The title ‘Christ’ is one of the most significant titles given to Jesus in the Bible. Christ is the English translation of the Greek word ‘Christos’, which means ‘Anointed One’. This title indicates Jesus’ roles as Prophet, Priest, and King. Understanding what ‘Christ’ means is key to understanding Jesus’ identity and mission.
In the Old Testament, prophets, priests, and kings were anointed with oil as a sign of being set apart for service. The title ‘Christ’ shows that Jesus fulfills all three of these anointed roles perfectly. As the Anointed Prophet, Jesus reveals God the Father to us (Luke 10:22). As the Anointed Priest, Jesus offered himself as the perfect and final sacrifice for our sins (Hebrews 10:12). As the Anointed King, Jesus rules and reigns over God’s people and will return to establish His eternal kingdom (Revelation 19:16).
The first prophecy about the coming ‘Anointed One’ or Messiah is found in Daniel 9:25-26. The prophets Isaiah and Zechariah spoke prophecies about the Messiah’s life and ministry centuries before Jesus came (Isaiah 53, Zechariah 9:9). Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of these Old Testament prophecies about the coming Anointed One.
In the New Testament, Jesus is given the title ‘Christ’ to affirm His identity as the promised Messiah. At Jesus’ baptism, God the Father declares Jesus as His beloved Son, and the Holy Spirit descends on Him (Mark 1:10-11). Peter testifies that Jesus is ‘the Christ, the Son of the living God’ (Matthew 16:16). Martha declares her faith that Jesus is ‘the Christ, the Son of God’ (John 11:27). When questioned before the Sanhedrin, Jesus affirms that He is the Christ (Mark 14:61-62). The apostolic preaching in Acts centered on proving from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ (Acts 5:42, 9:22).
Jesus referred to Himself as ‘Christ’ meaning He is God’s Anointed One and the Messiah who fulfilled Old Testament prophecies. Jesus accepted worship as the Christ (Matthew 28:9, John 20:28). The Gospel writers Matthew, Mark, Luke and John intentionally use ‘Christ’ as a title for Jesus throughout their accounts to underline His true identity.
The name ‘Jesus Christ’ combines His earthly name ‘Jesus’ and heavenly title ‘Christ’. It emphasizes that Jesus is both fully human and fully divine. As the Christ, Jesus is the Savior and Lord who alone can forgive sins and reconcile us to God. We cannot truly know God without knowing Jesus Christ (John 14:6). A saving relationship with God only comes through trusting in Jesus Christ.
In summary, ‘Christ’ is a significant biblical title for Jesus that highlights His identity and mission. As the Christ, Jesus is the anointed Prophet, Priest and King who fulfills God’s promises, accomplishes God’s salvation, and is worthy of our worship and obedience. Confessing and believing that ‘Jesus is the Christ’ marks true Christian faith (1 John 5:1). Calling on the name of Jesus Christ is the only way to be saved (Romans 10:9-13). The good news of Christianity centers on who Jesus Christ is and what He came to do. Understanding what ‘Christ’ means unveils the glorious truth of the gospel.
Old Testament background
The background and origin of the title ‘Christ’ is rooted in the Old Testament concept of anointing. In the Old Testament, priests, prophets and kings were anointed with oil as a symbol of being set apart and empowered by God for service.
“Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David.” (1 Samuel 16:13)
“And you shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may serve me as priests.” (Exodus 30:30)
To be called ‘the anointed one’ meant being authorized and appointed by God for a special purpose. The Hebrew word for ‘anointed one’ is mashiyach, which translates into the Greek word ‘christos’, from which we get the English word ‘Christ’.
Throughout the Old Testament, prophecies pointed ahead to a coming promised Deliverer and King who would save God’s people – God’s Anointed One. He would hold the ultimate offices of Prophet, Priest and King in fulfillment of all God’s promises to Israel. Jesus was born at the time the Jewish people were eagerly expecting the arrival of the Messiah, God’s supreme Anointed One.
