The Names of Jesus - Elmer Towns

title is that as the wax bears the impression of the seal pressed upon it, revealing all the dominant
character traits of that seal, even so Jesus Christ bears the impression of God's essential being,
revealing all the attributes of God.
The second word in this title is hypostasis, which is more of a philosophical than a
theological term. Etymologically, it refers to the sediment or foundation under, a building but
came to be used by Greek philosophers to refer to the essence or real being of a person thought
to rest under the surface appearance of the person. It refers to the substance of what we are. Used
here of Christ in this context, it is an argument for the deity of Christ, for He is substantially
God.
ATTRIBUTIVE NAMES
Several character names of Jesus may be classed as attributive names, for in their
meaning they focus upon the various attributes of God. These names underscore two of the more
prominent attributes-holiness and righteousness.
In several passages Jesus is called the Holy One. The child to be born to Mary was “that
holy thing” (Luke 1:35); later the apostles called Him “thy holy child Jesus” (Acts 4:30). On
several occasions the apostles referred to the Lord as the “Holy One” (Acts 2:27; 13:36; cf.
Psalm 89:18). The primary thought in these designations is that of consecration or being set apart
uniquely unto God. The holiness of Christ was a fundamental requirement of the worthy sacrifice
for sin. Because of His holiness, we become holy. One of the Biblical titles for the Christian is
“saint,” which is connected in thought to the idea of holiness.
Righteousness also is a feature in several of the names and titles of Jesus. He is called
“the righteous” (II John 2:1), “a righteous Branch” (Jeremiah 23:5), “the righteous LORD”
(Psalm 11:7), “my righteous servant” (Isaiah 53:11), “the righteous judge” (II Timothy 4:8), “a
righteous man” (Luke 23:47), “righteousness” (I Corinthians 1:30), and “the righteousness of
God” (Romans 10:3). As holiness refers primarily to the character of Christ, so righteousness
refers primarily to the conduct of Christ. These two titles are closely related because it is
impossible to be righteous without being holy. The righteousness of Christ is an expression of
His holiness just as righteousness is the spontaneous expression of the saint.
The holiness and righteousness of Christ are best expressed in His sinlessness. I refer to
Christ's sinlessness as a four-legged chair, because there are four Scriptures that affirm our Lord
“knew no sin” (II Corinthians 5:21), “did no sin” (I Peter 2:22), was “without sin” (Hebrews
4:15), and could not be convicted of sin (John 8:46). Just as a four-legged chair is the most
secure in which to sit, these four statements serve to affirm the sinless perfection of Christ.
PRIORITY NAMES
Several names and titles of Christ may be called “priority names,” for they emphasize the
priority of Christ either in His Person or accomplishment. The Apostle Paul emphasized this
concept when he noted “that in all things he might have the preeminence” (Colossians 1:18).
Each of the following names refers to the Lord in this sense.