CHRIST---THE ANOINTED ONE


      The Hebrew word `mashach', which occurs about seventy times in the
    Old Testament, means "to anoint, smear, consecrate." The basic thrust
    of the term simply suggests the smearing of a substance (e.g., oil or
    paint) on another object. Jeremiah spoke of a man who had his house
    "painted" red (22:14).
        But the word also is used of an anointing which consecrates. At
    Bethel, Jacob had "anointed" a pillar in connection with a vow which he
    had made to Jehovah (Genesis 31:13). Most generally, however, `mashach'
    denotes an anointing that has to do with setting something apart for an
    office or function.
        In the Old Testament, PROPHETS, PREISTS, and KINGS were anointed in
    preparation for their services (cf. I Kings 19:16; Exodus 28:41; I
    Samuel 10:1). These offices of the Old Testament pictured the three-
    fold work of Jesus.
        In the New Testament, our Lord is called the "Christ," which means
    "the anointed one." He serves as our Prophet, for He speaks the Word of
    God to man (Acts 3:22). He is our Priest, making atonement of the sins
    of humanity (Hebrews 3:1). And He is our King, speaking with royal
    authority from Heaven (Revelation 17:14).  How wonderfully the Old
    Testament prepared the way for the coming of the Anointed One (see Acts
    10:38).
        Those in the first century who were obedient to the Gospel plan
    became known (by divine authority) as "Christians," i.e., ANOINTED ONES
    (Acts 11:26; I Peter 4:16; II Corinthians 1:21). As such, we have a
    three-fold function: (1) We SPEAK FORTH the truth to the lost world
    (Mark 16:15); (2) We offer ourselves as SACRIFICES to God (Romans
    12:1); and, (3) We walk in KINGLY splendor with our Lord (Revelation
    1:6).


    "Reason from Revelation"          Vol.II,No.2          February, 1990


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