Some key Old Testament prophecies about the coming Anointed One or Messiah include:
“Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks.” (Daniel 9:25)
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” (Zechariah 9:9)
These prophecies and many others created an expectation that God would send a future, ideal King to restore Israel and rule righteously over God’s kingdom. The title ‘Christ’ or ‘Messiah’ highlighted the expectation of one who was anointed and sent by God Himself. This Old Testament background sets the stage for Jesus as the fulfillment of these promises.
Jesus as the Christ in the Gospels
The New Testament Gospels, especially Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, repeatedly use the title ‘Christ’ in reference to Jesus of Nazareth. This underscores that Jesus is the long-expected Messiah who fulfills the Old Testament promises.
Matthew’s gospel starts out by identifying Jesus as the Christ in the genealogy: “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” (Matthew 1:1). Matthew then records Jesus’ birth, miracles and teachings to demonstrate He is the promised Christ.
Mark’s gospel begins by announcing, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (Mark 1:1). Mark stresses Jesus’ mighty works which reveal His identity and authority as the Anointed One.
In Luke’s gospel, Peter declares, “You are the Christ of God” (Luke 9:20). Luke emphasizes Jesus’ role as the Savior who came to seek and save the lost as God’s Anointed Prophet, Priest and King.
John’s gospel is written so “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God” (John 20:31). John focuses on Jesus’ divine identity as the eternal Christ and Son of God.
A key event in the Gospels is when Jesus openly declares He is the Christ. At Jesus’ trial before the Sanhedrin, the high priest demands, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” And Jesus responds directly, “I am.” (Mark 14:61-62). This climactic confession leads to Jesus’ crucifixion, resurrection and ascension.
By using the title ‘Christ’ throughout their accounts, the Gospel writers connect Jesus directly to the Old Testament prophecies about the Coming One who would be God’s Anointed Prophet, Priest and King. Jesus embodied these long-awaited messianic offices.
New Testament Epistles on Jesus Christ
The rest of the New Testament builds on the foundation of the Gospels by expounding on who Jesus Christ is and what He accomplished. The epistles further develop our understanding of Christ’s identity and the implications of His life, death and resurrection.
Paul’s epistles in particular focus on Jesus Christ as the crucified and risen Savior of the world. Paul emphasizes that people are redeemed by faith in Jesus Christ and what He accomplished on our behalf (Romans 3:22, Galatians 2:16, 3:22). The name ‘Jesus Christ’ underscores that Jesus is the Christ, God’s own Son, our Messiah and only Savior.
Hebrews explains how Jesus is the final High Priest who offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice once for all (Hebrews 7). 1 Timothy highlights the fact that there is only one mediator between God and humankind – the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5).
1 John calls on believers to overcome the world by faith in Jesus as the Christ (1 John 5:1,5). Revelation depicts Jesus Christ as the triumphant King who will return to rule forever (Revelation 11:15). The epistles expand on Jesus as the Christ by explaining the theological significance of His life and work.
From His birth to His ascension, Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament promises about the Coming One who would redeem God’s people. Jesus’ authenticity as ‘the Christ’ was confirmed by His resurrection from the dead and exaltation to God’s right hand. Through Christ’s accomplished work, we receive amazing blessings as God’s people.
Significance and meaning of Christ
In summary, the biblical title ‘Christ’ belongs to Jesus alone and signifies His divine role as God’s Son and chosen Messiah. Here are some key meanings of the title ‘Christ’:
- Jesus is the Anointed One who fulfills the Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah who would redeem Israel.
- Jesus Christ reveals God the Father to us, offering the ultimate revelation of God’s character.
- Jesus is the Promised Prophet anointed by God to speak God’s word and reveal God’s will for us.
- Jesus is the High Priest anointed to make atonement for sins once for all by the sacrifice of Himself.
- Jesus is the Lord’s Anointed King who reigns over God’s kingdom and who will return to rule over a restored creation.
