2001-4-6 11:07:00
Many may not be surprised to learn that we may become sons of God as is Jesus, but few are prepared for this next claim that we will examine. And what is that?
Others besides Jesus were called by the name of Christ, and such was written in the Bible itself.
The word "Christ" comes from the Greek word CHRISTOS which means "anointed." Its equivalent in the Hebrew is "Messiah." CHRISTOS is derived from the Greek CHRIO which means "to anoint with oil or consecrate to an office or position."
The Hebrew "Messiah" comes from MASHIYACH and means the same as CHRISTOS. It is derived from MASHACH which is the equivalent of CHRIO.
Any good concordance will reveal that Christ and Messiah are the same word, but from two different languages. Furthermore, it can be proved from the King James version of the Bible:
"He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, we have found the Messias (Greek spelling of Messiah) which is BEING INTERPRETED, THE CHRIST." (John 1:41) [Also see John 4:25.]
This means that wherever in the Old Testament the original Hebrew for Messiah, MASHIYACH, is found, it could be translated correctly into the Greek CHRISTOS or the English "Christ."
Interestingly, MASHIYACH is not usually translated as "Messiah," but "anointed." If the New Testament CHRISTOS were translated the same way we would read "Jesus the anointed" rather than "Jesus the Christ." The word Christ is a name, but like all names in ancient times it had a meaning to convey. Those possessing this special name were anointed to a special office, position or mission.
There are only two places in the Old Testament that MASHIYACH is translated as Messiah. That is in Daniel 9:25 & 26. The reason it was translated as such here is that it seems to be a sure prophecy of Jesus. On the other hand, when MASHIYACH did not seem to refer to Jesus translators show their bias by rendering it "anointed."
Let us be consistent translators and render MASHIYACH to its English equivalent "Christ" and see how some of these passages read: "And the Priest that is CHRIST shall take of the bullocks blood and bring it to the tabernacle of the congregation." (Lev 4:5) This refers to the priest that offered sacrifices according to the law of Moses.
In speaking of Saul David said:
"I will not put forth mine hand against my Lord; for he is the Lord's CHRIST." (1 Sam 24:10)
In speaking of himself David said:
"But thou (God) hast cast off and abhorred, thou hast been wroth with thine CHRIST." (Psalms 89:38)
In another scripture MASHIYACH refers to all Israel: "He suffered no man to do them (Israel) wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes; Saying, Touch not mine CHRIST (Israel), and do my prophets no harm." (Psalms 105:14-15)
MASHIYACH is even used in connection with a non-Jew: "Thus saith the Lord to his CHRIST, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden to subdue nations before him...." (Isa 45:1)
In the New Testament the Greek CHRIO is a near synonym for "Christ." Jesus used the word concerning himself when he said: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed (Christed) me to preach the gospel to the poor...." (Luke 4:18)
The word is also used in connection with the followers of Jesus: "Now he which stablishesth us with you in Christ (the anointed), and hath anointed (Christed) us, is God." (2 Cor 1:21)
When we take the Greek and Hebrew of these and other scriptures into consideration we find that the following scripture which was previously quoted is not really so unique: "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being MANY, are one body: SO ALSO IS CHRIST." (1 Cor 12:12)
Those specifically named in the scriptures who are a part of the body of Christ, and thus bear the name of Christ are Saul, David, Cyrus, the ancient Israelites, the early Christians, and Jesus. Among the early Christians that bore the name of Christ according to the Bible were: "First apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers...." (1 Cor 12:28)
It is beyond dispute that Jesus the Christ was referred to as the "Bridegroom" in the scriptures. See John 3:29 for example. The inhabitants of the New Jerusalem are "they which are written in the Lamb's book of life." (Rev 21:27) These people make up the body of Christ of whom Jesus "is the head of the body, the church." (Col 1:18) This body of Christ, or the New Jerusalem is called "the bride, the Lamb's wife." (Rev 21:8) If Jesus is the husband of those who receive the Spirit of God then a follower would automatically take upon himself the same name that Jesus had. Just as with David, Cyrus, and the early Christians we too can bear the name of Christ, or become worthy to be anointed as Sons of God by our Father God.
