The Law of Faith – One Lord

The lecture explains part of the Creed, focusing on the meaning of the phrase: “We believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages.” His Holiness gives a clear theological explanation of the divinity of Christ, His title as “Lord” and “God,” the meaning of divine sonship, and the uniqueness of the title “the Christ.”

1. The Meaning of “Lord” and “God” in Christian Faith

– His Holiness affirms that both the Father and the Son are “Lord” and “God,” and that calling Christ “Lord” does not diminish the Father’s divinity.
– He explains that “Lord” may sometimes mean “master,” but when used for Christ it carries the full divine meaning, as Thomas confessed: “My Lord and my God.”

2. The Meaning of the Name “Jesus Christ”

– “Jesus” means “Savior,” as the angel said: “He shall be called Jesus because He will save His people from their sins.”
– “Christ” means “the Anointed One,” an anointing including king, priest, and prophet.
– His Holiness explains that “the Christ” is not a general title but refers to the awaited Messiah announced in the Old Testament.

3. Why We Are Called “Christians”

– Because our faith is based on confessing that “Jesus is the Christ,” believers were named “Christians,” not “Jesusians.”
– The Coptic Church emphasizes the title “the Christ” because of its historic defense of His full divinity.

4. The Meaning of “the Only-Begotten Son of God”

– Christ is “the only Son” from the essence, nature, and divinity of the Father.
– We are children of God by love, by faith, and by adoption—not by essence.
– His Holiness presents several biblical references showing the uniqueness of Christ as the eternal Only-Begotten.

5. The Birth of the Son Before All Ages

– An eternal birth beyond time, like the birth of thought from the mind or light from fire.
– This eternal begetting is what makes the Father “Father” from everlasting.
– His Holiness cites Christ’s words: “Before Abraham was, I AM.”

6. “Light of Light, True God of True God”

– He explains that the title “god” can sometimes mean “master,” but Christ is “true God,” meaning in the full, real sense.
– He clarifies the difference between divine light and created light, and that Christ is “the true Light.”

7. Biblical Evidence of Christ’s Divinity

– His Holiness cites verses from Paul, John, Acts, and the Gospels, such as:
– “And the Word was God”
– “God was manifested in the flesh”
– “The Church of God which He purchased with His own blood”
– “Who is over all, God blessed forever.”

Spiritual Message of the Lecture

The lecture affirms that believing in Christ means understanding His divine nature as the Only-Begotten Son, the true Light, and the awaited Messiah. The aim is to preserve the Orthodox faith delivered through the fathers and to guard it from incomplete or reduced understanding.

For better translation support, please contact the center.