surrounded by a simple stone wall with an opening which served as the door. The shepherds of the village would lead their sheep into the fold at nightfall and one would sleep at the opening and actually become the "door" to the sheepfold. Nothing could enter or leave the fold without passing over the shepherd. In the morning, the shepherd would call his sheep by name, and they would recognize his voice and immediately follow. If other shepherds or strangers came, the sheep would not recognize or follow them. "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. . . . I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me." (John 10:11,14) In Bible times, a good shepherd not only cared for, fed and nurtured his sheep, but he would risk his own life to protect his sheep from predators. As our Good Shepherd, Jesus feeds and nurtures us, and He laid down His life for His sheep. High Priest "Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people." (Hebrews 2:17) "For such a high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners and made higher than the heavens, who does not need, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice daily, first for his own sins and then for the people's sins. For He did this once for all, when He offered up Himself. For the Law appoints men high priests who have infirmity, but the word of the swearing of an oath, after the Law, has consecrated the Son forever, having been perfected." (Hebrews 7:26-28 MKJV) Lamb of God In 2 Kings 3:26-27, when the battle went against the King of Moab, he sacrificed his eldest son. "When the king of Moab saw that the battle was going against him, he took with him 700 swordsmen to break through, opposite the king of Edom, but they could not. Then he took his oldest son who was to reign in his place and offered him for a burnt offering on the wall." Why God Demanded a Sacrifice
God's Word tells us that the penalty for sin is death (cf. Ezekiel 18:4,20). The Bible also tells us that without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin (cf. Hebrews 9:22). In order for sinful man to commune with a holy God, God's Law called for the sacrifice of a spotless, unblemished lamb as a covering for sin. Jesus became that Lamb, but as we learned in "Who Is Jesus: Savior of the World", Jesus' blood didn't just cover our sins as in the Old Testament animal sacrifices that had to be repeated, but totally removed them from us. (cf. John 1:29) "For our sake he [God] made him [Jesus] to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:21) "...he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him." (Hebrews 9:26-28) Master "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master." (Matthew 10:24) John 13:13— Receiving Jesus Christ as Savior does not automatically make Him your master. You must choose to permit Him to take "ownership" of you. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20— Mediator "For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." (1 Timothy 2:5) Hebrews 9:15— "...and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant..." (Hebrews 12:24) God's Word plainly tells us that Jesus Christ is the one and only Mediator between us and God. No other person who has ever lived qualifies for this important and vital role. And praying to them is idolatry because it bypasses this most important role of Christ and ascribes the role of Mediator to a lesser. Resurrection and the Life 1 Corinthians 15:4— "Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied." (1 Corinthians 15:12-19) In other words, everything stands or falls with Christ's bodily resurrection. If Christ has not risen: (See also Acts 2:24, 32; 3:15, 26; 4:10; 10:40; 13:30-37; 17:31; Romans. 4:24-25; 6:4, 9; 7:4; 8:11; 10:9; 1 Corinthians 6:14; 2 Corinthians 4:14; Galatians 1:1; Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 2:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 2 Timothy 2:8; 1 Peter 1:21.) Indeed, Scripture makes Christ's resurrection an essential part of the Gospel. In fact, Christianity is the only religion in the world built on the concept of the resurrection of its Founder. Salvation is begun by the atoning death of Jesus Christ; and it is completed by the resurrection and intercession of Christ. We not only have a Savior who died — thereby making atonement for sin — but also a Savior who arose and entered by His own blood into the Holy of Holies — God's very presence — where He ever lives and pleads our case in every new failure (cf. Luke 22:31-32 with John 11:42). In Christ's resurrection, we have...
Rock "...and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ." (1 Corinthians 10:4) Concerning the above Scripture, there is no evidence that the drink from "the spiritual Rock" was a reference to the drink used in the Lord's Supper. It means simply that the water had been bestowed in a miraculous and supernatural manner. Thus, the reference to "spiritual" is used in the sense of supernatural, or that which is immediately given by God. Psalm 18:2— True Vine "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples." (John 15:1-8) Just as the root of the vine supplies water and nourishment to the branches, the True Vine supplies all that believers need to produce the fruit of the Spirit. Way, Truth, and Life "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" (John 14:6) Wonderful Counselor Job 12:13— Jesus Christ is the Wonderful all-knowing Counselor who provides excellent advice concerning any subjects and relationships, even those of today! "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor..." (Isaiah 9:6) --------------------------------------  
|
It may surprise you to know that there are more than 200 other names and titles of Christ found in the Bible. Following are some of the more prominent ones, organized in three sections relating to names that reflect the nature of Christ, His position in the 
