Early Christian Titles of Christ
Early Christians called Jesus Christ by many true titles, including Word, Lord, King, Priest, Saviour, and God. Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Tertullian, Novatian, Origen, and Victorinus all tie those titles to Scripture. The main point is simple: Christ’s titles describe who he is and what he does. Some writers explain the titles as roles or deeds, but they still use them to speak of his real identity.
151 early-church witnesses · 247 source quotations · compared with Scripture
What did early Christians believe about the Titles of Christ?
Early Christian writings treat Christ’s titles as real names of his role and work, not as empty labels. Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Tertullian, Novatian, Origen, and others call Jesus Christ Lord, Word, King, Priest, God, and Saviour, and they link those titles to Scripture like John 1:1, John 1:14, Romans 9:5, and John 20:28. The widest agreement is that Christ is more than a human teacher: he is the Word made flesh, the Lord of all, and the one who bears a name above others.
The evidence is especially strong for Christ as Word, Lord, and God; it is a little more mixed on how every title should be explained, since some writers stress that certain titles describe his deeds or office. A few cards are only background or weak name-matching, but the core teaching is broad and early. Many more early Christian quotations, Bible passages, and source links are gathered below so you can study the evidence for yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Early Christian writers often called Jesus Christ the Word, Lord, King, Priest, Saviour, and God.
- Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Tertullian, Novatian, Origen, and Victorinus connect these titles to Bible passages.
- Some writers say titles like Christ or Lord point to his office and work, but they still apply them to Jesus as real descriptions.
- The strongest repeated titles in the records are Word, Lord, and God.
Questions Answered by the Sources
What titles did early Christians use for Jesus Christ?
Early Christian writers repeatedly list a wide range of titles for Christ, especially Lord, Christ, Word, God, King, Priest, and Savior. These sources show that title-language was central to their teaching about Jesus.
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Justin Martyr, The Second Apology Direct teaching
...m the name is considered older. Words like Father, God, Creator, Lord, and Master are not names but titles derived from His deeds and roles. His Son, who alone is properly called Son, the Word, was with Him and was begotten before creation, used by Him to create and organize all things. He is called Christ, referring to His anointing and God's ordering all through Him, though this name holds an unknown significance; just as the title "God" is not a name but a belief ingrained in human nature about something that is difficult to explain. However, "Jesus," His name as both man and Saviour, holds significance too. He became man, as mentioned earlier, conceived according to the will of God the Father, for the sake of believers and to vanquish demons. You can observe this yourself: countless demoniacs worldwide, including in your city, are healed by many of our Christian men exorcising them in the name of Jesus Christ, who was crucified under Pontius Pilate. They successfully render the possessing devils powerless and expel them from people, even when all other exorcists using incantations and drugs could not cure them.
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Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Direct teaching
But although His name, which the supreme Father gave Him from the beginning, is known to none but Himself, nevertheless He has one name among the angels, and another among men, since He is called Jesus among men: for Christ is not a proper name, but a title of power and dominion;
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Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness
12. We ought to remember by what name Christ calls His people, by what title He names His flock.
More related quotations from this section 2 shown
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Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book II Supporting witness
...w language use different expressions for God, like Sabaoth, Eloë, and Adonai, as well as other such terms, and tries to argue that these indicate different powers and gods, let them understand that all these expressions are just names and titles for the same Being. Eloë in Hebrew means God, while Elōeim and Eleōuth signify "that which contains all." The term Adonai sometimes means something that is nameable and admirable, but when the letter Daleth is doubled and the word begins with a guttural sound, like Addonai, it means "One who bounds and separates the land from the water," so the water doesn't flood the land. Similarly, when Sabaoth is spelled with a Greek Omega as Sabaōth, it means "a voluntary agent," but with a Greek Omicron, like Sabaŏth, it means "the first heaven." Likewise, the word Jaōth with a long and aspirated last syllable means "a predetermined measure," but when written shortly with Omicron as Jaŏth, it means "one who puts evils to flight." All other expressions also refer to the same Being, such as The Lord of Powers, The Father of all, God Almighty, The Most High, The Creator, The Maker, and so on. These are not the names and titles of different beings, but
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Athenagoras, A Plea for the Christians Background
The Stoics also, although by the appellations they employ to suit the changes of matter, which they say is permeated by the Spirit of God, they multiply the Deity in name, yet in reality they consider God to be one.
