The Pre-incarnate Names of the Christ

             During this season we celebrate the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, who as God came in human flesh, that men might know God and His unspeakable gift of eternal life.  Though Jesus first appeared in human flesh as a babe in the manger, He has existed eternally as the Second Person of the Godhead (Trinity). Therefore the Old Testament is full of prophecies and references to Jesus Christ as Saviour, King, and Servant.  These references include the pre-incarnate names of the Christ.

Isaiah 7:14 is set in the context of Israel’s wicked king Ahaz putting his trust in the Assyrians instead of in the living God.

Isa. 7:11-13

1. What did God ask Ahaz to request?  A sign
2.  In answering God, Ahaz said he would not ask or tempt the Lord.
3.  What did God say Ahaz’s (and Israel’s) phony reply did?  Weary men and the Lord.
4. Because of Israel’s continuing unbelief, trust in false gods, and in false alliances, all which wearied the God who had created them as a nation, God determines to show to Israel (and all men) the final, great sign that would be given to men.  To some this “sign” would bring salvation, to all others, this “sign” would bring destruction.
5. This “sign” would involve three supernatural occurrences
    a. A virgin shall conceive
    b. A virgin shall bear a Son
    c. The Son’s Name shall be called Immanuel

Immanuel

This name occurs only 3 times in the Bible, twice in the O.T. (Isa. 9:14,8:8), and once in the N.T. (Matt. 1:23).  Immanuel means God is with man.

Immanuel
         a. God
         b. God is
         c. God is with
         d. God is with man
          e. Jesus the Christ is Emmanuel

Isa. 9:6

God has warned Ahaz that trusting in anyone other than Himself would bring destruction.  God then speaks of the sign that God would be born of a virgin to manifest Himself among men so that men might trust in the only One who is trustworthy.  In Isa. 9:6-7 God gives further details of this One called Emmanuel.

1. A child is born (humanity)
2. A son is given (Deity)
3. He shall be a king (v7) known by the attributes of His Name

Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace

Wonderful = extraordinary, hard to understand (full of wonder; for what He does, who He is, and what He provides)

Counsellor = to advise, counsel

Mighty God = strong[est] (able to accomplish all He devises) Jehovah (the ever present God)

Everlasting Father = perpetuity, continuing future: of God as Father of His people; head or founder; ancestor; provider.

Prince of Peace = ruler under God; foremost: absence of conflict

Matt. 1:19-25
“But when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law...” (Gal. 4:4-5)

Matthew (and Luke) reveal the fulfillment of the prophecies of Isaiah.  In Matthew’s account of the birth of Jesus, and therefore this name, is linked to Isaiah’s mention of Emmanuel, the God who would be with us.  In Matthew’s account the angel appears to Joseph, while in Luke’s account the angel appears to Mary.  Here we see the completion of the prophecy that was only given in part in the O.T.
1. How was it possible for a virgin to conceive and bear a son?  Holy Spirit
2. How do we know that Mary is the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy?
3. How do we know the name of the “God with us”?

Jesus

The Lord in Isaiah said the virgin (who represented national Israel) would call His Name Emmanuel, while the angel in Matthew said that they (believing Israel) would also call His Name Emmanuel, but that Joseph and Mary would call His Name Jesus (humanity).  What was the reason given for calling Him Jesus?  He came to save His people (the Jews) from their sins.

Jesus = God is salvation. Since Scripture clearly indicates that there is only one saviour—Jehovah—God must have manifested Himself in the person identified as Jesus for Him to be able to “save His people...”  We see this in His name. 

“’Je-’ is the abbreviation for Jehovah.  This first syllable identifies Him as the manifestation of Jehovah God, the only saviour (turn to Isa. 43:11).  Jesus is the “saviour name” of Jehovah, the eternal, ever present One.”

“’-Sus’ is the abbreviation for saviour.  This second syllable speaks of the mission, manner and method of the Lord Jesus Christ.”  It is what He came to do, how He did it, and who He did it for.  “His name identifies His person.  He is Jehovah-Saviour.”  “Saviour” means “to deliver, to preserve, to keep, to protect, and to save.” 

Jesus was the O.T. Saviour of the chosen nation of Israel.

Jesus was the N.T. Saviour of the godly remnant of Israel.

Jesus is the past, present, and future Saviour of all who put their faith and trust in His sacrifice.

Jesus is His human name: “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”  Matthew 1:21

Jesus is His prophesied name: “Philip findeth Nathanel, and saith unto him, We have found Him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”  John 1:45

Jesus is His redemption name: “And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.”  John 19:19

Jesus is His gospel name: “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.”  2 Cor. 4:5

Jesus is His resurrection name:  “And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: He is risen; He is not here: behold the place where they laid Him.”  Mark 16:6

Jesus is His glorified and exalted name: “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  Philip. 2:9-11

Jesus Christ is the express image of God, the Saviour of the world come in human flesh to die for sins that He did not commit that men/women might be reconciled to God.