THE NAMES OR TITLES OF CHRIST IN JOHN 1. God Light Only Begotten of the Father

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1 II. THE NAMES OF CHRIST As the names of God are given in Scripture to reveal the nature of God, so the names of Christ reveal truth concerning Jesus Christ. These names, however, refer to various aspects of the second Person of the Trinity, sometimes emphasizing His deity, at other times emphasizing His humanity. Some of these names reflect His character, while others emphasize various aspects of His work. Scholars disagree concerning the number of names of Christ which the Scriptures contain. Perhaps more of these names appear in the first chapter of John than in any other chapter of Scripture. The assigning of names with meaning is particularly characteristic of Hebrew writing, and much of the Gospel of John is Hebraic in style. As John began his treatise to demonstrate the deity of the Saviour (John 20:31), he began by reminding the reader of the names of Christ. THE NAMES OR TITLES OF CHRIST IN JOHN 1 Word Life Flesh God Light Only Begotten of the Father Light of Men True Light Jesus Christ Only Begotten Son Lord Jesus Lamb of God Son of God Rabbi Master Messiah Christ Jesus of Nazareth The Son of Joseph King of Israel Son of Man Him He A. JEHOVAH. Perhaps the most honored of all names of God in Scripture was that of Jehovah. Yet as was illustrated earlier in this chapter, Jesus is equated with Jehovah throughout the Scriptures. The name is derived from the Hebrew verb to be and was the name God used most often when relating to man, especially in covenant. Scotchmen suggests, The identification of our Lord Jesus Christ with the Lord of the Old Testament results in an explicit doctrine of His deity. i Particularly in the Gospel of John, Jesus reveals Himself as the I AM of the Old Testament. THE GREAT I AM s B. SON OF GOD. 1. I am the bread of life John 6:35 2. I am the light of the world John 8:12 3. I am the door John 10:9 4. I am the good shepherd John 10:11 5. I am the resurrection and the life John 11:25 6. I am the way, the truth, and the life John 14:6 7. I am the vine John 15:5 +1 I am... I am (Exod. 3:14) John 4:26; 8:58; 18:5, 6, 8 Another name of Jesus Christ in the New Testament is Son of God, which is used by Christ in referring to His deity. In the Old Testament the reference to the Sonship of Christ is, I will declare the decree: The Lord

2 hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee (Psa. 2:7). This verse reveals a conversation between God the Father and God the Son. The Father calls the second Person of the Trinity by the name Son and says, I have begotten thee. Again the Bible teaches A son is given (Isa. 9:6). When the expression Son of God is used by and of Christ, it is obviously a reference to His divine relationship to God the Father. Christians are the sons of God (not capitalized), and they call God their Father. But Jesus identifies a special relationship to His Father, as Felder notes, As often as Jesus speaks of his relations with his Father he uses constantly and without exception the expression My Father ; and as often as he calls the attention of the disciples to their childlike relation to God, there is the equally definite characterization, Your Father. Never does he associate himself with the disciples and with men by the natural form of speech, Our Father.... Even on those occasions in which Jesus unites himself with the disciples before God, and when therefore it would be certainly expected that he would use the collective expression, Our Father, there stands, on the contrary, My Father... Thus and similarly does Jesus distinguish unequivocally between his divine Sonship and that of the disciples and men in general. ii Further discussing the Sonship of Christ, Stevenson explains the relationship between Christians being called sons of God, and Christ the Son of God. It is true that the term sons of God is used of men (Hosea 1:10) and of angels in the Old Testament (Gen. 6:2; Job 1:6; 38:7). But in the New Testament, the title Son of God is used of, and by, our Lord in quite a different way. In every instance the term implies that He is the one, only-begotten Son; coequal, co-eternal with the Father. iii Some Bible interpreters raise a question as to when Jesus became the Son of God. The first theory teaches that Jesus became the Son of God at the incarnation. To prove this, they use the prediction to Mary by the angel, He shall be called the Son of God (Luke 1:35). In the second place, others say He became the Son of God at His baptism. It was there God broke the silence of Heaven to announce, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased (Matt. 3:17). A third view is that Jesus became the Son of God at His resurrection, because Paul said, Declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead (Rom. 1:4). Yet another group cites Hebrews 1:1-4, arguing that Jesus became the Son of God by appointment at His ascension. A fifth false view concerning when Jesus became the Son of God suggests that in eternity past the Father and Son agreed and entered into some type of covenant relationship resulting in Jesus becoming the Son of God. The Holy Spirit is then said to have agreed to be the agent to carry out the plan. Advocates of this view are unable to provide any scriptural support for their idea, and the Bible reminds us our eternal life was promised before the world began (Titus 1:2). While this does not prohibit the establishing of a covenant prior to the promise, it does make it highly improbable. All of these views fail to recognize the teaching of one of the Bible s best-known verses: 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 (John 3:16). Jesus always has been the Son of God. Jesus was recognized as the Son of God before He came to earth to provide eternal salvation. Jesus was the Son of God even before the protoevangelium or first giving of the gospel in Genesis 3:15, And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; he shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. This verse predicted the coming of the seed of the woman to bruise the head of the serpent. The key to understanding when Jesus became the Son of God is to understand the meaning of the word day in Psalm 2:7. The word day does not refer to a twenty-four-hour period in time. God lives beyond time. This word means an eternal day. Technically, the Sonship of Jesus Christ is called Eternal Generation. Jesus did not become the Son of God at a point of

