Topical Bible: Anointing of Christ's Kingly and Priestly office

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The anointing of Christ as both King and Priest is a central theme in Christian theology, reflecting His unique role in fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and establishing a new covenant. This dual anointing signifies His authority and mediatory role, as well as His fulfillment of the Messianic expectations.

Kingly Anointing

The concept of anointing a king is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where kings were anointed with oil as a sign of divine appointment and empowerment. This practice is seen in the anointing of Saul (1 Samuel 10:1) and David (1 Samuel 16:13). The anointing of Christ as King is prophesied in the Psalms and the Prophets, where the Messiah is depicted as a sovereign ruler. Psalm 2:6-7 declares, "I have installed My King on Zion, upon My holy mountain. I will proclaim the decree spoken to Me by the LORD: 'You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.'"

In the New Testament, Jesus is recognized as the King of the Jews, a title that signifies His royal lineage and fulfillment of the Davidic covenant. The Magi's visit, as recorded in Matthew 2:2, acknowledges His kingship: "Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him." Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on a donkey, as described in Matthew 21:5, fulfills the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9, symbolizing His peaceful reign: "Say to the Daughter of Zion, 'See, your King comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.'"

Priestly Anointing

The priestly role of Christ is foreshadowed in the Old Testament priesthood, particularly in the figure of Melchizedek, who is both king and priest (Genesis 14:18). Psalm 110:4 prophesies a priesthood that transcends the Levitical order: "The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind: 'You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.'"

The Book of Hebrews elaborates on Christ's priestly office, emphasizing His eternal and perfect priesthood. Hebrews 4:14-15 states, "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin." This passage highlights Christ's empathetic and sinless nature, qualifying Him as the ultimate mediator between God and humanity.

The Anointing by the Holy Spirit

The anointing of Christ is also associated with the Holy Spirit, marking the beginning of His public ministry. At His baptism, the Holy Spirit descends upon Him like a dove, as recorded in Matthew 3:16-17: "As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him. And a voice from heaven said, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.'" This event signifies the divine approval and empowerment for His mission.

Fulfillment of Prophecy

The anointing of Christ as both King and Priest fulfills the Messianic prophecies and establishes Him as the central figure in God's redemptive plan. Isaiah 61:1-2, which Jesus reads in the synagogue (Luke 4:18-19), encapsulates His mission: "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor."

In summary, the anointing of Christ's kingly and priestly office is a profound theological truth that underscores His divine authority, His role as mediator, and His fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies. Through His anointing, Jesus inaugurates a new covenant, offering salvation and reconciliation to all who believe.

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Psalm 45:7
You love righteousness, and hate wickedness: therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.
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Psalm 89:20
I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him:
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Isaiah 61:1
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on me; because the LORD has anointed me to preach good tidings to the meek; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
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Daniel 9:24
Seventy weeks are determined on your people and on your holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
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Luke 4:18
The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
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Acts 4:27
For of a truth against your holy child Jesus, whom you have anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
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Acts 10:38
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
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Hebrews 1:9
You have loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.
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Library

Scriptural Types.
... 1:Sam.7:12; 10:1, and the same symbol of anointing often elsewhere ... By the symbolical
act of crowning Joshua is typified the kingly office of Christ as united ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm

On the Offices of Our Lord Jesus Christ
... he is called "the saviour" by anointing, it appears to ... salvation procured by the
priesthood of Christ, and dispensed by His kingly office, except the ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 14 on the offices.htm

The Priesthood of Christ
... the children of Israel, transferred the kingly office to Judah and ... Sanctified by
the anointing of the Spirit, he ... Prayer is that which Christ offers for himself ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/oration iv the priesthood of.htm

Notes
... 128 The anointing with oil showed that the catechumen was enrolled among ... the flower
of the rod is Christ, who saith, 'I am the ... "Gold to the kingly, Incense to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/notes.htm

Light for them that Sit in Darkness;
... because it was to be his work, his office, his business ... under the Roman tyranny,
and knew the kingly race of ... object that the time was not come for Christ to be ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/light for them that sit.htm

Some Gospel Truths Opened, According to the Scriptures; Or, the ...
... He hath, through grace taken these three heavenly degrees, to wit, union with Christ,
the anointing of the Spirit, and experience of the temptations of Satan ...
/.../the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/some gospel truths opened according.htm

Crucified, Dead, and Buried. '
... Jesus soon to come back in His Kingly might and ... known to the Jews for puroses of
anointing or burying ... None of Christ's former disciples seem to have taken part ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xv crucified dead and.htm

Israel's Hope Encouraged;
... This hope is founded on the grace, blood, righteousness, and intercession of
Christ"the earnest of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, and the unchangeable truths ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/israels hope encouraged.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... my practice proved me so: wherefore, Christ Jesus took ... severely suffered from the
abuse of kingly power, in ... the zeal of Charles, for priestly domination over ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm