As we continue though the Apostles creed we come to what is probably the most basic tenet of Christianity: we believe in Jesus!
It's in the name after all - Christians.
A fair chunk of the creed will go on to explore exactly who this Jesus Christ is, such as His parentage, place in history, what He did in salvation history past, and what He will do in the future!
Today though, we are reminded that Jesus is Christ, Son and Lord.
Christ or Messiah
Christ is not Jesus' last name, it's a title for Jesus. Though it's essentially used as a name in the New Testament.
So what does this mean? "Christ" is descended from the Greek kristos, and "messiah" is the Hebrew word. Both mean "Anointed one."
If you're familiar with your Bible you will know that there are many "anointed ones" throughout its pages, not least King David. But the word Christ/Messiah eventually came to be used in reference to the anticipated saviour king of God's people.
When Jesus came to earth He showed conclusively that He was THE Christ that people were waiting for.
"The next day John [the baptiser] was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”
... Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus." (Jn 1:35-36,40–42).
The Only Son
There are a great many who are said to be sons of God, such as Adam (Lu 3:38), the nation of Israel (Ex 4:22) and spiritual beings (Ps 82:6–7). Yet, there is only one God the Son, the only begotten of the Father.
He is the one who is the very image of the Father on earth. Like Father, like Son. Jesus said: "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father" (Jn 14:9). So while all people and beings of the earth are in some sense fathered by God as the Creator, there is only one who is "the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being" (Heb 1:3).
"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." (Jn 1:14).
Our Lord
Jesus is our Lord, he is our Master and Commander, our Ruler and King. He is our "Kurios" the "one who is in charge by virtue of possession" (BDAG).
Because Jesus purchased us by His blood (Ac 20:28), we now belong to Him. Once we were enslaved to other masters, but now we are slaves of Jesus! (e.g. Re 1:1–2 LEB). It is good to have such a wonderful Lord who is so kind and loving, gracious and forgiving!
As Christians we willingly serve Him as Lord. We are seeking to be obedient to Him above all earthly masters. This is why we call our selves Christians, and not just God-ians, because the way that we serve and worship God is through Christ our Lord & Saviour.
"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you." 1 Th 5:28.
I believe in: Jesus Christ
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,
As we continue though the Apostles creed we come to what is probably the most basic tenet of Christianity: we believe in Jesus!
It's in the name after all - Christians.
A fair chunk of the creed will go on to explore exactly who this Jesus Christ is, such as His parentage, place in history, what He did in salvation history past, and what He will do in the future!
Today though, we are reminded that Jesus is Christ, Son and Lord.
Christ or Messiah
Christ is not Jesus' last name, it's a title for Jesus. Though it's essentially used as a name in the New Testament.
So what does this mean? "Christ" is descended from the Greek kristos, and "messiah" is the Hebrew word. Both mean "Anointed one."
If you're familiar with your Bible you will know that there are many "anointed ones" throughout its pages, not least King David. But the word Christ/Messiah eventually came to be used in reference to the anticipated saviour king of God's people.
When Jesus came to earth He showed conclusively that He was THE Christ that people were waiting for.
"The next day John [the baptiser] was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”
... Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus." (Jn 1:35-36,40–42).
The Only Son
There are a great many who are said to be sons of God, such as Adam (Lu 3:38), the nation of Israel (Ex 4:22) and spiritual beings (Ps 82:6–7). Yet, there is only one God the Son, the only begotten of the Father.
He is the one who is the very image of the Father on earth. Like Father, like Son. Jesus said: "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father" (Jn 14:9). So while all people and beings of the earth are in some sense fathered by God as the Creator, there is only one who is "the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being" (Heb 1:3).
"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." (Jn 1:14).
Our Lord
Jesus is our Lord, he is our Master and Commander, our Ruler and King. He is our "Kurios" the "one who is in charge by virtue of possession" (BDAG).
Because Jesus purchased us by His blood (Ac 20:28), we now belong to Him. Once we were enslaved to other masters, but now we are slaves of Jesus! (e.g. Re 1:1–2 LEB). It is good to have such a wonderful Lord who is so kind and loving, gracious and forgiving!
As Christians we willingly serve Him as Lord. We are seeking to be obedient to Him above all earthly masters. This is why we call our selves Christians, and not just God-ians, because the way that we serve and worship God is through Christ our Lord & Saviour.
"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you." 1 Th 5:28.
Samuel Lindsay