It is only natural that men and women who are the children of God should also be called by the name of Christ just as it is natural that Jesus, a Son of God, is called the Christ. We have proven that the Father bears this sacred name and the Son inherits the name and characteristics of the father. But just as Jesus inherited the family name of Christ from the Father "of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named." (Eph 3:15) even so do we inherit the name of Christ from Jesus who is called our "everlasting Father." (Isa 9:6)
No wonder the scriptures tell us that Jesus became the Christ "by inheritance." (Heb 1:4) We are to follow that same process. Paul said: "In whom (Christ) also we have obtained an inheritance...." (Eph 1:11) Remember he said we are "heirs of God, and joint heirs of Christ." (Rom 8:17)
Jesus prayed that many disciples would become as Christ:
"Neither pray I for these alone (the twelve apostles) but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they ALL MAY BE ONE; as thou. Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be ONE IN US: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I HAVE GIVEN THEM that they may be one, EVEN AS WE ARE ONE." (John 17:20-22)
This scripture makes it very clear that the followers of Jesus are to receive the same "glory" and oneness as he did. In other words, they are to be "anointed" or made a Christ as Jesus was.
Jesus clarified this:
"To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am sat down with my Father in his throne." (Rev 3:21)
"To the one who is victorious I will give authority over the nations just as I myself have received authority from my Father." (Rev 2:26-27; Phillips)
"If a man love me, he will keep my words, and my Father will love him, and we (the Christ Father and Son) will come in unto him and make our abode with him." (John 14:23)
"For if the firstfruit (Jesus) be holy, the lump (the followers of Christ) is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches." (Rom 11:16)
Paul divides the resurrection of man into two groups:
"For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: (Group One) Christ the firstfruitS; (Group Two) afterward they that are Christ's at his coming." (1 Cor 15:22-23)
Notice that all people who are resurrected before the second coming of Jesus are called "Christ the FIRSTFRUITS." "Firstfruits" means more than one fruit and would include not only Jesus but others who came alive with him such as those mentioned in Matthew:
"And the graves were opened: and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many." (Matt 27:52-53)
These people and others are called "Christ the firstfruits."
Later Paul makes another very interesting statement:
"For he (Jesus or Christ) hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under him, it is manifest that he (God the Father) is excepted, which DID PUT ALL THINGS UNDER HIM." (1 Cor 15:27)
Paul tells us clearly here that there was a time when the Father did the same thing that Jesus did. That is: "He did put all things under him." That could only mean that there was a time when the Father did not have all things under him, or did not have all power and was subject to limitations as men are. Obviously, the Father of Jesus was once a man as we are now.
Remember: "The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do, for what things soever HE DOETH, these also doeth the Son likewise." (John 5:19-21)
Jesus did the same works that his Father had done previously. Jesus was raised from the dead. Obviously the Father had a similar experience on another world in ages past.
Paul calls this Christ principle a "mystery" which has been hidden for ages: "Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is CHRIST IN YOU, the hope of glory." (Col 1:26-27)
It is fitting then that Paul speaks of "Christ, who is our life [...] your life is hid with Christ in God." (Col 3:4 & 3) "God has now made (us) to share the very life of Christ." (Col 2:13; Phillips)
"And I looked and lo, a Lamb stood on mount Sion, and with him an hundred and forty and four thousand, having his Father's name (Christ) written in their foreheads." (Rev 14:1)
The faithful will bear the name of Christ because "Christ" means "anointed." Jesus was anointed to be our Lord or Master, and also High Priest. The rest of the faithful are anointed to be "kings and priests unto God and his Father." (Rev 1:6) "And thou hast made us unto our God Kings and Priests and we shall reign on the earth." (Rev 5:10)
Speaking of ordinary mortals we are told that "saviours shall come upon mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau (carnal mankind) and the kingdom shall be the Lord's." (Obadiah, Verse 21)
The full name of Jesus Christ literally means "anointed to deliver." The most glorious and eternal work any of us can do is to reach forth our hands to lift up those who are struggling for greater light and truth. Aiding in the deliverance of our brethren and sisters is to become as Jesus and to take upon ourselves his name and become as Christ.
Question:
We hear much talk today about the "Christ Consciousness." Some religious zealots claim this is a term created by the devil himself to deceive us. But if Jesus were among us today and we were to ask him about it, as to whether we should develop it, what do you suppose he would say?
-- End Of Part Eight --
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Copyright 2001 by J.J. Dewey, All Rights Reserved