3 time. He has eternally been in the process of being generated as the Son in God s eternal day. The conclusion is that there never was a time that Christ was not the Son of God. C. ONLY BEGOTTEN SON. The Bible identifies angels, Jews and Christians at various times as sons of God, but the relationship that exists between God the Father and Jesus Christ is different. Jesus is the only begotten Son of God. The term only begotten is used to describe the unique relationship between the Father and Jesus (John 1:14, 18; 3:16; 1 John 4:9). Though any individual who trusts Christ personally for salvation will become a child of God (John 1:12), there is only one only begotten Son of God. Because of His relationship to the Father, Christ expresses the nature of God, just as a son possesses the nature of his father. The son of a human has a human nature. The only begotten Son of God is just like His heavenly Father, for He is God. D. SON OF MAN. Jesus used the term Son of man when discussing His earthly ministry (Matt. 8:20; 9:6; 11:19; 16:13; Luke 19:10; 22:48), when foretelling his passion (Matt. 12:40; 17:9, 22; 20:18), and in teaching regarding His return in power and great glory (Matt. 13:41; 24:27, 30; 25;31; Luke 18:8; 21:36). The Jew who heard this title would immediately think Messiah. Montefiore argues, If Jesus said these words we can hardly think that he distinguished between himself, the Son of man, and the Messiah. The Son of man must be the Messiah, and both must be himself. iv Kreyssler and Scheffrahn write, Jesus clearly believed Himself to be the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah. In referring to Himself, He continually used the title The Son of man from David s vision. v Concerning this name of Christ, Stevenson notes, This was the designation which our Lord habitually used concerning Himself. It is not found in the New Testament on any other lips than His own except when His questioners quoted His words (John 12:34), and in the one instance of Stephen s ecstatic exclamation in the moment of his martyrdom, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God (Acts 7:56). It was clearly a Messianic title, as the Jews recognized (John 12:34). vi E. WORD. One of the most important titles of Christ is the Word. Pink suggested that a word is (1) a medium of manifestation; (2) a means of communication, (3) and a method of revelation. vii In his commentary on the Fourth Gospel, Tenney suggests, The term LOGOS, which occurs four times, includes more than its English translation, word. A word is an idea expressed through a combination of sounds or of letters. Without the idea or concept behind it, the medium would be meaningless. KXBZ might represent a radio station; but as a combination of letters and or sounds, if it could be pronounced, it has no meaning whatsoever because no concept is attached to it. Just so the term LOGOS implies the intelligence behind the idea, the idea itself, and the transmissible expression of it. The term was used technically in the Greek philosophy of this period, particularly by the Stoics, to devote the controlling Reason of the universe, the all-pervasive Mind which ruled and gave meaning to all things. LOGOS was one of the purest and most general concepts of that ultimate Intelligence, Reason, or Will that is called God. viii Scholars debate whether John borrowed the term word from the Greeks or the Jews. If the term is Greek, there may be numerous philosophical implications. If the term is Hebrew, he may be making reference to wisdom in Proverbs 5-8. Probably Jesus is called the Word of God because this phrase is used over 1200 times in the Old Testament to refer to the revelation or message of God, as in the phrase the Word of God came to a certain prophet. Jesus Christ was also the message, meaning, or communication from God to men. Jesus was everything the written and spoken Word of the Lord was in the Old Testament. Jesus is therefore the expression, revelation and communication of the Lord. He is both the incarnate and inspired Word. TEN CONCLUSIONS ABOUT THE WORD IN JOHN 1:1-18

