SPECIAL TOPIC: CHRIST JESUS AS LORD

SPECIAL TOPIC: CHRIST JESUS AS LORD (from 2 Cor. 4:5)

This phrase was the early church’s profession of faith at baptism
(cf. Rom. 10:9-13; 1 Cor. 12:3; Phil. 2:9-11). All three of the major terms used in the
NT to designate the Promised One, the Suffering Servant, are used in this phrase.

Christ – This is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew term messiah,
which meant “an anointed one” (see

SPECIAL TOPIC: MESSIAH). It implies “one called and equipped by God
for a specific task.” In the OT three groups of leaders (priests, kings, and
prophets) were anointed (see

SPECIAL TOPIC: ANOINTING IN THE BIBLE). Jesus fulfills all three of these
anointed offices (cf. Heb. 1:2-3).
Jesus – This Aramaic name meant “YHWH saves” or “YHWH
brings salvation.” It was revealed to his parents by an angel (cf. Matt. 1:21).
“Jesus” is derived from the Hebrew word for “salvation,” hosea,
suffixed to an abbreviation of the covenant name for God, “YHWH.” It means the same
as the Hebrew name Joshua (see

SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, D.).
Lord – The term “lord” (kurios) can be used in a general sense
or in a specific theological sense. It can mean (1) “mister,” “sir,”
“master,” “owner,” “husband,” or (2) “the full
God-man” (see
SPECIAL TOPIC: LORD (adon and kurios). The OT usage of this term
(adon) came from the Jews’ reluctance to pronounce the covenant name for God,
YHWH, which was from the Hebrew VERB “to be” (cf. Exod. 3:14).
They were afraid of breaking the commandment which said, “Thou shalt not take the
name of the Lord thy God in vain” (cf. Exod. 20:7; Deut. 5:11). They thought if they did
not pronounce it, they could not take it in vain. So, they substituted the Hebrew word,
Adonai (“my Lord”), which had a similar meaning to the Greek word,
Kurios (i.e., meaning #1, cf. John 4:11). The NT authors used this term to describe
the full deity of Christ.
There are several confessional phrases used of Jesus.
1. Jesus is the Messiah/Christ – Acts 5:42; 9:22; 17:3; 18:5,28; 1 Cor. 1:23
2. Jesus is the Son of God – Acts 9:20; Rom. 1:3-4; Heb. 4:14
3. Jesus is Lord – Acts 2:36; 10:36; 11:20; Rom. 10:9; 2 Cor. 4:5; Phil. 2:11; Col. 2:6

In a sense these summarize the early church’s understanding of Jesus of Nazareth.