Christ, the official title given to Jesus in the New Testament, describes Jesus’ job-to be the anointed Saviour. The word comes from the Greek Christos, a translation of the Hebrew Messiah (John 1:41). Both terms come from verbs meaning “to anoint with sacred oil”; hence, as titles they mean “the Anointed One.” These names for Jesus express the idea that God anointed him to save his people.

In the New Testament the title is used in combination with his given name, as “Jesus Christ” (Matthew 1:1; Mark 1:1;Romans 1:4), “Christ Jesus” (NIV Romans 1:1; 1 Corinthians 1:1), with the article “the” (Romans 7:4), or with another title “Lord” (Romans 16:18). It is also used as a substitute name or title for Jesus-the only word to be used in this way (John 20:31;Romans 15:3;Hebrews 3:6;5:5 ;1 Peter 1:11, 19).

The Gospels portray Jesus as modestly accepting the title and role of the Messiah. In his baptism, he was “anointed” for his ministry, receiving the outpouring of the Spirit and a seal of approval from God to begin his ministry (Matthew 3:16-4:17). John himself denied being the anointed one but identified Jesus as the Christ (John 1:20; Luke 3:14-17). Jesus’ first disciples followed him because they knew he was the Messiah (John 1:41). The demons recognized him as “the Holy One [anointed] of God” (Mark 1:24; compare Matthew 8:29). The crowds followed him as the Prophet, the new Moses (John 6:14, 32), but deserted him when they understood that his kingdom was spiritual, not political (John 6:66). The Twelve Disciples remained loyal, saying, “We believe...you are the Holy One of God” (John 6:69, NIV). As Peter put it, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16, NIV). At his trials the decisive factor in Jesus’ condemnation was his claim to be the Christ (Matthew 26:63-64,, 26:68; 27:11, 27:17, 27:22, 27:37).
The main message of the earliest Christians was that Jesus is the Christ (Acts 2:36;Acts 3:18-20;Acts 9:22; Acts 28:23, 31). This remains the earliest (Matthew 16:16 ) and most basic element of being a confessing Christian (1 Corinthians 1:23; 1 John 5:1), affirming that Jesus perfectly fulfilled his role as an anointed prophet, priest, and king as the servant of God for his people (Luke 7:16; 1 Corinthians 15:25;Hebrews 7:22-28; Revelation 19:16).

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