Page 339 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

JESUS CHRIST

King of kings and Lord of lords. (Matthew also makes a occurs nearly 700 times in the N.T.; over 600 times in
similar statement in Mt. 24:36; likewise, Luke, in Acts the gospels alone. We account for the infrequent use of
1:7.) In the aspect of His ministry as a Servant, our Lord this peerless name in the Epistles due to the new
made a voluntary surrender of certain knowledge, in position of Jesus as risen and exalted. ‘Christ Jesus’ or
order that He might walk the walk of faith, and thus be ‘Jesus Christ’ is the name used in the Epistles for this
an object-lesson to all believers. While He ever new position of exaltation and glorification. These titles
remained the eternal Son of God, co-equal and co- are used upwards of 200 times. ‘Jesus’ alone is used
eternal with the Father; yet as a Servant, He chose a about 40 times in the Epistles” (Boyd).
limitation of His knowledge, bounded by the Father’s CHRIST. “This is the Greek word for the Hebrew
will” (Louis Talbot, Bible Questions Explained, p. 38). ‘Messiah,’ meaning ‘anointed.’ This title occurs about 50
- The Humanity of Christ times in the gospels as compared to about 300 times in
1. Jesus was given human names (Mt. 1:21; Lk. the Epistles. ‘Christ’ is an official designation, or title,
19:10; Ac. 7:56). and is usually written with the article prefixed as ‘the
2. Jesus had human ancestry (Lk. 2:7; Ac. 13:23; Mt. Christ.’ When Jesus said to His disciples, ‘whom say ye
1:16). that I am?’ Peter replied, ‘Thou art THE CHRIST, the Son
3. Jesus possessed a physical nature (Jn. 1:14; He. of the living God’ (Mt. 16,16)” (Ibid.).
2:14; 1 Jn. 4:3). JESUS CHRIST. “This double title appears only five
4. Jesus was subject to the laws of human times in the gospels, but is used 184 times by Paul,
Peter, and John in their Letters. The lowly humbled Man
development (Mt. 4:1- 11; Mk. 6:3; Lk. 2:40, 46, 52; on the earth, Jesus, is now the exalted and glorified
He. 2:18; 5:8). Man in the heavens, Christ. What He was as ‘Jesus,’ and
5. Jesus was subject to normal human characteristics. what He is as ‘Christ’ combined, give the force of this
He hungered (Mt. 4:2; 21:18). He thirsted (Jn. 4:7). He title. The sufferings of earth and the glories of heaven
became weary (Jn. 4:6). He slept (Mt. 8:24). He had are thus wondrously linked in the divine order of the
compassion (Mt. 9:36; 23:37; Mk. 10:21). He was angry names ‘Jesus Christ’ (Ibid.).
and grieved (Mk. 3:4; Jn. 2:16). He trusted (He. 5:7). CHRIST JESUS. This title is not used in the gospels
He wept (Jn. 11:35; Lk. 19:41; He. 5:7). He prayed (Mt. but appears 58 times in Paul’s epistles and in 1 Peter.
14:23). He was sorrowful (Mt. 26:36-42). The reversal of the order emphasizes the deity and
6. Jesus had a body (Jn. 1:14; He. 2:14), soul (Mt. exalted status of the risen, ascended Lord.
26:38; Lk. 23:43), and spirit (Lk. 23:46). LORD JESUS CHRIST. The full title of the Saviour
7. Jesus died (1 Co. 15:3). appears 132 times in the epistles. “This is the full
8. Jesus is called a man both before and after His written title of our blessed Saviour, connecting His
resurrection (Ac. 17:31; 1 Ti. 2:5) (100 Bible Lessons). authority (Lord) with His manhood (Jesus) and glory
- The Character of Christ (Christ)” (Ibid.).
It would be impossible to fully delineate the SON OF GOD. This title describes the eternal Sonship
manifold, perfect character of Christ, but the following and Deity of Jesus Christ. He is GOD, the Second Person
are some aspects emphasized in Scripture: of the Trinity. It appears in 42 verses.
(1) He is holy (Lk. 1:35; Ac. 3:14). (2) He is loving SON OF MAN. The term “son of man” appears 108
(Jn. 14:31; Ep. 5:25; Jn. 13:1). (3) He is compassionate times in the Old Testament, and refers to men in general
(Jn. 11:35; Mk. 6:34). (4) He is prayerful (He. 5:7; Lk. (Nu. 23:19; Job 25:6; Ps. 146:3) and to Ezekiel in
6:12; Mk. 1:35). (5) He is meek (Mt. 11:29). (6) He is particular (93 times). In Daniel 7:13, the title “son of
diligent (Mt. 14:13-15; Jn. 9:4; Lk. 6:12). (7) He is bold man” refers to Christ prophetically. The term “son of
(Jn. 2:13-17; Mt. 23). (8) He is sinless (He. 7:26; 1 Pe. man” appears 85 times in the New Testament (81 times
2:22; 1 Jn. 3:5). (9) He is obedient to the Father (Lk. in the gospels and four times in the epistles) and except
2:51; He. 10:7). (10) He is single-minded in fulfilling possibly for He. 2:6, it always refers to Christ. He often
God’s will (Jn. 4:31-34). used this term when referring to himself (Mt. 8:20; 9:6;
- The Names and Offices of Christ 10:23; etc.). It describes his identity with mankind and
JESUS. “In the gospel records He is called ‘Jesus,’ His with humanity in his incarnation, death, burial,
personal name by birth into the world (Mt. 1:21; Lk. resurrection, and ascension.
1:31). Its basic meaning is ‘Saviour—salvation’ (He SON OF DAVID. This title is used 14 times in the
saves, delivers, makes free, makes safe). It also speaks New Testament and identifies Jesus as the Son who has
of reproach, suffering, and shame (Ac. 5:40, 41). It is inherited David’s throne (2 Sa. 7:12-16). “This title is
the N.T. equivalent of ‘Joshua.’ This precious name found in the synoptical gospels 14 times (8 in Matthew,

Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity 339