Topical Encyclopedia
The title "Saviour" is one of the most profound and significant names attributed to Jesus Christ in the Bible, encapsulating His mission and purpose in the divine plan of redemption. The term "Saviour" denotes one who delivers or rescues from peril, and in the context of Christian theology, it specifically refers to Jesus Christ as the one who delivers humanity from sin and its consequences.
Old Testament ForeshadowingThe concept of a saviour is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where God is frequently depicted as the deliverer of His people. For instance, in
Isaiah 43:11, God declares, "I, yes I, am the LORD, and there is no savior but Me." This establishes the foundation for understanding the divine nature of salvation, which is ultimately fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ.
New Testament FulfillmentIn the New Testament, the title "Saviour" is explicitly applied to Jesus Christ, affirming His role in God's redemptive plan. The angel's announcement to the shepherds in
Luke 2:11 proclaims, "Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord." This declaration identifies Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah who comes to save His people.
Salvation from SinThe primary aspect of Christ's role as Saviour is His deliverance of humanity from sin.
Matthew 1:21 states, "She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins." This verse highlights the purpose of Jesus' incarnation and His mission to provide atonement through His sacrificial death and resurrection.
Universal SaviourJesus is not only the Saviour of Israel but of all humanity. In
John 4:42, the Samaritans acknowledge Him as "the Savior of the world." This universal scope of salvation is further emphasized in
1 Timothy 4:10, which refers to "the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe."
Eternal SalvationThe salvation offered by Christ is eternal, securing believers' reconciliation with God and the promise of everlasting life.
Hebrews 5:9 affirms, "And having been made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him." This eternal aspect underscores the completeness and sufficiency of Christ's saving work.
Saviour and LordThe title "Saviour" is often coupled with "Lord," reflecting the dual role of Jesus as both Redeemer and Sovereign. In
Philippians 3:20, believers are reminded, "But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ." This dual title emphasizes the authority and divinity of Christ, who not only saves but also reigns.
ConclusionThe title "Saviour" is central to understanding the identity and mission of Jesus Christ. It encapsulates His divine purpose to rescue humanity from sin, offering eternal life to all who believe. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus fulfills the role of Saviour, providing a way for reconciliation with God and the hope of eternal glory.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
2 Peter 2:20For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
Torrey's Topical Textbook2 Peter 3:18
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
He Produces Testimonies to the Same Doctrine from the Apostle Paul ...
... hesitate to slander God from His own titles; and so ... first might claim as His all
the names which followed ... might imagine that in what followed Christ was spoken ...
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The Title "Word" is to be Interpreted by the Same Method as the ...
... I consider the things that are said about Christ, even by ... there is a countless number
of names which can ... remember them, they declare that these titles are not ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/23 the title word is.htm
Christ's Exaltation
... Thus he is exalted in his titles of honour ... Our high priest has all the names and
wants of his people ... Though Christ be in glory, he knows how to pity and succour ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/7 christs exaltation.htm
Christ the Mediator of the Covenant
... There are several names and titles in Scripture given to Christ, as the great
restorer of mankind: [1] Sometimes he is called a Saviour. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/2 christ the mediator of.htm
Christ a Complete Saviour:
... are his, and that by the best of titles: 'Thine they ... already, 'I will not take up
their names into my ... of this sort are they, who hearing that Christ is Saviour ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/christ a complete saviour .htm
On the Clause, and in one Lord Jesus Christ, with a Reading from ...
... And He is called by two names, Jesus Christ; Jesus, because He saves,"Christ, because
He ... the inspired Prophet Moses conferred these two titles on two ...
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To Bishop Timotheus.
... the incarnation, He is called also by the titles which are ... With them that are
right-minded some names are plainly ... are properly used of the Lord Christ, for in ...
/.../theodoret/the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/cxxx to bishop timotheus.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
On Christ.
... seeing He is called by many different names, according to ... and the Resurrection: for
all these titles are derived ... else was "He which is to come" than Christ? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen de principiis/chapter ii on christ.htm
The Work of Jesus Christ as an Advocate,
... and to the happy conclusion, that the Saviour is our ... To consider the dignity God
hath put upon Christ, by offices, places of trust, and titles of honour ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the work of jesus christ.htm
Resources
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