Did early Christians call Jesus the Word of God and God?
Several early writers explicitly identify Christ as the Word of God and say he is God or Lord and God. The selected Bible texts include John 1:1, John 1:14, Revelation 19:13, Romans 9:5, and Thomas's confession in John 20:28.
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Novatian, Treatise Concerning the Trinity Direct teaching
... Father, whom it has always desired. Therefore it is the Son who is seen. But the Son of God is the Word of God. And the Word of God was made flesh and dwelt among us. And this is Christ. What in the world is the reason that we should hesitate to call Him God, when in so many ways He is acknowledged to be proved God? And further, the angel meets Hagar, Sarah's maid, driven from her home as well as turned away, near the fountain of water on the way to Shur. He asks and learns the reason for her flight. After that, he offers her advice that she should humble herself. Moreover, he gives her the hope of the name of mother, and pledges and promises that from her womb there should be a numerous seed, and that Ishmael should be born from her. Along with other things, he unfolds the place of his dwelling and describes his way of life. Yet Scripture sets forth this angel as both Lord and God. For He would not have promised the blessing of seed unless the angel had also been God. Let them ask what the heretics can make of this passage. Was that the Father who was seen by Hagar, or not? For He is declared to be God. But far be it from us to call God the Father an angel, lest He should be s
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Origen, Commentary on John Direct teaching
23. The Title Word Is to Be Interpreted by the Same Method as the Other Titles of Christ.
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Novatian, Treatise Concerning the Trinity Direct teaching
And so John also, describing the birth of Christ, says, "The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." Moreover, His name is called the Word of God in Revelation 19:13, and not without reason. "My heart has emitted a good word." Afterward he then calls that word by the name of the King by implication: "I will tell my works to the King." For by Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made, as John 1:3 says. Whether they are thrones or dominions, or powers, or mights, visible things or invisible, all things subsist by Him, as the apostle says in Colossians 1:16. Moreover, this is that Word which came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. For the world was made by Him, and the world did not know Him, as John 1:10-11 says. Moreover, this Word was in the beginning with God, and God was the Word, as John 1:1 says. Who then can doubt, when it is said in the last clause, "The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us," that Christ, whose birth is being described, is man because He was made flesh? And because He is the Word of God, who can shrink from declaring without hesitati
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Victorinus, Commentary on the Apocalypse Supporting witness
And so John also, while describing the birth of Christ, says, “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” For His name is also called “the Word of God,” in Revelation 19:13, and not without reason. “My heart has uttered a good word.” He then afterward calls this word by the name of the King indirectly: “I will tell my works to the King.” For by Him all works were made, and without Him nothing was made, as John 1:3 says. “Whether,” says the apostle, “they are thrones or dominions, or powers, or mights, visible things and invisible, all things subsist by Him,” as Colossians 1:16 says. Moreover, this is that Word which came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. For the world was made by Him, and the world did not know Him, as John 1:10-11 says. Moreover, this Word was in the beginning with God, and God was the Word, as John 1:1 says. Who then can doubt, when in the last clause it is said, “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us,” that Christ, whose birth is being described, is man because He was made flesh? And because He is the Word of God, who can shrink from declaring with
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Origen, Against Celsus Direct teaching
For the Lord of those who are ambassadors for Christ is Christ Himself, whose ambassadors they are, and who is the Word, who was in the beginning, was with God, and was God.
