Definitions of the Son of God

Understanding Servanthood
Today’s Focus: Examining the Ministry of Jesus: Definitions of the Son of God
Scripture: Philippians 2:5; Acts 10:36-38; Galatians 2:20; 3:27; Romans 3:23,24

Greetings Kingdom Citizens
When we look at the ministry of Jesus as a servant we can separate it into three parts but the basis of it all is servanthood. The three parts is the Kingly, Priestly and Prophetic. Now in the scriptures we see the name of Jesus used in various ways and forms and we should not bypass these without getting a clear understanding but how it is used. So let’s look at this scripture and we will be using the entire passage here but for this message we will start this discussion.

Philippians 2:5: Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus

Now when we speak about the Spirit as it pertains to the Son or Jesus we see various titles given to Jesus and here they are:
1. Jesus Christ
2. Christ Jesus
3. Jesus
4. Christ
All four of these titles shows up in scripture. But let’s define what each one means because if you can understand what each one means then they can get the correct application to what is being said in the scripture.

Acts 10:36-38: The word which God sent unto the children of Israel; preaching peace by JESUS CHRIST: (He is Lord of all) That word I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; How God ANOINTED JESUS OF NAZARETH WITH THE HOLY GHOST and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him.

In this scripture we see two for the four designated names of Jesus. We see Jesus Christ and Jesus (without the Christ). When the scripture speaks of Jesus Christ it is speaking of Jesus being the Anointed One or “the Christ”. Jesus Christ is the historical Christ because it refers to Jesus being anointed with the Spirit of God within the realm of time. Now we see that the scripture in verse 38 simply mentions the name Jesus without “Christ”. This speaks of the historical Jew walking within the realm of human time. If you look at verse 38 it says Jesus of Nazareth which speaks of his Jewish heritage or lineage but then the scripture goes on to speak of Him being anointed with the Holy Ghost and with power and this changes the reference from Jesus to Jesus Christ.

Galatians 2:20: I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Galatians 3:27: For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have on Christ

When we see the word Christ by itself it is referencing the timeless or eternal Christ. Galatians 3:27 speak of Christ in the sense that we are baptized by the Spirit into Christ. Hence we are a part of the Body of Christ. The scripture that speaks of one Lord, one faith, one baptism is speaking of being baptized into the timeless or eternal Christ. Hence when we are baptized into the eternal Christ we are enveloped in the Anointing. Galatians 3:27 says we have PUT ON CHRIST, hence Christ is our covering and clothing for our spirits.

Romans 3:23,24: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Notice the scripture is saying that the redemption is IN CHRIST JESUS. When the scripture speaks of Christ Jesus it is speaking of the resurrected or ascended Christ. For redemption even be possible, Jesus had to be resurrected from the dead and ascend back to the Father. So anytime we see Christ Jesus we are referring to the post-historical Christ that is eternal.

So this is what we have in a snapshot:
Jesus: The historical Jew that walked in the realm of time
Jesus Christ: Historical Christ that was Jesus the man who was Anointed with the Holy Ghost and with power.
Christ: The Timeless Anointing that embodies and houses the spirits of the sons (The Body of Christ)
Christ Jesus: The Ascended or Resurrected Christ

In the next message we will begin to examine the servanthood of Jesus.

Peace, Love and Grace from the Father,
Calvin Calhoun, Jr.