LESSON ONE
THE TITLES OF JESUS

A. THE BIBLE PLACES GREAT IMPORTANCE UPON NAMES.
Scriptural References:

“Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee” (Genesis 17:5).
“And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel” (Genesis 32:28).

All names in the Bible had meanings and because of this were very important. This is made clear in the changing of:
1. Abram to Abraham.
2. Jacob to Israel.
3. Saul of Tarsus to Paul.

The importance placed upon names is also seen in the naming of John the Baptist and our Lord Jesus.

B. THERE IS ONLY ONE NAME OF DEITY.
Scriptural Reference:
“In that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one” (Zechariah 14:9).

The prophet stated that there is only one Lord, and His name one. If we believe that there are three persons in the Godhead (three Gods), then we shall have to have three names. A person is identified by his name. However, the prophet states that his name is ONE. In Matthew 28:19 the name is singular. What is that one name? We find the answer in Acts 4:12. There is no other name. Conclusive proof that there is one Lord and that He is JESUS.

There is a difference between a title and a name. For example, a man’s name might be “Jones” but he might have several titles, “Captain, Doctor, Pastor, Mister, etc.” Even so, God has many titles but only one name. Each title brings out a certain characteristic, attribute, or quality of Deity, and each is used to bring forth a definite meaning.

C. THE REVELATION OF THE NAME OF JESUS WAS PROMISED.
Scriptural References:
“Therefore my people shall know my name” (Isaiah 52:6).
“In that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one” (Zechariah 14:9).

These prophecies definitely promise that the name of Jesus shall be revealed and known. Now we should rejoice that in this day His Name is not secret and hidden, but is known. The Name of Jesus is above every other name (Philippians 2:9).

In the Old Testament the types and shadows all pointed forward to Jesus Christ. Even so the titles all pointed forward to His Name “JESUS” which was to be revealed.

D. THERE ARE MANY TITLES OF DEITY IN THE OLD TESTAMENT.
1. ELOHIM, PLURAL OF ELOAH.

The English word “God” is equivalent of the Hebrew “Elohim.” This is the plural form of “Eloah” (in Arabic, the word is “Allah”).

The word is applied to heathen gods as well as to our “Elohim” (God). The plural form expresses a plurality of majesty, powers and attributes.

2. EL SHADDAI.

Another word is “El” which occurs chiefly in Job, Psalms and Isaiah. This word signifies strength and is often used with some other descriptive term as “El Shaddai” which means “God Almighty” by which God was especially known to the patriarchs. It describes God as creator, sustainer and supreme governor of the universe.

3. JEHOVAH.

“Jehovah” is derived from four letters: J H V H…”The name of four letters,” “The great and terrible name,” “The peculiar name” and “The separate name.”

This was the unpronounceable name of God. The rabbis, in reading the Scriptures, substituted “ADONAI” (Lord) from which we get “Lord” in our version. JEHOVAH – Exodus 6:3; Psalm 83:18; Isaiah 12:2 and Isaiah 26:4. JAH – This was an abbreviated form, Psalm 68:4.

The meaning of this title is unquestionably given in God’s revelation of Himself to Moses by the phrase “I am that I Am.” It expresses the essential, eternal and unchangeable “Being” of Jehovah. The primary meaning of the name “Lord” (Jehovah) is the “Self- existent One.” Literally, “He that is who He is, therefore the eternal I Am.” He is “the Self- existent One who reveals Himself.”

It is significant that the first appearance of the name “Jehovah” in Scripture follows the creation of man…Jehovah is distinctly the redemption name of Deity in the Old Testament. When sin entered and redemption became necessary, it was Jehovah Elohim who sought the sinning ones (Genesis 3:9-13), and clothed them with coats of skin, a beautiful type of righteousness provided by the Lord God through sacrifice.

The first distinct revelation of Himself by His name “Jehovah” was in connection with the redemption of the covenant people out of Egypt.