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Tertullian, On Prayer Supporting witness
in which our Lord Jesus Christ has been approved as the Spirit of God, and the Word of God, and the Reason of God: the Spirit, by which He was mighty;
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Tertullian, Against Praxeas Supporting witness
Romans 9:5 He shows us also that the Son of God, which is the Word of God, is visible, because He who became flesh was called Christ.
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Hippolytus, Against the Heresy of Noetus Supporting witness
And that He was sent Peter testifies, when he says to the centurion Cornelius: God sent His Word unto the children of Israel by the preaching of Jesus Christ.
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Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Supporting witness
on this account we call Him Christ, that is, the Anointed, who in Hebrew is called the Messias.
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Victorinus, Commentary on the Apocalypse Supporting witness
And this Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us: therefore Christ is God;
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Novatian, Treatise Concerning the Trinity Supporting witness
For, moreover, His name is called the Word of God, Revelation 19:13 and not without reason.
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Theophilus of Antioch, Connection to John 1:1 Background
one of whom, John, says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,"
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Caius, Fragments Direct teaching
All the psalms, too, and hymns of brethren, which have been written from the beginning by the faithful, celebrate Christ the Word of God, ascribing divinity to Him.
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Acts 17:3 Supporting witness
explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.”
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Early Liturgies, Divine Liturgy of St. Mark Supporting witness
O Sovereign Lord, Christ Jesus the Word, who art equal in power with the Father and the Holy Spirit, the great high priest;
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Justin Martyr, The First Apology Supporting witness
And the first power after God the Father and Lord of all is the Word, who is also the Son;
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Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Supporting witness
inasmuch as God is the Word, as He Himself confessed.
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John 1:1 Supporting witness
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
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John 1:14 Supporting witness
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
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Revelation 19:13 Supporting witness
And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
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1 Peter 1:11 Supporting witness
Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
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Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book III Supporting witness
2. That John knew the one and the same Word of God, and that He was the only begotten, and that He became incarnate for our salvation, Jesus Christ our Lord, I have sufficiently proved from the word of John himself.
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Dionysius of Rome, Against the Sabellians Supporting witness
And if Christ is the Word, the Wisdom, and the Power — for the divine writings tell us that Christ is these, as you yourselves know — assuredly these are powers of God.
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Hippolytus, Connection to Acts 10:36 Supporting witness
And that He was sent Peter testifies, when he says to the centurion Cornelius: "God sent His Word unto the children of Israel by the preaching of Jesus Christ. This is the God who is Lord of all."
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Tertullian, Against the Valentinians Supporting witness
from which circumstance the titles of the Word and the Life were suitably transferred to Him.
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Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book I Supporting witness
and that on this account he was called Christ, thus preserving the appellation of the Father, by whom he was produced.
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Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book III Supporting witness
For He did Himself truly bring in salvation: since He is Himself the Word of God, Himself the Only-begotten of the Father, Christ Jesus our Lord.
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Clement of Alexandria, Exhortation to the Heathen Supporting witness
but inasmuch as He has now assumed the name Christ, consecrated of old, and worthy of power, he has been called by me the New Song.
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Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Background
And in the Preaching of Peter you will find the Lord called Law and Word.
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Wisdom of Solomon 9:1 Background
O God of my fathers, and Lord of mercy, Who hast made all things with thy word,
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Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor (Paedagogus) Background
... members of the angelic choirs. And since the Word is the overflowing fountain of life and has been called a river of olive oil, Paul, using fitting figurative language and calling Him milk, adds, "I have given you to drink," in 1 Corinthians 3:2. For we drink in the word, the nourishment of the truth. In fact, liquid food is also called drink. And the same thing can somehow be both food and drink, depending on the different ways it is viewed, just as cheese is milk made solid, or solidified milk. For I am not concerned here with making a precise choice of wording, but only with saying that one substance provides both kinds of nourishment. Besides, for nursing children, milk alone is enough. It serves as both food and drink. "I have food to eat that you do not know of," says the Lord. "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me," in John 4:32-34. You see another kind of food that, like milk, figuratively represents the will of God. Also, He called the completion of His own suffering a cup, using the term in an extended sense, when He alone had to drink it and drain it. Thus, for Christ, the fulfilling of His Father's will was food. And for us infants, who drink the milk of the
Did early Christians teach that Christ is Lord, King, or Priest?
