1. The Church Knows Jesus by Many Names
Chapter 7:
The Church Knows Jesus by Many Names
©Ave Maria Press

2. Knowing What the Words Mean
Words may mean different things at different points in history and in different contexts.

3. It is awful; it is amusing; it is artificial.
St. Paul’s Cathedral
21st Century English Translation:
awful = awe inspiring
amusing = amazing
artificial = artistic

4. It is even more essential that we understand the words applied to Jesus Christ in Scripture.
Understanding the context of the Scriptures allows us a deeper union with Jesus Christ.

5. Gospel Words to Describe Jesus
Who is
Jesus Christ?

6. Christology studies the nature, Person, and works of Jesus.
The branch of theology that attempts to answer this question is Christology.
Who is Jesus?
How can he be both human and divine?
What does it mean to call him the Son of God?
Christology studies the nature, Person, and works of Jesus.

7. Emmanuel – “God with us”
There are many titles applied to Jesus in the New Testament. Some of these, we examined in previous chapters:
Emmanuel – “God with us”
The Word of God – Who always existed with God and is God
Son of Man – Both human and divine, and will issue in God’s Kingdom
Son of God – Begotten, not made
I AM – God

8. Other titles—or names—for Jesus give us even more insight into the Person of Christ.
Rabbi
A rabbi is a highly respected teacher of Jewish law or theology. Jesus is called “rabbi” fourteen times in the New Testament. We can tell from this, that he was respected and admired.

9. Other titles—or names—for Jesus give us even more insight into the Person of Christ.
One of the most important titles given to Jesus. It comes from the Greek translation of the Hebrew messiah, which means Jesus is anointed, or chosen.
Contemporaries of Jesus had many different ideas about what the Messiah would be. Some, like the Zealots, expected that he would be a military leader to throw off the Roman occupation. The Essenes expected him to be a priestly ruler who would reform worship in Jerusalem. Still others thought he would be a prophetic figure bringing moral reform.
None of these people expected the Messiah to be the actual Son of God. What Jesus tells us about his role as Messiah is that he will be the Son of Man, who will come in glory at the end of time – but that he is also a Suffering Servant. The Messiah will sacrifice his very life for his people.

10. Other titles—or names—for Jesus give us even more insight into the Person of Christ.
A prophet is also a person who represents God. Prophets are sent by God, to speak his message and perform works on his behalf. Many recognized Jesus as this kind of prophet.
As Jesus said, “I came into this world to testify to the truth.”
Prophet
One way to think of prophets is that they predict the future.
Jesus did make prophecies that were later fulfilled, like his prediction about the destruction of the Temple.

11. Other titles—or names—for Jesus give us even more insight into the Person of Christ.
Priest
One definition of a priest is a mediator between God and humanity. It is this role of a priest that Jesus performs when he bridges the gap between God and us, by sacrificing himself for our sins. He continues to do this in each celebration of the Eucharist.

12. Other titles—or names—for Jesus give us even more insight into the Person of Christ.
King
Jesus was called “king” by the Magi who visited him after his birth. He was also charged by Pontius Pilate with making himself king of the Jews. For this he was sentenced to death. Jesus was not the king the people expected, but he is, indeed the King of Kings.

13. Other titles—or names—for Jesus give us even more insight into the Person of Christ.
Lamb of God
In the Old Testament, the lamb sacrificed at Passover was a symbol of salvation and freedom from slavery.
Jesus gave up his life for the redemption of humanity, and became the sacrificial lamb of the New Testament.

14. Other titles—or names—for Jesus give us even more insight into the Person of Christ.
Savior
Jesus’ own name means “God saves.” This is most appropriate, for Jesus embodies the meaning of the word savior—“one who protects or saves from present or future danger.”

15. Other titles—or names—for Jesus give us even more insight into the Person of Christ.
When Christians use the term “Lord” for Jesus, however, we are translating the Greek kurios, which is, in turn, a translation of the Hebrew Adonai—the word the Jews used in place of the most holy name of God (YHWH). So in calling Jesus “Lord,” we are stating boldly that he is God.
Lord
When Jesus lived on earth, people used the term “Lord” to refer to a ruler, other powerful person, or as an address similar to “sir.”

16. Christian Symbols Teach about Jesus
As external signs of another reality, various Christian symbols can help us to understand Christ better. Through the centuries symbols rooted in Scriptural quotes have been used in religious art to help Christians grasp important truths about Jesus.

17. Alpha and Omega
In the Book of Revelation, Jesus tells us that he is the “Alpha and the Omega,” which are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. This conveys that Jesus is the beginning and the completion of all history.

18. Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudeorum.
The Roman authorities posted the crime of those being crucified on their cross for all to see. In Palestine, they affixed signs in three languages—Hebrew, Latin, and Greek; so that everyone would be able to read them. The sign on Jesus’ cross said, “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” I.N.R.I is the abbreviation for the Latin,
Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudeorum.

19. Jesus Christ the Conqueror
The cross with the accompanying Greek letters conveys that Jesus has conquered sin and death. IC are the first and last letters of the Greek word for Jesus; XC are the first and last letters of the Greek word for Christ; and NIKA is the Greek word that means “to conquer.”

20. Chi-Rho
Chi (X) and Rho (P) are the first two letters of the Greek word for Christ: Χριστος. This familiar symbol for Jesus identifies him as the Messiah.

