|
TheBibleTRUTH -> Honoring Jesus Christ (8/31/2008 7:19:20 PM)
|
God put it on my heart to share something with you guys that is extremely important.
Most people refer to Jesus Christ as just "Jesus". This is not giving Christ his due respect and is not giving him the title that he rightfully earned by being a perfect man and buying us back from the clutches of sin and death.
After the Day of Pentecost he is almost always given some sort of exalted title. Jesus Christ, Christ Jesus, Holy Child Jesus, Lord Jesus, etc. The only time it stands alone as Jesus pertaining to the ministry of God's people is when they are talking about how he was a man, was crucified, and then resurrected.
Acts 2:22
22) Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
It looks as if he is going to call him by only his name Jesus without his exalted title. But if you keep reading to the end of Peters teaching, he gives Christ his due reverence.
Acts 2:23; 36
23)Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
36)Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
He ends his explanation of what happened with Christ by giving him his due exaltation, the name of Christ.
------------------------
Throughout all Acts (after the Day of Pentecost) and the Church epistles he is almost always given an exalted title and is not called simply "Jesus." In fact, there are several occasions of only the name "Jesus" in Acts and they all are in a negative connotation.
Acts 4:1-3 - The Sadducees were grieved because they were preaching "Jesus." Used negatively. Further down in verse 10, he is given his exalted title by Peter, a true man of God.
Acts 4:18 - They commanded them to not teach or speak of Jesus. Used here without the exalted title in a negative connotation.
Acts 5:40 - Again commanding them not to speak the name of Jesus. Used here without the exalted title in a negative connotation.
Acts 19:13-17 - Vagabond Jews trying to cast out a devil spirit in the name of "Jesus." They were overtaken by the man with the spirit. In other places healing and spirits are cast out in the name of Jesus Christ.
Acts 25:1-20 - Festus does not believe the teachings of Paul, refers to Christ as simply "Jesus" in his unbelief.
These are only a few of the times when the name of Jesus is used in a negative manner. Many times if it looks as if it's going to be used alone, the context supplies his reverence with his relationship to God, his crucifixion and resurrection, or is given to him in verses that are following the one where it is used alone.
--------------------------
The first usage of a healing or a miracle in acts are done in the name of Jesus Christ. He was exalted and given a name above every name after his resurrection as he was given the title of Christ. Many times in Aramaic he is referred to as "Jesus the Christ," which is fantastic because it's really a title more than a last name.
We should all be giving Christ his due respect by using the name of Jesus Christ, rather than just Jesus. After all it's the way the first century church did it during the time of Peter, Paul, John, etc.. there is no reason we should stop now.
God bless you in the wonderful name of Jesus Christ.
|
|
|
|