- To call Jesus ‘the Christ’ means He is God’s Chosen One who fulfills and embodies all the Old Testament messianic expectations and promises.
- Trusting in Jesus Christ and His finished work is the only way to be reconciled to God, be forgiven of sins, and receive eternal life.
In short, Jesus as ‘the Christ’ means He is God’s supreme Agent to accomplish our salvation. The title ‘Christ’ marks out the unique identity, mission and authority of Jesus. This title should lead us to worship and obey Jesus Christ as Lord of our lives. Confessing Jesus as ‘the Christ’ indicates we believe that He is exactly who Scripture declares Him to be – our Prophet, Priest and King.
Jesus Christ in biblical prophecy
Even centuries before Jesus came, Old Testament prophets spoke predictions about the coming Messiah and Christ. Jesus’ life, death and resurrection fulfilled these prophecies about God’s Anointed One. Here are some key prophecies about the Christ from the Old Testament:
Prophet
“I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him.” (Deuteronomy 18:18)
Priest
“The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: ‘You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.'” (Psalm 110:4)
King
“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” (Zechariah 9:9)
Suffering Servant
“He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)
Jesus Himself pointed to the Old Testament prophecies to prove He was the Christ. After His resurrection, Jesus explained to His disciples how the prophets foretold that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead (Luke 24:26-27, 46). God’s Word contains many prophecies that find their ‘Yes’ and fulfillment in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20).
Who recognized Jesus as the Christ in Scripture?
During His earthly ministry, Jesus was recognized and declared as ‘the Christ’ by various people according to the Scriptures. Here are some examples:
- John the Baptist testified Jesus was ‘the Lamb of God’ and ‘the Son of God’ (John 1:29-34).
- The Samaritan woman at the well declared Jesus as ‘the Christ’ (John 4:25-26).
- Peter testified “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16).
- Martha told Jesus “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God” (John 11:27).
- A Roman centurion confessed, “Surely this was the Son of God!” when Jesus died (Matthew 27:54).
- After His resurrection, Thomas called Jesus “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28).
The reactions of these men and women to Jesus give evidence that He is indeed the Christ. Their testimonies affirm Jesus’ true identity and why the title ‘Christ’ rightfully belongs to Him alone.
Implications of Jesus as ‘the Christ’
The biblical title ‘Christ’ applied to Jesus conveys significant implications for those who believe in Him:
- We have a Prophet who fully reveals God’s truth to us and deserve our belief and obedience (Deuteronomy 18:15).
- We have a great High Priest who offered the perfect sacrifice for our sins once for all (Hebrews 4:14-16).
- We have a King who deserves our total allegiance and worship (Psalm 2:6-8).
- All God’s old covenant promises find their fulfillment in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20).
- We are forgiven, justified, redeemed, adopted as God’s children only through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:22-26).
- Eternal life and salvation come through believing Jesus is the Christ (John 20:31).
- The Holy Spirit empowers us and applies Christ’s accomplished work in our lives (Romans 8:9-11).
- We have hope for the future because Jesus Christ is coming again in glory (Revelation 22:20).
Understanding who Jesus Christ really is should lead us to greater worship, obedience, prayer and thanksgiving. Our lives are forever changed because Jesus Christ is the Son of God who gave Himself for us. As His people, we find our identity, purpose and hope in Jesus Christ alone.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the title ‘Christ’ belongs exclusively to Jesus of Nazareth. As the Christ, Jesus fulfills the Old Testament expectations of the Coming One who would redeem and rule God’s people. Jesus as ‘the Anointed One’ means He is God’s supreme Prophet, Priest, and King sent to accomplish our salvation. The New Testament declarations and eyewitness testimonies affirm that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and long-promised Messiah. Faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work is the only way for sinful people to be made right with God. Those who trust in Christ’s sin-bearing sacrifice on their behalf are forgiven, granted eternal life, and given the Holy Spirit to transform them into Christ’s image. May the truth of who Jesus Christ is lead us to greater faith, worship, obedience and thanksgiving.