What does 'Christ' mean? Is it the same as 'Messiah?'

[PATrobas]

Reminders Definitions: Christ

            The word ‘Christ’ literally means anointed and is used as a descriptive of Jesus as ‘The Anointed One.’ But ‘Christ’ is also a name and a title. As a name, we see it used throughout Scripture as ‘Jesus Christ.’ Jesus used it this way of Himself in John 17:3 “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” As a title, it is akin to ‘Savior,’ ‘Lord,’ and ‘King.’ We acknowledge that the crucified Jesus is ‘the Savior’ of all men, that He is ‘the Lord’ who is risen from the dead, and at His second coming He will be recognized by the world as ‘the King’ of the Jews. So, it is with the title Christ. Jesus, ‘the Christ.’ Surprisingly, the corresponding Hebrew word, ‘Messiah,’ still meaning anointed, was only used twice in the OT when Daniel prophesied of when He would come, “Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself:” ^{Daniel 9:25-26} This use of the word was a specific reference to the only begotten Son of God, The Messiah. The Christ. So, what is anointing and what does it mean?

            In the OT, those who were consecrated or set apart for their respective spiritual offices were anointed with oil before all the people. This ritual of oil being rubbed on or poured over these chosen ones, was symbolic of God’s power and blessing coming upon them, the NT equivalent being the Holy Spirit. Prophets, Priests, and Kings of Israel were all anointed with oil before taking office. ^{1 Kings 19:16; Numbers 3:3; 2 Samuel 12:7} Then, Isaiah spoke of a coming Prophet, Priest, and King, all encompassed in one, “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD has anointed me to preach good tidings unto 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; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.” ^{Isaiah 61:1-2a} Fulfilling this prophesy when He was anointed by the Holy Spirit at His baptism, ^{John 1:32} Jesus continued to speak as a prophet until the cross. Then, from the time of His resurrection unto the present, He is interceding for us in His office of High Priest. ^{Hebrews 4:14, 7:25} And soon, at His second coming, He will inaugurate His role as King of kings and Lord of lords ^{1 Timothy 6:14-15} when He sits on His earthly throne in Jerusalem.

            Final Thoughts: Jesus asked His disciples “But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” ^{Matthew 16:15-16} Then, on the day of Pentecost, Peter declared, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.” ^{Acts 2:36} Finally, Peter’s last recorded words in Scripture were, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever. Amen.” ^{2 Peter 3:18} We too now confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Anointed One of God.   _ph

[missmuffet]

Christ means "anointed one" or Messiah meaning "one who is anointed".