Search your Bible carefully and you will discover that the Holy Spirit intentionally uses many different names to describe the Son of God. Each of these names tells us something special and unique about the Lord. In fact, several of these names can be found in Peter’s sermon preached in Acts 3:11-26. After healing a beggar (lame from birth) at the gate of the temple, Peter used the miracle to draw a large crowd of people and teach them some important lessons about the Savior. In fact, in the sermon he list six names for the Lord that solely are to be applied to Him. Most of these words may be already familiar to us, but perhaps their meanings are not.
- Jesus (Acts 3:13, 16, 21) – This is probably the most common name to us. It is used 970 times in the Bible. Unfortunately, some would say that this was just His fleshly names given by His earthly parents, but the Bible teaches otherwise. In Matthew 1:21 we learn that the name “Jesus” was not given to Him by Mary and Joseph. Instead it was a name specified by an angel of God the Father. It is, of course, a Hebrew word that means: “God is Salvation.” Jesus would indeed to live up to that name! (See Acts 3:19; 4:12)
- Christ (Acts 3:18, 20-21) – This is term is used to describe Jesus over 560 times in the Bible. The words “Christ” and “Messiah” are the same. In Matthew 1:1 some translations say “Christ” (KJV), while other says “Messiah” (NASB). The word simply means, “Anointed One.” It represents the idea that God specially chose Jesus to be the sacrifice for the sins of the world! We need to live in appreciation of God’s choice!
- Prophet (Acts 3:22-23) – A prophet is a messenger of divine revelation from God (Deuteronomy 18:15, 18-22). Jesus certainly met that criteria. All He spoke was confirmed (including prophecy about His own death and resurrection from the dead). In fact, He is not just a prophet, but The Prophet all prophets preached about (Acts 3:24-25). Will you listen to the words of the ultimate prophet? Will you obey His every command (Luke 13:3; Mark 16:16; Matthew 28:19)?
- His Servant (Acts 3:13, 26) – This phrase is used twice here and later in a prayer in Acts 4:27-28. It says something about, not who, but whose He is. Jesus belongs to His Father and serves His Father. He came to the earth to do the will of the Father (Matthew 26:39; John 6:38). He is not our genie in a bottle to perform for us whatever we ask. His mission from God was to lead people to turn away from sin and wickedness (Acts 3:26). He never let anyone deter Him from accomplishing the mission given by the Father. We need to follow in His footsteps (Matthew 6:33).
- Holy and Righteous One (Acts 3:14) – The word “holy” means to be set apart. The word “righteous” means to be good and upright. Without a doubt Jesus was both of those things to the highest degree! He was “tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). Even a demon said to Him, “I know who you are, the Holy One of God!” This phrase that Peter uses is meant to bring shame to the Jews for putting perfection to death and it is also meant to humble us before God. Like those Jews in Jesus’ time, will we also disown the Holy and Righteous One of God? How we respond to His teachings will determine the answer to that question (Luke 6:46; John 14:15).
- Prince of Life (Acts 3:15) – A prince has rule and authority. Jesus certainly has that (Matthew 28:18). He is the “author and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:2). He is also the giver of not just spiritual life, but ALL life. He is the Creator and Sustainer or ALL things (Colossians 1:13-18). Have we submitted ourselves completely to the Prince of Life?
These are six specific names that the Holy Spirit gives to our King in Peter’s second sermon in the book of Acts. The question is: what must this information cause one to do? Peter also provides the answer to that question in the sermon.
“Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19).
– By Shawn Jeffries