The term “Christ” comes from the Greek word *Christos*, which means “anointed one.” It is the equivalent of the Hebrew word *Mashiach* (Messiah). In biblical terms, it refers to someone chosen and consecrated by God to fulfill a specific mission. In the context of the New Testament, “Christ” is the title given to Jesus, signifying that He is the promised Messiah, the Savior of humanity.
**Biblical References:**
1. **Jesus as the Christ:**
– *”Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’”* (Matthew 16:16, NIV)
Here, Peter openly recognizes Jesus as the Messiah, affirming His role as the anointed one sent by God.
2. **The Prophecies of the Messiah:**
– *”The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.”* (Isaiah 61:1, NIV, fulfilled in Luke 4:18-21)
This Old Testament prophecy foretells the coming of the Messiah, which Jesus claims as fulfilled in His ministry.
3. **Jesus Declares Himself the Christ:**
– *”The woman said, ‘I know that Messiah’ (called Christ) ‘is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.’ Then Jesus declared, ‘I, the one speaking to you—I am he.'”* (John 4:25-26, NIV)
Jesus directly identifies Himself as the Christ, affirming His identity to the Samaritan woman.
4. **Christ’s Role in Salvation:**
– *”But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”* (John 20:31, NIV)
John emphasizes that belief in Jesus as the Christ leads to eternal life, highlighting His central role in God’s redemptive plan.
5. **Christ as the Fulfilled Promise:**
– *”Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.”* (Romans 1:1-4, NIV)
Paul explains how Jesus fulfills the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah, confirming that He is the Christ.
In summary, “Christ” is a title that signifies Jesus as the anointed Savior and promised Messiah. This title highlights His divine mission to reconcile humanity with God as foretold in the Scriptures.