SEVEN ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF CHRISTIANITY: ONE LORD

by J. K. Gossett [Note: This is a reprint from J.K. Gossett's book The Gospel in Newsprint]

This “One Lord” is Jesus Christ. “For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many and lords many), 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” (I Corinthians 8:6). 

Jesus, the Christ, is set forth in the Scriptures as: God’s prophet, and our priest and king. He is the Son of God and the son of man. He said to his apostles, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” The “Word,” the “bread of life,” the “door of the sheep,” the “good shepherd,” the “true vine,” and the “resurrection and the life” are biblical characteristics of the “One Lord.” Jesus is also the head of the church and the savior of the body. He is God’s spokesman and the only one to whom the Father said, “Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee” (see Acts 13:33-37). This “One Lord” is our mediator, our intercessor, and the author and finisher of our faith. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending, which is, which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. 

After His resurrection the Lord said to his apostles, “All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth. Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:18-20 ASV). 

With regard to the Lord Paul wrote, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom: teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:16-17). 

Austin Taylor, a member of the church and an excellent song writer, wrote a hymn, Do All in the Name of the Lord, based on Colossians 3:17: 

What-e’er you do in word or deed, 

Do all in the name of the Lord;

Do naught in name of man or creed, 

Do all in the name of the Lord.

Final thought: Only what the Lord has authorized can be done in his name, i.e., by his authority.