21. Fish
The fish becomes a symbol for Christ and for Christians because of the anagram for the first letters of the words in a short creed: “Jesus Christ Son of God Savior.” In Greek: Ιησους Χριστος Θηου Υιος Σωτηρ. The Greek word ІΧΘΥΣ means “fish.”

22. IHS are the first three letters of the name Jesus in Greek: Ιησους.

23. Lamb
Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. With his passion and death, he made himself the perfect sacrifice to redeem us from our sins.

24. Church Councils Clarified Teachings about Jesus
With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Church issues statements about our beliefs so that they remain true to what has been handed down to us by the Apostles.

25. Early in its history, the Church had to respond to beliefs that were not consistent with the true faith handed down by the Apostles.
These false teachings are called heresies. When people developed mistaken ideas about Jesus, causing a heresy to circulate, the Church had to clarify what Catholics should believe by issuing clear statements.

26. During the first five centuries of Christianity, the Church Fathers helped clarify Church teaching about Jesus and the Trinity.
St. Irenaeus St. Athanasius St. Cyril of St. Leo
Alexandria the Great
These were important bishops, theologians, teachers, and scholars whose writings have greatly contributed to Church doctrine and practice.

27. Is Jesus really human?
The heresy of Docetism held that Jesus only appeared to be human. This belief was a form of Gnosticism, which claims that Jesus shared a secret knowledge with only a few close friends. Gnostics denied Jesus’ humanity and therefore his Resurrection.
The Gospel of John answered Docetism by telling us that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
St. Irenaeus defended orthodoxy (true and established teaching) against Gnostic beliefs in his book Against Heresies.

28. Is Jesus really God?
Arianism became a dangerous heresy in the Third Century AD. Its originator, Arius, taught that Jesus was not God, but only the greatest of creatures, whom God adopted as his son.
This false belief threatened the unity of the Christian faith, and was vigorously combated by St. Athanasius and other Church leaders at the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. Arianism was condemned as a heresy at the council, and the Nicene Creed was issued, which details the most essential beliefs of orthodox Christianity.

29. Is Jesus really God?
The teaching of St. Athanasius and the fathers of the Council of Nicaea was upheld at the second ecumenical council—at Constantinople in AD Because of the leadership of St. Athanasius in defending the true teaching of Christianity, he is called the “Father of Orthodoxy”
(true teaching).

30. How many persons are in Christ?
Another problem arose when Nestorius, the patriarch of Constantinople, taught that there were two persons in Jesus—one human and the other divine. Nestorianism also said that Mary was only the mother of the human Jesus, and should, therefore, not be called the “Mother of God.”
St. Cyril of Alexandria defended the truth of Mary’s title as Theotokos— Greek for “God-bearer.” More importantly, this meant that Christ is one person with two natures—both human and divine. St. Cyril’s position was upheld at the Council of Ephesus in AD 431, and Nestorianism was denounced as heresy.

31. How many natures are in Christ?
Another heretic, Eutyches, said that the divine nature of Jesus completely swallowed up his human nature—so Jesus only had one nature, which is divine. This is called Monophysitism.
Pope St. Leo the Great corrected this heresy, saying that Jesus is one Divine Person with two natures – both human and divine. His teaching was confirmed at the Council of Chalcedon (AD 451), and the Second and Third Councils of Constantinople (AD 553 and 680).

32. Your text presents twelve of the dogmatic teachings about Jesus from the early ecumenical councils. These three are among the most important:
Jesus is consubstantial with the Father. He is divine. (Nicaea, AD 325)
Mary is truly the Mother of God – Theotokos. (Ephesus, AD 431)
Jesus is one divine Person with two natures; human and divine. (Chalcedon, AD 451)

33. The Nicene Creed Summarizes Beliefs about Jesus
Our creed—written at Nicaea in AD 325—was endorsed and expanded at the First Council of Constantinople (AD 381).
It contains the essentials of the Christian faith.

34. In answering heresy, it effectively summarizes the Christian faith.
The Nicene Creed (or Niceno-Constantinopalitan Creed) was originally formulated to address the heresy of Arianism.
In answering heresy, it effectively summarizes the Christian faith.
The Creed focuses on belief about Jesus Christ, the Blessed Trinity, and the Catholic Church.

35. He is the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
The Nicene Creed begins describing God with the first Person of the Trinity.
He is the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

36. The Creed continues with our beliefs about the Son of God.
Jesus Christ is Lord. The only Son of God—eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God. Through him all things were made.

37. The Creed then proclaims our belief in the third Person of the Blessed Trinity.
The Holy Spirit is the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son, he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the prophets.

38. The Nicene Creed also puts forth the other essential beliefs of our Christian faith.
It details the important events in the life of Christ, such as his virgin birth, his crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension into heaven.

39. It proclaims our belief in the one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
The Nicene Creed also puts forth the other essential beliefs of our Christian faith.
It proclaims our belief in the one holy catholic and apostolic Church.

40. The Nicene Creed also puts forth the other essential beliefs of our Christian faith.
And it proclaims our faith in one baptism which God gives us for the forgiveness of our sins, that we may experience the resurrection of the body and everlasting life in the fullness of God’s Kingdom—the world to come.