The Anointed One
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The Christian Observer - 9400 Fairview Avenue - Manassas, VA 20110  (703) 335-2844
Dr. Edwin Elliott, Managing Editor
Reformed Journal of Record since 1813  -- $27.00 US  per year (12 Issues)

The History of the Christian Observer

Why is He called Christ, that is, the Anointed One?

Because He is ordained by God the Father and anointed with the Holy Spirit to be our chief Prophet and Teacher, fully revealing to us the secret purpose and will of God concerning our redemption; to be our only High Priest, having redeemed us by the one sacrifice of His body and ever interceding for us with the Father; and to be our eternal King, governing us by His Word and Spirit, and defending and sustaining us in the redemption He has won for us.

But why are you called a Christian?

Because through faith I share in Christ and thus in His anointing, so that I may confess His name, offer myself a living sacrifice of gratitude to Him, and fight against sin and the devil with a free and good conscience throughout this life and hereafter rule with Him in eternity over all creatures.

I. The Anointing Designates the Promised Savior

A.  The prophecy about salvation predicted God=s distinct appointment of a Redeemer-Prophet. The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;  (Isaiah 61:1-2)

Messiah / Christ / Anointed [Ordained or Appointed]

B. The prediction of a prophet was literally fulfilled in the baptism of Jesus.  Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.  (Luke 3:21-22)

C. God told His people to expect an anointed end time prophet like Moses.  The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;  (Deuteronomy 18:15)  I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.  (Deuteronomy 18:18)

Acts 3:22 claimed the fulfillment of the prophecy in Jesus.

D. The savior is also the designated high priest of all priests representing believers to God.  Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.  (Romans 8:34)

E. And the savior is further the designated king of kings and end time Lord.  He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.  (Luke 1:32-33).

F. All the authority of the definitive final Prophet, Priest, and King predicted in the Old Testament is summarized in Christ.  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.  (Matthew 28:18)

II. Our Name Derives from His

A. Christians share in Christ=s work.  Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.  (1 Corinthians 12:27)

B. Enemies actually first gave us the name Christians.  And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.  (Acts 11:26)

Would there be enough evidence to convict you?

C. Accepting the name is one of the ways we testify that we belong to Jesus Christ.  Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.  (Matthew 10:32 )

D. The game follows the name.  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  (Romans 12:1 )

E. As Christians we have an intimate and important part in the long-range plan of God.  Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.  (1 Peter 2:5)  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:  (1 Peter 2:9)

III. The Present Extends into the Eternal

A. Being Christians puts believers in conflict with the evil of the age. This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;    Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:  (1 Timothy 1:18-19)  

B. The rewards are incalculable.  It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.  (2 Timothy 2:11-13)