Since we have heard that some of our number to whom we gave no instruction have disturbed you with their words, unsettling your souls, it seemed good to us, having become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 15:24–26)

The name and full title of the one we believe in, follow and worship is “the Lord Jesus Christ.” This exact phrasing in the original language occurs 33 times in the NT, and in modified form “the name of the Lord Jesus” many more times. But the full version includes three terms of significance.

First, He is Lord. That means He is the supreme authority over our lives. Paul counsels Timothy to “keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which He will bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords” (1 Tim 6:14–15). He is the one who will return on a white horse for the battle against the forces of Satan:

“His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems…clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God … and on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, ‘King of kings, and Lord of lords.” (Rev 19:12-16)

He is the one who must be confessed as Lord for salvation (Rom 10:9), which in reality is a recognition of Him as God.

Second, He is Jesus, emphasizing His historical incarnation. He was the man who was born in Bethlehem and raised in Nazareth, and who lived and walked throughout the provinces of Galilee and Judea in first-century Israel. He was human with a human name, and people called Him Jesus of Nazareth, a carpenter’s son (albeit adopted son). He died a physical death and was physically raised. We continue to worship an incarnate God, who continues with His humanity along with His deity forever (notice the post-resurrection depiction of Jesus’ wounds in His hands and side in John 20:27).

Finally, He is Christ. The apostle John informs us that “Christ” is the translation of “Messiah” (John 1:41). The Messiah is “the anointed one” the Jews were seeking to deliver them from all oppression. Sometimes the Scripture refers to Him as “the” Christ, for it is a description rather than a name. We do well to address Him and refer to Him by His full title: our Lord Jesus Christ.

Father, I praise You for Your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, whom I follow.