Topical Bible: the Prophet Christ: Anointed With the Holy Spirit

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The title "Christ" is derived from the Greek word "Christos," meaning "Anointed One," which corresponds to the Hebrew "Mashiach" or "Messiah." In the New Testament, Jesus of Nazareth is recognized as the Christ, the Anointed One, fulfilling the messianic prophecies of the Old Testament. Central to His identity and mission is His anointing with the Holy Spirit, which signifies His divine appointment and empowerment for His redemptive work.

Anointing at Baptism

The anointing of Jesus with the Holy Spirit is vividly depicted at His baptism by John the Baptist. In the Gospel of Matthew, it is recorded: "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" (Matthew 3:16). This event marks the public inauguration of Jesus' ministry and signifies the divine approval and empowerment for His mission.

Fulfillment of Prophecy

The anointing of Jesus with the Holy Spirit fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah, which Jesus Himself reads in the synagogue at Nazareth: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed" (Luke 4:18; cf. Isaiah 61:1). By declaring, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing" (Luke 4:21), Jesus affirms His role as the promised Messiah, empowered by the Spirit to bring salvation and healing.

Empowerment for Ministry

Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus operates in the power of the Holy Spirit. The Gospel of Luke notes, "Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness" (Luke 4:1). This leading of the Spirit is evident in His teaching, miracles, and authority over demonic forces. Peter, in his sermon to the household of Cornelius, summarizes Jesus' ministry: "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him" (Acts 10:38).

The Messianic King and Prophet

As the Anointed One, Jesus fulfills the roles of prophet, priest, and king. His prophetic office is characterized by His proclamation of the Kingdom of God, His authoritative teaching, and His revelation of divine truth. The anointing with the Holy Spirit equips Him to speak God's words and perform mighty works, authenticating His message and mission.

The Spirit's Role in the Resurrection

The Holy Spirit's involvement in Jesus' life extends to His resurrection. Paul writes, "And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you" (Romans 8:11). The Spirit's power in raising Jesus affirms His victory over sin and death, confirming His identity as the Christ.

The Anointed One and the Church

The anointing of Jesus with the Holy Spirit has profound implications for the Church. Believers, as members of Christ's body, share in His anointing. John writes, "But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth" (1 John 2:20). This anointing empowers Christians to continue Jesus' mission, bearing witness to the Gospel and living in the power of the Spirit.

In summary, the anointing of Jesus as the Christ with the Holy Spirit is a foundational aspect of His identity and mission. It fulfills Old Testament prophecy, empowers His ministry, and establishes Him as the divine Prophet, Priest, and King. Through His anointing, believers are also called to participate in His redemptive work, empowered by the same Spirit.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 42:1
Behold my servant, whom I uphold; my elect, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit on him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

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;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

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,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 3:34
For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God: for God gives not the Spirit by measure to him.
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Library

The Holy Spirit is Rightly Called the Ointment of Christ...
... thought that the Holy Spirit is the ointment of Christ. ... but was both according to
the Law anointed in the ... the oil of gladness, of which the prophet says: "God ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter ix the holy spirit.htm

Three Things Briefly to be Regarded in Christ --viz. His Offices ...
... not our signs: there is no more any prophet, neither is ... is to be observed, that the
name Christ refers to ... as well as priests and kings were anointed with holy ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 15 three things briefly.htm

Argument. --He Next Teaches us that the Authority of the Faith ...
... "In the last days," says the prophet, "I will ... David: "Wherefore God, even Thy God,
hath anointed Thee with the ... For he who hath not the Spirit of Christ is none ...
/.../chapter xxix argument he next teaches.htm

Christ the Only Prophet Has Appeared in Different Ages.
... Chapter XX."Christ the Only Prophet Has Appeared in Different ... to have had the Holy
Spirit of Christ, how is ... upon his own times, and being anointed with mercy ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter xx christ the only prophet.htm

The True Prophet: Why Called the Christ.
... Book I. Chapter XLV."The True Prophet: Why Called the ... He became man; Him first God
anointed with oil ... life: from that anointing therefore He is called Christ. ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xlv the true prophet why.htm

On the Incarnation of Christ.
... reward of its virtues, listen to the prophet addressing it ... of Christ along with the
Word of God is made Christ. Because to be anointed with the oil of gladness ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/chapter vi on the incarnation of.htm

The Holy Spirit and the Incarnation of the Word. ...
... places where Iren??us quotes the prophet by name. ... Christian" he does not mention Christ,
but plays ... called Christians because we are anointed (chriometha) with ...
/.../the demonstration of the apostolic preaching/chapter 3 the holy spirit 2.htm

On the Offices of Our Lord Jesus Christ
... God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to ... in him, and that he was the
prophet sent into ... when he "opened the heavens unto Christ" immediately after ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 14 on the offices.htm

Jacob Predicted Two Advents of Christ.
... the Spirit which was in the prophets anointed your kings ... manifestation and death
of our Jesus Christ in your ... there was and is nowhere any prophet: nay, further ...
/.../chapter lii jacob predicted two advents.htm

The Knowledge of Jesus Christ the Best Knowledge
... which signifies anointed, because he was anointed by the Holy ... to take him to be our
prophet, priest, and ... he knew every thing, perhaps, but Christ, thrust down ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the knowledge of jesus christ.htm