God Anointed Jesus of Nazareth

1. God Anointed Jesus of Nazareth “The Christ, the Son of the living God”

2. The Christ • The “Anointed” (the Messiah), Jno. 1:41 • The son of David, Luke 1:32 • The Son of God, Matt. 16:16; 22:41-45 • God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power, Acts 10:38 • What does this mean?

3. Jesus is God’s Anointed Psa. 2:1-2; Acts 4:26-27 • Anoint: “to smear, to rub”, pour oil or ointment on, 1 Sam. 10:1 • General: Used of personal washing (Matt. 6: 17); the sick (Mk. 6:13); dead body (Mk. 16:1) • Sacred/symbolic: Consecrate, designate as holy, set apart for divinely assigned work • Priests, Exo. 30:30 • Prophets, 1 Kgs. 19:16 • Kings, 1 Sam. 10:1; 16:13

4. Jesus is God’s Anointed Psa. 2:1-2; Acts 4:26-27 • Jesus is revealed to be God’s Christ, Matt. 16:17 • Attested by God, Acts 2:22; 10:38 • That Jesus is the Christ is central to the gospel and our faith in Him, Matt. 16:15-17; Acts 17:2-3

5. The Christ (Messiah) is God’s Servant (Acts 3:13) • Messiah identified as God’s servant, Isaiah 42:1 • God’s “Elect One”, chosen of God, Lk. 9:35 • God delights in His Christ and has put His Spirit upon Him, Isa. 42:1; 11:2; 61:1

6. The Christ (Messiah) is God’s Servant (Acts 3:13) • Fulfillment: God confirmed Jesus to be His Christ by anointing Him with the Holy Spirit and power • Showed God’s approval and endorsement, Acts 10:38; Jno. 3:2 • Luke 3:21-22: God’s approval displayed • John 1:29-34: Identity of Christ confirmed to John, who revealed Son of God to Israel

7. The Christ (Messiah) is God’s Servant (Acts 3:13) • God anointed Jesus, Acts 10:38 • Isaiah 61:1-2: Jesus applied to Himself, Luke 4:14-21 • Anointed to speak God’s word, Jno. 3:34-35 • Isaiah 42:1-4: Fulfilled in Jesus, Matthew 12:15-23, 28 • Presence of the Spirit showed presence of Messiah and approach of His kingdom (confirmed Jesus as Messiah), Luke 11:20

8. Summary • The presence of the Holy Spirit and power upon Jesus was confirming and convincingtestimony that He is the Christ, the Son of God, Acts 10:38

9. False Conclusions (Acts 10:38) • Error: Jesus was less than God before He was anointed with the Holy Spirit • “Son of God” denoted Deity, Lk. 1:31-35; Jno. 5:17-18; 10:30, 36 • Jesus shared glory with Father, Jno. 17:3-5 • Presence of the Spirit confirmed God’s approval of Jesus • Did not define His Deity (Gnostic Cerinthus, 1 Jno. 2:22; 4:3)

10. False Conclusions (Acts 10:38) • Error: Jesus was less than God before He was anointed with the Holy Spirit • Jesus emptied Himself of the “form” (glory) of Deity, Phil. 2:5-8 (Heb. 10:5) • Jesus did not empty Himself of His divine nature, Jno. 1:14; Col. 2:9 • Then get it back when He was anointed with the Holy Spirit

11. False Conclusions (Acts 10:38) • Error: Jesus had two spirits, and His human spirit died on the cross • His human body died on cross, not His spirit, Lk. 23:46; Jno. 19:30; Acts 2:25-28 • This is a futile attempt to explain the miracle of Christ’s incarnation, Col. 2:9

12. False Conclusions (Acts 10:38) • Error: Jesus would have been powerless without being anointed with the Holy Spirit • Choosing not to use power is not the same as failing to possess power, Col. 1:16-17,19 • Because He is God, Jesus always possessed power consistent with His divine nature, Jno. 1:1-3, 14; 17:4-5; Col. 2:9

13. God Anointed Jesus • Presence of the Holy Spirit with Jesus was discerned by His words and His miracles, Acts 10:36-38 • Presence of the Holy Spirit and power was heaven’s endorsement • Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God