John 1:14 - And the Word (undiminished deity) became flesh (true humanity), and dwelt among us (the Incarnation), and we (James, Peter, and John) beheld His glory (the visual manifestation of the Uniform of Glory), glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth (Bible Doctrine).

In our previous lessons we reviewed the doctrines that relate to TLJC in his first advent when he was incarnated via the virgin birth as celebrated on Christmas.

Christmas is about how God so loved the world that he gave his uniquely born son. It is about how God became human in order to solve the problem of man's of separation from God and man's inability to do anything about it.

Christmas is about what God did to resolve man's problem and how he did it while maintaining his perfect integrity that is composed of his perfect righteousness, his perfect justice and his perfect love.

Christmas is about the person of TLJC. It is about knowing him personally as he is revealed in the Word of God who has existed from eternity. John 1:1;

We started our study with a discussion of the doctrine of the virgin birth that was necessary for there to be no transmission of the OSN and then took up the doctrine of the hypostatic union that explains the mechanics of how undiminished deity and true humanity reside in the person of TLJC and then discussed the doctrine of the kenosis that defines God the Father's protocol for the deity and humanity of TLJC in hypostatic union.

In the context of these doctrines, we are now looking at the names and titles for our Lord Jesus Christ so we can see more clearly what God has done for us through him, so we can more completely understand who TLJC is and what he has done for us.

Both the Old and New Testaments provide us with names and titles for TLJC and it is from these we are given a clearer awareness of Jesus' person, His deity, His humanity, the hypostatic union and His mission as the Messiah, the King of Israel, the Head of the Church, and the Savior of mankind.

Continuing where we left off in our discussion of TLJC being called the chief cornerstone. Matt 21:42; 1Pet 2:6-8; Eph 2:20;

He is the chief cornerstone for those who believe in him for eternal life, those who refuse to believe in him stumble over him because they remain blinded by the god of this world. 2Cor 4:4;

Those who remain in unbelief remain in spiritual death and under eternal condemnation. John 3:18,36; because they rejected the chief cornerstone.

In Eph 2:20, Paul advances the doctrine and describes the church, God's Royal Family, as being "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone."

Using similar imagery Peter describes Jesus as a "living stone, rejected by men, but chosen by God and precious in God's sight" 1Pet 2:4;

These passages reveal that TLJC is not only the source of our salvation and eternal life, but that he is also the basis or foundation of our spiritual life in time.

As Paul says in 1Cor 3:11; "No other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ."

Our Lord is also called the chief cornerstone because He is simultaneously the prince ruler of the Church and the king of Israel."

He is the one who establishes and completes both. Israel as the new racial species and the Church as the new spiritual species.

Another Title for Jesus is "The Righteous or Just One"

In Rev 15:3-4; John records that heaven is filled with praise to God and the Lamb.

In the "song of Moses, and the song of the Lamb," God is not only praised for His great and marvelous works but also for being "just and true" in His ways.

Justice is an attribute of the essence of God so it is completely understandable that Jesus is called the "Just One" or the "Righteous One."

In one of the first evangelistic sermons preached after Jesus' resurrection that is recorded in Acts 3:14; Peter accuses the Jews of rejecting "the Holy and Righteous One".

Stephen also used this title in his accusation of the Jewish religious leaders, that resulted in him being stoned to death.

In Acts 7:52 he said: "Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers"

God the Holy Spirit apparently inspired Peter and Stephen to use the title "Just One" to highlight the contrast between the perfect righteousness and justice of Jesus with the unrighteousness of his people that resulted in the injustice that his people had perpetrated against Him.

In 1John 2:1; we see that that when the believer sins, they have an Advocate with the Father, "Jesus Christ the Righteous (or Just) One";

The words "righteous" and "just" are used interchangeably because the Greek word "diakosune" that is translated righteousness comes from the root word "diakios" that is translated just.

The concept of justice or righteousness applies equally to God's saving work in forgiving the sins of believers and to His punishment of unbelievers.

In Rom 3:24-25; Paul states that because all have sinned, everyone must be redeemed or bought out from the slave market of sin.

Salvation is given freely, as a gift of God through his grace, because of "the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Rom 6:23;

Rom 6:25; Paul states that "God presented TLJC as a propitiatory sacrifice, by his spiritual death. through faith.

He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because God in his forbearance set aside the sins committed beforehand so they could to be judged in TLJC at the right time.

He did this to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus"

Paul makes the case s that since all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God, God, as governor of the universe, has to condemn the guilty if he is to remain perfect in his righteousness and justice.

The substitutionary spiritual death of Jesus on the cross provides the basis whereby God can be just and offer salvation to everyone.

