LORD or Lord?
I often wondered if the early redactors of the Bible were correct in their rendering of Acts 2:36 when referring to Jesus as ‘Lord and Christ.’ My basis for thinking this way is due mainly to Isaiah, but there are many reasons found in the Prophets, Gospels and letters to support the use of the upper case “LORD” when referring to Jesus. So, let’s have a look at some Scripture.
The first and most obvious where LORD is correct is Revelation 19:16: And he has on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
We again see the term ‘Lord of lords’ used by Paul when writing to Timothy … Which in his times he shall show the blessed and only Potentate, the king of kings and Lord of Lords…
And again in Revelation … These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of Lords, and king of kings: and they that are with him called, and chosen, and faithful. (Rev 17:14) All these verses clearly apply and speak of Jesus Christ.
The first to use the term in the Old Testament is Moses. For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regards not persons, nor takes reward. (Deuteronomy 10:17)
We also find it used by David: O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endures forever. (Psalms 136:3)
As the term ‘Lord of lords’ plainly means Jesus in the New Testament, who does it speak of in the Old? In the following from Isaiah, Peter and Paul, we find Scripture interpreting Scripture.
I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. (Isaiah 43:11)
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)
Thus says the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. (Isaiah 44:6)
Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. (1Corinthians 10:1-4)
The most compelling is from Isaiah when he announced the virgin birth (7:14) and revealed the titles of the one to come. And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father; the Prince of Peace. (9:6) So, at Pentecost, when Peter declared ‘Jesus is both Lord and Christ’ when opening David’s Psalm, it should have been rendered “LORD” to fulfil the Prophets and the Spirit of Jesus that fed them, the Spirit of Prophesy.
For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he says himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God has made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both LORD and Christ. (Acts 2:34-36; Psalms 110)
So what does this mean when we look at the Great Command: Hear O Israel the LORD our God is one LORD? (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29)
It means Moses was talking of the LORD’S Salvation, and Jesus was speaking of Himself, for he also said to the Pharisees; before Abraham was I AM. (John 8:58)
In peace and love,
James