The sources repeatedly call Christ Lord, King, and Priest, and some tie those titles to scripture such as Philippians 2:11, Hebrews 3:1, and 1 Corinthians 8:6. Justin, Gregory, Tertullian, and others present these as real titles of Christ rather than loose honorifics.
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Gregory Thaumaturgus, Connection to 1 Corinthians 8:6 Supporting witness
For Paul addresses the Father as one in respect of divinity, and speaks of the Son as one in respect of lordship: "There is one God the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by Him."
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Hippolytus, Treatise on Christ and Antichrist Supporting witness
Daniel 7:13-14 He showed all power given by the Father to the Son,Matthew 28:18 who is ordained Lord of things in heaven, and things on earth, and things under the earth, and Judge of all:Philippians 2:10 of things in heaven, because He was born, the Word of God, before all (ages);
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Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor (Paedagogus) Supporting witness
...onomy 5. And so on. These things must be kept, along with whatever else is commanded in reading the Bible. And by Isaiah He commands us: "Wash yourselves, and make yourselves clean. Put away wickedness from your souls before my eyes. Learn to do good. Seek judgment. Rescue the wronged. Judge for the orphan, and justify the widow. And come, and let us reason together," says the Lord. And we will find many examples in other places also. For example, about prayer, Scripture says, "Good works are an acceptable prayer to the Lord." And the manner of prayer is described: "If you see the naked, cover him, and do not overlook those who belong to your own seed. Then your light shall break forth early, and your healing shall spring up quickly; and your righteousness shall go before you, and the glory of God shall surround you." What, then, is the fruit of such prayer? "Then you shall call, and God will hear you; while you are still speaking, He will say, 'I am here.'"
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Acts 10:36 Supporting witness
The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
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Philippians 2:11 Supporting witness
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
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1 Corinthians 8:6 Supporting witness
But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
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1 Corinthians 12:3 Supporting witness
Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.
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John 13:13 Supporting witness
Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
Did early Christians say Christ's titles had meaning beyond just a name?
Some sources explicitly say titles like Father, God, Lord, Christ, and Word are not just bare names but descriptions of deed, role, power, or identity. This theme appears in Justin, Cyprian, Origen, Lactantius, and Gregory Thaumaturgus.
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Victorinus, Commentary on the Apocalypse Supporting witness
... Father, whom it has always desired. Therefore it is the Son who is seen. But the Son of God is the Word of God, and the Word of God was made flesh and dwelt among us, and this is Christ. What reason in the world is there for us to hesitate to call Him God, when in so many ways He is shown to be God? And further, the angel meets Hagar, Sarah's maid, after she has been driven from home and cast out, near the spring of water on the way to Shur. He asks and learns the reason for her flight. After that, He advises her to humble herself. He also gives her the hope of becoming a mother, and He pledges and promises that from her womb there would come a numerous seed, and that Ishmael would be born from her. With other statements He also reveals the place of Ishmael's dwelling and describes his manner of life. Yet Scripture presents this angel as both Lord and God. For He would not have promised the blessing of offspring unless that angel had also been God. Let them ask what the heretics can make of this passage. Was that the Father who was seen by Hagar, or not? For He is declared to be God. But far be it from us to call God the Father an angel, lest He should be under another whose an
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Novatian, Treatise Concerning the Trinity Direct teaching
and Christ was seen. Rightly, therefore, Christ is both Lord and God, who was not otherwise seen by Abraham, except that as God the Word He was begotten of God the Father before Abraham himself.