4 1. The phrase In the beginning is not a reference to a point in time, but a reference to eternity past. 2. The personality of the Word is evident in that it is capable of individualizing Himself. 3. The Word has active and personal communication with God. 4. There are two centers of consciousness in that the Word was God yet also was face to face with God. 5. The Word has the essence of deity. 6. The Father and the Word are one. 7. The Word was the avenue by which God expressed or revealed Himself. 8. The incarnate Word is the continuity of the preincarnate Word. 9. As God lived in a tent, spoke in a tent and revealed Himself in the Old Testament tabernacle, so the Word tabernacled among us. 10. The incarnation of the Word is the unique revelation of God. F. ADDITIONAL NAMES OF CHRIST. There are many additional names of Christ, which reveal truth concerning the second Person of the Trinity. The following list was compiled by T. C. Horton and Charles E. Hurlburt. ix The Seed of the Woman The Stone of Israel Wall of Fire The Branch The Messenger of the Covenant The Sun of Righteousness Son of Abraham A Governor Friend of Sinners A Sower My Beloved Son The Bridegroom Good Master One Son, His Well Beloved The Son of the Highest The Highest The Babe The Salvation of God A Sign Lord of Sabaoth A Certain Samaritan A Light to Lighten the Gentiles A Certain Nobleman The Word The Only Begotten of the Father A Prophet Mighty in Deed and Word Rabbi NAMES OF CHRIST IN SCRIPTURE

5 The Gift of God The True Bread from Heaven The Living Bread The Resurrection Master The Life Our Keeper My Lord and My God The Holy One and Just A Prince and a Savior Lord of All Jesus of Nazareth His Own Son The Man Whom He Hath Ordained The First Born among Many Brethren Minister of the Circumcision Righteousness The Last Adam The Image of God The Angel of Jehovah The Peace Offering The Captain of the Host of the Lord Tender Grass The Lifter Up of Mine Head My Shepherd Jehovah, Mighty in Battle My Rock and My Fortress A Stranger and an Alien Showers Upon the Earth My High Tower Understanding Bundle of Myrrh The Lily of the Valley Altogether Lovely The Child Wonderful The Everlasting Father A Rod Out of the Stem of Jesse The Ensign of the People A Glorious Throne to His Father s House A Refuge From the Storm A Diadem of Beauty A Tired Stone Shadow of a Great Rock in a Weary Land Our Lawgiver The Everlasting God The Polished Staff A Man of Sorrows The God of the Whole Earth The King in His Beauty Mine Elect A Leader The Redeemer The Angel of His Presence

6 My Physician A Righteous Branch The Shepherd of Israel A Stone Cut Without Hands The Hope of His People A Star The Rock of my Salvation The Daysman Fortress Restorer King of Glory The Rock that is Higher than I The King s Son My First-Born Wisdom A Friend that Sticketh Closer than a Brother Cluster of Camphire Him Whom My Soul Loveth The Branch of the Lord A Sanctuary Counsellor The Prince of Peace A Branch Out of His Roots My Strength and My Song Strength to the Poor and Needy The Rock of Ages The Foundation A Cover from the Tempest As Rivers of Water in a Dry Place Jehovah The Light of the Gentiles The Holy One of Israel My Righteous Servant A Witness to the People The Lord Jehovah A Root Out of Dry Ground Thine Everlasting Light Balm of Gilead My Portion David, Their King Feeder Ancient of Days Manna My Servant, the Branch The Meat (Meal.) Offering My Glory A Worm and No Man The Strong and Mighty Jehovah My Strong Rock A Strong Tower Rain Upon Mown Grass The Head Stone of the Corner Ointment Poured Forth Excellent

7 A Rose of Sharon The Chiefest Among Ten Thousand Jehovah of Hosts A Great Light The Mighty God The Light of Israel The Root of Jesse A Nail Fastened in a Sure Place A Shadow from the Heat A Crown of Glory A Sure Foundation As a Hiding Place from the Wind My Maker A Commander Our Potter The Hope of Israel Resting Place A Plant of Renown Stronghold A Ruler The Prince of Princes King over All the Earth The King The Light of the City Purifier The Son of David Emmanuel A Nazarene My Beloved Jesus the Christ Master Our Brother Jehovah, My God Refiner Jesus Christ Jesus The Young Child The Servant of Jehovah The Christ The Prophet of Nazareth The Carpenter Thou Son of the Most High God Christ, the Son of the Blessed God My Savior The Dayspring from on High The Consolation of Israel The Child Jesus A Great Prophet The Master of the House The Chosen of God The Light of Man The Lamb of God The King of Israel Messiah The Bread of God

