Pentecost: Based Upon Christ’s Work Part 13 of 13

by John Lowe
(Laurens SC, USA)

both Lord and Christ.
The word Lord denotes proprietor, master, or sovereign, and here it clearly means that God had exalted him to be the King that was anticipated for so long; and that he had given him dominion in the heavens; or, as we should say, made Him ruler of all things. The extent of this dominion may be seen in the following verses.
• John 17:2 (KJV) “As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.” This shows how the Son is to be glorified. It is by “GIVING HIM ALL POWER IN HEAVEN AND EARTH,” and “COMMITTING ALL THINGS” to Him, and raising Him from the dead so that “HE SHOULD GIVE ETERNAL LIFE.”
• Eph 1:20-22 (KJV) “Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church.” God's power brought Christ back to the living and moved Him out of the tomb. The Scriptures put Christ at God's right hand (See Mark 16:19; Heb 8:1; 10:12; 12:2; Col 3:1). His seat there indicates his glory, and also that the work of redemption has been accomplished. “Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion” indicates His rank which is above all the angelic hierarchy (See Rom 8:38; 1 Peter 3:22; also Eph 3:10). The same terms are applied to evil spirits in Ephesians 6:12. Christ is above all angels, good or evil. He is above every person, office, and dignitary, whether in this present state, or in that future state. All power was given into his hands when he was raised from the dead (Matt 28:18). He is the rightful ruler of all. He was, when raised from the dead, exalted to be the ruler of all things and made the Head of the church; not merely its ruler, but the Head of the Body, which derives its life from the Head. (See 1 Cor 10:17; 12:27). Note that this exaltation is after the cross and the resurrection, and this definitely shows that Christ's church was not organized until after our Lord's crucifixion.

In His present office, he rules in heaven and on earth; and will come at a time when at a time when no one expects to judge the world. This truth was particularly capable of exciting their fear. They had murdered their Sovereign, who is now shown to be raised from the dead, and entrusted with infinite power. They had reason, therefore, to fear that he would come to them in vengeance, and punish them for their crimes. Those sinners that oppose the Savior are at war with their living and mighty Sovereign and Lord. He has all power; and it is not safe to challenge Him against the Judge of the living and the dead.

He is not only LORD, but also CHRIST. They had crucified the hope of their nation; smeared their hands with the blood of the One the prophets had pointed to, and put to death that Holy One, the prospect of whose coming had sustained the most holy men of the world when afflicted, and cheered them when they looked at the future years. That hope of their fathers had come, and they had put him to death; and it is no wonder that their consciousness of this brought a sense of guilt, and shame, and confusion that would overwhelm their minds, and lead them to ask in deep distress, “What can I do?”

God has glorified Him by making Him BOTH LORD AND CHRIST: these signify the same person; He is Lord of all, and he is not a fraud, but is anointed to be the Christ. He is one Lord to the Gentiles, who at one time had many lords; and to the Jews, he is Messiah, which includes all his offices. This is the great truth of the gospel which we are to believe, that that same Jesus, the very same that was crucified at Jerusalem, is He to whom we owe allegiance, and from whom we are to expect protection, as Lord and Christ. Through the Saviour, the ways of life are made known; and we are encouraged to expect God's presence and his favor forever. All this springs from sure belief that Jesus is the Lord, and the anointed Savior.

I AM SO VERY THANKFUL THAT I CAN SAY, “HE IS MY SAVIOR AND LORD.” I PRAY YOU CAN TOO!