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Victorinus, Commentary on the Apocalypse Direct teaching
...ly trustworthy, that Jesus Christ the Son of God is our Lord and God. For "in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and God was the Word. The same was in the beginning with God." And, "The Word was made flesh, and dwelt in us." And, "My Lord and my God." And, "Whose are the fathers, and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, God blessed forevermore." What then shall we say? Does Scripture set before us two Gods? How then does it say that God is one? Or is Christ not also God? How then is it said to Christ, "My Lord and my God"? Therefore, unless we hold all this with proper reverence and sound reasoning, we will rightly be thought to have given a scandal to the heretics, not by any fault of the heavenly Scriptures, which never deceive, but by the presumption of human error, by which they have chosen to be heretics. And first, we must turn the attack against those who charge us with saying that there are two Gods. It is written, and they cannot deny it, that there is one Lord. What then do they think about Christ? That He is Lord, or that He is not Lord at all? But they certainly do not doubt that He is Lord. Therefore, if their reasonin
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Novatian, Treatise Concerning the Trinity Direct teaching
...st trustworthy: that Jesus Christ the Son of God is our Lord and God. For "in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and God was the Word. The same was in the beginning with God." And, "The Word was made flesh, and dwelt in us." And, "My Lord and my God." And, "Whose are the fathers, and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, God blessed forevermore." What then shall we say? Does Scripture set before us two Gods? How then does it say that God is one? Or is Christ not also God? How then is it said to Christ, "My Lord and my God"? Unless, therefore, we hold all this with proper reverence and sound argument, we will rightly be thought to have given a scandal to the heretics, not by the fault of the heavenly Scriptures, which never deceive, but by the presumption of human error, by which they have chosen to be heretics. And first, we must turn the attack against those who accuse us of saying that there are two Gods. It is written, and they cannot deny it, that there is one Lord. What then do they think about Christ? That He is Lord, or that He is not Lord at all? But they do not doubt at all that He is Lord. Therefore, if their reasoning is
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Novatian, Treatise Concerning the Trinity Direct teaching
...d that all things were made by him. Moreover, this Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, that is, Christ the Son of God. Since we later received him as man according to the flesh, and also see that before the foundation of the world he was the Word of God, and God, we rightly, according to the teaching of the Old and New Testament, believe and hold that Christ Jesus is both God and man. What if this same Moses presents God as saying, "Let us make man after our image and likeness"; and then below, "And God made man; in the image of God He made him; male and female He made them"? If, as we have already shown, it is the Son of God by whom all things were made, then certainly it was also the Son of God by whom man was formed, for whose sake all things were made. Moreover, when God commands that man should be made, he is called God who makes man. But the Son of God makes man, that is, the Word of God, by whom all things were made, and without whom nothing was made. And this Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. Therefore Christ is God. Therefore man was made by Christ as by the Son of God. But God made man in the image of God. Therefore he who made man in the image of God is God.
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Victorinus, Commentary on the Apocalypse Supporting witness
...y will be said to have been predestined before this predestination of Christ to glory. And on these terms Christ is found to be inferior to other men, although He is truly found to be better and greater, and more ancient than the angels themselves. Either, then, let all these things be set aside, so that Christ’s divinity may be destroyed; or if these things cannot be set aside, let the heretics attribute His proper divinity to Christ.
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Victorinus, Commentary on the Apocalypse Supporting witness
And if any angel at all subjected to Christ can be called God, and this, if it be said, is also professed without blasphemy, certainly much more can this be fitting for Christ, Himself the Son of God, for Him to be pronounced God.
