“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:1-3).
The Greek word “Christ” and its Hebrew counterpart “Messiah” means “Anointed”. This is significant information because all three of the integral offices of the Old Testament were anointed (usually with oil) to demonstrate divine selection and approval.
Priests were anointed ones. To consecrate and sanctify Aaron and his sons so they could minister as God’s priests, they had to be anointed (Exodus 28:41).
Kings were anointed ones. To identify Saul (1 Samuel 10:1), David (1 Samuel 16:12-13), Solomon (1 Kings 1:39), and others as God’s chosen ones to serve as king, they were anointed.
Prophets were anointed ones. To identify Elisha as his successor, Elijah anointed him as “prophet in your place” (1 Kings 19:16). Isaiah predicted that an anointed one was coming to preach good tidings to the poor (Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18).
“God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power” (Acts 10:38). This is most appropriate because: 1) as God’s anointed prophet Jesus is God’s final spokesman; 2) as God’s anointed high priest Jesus has purged our sins; and 3) as God’s anointed king Jesus has sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high (Hebrews 1:1-3) to rule and reign as the only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Timothy 6:15).
Jesus of Nazareth is God’s anointed prophet, priest, and king.
Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ.
