What does “Jesus Christ” mean?

The name “Jesus Christ” encapsulates the core of Christian belief, intertwining Jesus’s role as the Savior of humanity with his identity as the anointed one of God. The name “Jesus” is derived from the Hebrew name Yeshua (Joshua), meaning “Yahweh [the Lord] is salvation.” This signifies his role as the savior of humanity. “Christ” comes from the Greek word “Christos,” meaning “anointed one,” translating the Hebrew “Mashiach” (Messiah). This title reflects Jesus’s divine appointment as king and priest, foretold in the Hebrew Scriptures.

The Bible offers numerous verses that illuminate the significance of Jesus’s name and mission. Here are three key passages:

1. Matthew 1:21: “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” This verse highlights the salvific role of Jesus, directly linking his name to his mission of salvation.
2. John 1:41: “He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which means Christ).” Here, the terms Messiah and Christ are explicitly defined as meaning the same thing, underscoring Jesus’s identity as the promised deliverer.
3. Acts 4:11-12: “This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” This passage emphasizes the exclusivity of Jesus’s role in salvation and his cornerstone position in the faith.

Three Main Takeaways:

1. Jesus’s Name Encapsulates His Mission: The very name “Jesus” is a declaration of his mission to save humanity from sin, underscoring the deep connection between identity and purpose in Christian doctrine.
2. Christ as the Anointed Savior: The title “Christ” confirms Jesus’s role as the long-awaited Messiah, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies about God’s anointed savior who would bring redemption to the world.
3. The Foundation of Christian Faith: Jesus Christ is central to Christian belief, not merely as a historical figure but as the living foundation of the faith, offering salvation to all who believe in his name. His identity as both Jesus and Christ is pivotal to understanding the Christian message of love, redemption, and the hope of eternal life.