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Novatian, Treatise Concerning the Trinity Supporting witness
And this Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us: therefore Christ is God;
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Victorinus, Commentary on the Apocalypse Supporting witness
...w can it be that “I and the Father are one,” if He is not both God and the Son? He may therefore be called one, since He is of Him, being both His Son, and being born of Him, being declared to have proceeded from Him, by which He is also God. When the Jews thought this hateful, and believed it to be blasphemous, because He had shown Himself in these speeches to be God, they therefore rushed at once to stone Him, and passionately set to work to hurl stones. He strongly refuted His adversaries by the example and witness of the Scriptures. “If,” He said, “He called them gods to whom the words of God were given, and the Scripture cannot be broken, do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified, and sent into this world, ‘You blaspheme,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?” By these words He did not deny Himself to be God, but rather He confirmed the claim that He was God. For because, without doubt, they are called gods to whom the words of God were given, much more is He God who is found to be above all these. And nevertheless He refuted the false charge of blasphemy in a fitting manner and with lawful tact. For He wishes to be understood as God in this way, as the Son of God, and
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Gregory Thaumaturgus, A Sectional Confession of Faith Direct teaching
and in one Lord Jesus Christ, true God, that is, Image of the true God, Maker of all things seen and unseen, Son of God and only-begotten Offspring, and Eternal Word, living and self-subsistent and active.
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Titus 2:13 Supporting witness
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
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2 Thessalonians 1:12 Supporting witness
that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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Romans 9:5 Supporting witness
To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
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Titus 1:4 Supporting witness
To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
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Philippians 2:9 Supporting witness
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
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Revelation 19:12 Supporting witness
His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.
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Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness
...eacons, and the rest of the brothers in the mines, martyrs of God the Father Almighty, and of Jesus Christ our Lord, and of God our preserver: everlasting greeting. Your glory, indeed, would demand, most blessed and beloved brothers, that I myself should come to see and embrace you, if the limits of the place appointed for me did not restrain me, banished as I am for the sake of the confession of the Name. But in whatever way I can, I bring myself into your presence. And although I am not permitted to come to you in body and movement, yet in love and in spirit I come, expressing my mind in my letter. In that mind I joyfully exult in those virtues and praises of yours, counting myself a partaker with you, although not in bodily affliction, yet in the fellowship of love. Could I be silent and restrain my voice in stillness, when I am made aware of so many and such glorious things concerning my dearest friends, things with which the divine condescension has honored you? Part of you have already gone before, by the consummation of their martyrdom, to receive from their Lord the crown of their deserts. Part still remain in the dungeons of the prison, or in the mines and in chains. By
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Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness
and he who blasphemes against Him whom Christ called His Lord and His God, is rewarded by Christ, and obtains remission of sins, and the sanctification of baptism!
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Isaiah 47:4 Background
As for our Redeemer, the Lord of hosts is His name, The Holy One of Israel.
Did early Christians say Christ was King, Priest, or ruler?
Yes. Justin Martyr, Origen, Lactantius, and Gregory Thaumaturgus call Christ King, Priest, and ruler, and they connect those titles to his work and authority. These titles are not as central as Word, Lord, and God, but they are still used often and with clear meaning.
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Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho Direct teaching
...he oil of gladness above Thy companions.’ All kings and anointed beings received their share of the titles of kings and anointed from Him, just as He Himself received the titles of King, Christ, Priest, and Angel, among others, from the Father. Aaron’s rod that blossomed declared him to be the high priest. Isaiah prophesied that a rod would come forth from Jesse’s root—this was Christ. David says the righteous man is ‘like a tree planted by the channels of water, yielding its fruit in its season, and whose leaf does not wither.’ Again, the righteous are said to flourish like the palm tree. God appeared to Abraham near a tree, as written, near the oak at Mamre. The people found seventy willows and twelve springs after crossing the Jordan. David proclaims that God comforted him with a rod and staff. Elisha, by throwing a stick into the Jordan River, recovered the iron part of the axe with which the prophets' sons were cutting trees to build a house for studying God's law and commandments; similarly, our Christ, by being crucified on the tree and purifying us with water, has redeemed us from the worst offenses we committed and made us a house of prayer and adoration. Furthermore, i
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Origen, Commentary on John Supporting witness
In addition to these titles we must consider at the outset of our work that of Christ, and we must also consider that of King, and compare these two so as to find out the difference between them.
