Skip to content

Add your phone number?

Optional. Nothing is sent unless you choose it.

The Historic Faith
Sign in
Scripture Topic Guide

Bible Verses About The Lordship Of Christ

The early Christian writings teach that Jesus is Lord, and they often connect that lordship to his kingly rule, divine authority, and worship. Writers like Ignatius, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Tertullian, Origen, Novatian, Hippolytus, Gregory Thaumaturgus, Lactantius, and the Apostolic Constitutions all speak of Christ as Lord, Master, King, or the one with all authority. The witness is broad across the 2nd and 3rd centuries, and it is not limited to one author or one kind of text;

it appears in apologetic works, doctrinal treatises, sermons, and liturgical prayers. Some passages stress Christ’s lordship in relation to the Father, so the language is usually framed as given, shared, or confessed under God the Father. A few Bible passages are direct anchors for this teaching, especially Matthew 28:18, 1 Corinthians 8:6, Philippians 2:11, Acts 2:36, and Acts 10:36.

Study This Topic Next

Open the best tools and THF resources before the full reference list.

Key Passages

Jump into the first references before scanning the full Scripture map.

How to Study The Lordship Of Christ

A tighter path from the primary text into context and application.

Start with the clearest command or anchor text Read the primary passage in context before building doctrine from supporting references.
Trace the apostolic pattern Compare how the apostles preached, practiced, warned, and applied this topic in the churches.
Connect to witness and formation Use early Christian sources, courses, lessons, and discussion questions only after the Bible map is clear.
Continue with connected study Use the attached Bible reader, cross-reference, original-language, and THF resource links to keep studying the topic in context.

Scripture Map

Grouped passages make the topic easier to scan, compare, and teach.

30 references

Foundation Texts

And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Direct confession that Jesus Christ is Lord.

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Jesus says all authority has been given to him.

The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

Calls Jesus Lord of all.

And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Kingdoms become the kingdoms of the Lord and his Christ.

Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

God made Jesus both Lord and Christ.

For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

Says Christ is Lord of both the dead and the living.

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.

One Lord Jesus Christ by whom are all things.

But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.

Directly calls Christ the one Master.

Supporting Passages

Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.

Very close parallel to the Master language used by the fathers.

Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

States the reign of Christ until all enemies are subdued.

Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

Describes Christ above all rule, authority, power, and dominion.

For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

Daniel passage often used to describe Christ's kingdom.

To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And Thomas answered and said unto him, My LORD and my God.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

Names Christ King of kings and Lord of lords.

Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

Uses the phrase Lord Christ in a clear Christian context.

And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

Says God put all things under Christ's feet.