Because of Jesus' work on the cross and the imputation and judgment of all sins in his body, God can remain true to his own perfect integrity that is composed of his perfect Righteousness, Justice and Love and forgive mankind. Col 1:13-14;

We also see that God is not unfair or unrighteous in consigning unbelieving sinners to the lake of fire.

In 2Thes 1:8-9; Paul describes the destiny of those "who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ" as "eternal or unceasing destruction away from the presence of the Lord" They will be punished forever and ever.

Paul affirms that "God is just; he will pay back those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled" 2Thes 1:6-7;

The emphasis on God's righteousness and justice in punishment is also seen in Rom 3:5-6; Rom 9:14; Heb 2:2; and Revelation chapters 15 and 16.

God is the absolute standard of righteousness. Human beings may reject, resist and challenge the "humanity" of God's decisions but their arguments are baseless because God is perfectly righteous and just in his decision regarding salvation and condemnation, and his actions are completely in accord with his perfect integrity.

TLJC who is undiminished deity and perfect humanity manifests the Holiness of God perfectly.

He is the source of the grace of God because he personally received the imputation and judgment for all sins enabling God to be gracious and simultaneously he is the one who executes judgment on anyone who refuses to take advantage of his provision by simply believing in him as the Messiah, the Son of God who takes away the sins of the world. John 3:18;

Another Title for Jesus is "Author"

The Greek noun translated "author" appears three times in the New Testament in reference to Jesus.

Jesus is called the author of our faith Heb 12:2; the author of our salvation Heb 2:10; and the author of eternal life Acts 3:15; NET note 42

The Greek noun "archegos" that is translated "author" or "originator" was frequently used when referring the founder of a city or a nation.

When used in reference to Jesus, it is used to describe him as the Pioneer who has opened the way to salvation and eternal life.

In fulfilling His mission to become the redeemer through His substitutionary spiritual death that was followed by his resurrection.

TLJC bridged the gap between fallen mankind and God, as a result Jesus became the source of eternal life and salvation for all mankind.

As our Prince Ruler He also established the church, the Royal Family of God through His saving work on the Cross and completed it with His session at the right hand of the Father.

He is also the Pioneer of the unique Spiritual Life for the Royal Family that is revealed in the NT scriptures that is given for believers to live at the moment of their salvation.

He is also called "Perfector" or "Finisher". Heb 12:2;

The word translated "Perfector" or "Finisher" is the Greek word "teleiotes"

It means "perfector, completer, consummator: the one who brings through to completion."

TLJC as our Prince Leader is the One who leads us to the attainment of the objective of spiritual maturity.

He does this through his Word that reveal how he thought with God the Father's thoughts that are described as "pistis" that is translated faith.

The TLJC as the "archegos" or author is the source of this faith or doctrinal system of thinking.

This means that the word "pistis" that is translated "faith" describes that which is believed for the Spiritual life.

Jesus is the one who takes precedence in faith and is therefore the perfect example of it.

While he was on the earth in unglorified humanity ( in the days of His flesh) did not deviate from the path of faith, and as the Perfecter he finished it and has brought it to a perfect end in His own person.

He is the leader of all others who walk in that same pattern of faith.

The Greek word "teleiotes" signifies one who completes, or who fulfills a destiny.

The corresponding Greek verb "teleioo" is used to describe TLJC in Heb 2:10; Heb 5:9; and Heb 7:28; where it is translated "perfect" and "made perfect"

He is presented as "the One who has arrived at the goal or objective of faith."

His execution of faith has resulted in His being exalted to the right hand of God, and as the leader He is our pattern, as the perfecter or finisher He is our encouragement, being Himself the incentive to our faith.

The words " author and perfector" carry us from His life on earth, to His present position in heaven where he is seated at the right hand of the father and where he works unceasingly as our great High Priest and advocate. Heb 7:25;

As our example, He has walked the course of faith from beginning to end.

The only way anyone in the Royal Family will reach spiritual maturity is to walk that same course by means of God's thoughts or the thinking of TLJC resident and circulating in the soul just like the apostle Paul did 2Tim 4:7-8;

"Author and Completer" emphasize both the means of obtaining maturity as well as the objective of the spiritual life that is Occupation with Christ.

Together, they indicate that once the believer reaches the high ground, they must hold it. Believers secure and hold their position in the same way that they arrived at it, that is by the application of the truth that is revealed in the Word of God. Psa 119:24;

From these words we have the image of a "captain," a "pioneer leader," or "one who goes first and lead the way" as having completed or finished the course.

Jesus as the leader of the Royal Family and the Head of the Church has blazed the only path of salvation and life. John 14:6;

He has defeated all of the enemies in the cosmic system and has been promoted to the right hand of the Father where he has prepared a place for us. John 14:2-6;