Topical Bible: Titles and Names of Christ: Emmanuel

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Topical Encyclopedia

The title "Emmanuel" is one of the profound and significant names attributed to Jesus Christ, encapsulating the mystery and majesty of the Incarnation. The name "Emmanuel" is derived from the Hebrew "Immanuel," meaning "God with us." This title is a direct reference to the prophecy found in the Old Testament and its fulfillment in the New Testament.

Old Testament Prophecy

The name "Emmanuel" first appears in the book of Isaiah. In Isaiah 7:14, the prophet declares, "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel." This prophecy was given to King Ahaz of Judah as a sign of God's presence and assurance during a time of national crisis. The promise of "God with us" served as a beacon of hope and divine intervention for the people of Israel.

New Testament Fulfillment

The fulfillment of the Isaiah prophecy is explicitly recorded in the Gospel of Matthew. In Matthew 1:22-23, the evangelist writes, "All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel' (which means, 'God with us')." This passage underscores the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ, born of the Virgin Mary, as the embodiment of God's presence among His people.

Theological Significance

The title "Emmanuel" holds deep theological significance, affirming the doctrine of the Incarnation—God becoming flesh and dwelling among humanity. It emphasizes the intimate relationship between God and His creation, highlighting His willingness to enter into human history and experience. Through Jesus, God is not distant or detached but is actively involved in the redemption and restoration of mankind.

Christ's Presence and Ministry

Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus exemplified the meaning of "Emmanuel." He demonstrated God's love, compassion, and power through His teachings, miracles, and ultimately, His sacrificial death and resurrection. In John 1:14, the apostle John echoes this truth: "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."

Continued Presence

The promise of "God with us" extends beyond the earthly life of Christ. After His resurrection and ascension, Jesus assured His disciples of His continued presence through the Holy Spirit. In Matthew 28:20, He declares, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." This assurance provides comfort and strength to believers, affirming that Christ remains with His Church, guiding and sustaining it through the ages.

Conclusion

The title "Emmanuel" encapsulates the essence of the Christian faith: the belief in a God who is not only transcendent but also immanent, dwelling among His people. It is a name that inspires awe, worship, and a deep sense of God's abiding presence in the lives of believers.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 1:23
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

That Worthy Name.
... Only Christ can give joy and comfort, peace and rest to ... think of some of the familiar
titles and names of that ... How these titles of our blessed Lord, what He is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the lord of glory/that worthy name.htm

Follows up the Same Argument with Passages from the Old Testament.
... But what are we to do because Christ is never spoken of ... was to be born in human form,
these names were so ... given to us." Do you see how many titles the prophet ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter iii follows up the.htm

Cli. Letter or Address of Theodoret to the Monks of the ...
... but she is honoured with the highest titles on account ... yet in another place he uses
both names at once saying "Of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came who ...
/.../theodoret/the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/cli letter or address of.htm

Brief Memoir of Thomas Watson
... Chronicle,' is a list of eighty-seven names of Puritan ... a visible representation of
the Lord Jesus Christ upon the ... of a useful nature, for the titles of which ...
/.../watson/a body of divinity/brief memoir of thomas watson.htm

Additional Evidences of Christianity, and Reflections on the Whole ...
... Deliverer, who, amongst other glorious titles, is sometimes ... Another disguises the
miracles of Christ by false and ... written by the persons whose names they bear. ...
/.../the evidences of christianity/additional evidences of christianity and.htm

The Vatican Council, 1870.
... that there was no supreme Bishop in the Church except Christ; and that ... 272] See a
full list, with all the titles, in the ... 273] See the list of names in Friedberg ...
/.../ 31 the vatican council.htm

The Holy War,
... be most cruel tyrants and butchers of Christ and his ... of hypocrisy, and with glorious
shining titles.' Thus this ... in which they are placed, and the names of the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy war.htm

Dialogue ii. --The Unconfounded.
... Eran."And we give names to him from both these attributes ... shew a true Passover as
says the Apostle, Christ, God, [1314 ... From his work on The Titles of the Psalms ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/dialogue ii the unconfounded.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... The poor profligate, swearing tinker became transformed into the most ardent preacher
of the love of Christ"the well-trained author of The Jerusalem Sinner ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

Period ii. The Church from the Permanent Division of the Empire ...
... in virtue of this likeness, bear the names of the realities which they resemble.
As therefore in a certain manner the sacrament of the body of Christ is the ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period ii the church from.htm