This is the central principle of the proclamation of the Gospel. It means the recognition that Jesus is the Messiah (the Christ, in Greek), and who is the only one for whom man finds salvation. No salvation can truly be considered a legitimate salvation unless the Lordship of Christ is first recognized.

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12

It was the doctrinal theme that the apostle Peter established as the foundation of the doctrine of the apostles, the doctrine on which the Lord’s church was founded on the day of the manifestation of the Holy Spirit.

Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Acts 2:36

The apostle Paul established it as part of his sound doctrine in all the Gentile faith community he visited, and charged those whom he instructed to take care to establish it properly,

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: ¹⁰That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; ¹¹And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.   Philippians 2:9-11

Care must be taken on this point, for the Lord is not a title, but recognition and submission to divine authority,

And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Luke 6:46

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? ²³And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:22,23

The apostle John states that whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ belongs to the doctrine of the antichrist,

Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.  1^st. John 2:22

To deny Him not only means not recognizing Him as such, but also, not submitting to His Lordship and ignoring all His instructions, or altering them.

An apostate theme that is preached within faith communities, and very popular, is the theme of free will. It is an apostate subject, for in Jesus there is no free will, or does not Scripture say that I live no longer, but Christ lives in me?

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

The only one who has free will is the one who lives without Christ; he has the free will to recognize it, or to reject it.

This apostate teaching has led many communities of faith to develop arrogance and vanity, presenting themselves as greater than Christ, who found himself in the condition as a man, humbled himself, made obedient unto death, and died on a cross.

If Jesus who found himself in the condition as a man, humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross, how much more obedient should those who are under His Lordship be?

Over time, the religious movements supplemented the Gospel with philosophical and moralistic thoughts, and changed the faith of the people to worldly customs.