Christ as the Head vs. Christ as the Savior Comparison Table

 

Christ as the Head vs. Christ as the Savior Comparison Table

Acts 5:31 - "This one God has exalted to his own right hand as Head and Savior..."

Revelation 1:5 - Christ is "the ruler of the kings of the earth"

John 17:2 - "You gave Him authority over all flesh"

Acts 13:23 - "From this man's descendants God, as promised, has given Israel a Savior, Jesus"

Luke 2:11 - "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" 

Aspect	Christ as the Head	Christ as the Savior
Meaning	Christ is exalted as the supreme Head, King, and the Head of kings, possessing the highest authority to rule over the world	Christ is the Redeemer who grants repentance and forgiveness of sins to God's chosen people
Function	1. Acts as the Chief of all rulers 2. Sovereignly rules over the entire earth 3. Exercises authority to arrange environments 4. King of kings and Lord of lords	1. Provides complete redemption 2. Grants repentance and forgiveness of sins 3. Bestows eternal life 4. Saves from God's condemnation and the lake of fire
Purpose	1. Arranges suitable environments for the elect to receive salvation 2. Sovereignly manages all things to benefit God's salvation plan 3. Exercises authority to compel people to face the gospel	1. Saves God's chosen people 2. Grants repentance and forgiveness to people 3. Fulfills God's redemptive purpose for humanity 4. Bestows eternal life
Distinction	1. Related to Christ's authority 2. Concerns His position of governance 3. Reveals His sovereignty over all things 4. External governing function	1. Related to Christ's salvation 2. Concerns His redemptive work 3. Reveals His redemptive love 4. Internal salvation experience
Application	1. Acknowledge Christ's lordship and headship authority 2. Submit to Christ's sovereign arrangement of environments 3. Recognize that all circumstances are under Christ's control 4. Accept His guidance over our life's path	1. Receive Christ's salvation 2. Experience forgiveness of sins 3. Receive eternal life 4. Experience ongoing salvation in daily life
Examples	1. As mentioned in the original text about immigrants to America: Christ exercises authority to cause people to immigrate, making them more open to the gospel in new environments 2. Paul's experience on the Damascus road: Christ directly intervened with His headship authority, changing Paul's life direction 3. As in the "capture cage" metaphor: Christ as Head arranges environments making it impossible to escape trusting Him 4. Changes of war and peace throughout history: facilitating the spread of the gospel to various places 5. "Coincidences" in personal life: Christ arranges various encounters directing people toward Him	1. Redemption on the cross: Christ shed His blood and gave His life, paying the price for humanity's sins 2. The return of the prodigal son: like the Father accepting the prodigal son, Christ forgives sinners who return to Him 3. Pentecost experience: disciples filled with the Holy Spirit, experiencing the power of Christ's salvation 4. Justification by faith experience: as described in Romans, believers are counted as righteous through faith in Christ 5. Life renewal testimonies: believers are liberated from the bondage of sin to live a new life
Interrelationship	1. Christ as Head is to fulfill His purpose as Savior 2. His headship authority creates conditions for salvation 3. As Head, He arranges environments compelling people to accept His salvation 4. The authority of the Head supports and guarantees the realization of salvation	1. Christ's salvation work manifests the purpose of His headship 2. His role as Savior is an expression of His headship authority 3. Salvation is the ultimate goal of headship authority 4. Salvation enables people to truly know and obey the Head
Related Scripture References	1. Acts 5:31 - "Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior..." 2. Rev 1:5 - Christ is "the ruler of the kings of the earth" 3. Rev 19:16 - "And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS" 4. John 17:2 - "as You have given Him authority over all flesh" 5. Acts 17:26-27 - God "has made from one blood every nation...has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries...so that they should seek the Lord"	1. Acts 5:31 - "...to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins" 2. Acts 3:15 - Christ is "the Author (Prince) of life" 3. Acts 13:23 - "From this man's seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior—Jesus" 4. Luke 2:11 - "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" 5. John 3:16-17 - "For God so loved the world...did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved"

 

Conclusion:

The comparison between Christ as the Head and Christ as the Savior reveals the magnificent duality of Christ's ministry toward humanity. As the Head, Christ exercises sovereign authority over all creation, orchestrating environments and circumstances to guide God's chosen people toward salvation. As the Savior, He provides the redemptive work necessary for humanity's deliverance from sin and death. These two aspects work in perfect harmony—His headship creates the conditions for salvation, while His salvation enables people to properly acknowledge and submit to His headship. This complete picture shows that Christ's authority and salvation are inseparable aspects of His divine plan for humanity.

 

*Please refer to the April 2025 International Elders and Responsible Brothers Training General Topic: Oneness and Vital Aspects of Acts Chapter 4: Resurrection, Ascension, and the All-inclusive Christ