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Lactantius, The Epitome of the Divine Institutes Supporting witness
Yet by men He is called by two names — Jesus, which is Saviour, and Christ, which is King.
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Julius Africanus, Extant Writings Supporting witness
Let us not therefore descend to such religious trifling as to establish the kingship and priesthood of Christ by the interchanges of the names.
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Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor (Paedagogus) Supporting witness
O King of saints, all-subduing Word of the most high Father, Ruler of wisdom, Support of sorrows, that rejoices in the ages, Jesus, Saviour of the human race, Shepherd, Husbandman, Helm, Bridle, Heavenly Wing of the all-holy flock, Fisher of men who are saved, catching the chaste fishes with sweet life from the hateful wave of a sea of vices — Guide [us], Shepherd of rational sheep;
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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness
and His name is called the Angel of His Great Council, the Wonderful Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Potentate, the Prince of Peace, the Father of the Future Age.
More related quotations from this section 7 shown
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Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho Direct teaching
For Christ is King, and Priest, and God, and Lord, and angel, and man, and captain, and stone, and a Son born, and first made subject to suffering, then returning to heaven, and again coming with glory, and He is preached as having the everlasting kingdom: so I prove from all the Scriptures.
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Hebrews 3:1 Supporting witness
Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
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1 Corinthians 1:30 Supporting witness
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
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Jeremiah 2:2 Supporting witness
The kings of the earth stood up, And the rulers gathered themselves together, Against the Lord, and against his Christ;
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Revelation 19:16 Supporting witness
And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
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1 Timothy 6:15 Supporting witness
Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
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Isaiah 9:6 Background
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Why did early Christians use so many titles for Christ?
Early Christians used many titles because they believed each title pointed to a true part of Christ’s identity or work. Justin Martyr lists King, Priest, God, Lord, angel, man, captain, and stone, while Origen and Clement say Christ can be called by many names from his many works.
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Origen, Commentary on John Direct teaching
So then, from His work of enlightening the world, whose light He is, Christ is called the Light of the World. And because He makes those who sincerely join themselves to Him put away their deadness, rise again, and put on newness of life, He is called the Resurrection. In the same way, from another kind of activity, He is called Shepherd and Teacher, King and Chosen Shaft, and Servant, and besides these, Paraclete and Atonement and Propitiation. In the same way, He is also called the Word, because He takes away from us all that is irrational and makes us truly rational, so that we do all things, even eating and drinking, to the glory of God. By the Word, to the glory of God, we carry out both the more common functions of life and those that belong to a more advanced stage. For if, by sharing in Him, we are raised up and enlightened, and perhaps also herded and ruled over, then it is clear that we become rational in a divine way, when He drives away from us what is irrational and dead in us, since He is the Word, that is, reason, and the Resurrection. But consider whether all men in some way share in Him as the Word. On this point the Apostle teaches us that He is not to be sought o
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Origen, De Principiis (On First Principles) Direct teaching
But it would require both much time and labour to collect together all the titles of the Son of God, such, e.g., as the true light, or the door, or the righteousness, or the sanctification, or the redemption, and countless others;
More related quotations from this section 17 shown
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Acts 11:26 Supporting witness
and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
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Luke 9:20 Supporting witness
He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God.
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John 20:31 Supporting witness
but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.
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Colossians 1:18 Supporting witness
And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness
...s master, as the high priest of God, and as a teacher of godliness. For the one who hears him hears Christ, and the one who rejects him rejects Christ. And the one who does not receive Christ does not receive His God and Father. For He says, “He who hears you hears me, and he who rejects you rejects me, and he who rejects me rejects Him who sent me.” Luke 10:16 In the same way, let the bishop love the laity as his children, caring for them and cherishing them with loving diligence: like eggs, so that young may hatch; or like young birds, taking them in his arms so that they may be raised into birds. He must admonish all men and reprove all who need reproof. He must reprove, but not strike; bring them low so that they may be ashamed, but not ruin them; warn them so that they may be converted; and rebuke them so that they may be reformed and live better lives. He must watch over the strong, that is, keep firm in the faith the one who is already strong. He must feed the people peaceably. He must strengthen the weak, that is, confirm by exhortation the one who is being tempted. He must heal what is sick, that is, cure by instruction the one who is weak in the faith because of doubt.
