Christ

Pilate asked, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” By divine revelation Peter recognized Jesus as the Christ (Matt. 16:16). Although referred to as a title by many, Christ is a definite name used over three hundred times in the New Testament and means “The Anointed One.” Prophets had foretold His coming as the Messiah and now His kingly authority is recorded. Our Lord used the name Jesus of Himself (Acts 9:5), but never the name Christ.

From Christ comes “Christian” and from “Christian,” “Christianity.” The Gospel we preach to a needy world is the Gospel of Christ (Rom. 1:16). As the Christ-ones we can only honor Christ by having the same power resting upon us as we seek to serve Him.

Both Jesus and Christ are combined and used as “Jesus Christ” some one hundred times in the New Testament (Matt. 16:20; Acts 2:36). Taken together, these two names imply the mystic union existing in Him as the God-Man. His work and worth are one, even as His name and nature are.