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Questions From ReadersThe Watchtower—1958 | November 15
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up after this, means Jesus who afterward became the Anointed One of Jehovah; Jesus who was consecrated by Jehovah’s anointing. So, on Pentecost of 33 (A.D.), Peter said: “Let all the house of Israel know for a certainty that God made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you impaled.” Hence, for the first time, Peter used the expression to the conscience-stricken Jews: “Repent, and let each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the free gift of the holy spirit.”—Acts 2:36-38.
In the other expression, Christ Jesus, the apostle Paul puts the title Christ before the personal name Jesus. This corresponds with putting the official title before any other officeholder’s name, as, for example, King David, King Solomon, Governor Zerubbabel. Accordingly, the expression Christ Jesus calls attention first to the office occupied or held, and then identifies the officeholder. “Christ Jesus,” therefore, means Jehovah’s Anointed One who bears the earthly name Jesus. It literally means “Anointed Jesus,” and at once it reminds us that Jesus is Jehovah’s official Servant and is to be honored as such Servant, he being the only one occupying that office in fulfillment of Bible prophecy. Although Peter and the others of the twelve apostles were anointed with holy spirit, we do not speak of them as Christ Peter, Christ John, Christ Paul, and so on. Only Jesus do the Scriptures entitle Christ Jesus.
In the expression Christ Jesus, the personal name Jesus is preceded by his exclusive official title. Hence it is to be noted that not once do the Scriptures put another title ahead of Jesus’ name, such as Lord or King, to form combinations like the Lord Christ Jesus or the King Christ Jesus. The expression “our Savior, Christ Jesus,” in the Greek text has the pronoun “our” between Savior and Christ, and hence merely identifies who our Savior is. (2 Tim. 1:10) This is in keeping with the expression “Christ Jesus our Savior.” (Titus 1:4) Now we do read, in 1 Timothy 2:5: “There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, a man Christ Jesus.” However, the expression “a man” is not a title, but calls attention to the fact that Christ Jesus was once a man on earth, the same Jesus. Consequently it is only after the already betitled expression Christ Jesus that we find titles added, but not further titles inserted ahead of this expression. So we read twice the expression “Christ Jesus the Lord” and three times the expression “Christ Jesus our Lord.” However, before the expression Jesus Christ we do find a title inserted sometimes. Repeatedly we read the expression “the Lord Jesus Christ.” All this proves that titles were not multiplied before our Savior’s personal name Jesus; but if one title preceded already, then any other titles were added only after the personal name.
From this it is seen that the Scriptures treat the expression Jesus Christ on a different basis from the expression Christ Jesus.
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AnnouncementsThe Watchtower—1958 | November 15
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Announcements
FIELD MINISTRY
A Bible-study book, on the contribution of 50 cents, will be offered to persons contacted by Jehovah’s witnesses in their ministry during December. Thereafter, to aid interested ones to gain further knowledge of Jehovah God’s purposes, return calls will be made and home Bible studies started. For information on how you can share in this joyful work go to the local Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s witnesses or write this office.
1959 YEARBOOK AND CALENDAR READY
Interest in Jehovah’s witnesses and their world-wide preaching work has been stimulated tremendously, due to the Divine Will International Assembly this summer. Therefore the 1959 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses takes on a new significance as it brings you an informative and heart-warming report of this modern-day example of preaching as Jesus did it. Get your copy for only 50c. A beautifully illustrated calendar for 1959 will also bring you pleasure in considering ways of doing the divine will. Add 25c to your order for each calendar.
“WATCHTOWER” STUDIES FOR THE WEEKS
December 21: Signs and Wonders in the Time of the End. Page 685.
December 28: Reading the Meaning of the Signs and Wonders. Page 693.
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