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Tertullian, Against Marcion Supporting witness
Christ, however, comes in His own name. What will you do, then, when He Himself comes who is the very Proprietor of these names, the Creator's Christ and Jesus?
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Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho Supporting witness
“But if you knew, Trypho,” continued I, “who He is that is called at one time the Angel of great counsel, and a Man by Ezekiel, and like the Son of man by Daniel, and a Child by Isaiah, and Christ and God to be worshipped by David, and Christ and a Stone by many, and Wisdom by Solomon, and Joseph and Judah and a Star by Moses, and the East by Zechariah, and the Suffering One and Jacob and Israel by Isaiah again, and a Rod, and Flower, and Corner-Stone, and Son of God, you would not have blasphemed Him who has now come, and been born, and suffered, and ascended to heaven;
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Gregory Thaumaturgus, Connection to 1 Corinthians 12:3 Supporting witness
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body."
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Hippolytus, Treatise on Christ and Antichrist Supporting witness
and of things under the earth, because He was also reckoned among the dead, preaching the Gospel to the souls of the saints,1 Peter 3:19 (and) by death overcoming death.
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Clement of Rome, Connection to Colossians 1:18 Supporting witness
Let us consider, beloved, how the Lord continually proves to us that there shall be a future resurrection, of which He has rendered the Lord Jesus Christ the first-fruits by raising Him from the dead. Let us contemplate, beloved, the resurrection which is at all times taking place.
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Tertullian, Against Marcion Supporting witness
Concerning His other names, however, and especially that of Christ, what has the other side to say in reply?
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Theophilus of Antioch, Connection to Acts 11:26 Supporting witness
and since, besides, you call me a Christian, as if this were a damning name to bear, I, for my part, avow that I am a Christian,
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Ignatius of Antioch, Connection to Acts 11:26 Supporting witness
This was first fulfilled in Syria; for "the disciples were called Christians at Antioch," when Paul and Peter were laying the foundations of the Church.
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Revelation 1:13 Background
and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest.
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Hippolytus, Exegetical Fragments Background
The single-minded are the sheep of Christ, and these God saves according to the word: O Lord, You preserve man and beast.
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Methodius, Connection to Revelation 1:5 Background
How then could Christ be celebrated by prophets and apostles as "the first begotten of the dead? "
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Clement of Rome, Connection to Romans 9:5 Background
From him also [was descended] our Lord Jesus Christ according to the flesh.
Common Questions
Did early Christians think Christ’s titles mattered?
Yes. They used Christ’s titles to say who he is and what he does, not as mere honor words.
Which titles do early Christian writers use for Jesus?
They call him Word, Lord, King, Priest, Saviour, Shepherd, and God.
Did early Christians call Jesus God?
Yes. Several writers say Jesus Christ is God and link that claim to John 1:1, John 1:14, Romans 9:5, and Thomas’s words in John 20:28.
Did early Christians say Christ was the Word?
Yes. Justin Martyr, Origen, Novatian, Victorinus, and others call Christ the Word of God.
Source Index for the Titles of Christ
The guided sections above show the strongest quotations. This compact index highlights 160 ranked source links from 247 compiled sources for deeper study.
Source index 160 ranked links shown
Early Christian Writings 80 shown of 151
Primary-source quotations from early Christian writers and church documents.
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Unknown, Unknown Work
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Clement of Rome, Connection to Colossians 1:18
Bible Passages 80 shown of 96
Related Bible passages saved for comparison with the early Christian quotations.