Topical Bible: Titles and Names of Christ: God's Fellow

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Topical Encyclopedia

The title "God's Fellow" is a profound designation attributed to Christ, emphasizing His unique and intimate relationship with God the Father. This title is derived from the prophetic writings of the Old Testament, specifically in the book of Zechariah, which foreshadows the coming Messiah and His divine nature.

Biblical Reference:

The primary scriptural basis for the title "God's Fellow" is found in Zechariah 13:7. The Berean Standard Bible renders this verse as follows:

"Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, against the man who is My Companion," declares the LORD of Hosts. "Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn My hand against the little ones." (Zechariah 13:7)

In this passage, the term "My Companion" is often understood to mean "My Fellow" or "My Associate," indicating a close and equal relationship with God. This is a significant assertion of the Messiah's divine status, as it implies equality and partnership with God Himself.

Theological Significance:

1. Divine Nature of Christ:
The title "God's Fellow" underscores the belief in the divinity of Christ. It affirms that Jesus is not merely a prophet or a teacher but shares in the very essence and nature of God. This is consistent with the New Testament portrayal of Jesus as the Son of God, who is one with the Father (John 10:30).

2. Messianic Fulfillment:
Zechariah 13:7 is often interpreted as a messianic prophecy fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. The striking of the Shepherd and the scattering of the sheep are seen as references to the events surrounding Christ's crucifixion and the subsequent dispersion of His disciples. This fulfillment further solidifies Jesus' identity as the promised Messiah.

3. Christ's Role in Redemption:
As "God's Fellow," Christ is uniquely positioned to mediate between God and humanity. His divine fellowship with the Father enables Him to be the perfect sacrifice for sin, bridging the gap caused by human transgression. This role is central to the Christian understanding of salvation, as articulated in passages such as Hebrews 9:15.

4. Unity with the Father:
The title also highlights the unity and harmony between the Father and the Son. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus emphasizes His oneness with the Father, asserting that His works and words are those of God Himself (John 14:10-11). This unity is foundational to the doctrine of the Trinity, which posits that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three distinct persons yet one in essence.

Historical and Doctrinal Context:

In the early church, the recognition of Christ as "God's Fellow" was crucial in the development of Christological doctrines. The Nicene Creed, formulated in AD 325, affirms the consubstantiality of the Son with the Father, reflecting the understanding that Jesus is indeed "God's Fellow." This creed was a response to various heresies that sought to diminish the divine nature of Christ, such as Arianism, which denied His eternal divinity.

Conclusion:

The title "God's Fellow" is a testament to the profound mystery of the Incarnation, where Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man, enters into human history to accomplish the work of redemption. It invites believers to contemplate the depth of the relationship between the Father and the Son and to recognize the divine authority and mission of Jesus as the Savior of the world.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Zechariah 13:7
Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, said the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn my hand on the little ones.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Dionysius the Presbyter, to his Fellow-Presbyter Timothy.
... blessed lot of being like unto Christ, then (as ... the whole creation Its appropriate
praises and Its Names. ... sacred writers proclaim not only such titles as these ...
/.../rolt/dionysius the areopagite/chapter i dionysius the presbyter.htm

The Fourth Theological Oration, which is the Second Concerning the ...
... They are the titles of the Son. ... all and above all keep to this, and thou shalt never
err, either in the loftier or the lowlier names; Jesus Christ is the ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxx the fourth theological.htm

1 Cor. Iii. 18, 19
... be called saviour, benefactor, defender, (the very names of God ... a fancy for any of
these titles, but the ... and loving-kindness of our Lord Jesus Christ; with Whom ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily x 1 cor iii.htm

The Work of Jesus Christ as an Advocate,
... SEVENTH.-USE AND APPLICATION. Use First.-To consider the dignity God hath put upon
Christ, by offices, places of trust, and titles of honour, in general. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the work of jesus christ.htm

Christ a Complete Saviour:
... are his, and that by the best of titles: 'Thine they ... 2. By Christ's intercession
I gather, that awakened men and ... offence given, come in their own names to make ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/christ a complete saviour .htm

A Defence of the Doctrine of Justification, by Faith in Jesus ...
... here, as I have said, you glorify your errors also, with names and titles that are ...
the design, the great, the only, and ultimate design of Christ, or his ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a defence of the doctrine.htm

Concerning "Perfect" and "One. "
... God Who is the Father and One Lord Jesus Christ and One ... Unity" to That Which is beyond
all titles, expressing under ... of the right way to explain the Names of God ...
/.../rolt/dionysius the areopagite/chapter xiii concerning perfect and.htm

Epistle xx. To Mauricius Augustus.
... and in ashes, seek for themselves names of vanity, and glory in new and profane
titles. ... thence came Nestorius, who, thinking Jesus Christ, the Mediator ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xx to mauricius augustus.htm

Gospel Missions
... We have one or two still remaining, precious and treasured names; we love them ... he
keeps it to himself as one of his peculiar titles, for he ... Church of Christ! ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/gospel missions.htm

Rom. xvi. 5
... of Heaven, as not to think that names only, but ... For when he says, "approved in Christ,"
he includes the ... For those are mere titles of rank (timhes), but these ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxxi rom xvi 5.htm