THE ANOINTED SUPREME AUTHORITY OF SALVATION

Evg. Salvatore Frisella  | @frisellahq | 29SEP26

If we spell out the name Jesus, look at its original Greek and Hebrew meaning, and translate that meaning into English without adding subjective ideas, we arrive at something remarkable.

The name that is above every name, and the only name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved, is the Lord Jesus Christ.

If we temporarily set aside the proper name and look at the meaning of the words themselves, we can describe the title Lord Jesus Christ as:

THE ANOINTED SUPREME LORD OF SALVATION.

The name Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua (Yehoshua), meaning “Yahweh is salvation.” This fits perfectly with what the angel told Joseph:

“And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”

— Matthew 1:21 NKJV

Jesus is not merely someone who teaches about salvation. His very name points to Him as the One through whom God brings salvation.

Peter declared:

“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

— Acts 4:12 NKJV

Then we have the word Lord.

In its basic sense, lord speaks of supreme authority, ownership, and sovereignty. Scripture repeatedly identifies Jesus as Lord, and ultimately declares Him to be:

“KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”

— Revelation 19:16 NKJV

Jesus has the rightful authority to command His people because He is Lord. Yet His authority does not mean He forces people against their will. He calls us to willingly follow Him, believe Him, and obey Him.

Jesus said:

“If you love Me, keep My commandments.”

— John 14:15 NKJV

Then we come to the word Christ.

Christ is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew Messiah, meaning “Anointed One.”

And Jesus was not merely anointed with olive oil. At His baptism, the Holy Spirit came upon Him:

“And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him.”

— Luke 3:22 NKJV

Peter later explained:

“God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power.”

— Acts 10:38 NKJV

So when we confess the Lord Jesus Christ, we are confessing the One who is Lord, whose name means Yahweh is salvation, and who is the Anointed One.

This is why we can describe the greatest name of all as:

THE ANOINTED SUPREME LORD OF SALVATION.

And Scripture gives us even more.

Jesus is the Author and Finisher of our faith:

“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.”

— Hebrews 12:2 NKJV

He is the High Priest of our confession:

“Consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus.”

— Hebrews 3:1 NKJV

He is our Savior:

“For ‘whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.’”

— Romans 10:13 NKJV

He is our Lord:

“For to this end Christ both died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.”

— Romans 14:9 NKJV

He is the Vine, and we are the branches:

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”

— John 15:5 NKJV

And just as Jesus said:

“I can of Myself do nothing.”

— John 5:30 NKJV

If the Son walked in complete dependence upon the Father, how much more should we understand that we can bear no lasting spiritual fruit apart from Him?

The name Jesus tells us who saves.

The title Christ tells us He is the Anointed One.

The title Lord tells us He possesses supreme authority.

Put them together, and we see the glory of the One we confess:

THE LORD JESUS CHRIST — THE ANOINTED SUPREME LORD OF SALVATION.