3. Believe thou In One
Lord Jesus Christ, the Only-Begotten Son of God. For we
say “One Lord Jesus Christ,” that His Sonship may be
“Only-begotten:” we say “One,” that thou
mayest not suppose another: we say “One,” that thou
mayest not profanely diffuse the many names τὸ
πολυώνυμον, a word used by the Greek Poets of their gods, as by Homer (Hymn to
Demeter, 18, 32) of Zeus, Κρόνου
πολυώνυμος
υἱός. Cf. Soph. Ant.
1115; Æschyl. Prom. V. 210. of
His action among many sons. For He is called a Door John x. 7, 9. Cyril calls Christ a
“spiritual,” or “rational” (λογική) door,
and applies the same term to His sheep, below. Origen (In
Evang. Joh. Tom. i. cap. 29): Θύρα ὁ Σωτηρ
ἀναγέγραπται, ibid. φιλάνθρωπος
δὲ ὢν…ποιμὴν
γινεται.; but take not the name literally for a thing
of wood, but a spiritual, a living Door, discriminating those who enter
in. He is called a Way John xiv. 6., not one trodden by
feet, but leading to the Father in heaven; He is called a
Sheep Ib. i. 29; Is. liii. 7, 8; Acts viii.
32., not an irrational one, but the one which
through its precious blood cleanses the world from its sins, which is
led before the shearers, and knows when to be silent. This Sheep
again is called a Shepherd, who says, I am the Good
Shepherd John x. 11.: a Sheep
because of His manhood, a Shepherd because of the loving-kindness of
His Godhead. And wouldst thou know that there are rational sheep?
the Saviour says to the Apostles, Behold, I send you as sheep in the
midst of wolves Matt. x. 10, 16.. Again, He is
called a Lion Gen.
xlix. 9; Apoc. v. 5., not as a devourer
of men, but indicating as it were by the title His kingly, and
stedfast, and confident nature: a Lion He is also called in
opposition to the lion our adversary, who roars and devours those who
have been deceived 1 Pet. v. 8.. For the
Saviour came, not as having changed the gentleness of His own nature,
but as the strong Lion of the tribe of Judah Ps. cxviii. 22., saving them that believe, but treading down
the adversary. He is called a Stone, not a lifeless stone, cut
out by men’s hands, but a chief corner-stone Is. xxviii. 16; 1 Pet. ii.
4–6., on whom whosoever believeth shall not be
put to shame.