A Ministry of First Baptist Church Elyria OH

   
     First Baptist Church - Elyria, Ohio
Tap To Call

Lesson #16

Lesson #16

The Names and Titles of Jesus

The name “Jesus” is the Greek form of the word “Joshua,” meaning “Yahweh is salvation.” This is made clear in Matthew 1:21 : “You are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

   

Titles Used for Jesus in the Old Testament

There are six names which refer to Jesus in the Book of Isaiah.

• Immanuel, God with us. Isaiah 7:14

• Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

• Root of Jesse. Isaiah 11:10

• Branch. Zechariah 6:12

   

Titles Used for Jesus in the Gospels

Every title, or name used to refer to Jesus, reveals his character.

Title used

 

Significance

 

Bible reference

 

Teacher/Rabbi

and

The Teacher

 

Jesus taught people about God

 

Mark 5:35

 

Prophet

 

He spoke the word of God

 

Luke 24:19

 

Christ

(Greek for Anointed One/Messiah.)

 

Sent to establish God’s kingdom on earth

 

John 1:41

 

I Am

 

Jesus existed before his human life on earth

 

John 8:58

 

The Lamb of God

 

Jesus would be a sacrifice for sin

 

John 1:29

 

Jesus the Nazarene

 

To distinguish him from other people called Jesus

 

Matthew 2:23

 

Son of David

 

Descended from David. Fulfilled all the promises made to King David.

 

Matthew 15:22

 

Son of God

 

Jesus was uniquely related to God

 

Mark 1:1

 

Son of Man

 

Showing his human identity

 

Matthew 8:20

 

Word

 

How Jesus revealed God

 

John 1:1

 

Rabboni

 

My dear Master

 

John 20:16

 

Lord

 

A title showing respect

 

Luke 11:1

 

   

Titles for Jesus in the Rest of the New Testament

Title

 

Significance

 

Bible reference

 

Alpha and Omega

 

The beginning and the end

 

Revelation 1:8

 

Author of life

 

The one who gives life

 

Acts 3:15

 

The bright Morning Star

 

The one who brings light

 

Revelation 22:16

 

Head of the Church

 

The overseer of all Christians

 

Ephesians 5:23

 

Holy and Righteous One

 

Jesus was both holy and righteous

 

Acts 3:14

 

King of kings and Lord of lords

 

Ruler of all

 

Revelation 19:16

 

Lamb

 

Lamb killed as a sacrifice for sin

 

Revelation 5:6 –13

 

Lion of the tribe of Judah

 

A title of the Messiah from the family of David

 

Revelation 5:5

 

Root of David

 

A title of the Messiah from the family of David

 

Revelation 5:5

 

Savior

 

One who saves from sin

 

1 John 4:14

 

Word of God

 

Gives voice to God’s truth

 

Revelation 19:13

 

• In the seven “I ams” described in John’s Gospel, Jesus uses seven figurative descriptions of himself. See: What’s so special about John’s Gospel? page 54.

           

Studying the Life of Jesus

     

Opening Observations

• Nearly everything we know about Jesus comes from the four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

• Many people have strong views about Jesus, but few people have taken the time to read the gospels.

   

Twelve Highlights of Jesus’ Life

Questions to ask as you read through the highlights

• Why do you think the writer included this particular story in his gospel?

• What does this event tell us about who Jesus was?

1 His birth

 

Luke 2:1 –7

 

2 The visit of the shepherds

 

Luke 2:8 –20

 

3 The wise men and their gifts

 

Matthew 2:1 –12

 

4 The twelve-year-old Jesus visits the Temple

 

Luke 2:41 –50

 

5 Jesus’ baptism

 

Matthew 3:13 –17

 

6 Jesus is tempted

 

Matthew 4:1 –11

 

7 A top religious leader talks to Jesus

 

John 3:1 –21

 

8 Jesus speaks to a despised female half-caste

 

John 4:1 –42

 

9 Jesus chooses his team

 

Matthew 10:1 –4

 

10 Peter gets it right

 

Matthew 16:13 –20

 

11 The transfiguration of Jesus

 

Matthew 17:1 –13

 

12 The ascension of Jesus

 

Luke 24:50 –53

 

   

Getting to Know and to Love the Gospels

• Here is a simple way to read through the gospels in less than thirteen weeks.

• Read a chapter a day of Mark’s Gospel (16 days).

• Read a chapter a day of Matthew’s Gospel (28 days).

• Read a chapter a day of Luke’s Gospel (24 days).

• Read a chapter a day of John’s Gospel (21 days).

It’s a Fact

The shortest verse in the Bible is John 11:35 . It has two words, one in Greek.

What Did Jesus Say?

Occasion

 

Bible reference

 

Theme

 

Sermon on the Mount

 

Matthew 5-7

 

The way to be happy

 

The upper room

 

John 13-17

 

How to live the Jesus way

 

The Mount of Olives

 

Matthew 24-25

 

The shape of the future

 

   

What Did Jesus Do?

Miracle

 

Bible reference

 

Spiritual truth demonstrated

 

Paralytic healed

 

Luke 5

 

The forgiveness of sins

 

5,000 people fed

 

John 6

 

Jesus is the bread of life

 

Various miracles

 

Matthew 8

 

Jesus’ authority over disease

 

 

How did people respond to Jesus?

 

People

 

Response

 

Reasons

 

Leaders

 

Few believed

 

They rejected Jesus because:
• He said he was God. John 5:18
• They disapproved of the company he kept. Mark 2:16
• He challenged their traditions. Mark 7:1–13

 

Crowds

 

Many believed

 

Examples of those who welcomed Jesus:
• Many Samaritans. John 4:39
• Many Jews. John 11:45
• Crowds listened to Jesus with delight. Mark 12:37
• People rejected by society. Luke 15:1

 

     

Concluding Thought

• As you read the four gospels, compile your own biography of Jesus. Use the four headings on this page, and write down what happened, with its reference in the gospels.

• See also: A year’s worth of Bible studies, page 62.

              Source: Water, M. (1998). Bible Study made easy. The Made Easy Series (30). Alresford, Hampshire: John Hunt Publishers Ltd.