4. COMPOUND TITLES.
Jehovah-Jireh – The Lord will provide. (Genesis 22:14).

Jehovah-Raphi – The Lord that healeth. (Exodus 15:26). Jehovah-Nissis – The Lord our banner. (Exodus 17:8-15). Jehovah-Shalom – The Lord our peace. (Judges 6:24).
Jehovah-Ra-ah – The Lord our shepherd. (Psalm 23:1). Jehovah-Tsidkenu – The Lord our righteousness. (Jeremiah 23:6). Jehovah-Shammah – The Lord is present. (Ezekiel 48:35).

E. THERE ARE MANY TITLES OF JESUS GIVEN IN THE BIBLE.

A title is not a name. However, a title brings out certain attributes and characteristics of Jesus. Each title has a meaning. A partial list of His titles are given here with the meaning of a few of them:

All in All – Colossians 3:11.

Almighty, which is, and which was, and which is to come – Revelation 1:8. Alpha and Omega (first and last letters of the Greek Alphabet – Revelation 1:8. Advocate (one who is called to the side of another; intercessor) – I John 2:1.

Ancient of Days – Daniel 7:21.

Beginning and the Ending – Revelation 1:8. Bread of Life – John 6:35.

Bright and Morning Star – Revelation 22:16. Captain of the Host of the Lord – Joshua 5:14. Captain of Salvation – Hebrews 2:10.
Chief Shepherd – I Peter 5:4.
Chiefest Among Ten Thousand – Song of Solomon 5:1. Counselor – Isaiah 9:6.
Daysman (umpire or arbitrator) – Job 9:33. Dayspring (rising of the sun; dawn) – Luke 1:78. Emmanuel (God with us) – Matthew 1:23.
Everlasting Father – Isaiah 9:6. Eternal Life – I John 5:20.
Father – Matthew 28:19.
First and Last – Revelation 1:17.
First Born from the Dead – Colossians 1:18.
First Fruits of Them that Slept – I Corinthians 1:20. Friend that sticketh closer than a brother – Proverbs 18:24. Great God and Saviour – Titus 2:13
Good Shepherd – John 10:11. Holy Ghost – Matthew 28:19.
Head of the Body – Colossians 1:18. High Priest – Hebrews 3:1.
I AM – Exodus 3:14 and John 8:24. Judge – Acts 17:31.
Jehovah – Isaiah 40:3.
King of Kings – Revelation 19:16. Lord of Lords – Revelation 19:16. Living Bread – John 5:51.
Lion of the Tribe of Judah – Revelation 5:5. Messiah – John 4:25.
Man of Sorrows – Isaiah 53:3. Mediator – I Timothy 2:5.
Nazarene – Matthew 2:33.
Prince of Peace – Isaiah 9:6.
Priest after the Order of Melchisedec – Hebrews 5:6. Resurrection and Life – John 11:25.
Root and Offspring of David – Revelation 22:16. Rock of Ages – Isaiah 26:4.
Rose of Sharon, Lily of the Valley – Song of Solomon 2:1. Seed of the Woman – Genesis 3:15.
Sun of Righteousness – Malachi 4:2. Shiloh (Peaceable; Rest) – Genesis 49:10. Sure Foundation – Isaiah 28:16.
Stone cut out without hands – Daniel 2:34. Strong Rock – Psalm 31:2.
Shadow of a Great Rock in a Weary Land – Isaiah 32:2. True Vine – John 15:1.
Truth – John 14:6. Wonderful – Isaiah 9:6. Word – John 1:1.
Word of God – Revelation 19:13. Way – John 14:6.

There are many more titles of Jesus but the above should be sufficient to give the student an understanding of how each one of these brings out some characteristic of Jesus. These are all titles; the name is “JESUS.”

We might speak of our Saviour as the LORD JESUS CHRIST, but when we do, let us understand the “Lord” and “Christ” are titles. The name is “JESUS.”