8 His-Only Begotten Son The Bread of Life I Am One Shepherd A Grain of Wheat The Truth The Way The Vine The Overcomer The Man The Head of Every Man The Lord from Heaven The Wisdom of God Lord Both of the Dead and the Living Our Passover That Spiritual Rock A Quickening Spirit The Head Head over All Things Shiloh (Peacemaker) A Scepter The Son of Mary A Ransom Son of Man The King of the Jews Horn of Salvation Christ, the Lord The Lord s Christ The Glory of the People Israel The Holy One of God Physician The Christ of God A Guest The True Light The Son of God The Light of the World The Good Shepherd The Christ, the Savior of the World The Door of the Sheep The Christ, the Son of God The Sent of the Father A Man Approved of God The Prince of Life The Just One Judge of Quick and Dead Jesus Christ our Lord God Blessed Forever The Deliverer The Power of God Sanctification The Foundation Thine Holy One The Holy Child Jesus Lord Jesus

9 Redemption Lord Over All The Lord of Glory The Unspeakable Gift He That Filleth All in All Christ Our Peace The First-Fruits of Them That Sleep One Lord A Sacrifice to God The Lord Jesus Christ The First-Born of Every Creation The Beginning Christ our life Lord of Peace The Mediator Blessed and Only Potentate The Great God Brightness of His Glory The Upholder of All Things The Captain of Our Salvation The Builder King of Righteousness The Minister of the Sanctuary Mediator of a Better Covenant Mediator of the New Covenant The Great Shepherd of the Sheep A Lamb Without Blemish or Spot The Bishop of Souls The Day Star That Eternal Life The Propitiation The True God Jesus Christ The Savior of the World The Prince of the Kings of the Earth The First and the Last The Hidden Manna The Beginning of the Creation of God The Lamb Slain The Lamb in the Midst of the Throne A Sweet Smelling Savor His Dear Son Creator of all Things The First-Born from the Dead All and in All Our Hope The Man Christ Jesus The Judge of Quick and Dead God our Savior God The Apostle The Great High Priest The Forerunner

10 The Surety Author of Eternal Salvation Higher than the Heavens He That Shall Come The Author of Faith A Priest Forever My Helper That Worthy Name A Living Stone A Stone of Stumbling A Rock of Offense A Chief Corner Stone Lord and Savior Jesus Christ The Advocate Jesus Christ the Righteous The Son of the Father The Faithful Witness The First Begotten of the Dead He that Liveth The Lion of the Tribe of Judah King of Saints Lord God Omnipotent Faithful and True The Bright and Morning Star An Offering The Image of the Invisible God The Head of the Body Hope of Glory The Lord Christ Christ Jesus God Manifest in the Flesh The Righteous Judge Heir of All Things The Sin Purger The Express Image of His Person The Seed of Abraham The High Priest King of Peace Our Intercessor Separate from Sinners The Testator A Rewarder The Finisher of Faith Jesus Christ the Same The Word of Life The Just An Elect Stone A Precious Stone The Chief Shepherd The Son Eternal Life The Almighty The Morning Star The Alpha and Omega

11 The Amen The Faithful and True Witness Lord of Lords King of Kings The Testifier The Temple The Offspring of David Word of God i. Cited by Robinson, Our Lord, 115.* ii. Hilarin, Felder, Christ and the Critics, trans. by John L. Stoddard (London: Burns Oates and Washburn Ltd., 1924), 1: iii. Herbert F. Stevenson, Titles of the Triune God (Westwood, NJ: Fleming H. Revell Co., 1956), 123.* iv. C. F. Montefiore, The Synoptic Gospels (London: MacMillan and Co., Ltd., 1909), 1:361. v. Karl Scheffrahn and Henry Kreyssler, Jesus of Nazareth: Who Did He Claim to Be? (Dallas: Pat Booth, 1968), 9-10.* vi. Stevenson, Titles, 120.* vii. Pink, Gospel of John, 1:21. viii. Tenney, Gospel of Belief, 62. ix. T. C. Horton and Charles E. Hurlburt, The Wonderful Names of Our Wonderful Lord (Los Angeles: Grant Publishing House, 1925). There are 365 names and titles of Christ covered on pp