The titles given in the New Testament help us understand Him in terms that were meaningful in the ancient world He lived in. They also help us understand His uniqueness.
Lord And Christ
What kind of Christology do we have in Acts 2:22-36? Peter starts out by reminding the Jews of the miracle-working power of Jesus that they all knew about. This was important. Paul's characterization, "Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom" (1 Cor. 1:22), is accurate for both peoples. But as in any reasonable proclamation of Jesus, Peter quickly begins talking about the death of Jesus - He was crucified, but God raised Him from the dead! Peter and many others were witnesses to to the fact. Then Peter gives a lengthy explanation of the Resurrection and some Old Testament passages that prophesied it. Using responsible hermeneutics, he proves Psalm 16 cannot be applied only to David, but also surely applies to Jesus (Acts 2:29, 31).
Jesus, now exalted to the right hand of God, has, together with the Father, poured out the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:33). This explains the speaking in tongues and the proclaiming of the good things of God heard by the Jews from fifteen different nations who were gathered from the Dispersion for the Feast of Pentecost in Jerusalem. It was indeed a miraculous sign.
Next, Peter attests to the truth of the Ascension by using Psalm 1101 (see Acts 2:34-35): "The Lord said to my Lord: 'Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.'" This adequately explains the Lord Jesus Christ who was here in the flesh on the earth and then ascended into heaven where He received His present status.
Acts 2:36 clearly declares what we must believe in order to receive the salvation of God's Messiah. '"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.'" Notice the continuity expressed here. This exalted Jesus is the same Jesus who was crucified. The exalted Jesus is the same Jesus who was crucified. The two titles "Lord" and "Christ" are the prime terms in Peter's sermon on the Day of Pentecost. The tie to Jesus' earthly ministry is significant here, for God the Father's making Jesus Lord and Christ is the ultimate stamp of approval on His life and ministry - His miracles, His signs and wonders, His teaching, His death, His resurrection.
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