Scripture Reading: Isaiah 42:1-4
God Anointed Jesus of Nazareth
Intro.
1. Christ: “Anointed” (the Messiah, Jno. 1:41):
a. The son of David, Lk. 1:32.
b. The Son of God, Matt. 16:16; 22:41-45.
2. Our faith rests upon this truth, confirmed by the Father’s revelation and heaven’s power, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, Matt. 16:17; Jno. 5:36-39.
3. Acts 10:38: God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power. Some wonder what this means while others twist it to produce false teachings about the nature and work of Christ Jesus.
I. JESUS IS GOD’S ANOINTED (CHRIST), Psa. 2:1-2; Acts 4:26-27.
A. Anoint: “to smear, to rub”, to pour oil or ointment, cf. 1 Sam. 10:1.
1. In general sense, used of personal washing (Matt. 6:17); of the sick (Mk. 6:13); of a dead body (Mk. 16:1).
2. In a sacred, symbolic sense, to consecrate, designate as holy, to be set apart to a divinely assigned work:
a. Priests, Exo. 30:30.
b. Prophets, 1 Kgs. 19:16.
c. Kings, 1 Sam. 10:1; 16:13.
B. Jesus is Revealed to be God’s Christ.
1. Attested by God, Acts 2:22; 10:38.
2. That Jesus is the Christ is central to the gospel and our faith in Him, Matt. 16:15-17.
II. THE CHRIST (MESSIAH) IS GOD’S SERVANT, Acts 3:13.
A. The Messiah is Identified as God’s Servant, Isa. 42:1.
1. God’s “Elect One”; chosen of God, cf. Lk. 9:35.
2. God delights in His Christ and put His Spirit upon Him, Isa. 42:1; 11:2; 61:1.
* 3. Fulfillment: God confirmed Jesus to be His Christ by anointing Him with the Holy Spirit and power, thereby showing God’s approval and endorsement of Jesus, Acts 10:38; cf. Jno. 3:2.
a. Luke 3:21-22: God’s approval displayed when Spirit descended.
b. John 1:29-34: Christ identified to John when Spirit descended on Jesus; He should be revealed to Israel as the Son of God.
c. Isa. 61:1-2 applied by Jesus to Himself, Lk. 4:14-21. The Spirit is present. Jesus is anointed by God with His Spirit to speak the words of God, Jno. 3:34-35.
d. Isa. 42:1-4: Fulfilled in Jesus in Matt. 12:15-23, 28. Presence of the Spirit with Jesus identified Him as the Christ and was a indication of His approaching kingdom (Lk. 11:20).
Summary: The presence of the Holy Spirit and power upon Jesus was confirming and convincing testimony that He is the Christ, the Son of God, Acts 10:38.
III. ERRORS THAT ARE FALSELY DEDUCED FROM THE ANOINTING OF JESUS, WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND POWER.
A. Error: That Jesus was Less than God Before He was Anointed with the Holy Spirit.
1. Son of God denotes divine nature (Deity), cf. Lk. 1:31-35; Jno. 5:17-18; 10:30, 36.
2. Jesus shared glory with the Father from eternity past, Jno. 17:3-5.
3. Presence of the Spirit of God confirmed God’s approval of Jesus; it did not make Him deity (like the Gnostic Cerinthus taught, 1 Jno. 2:22; 4:3).
4. Jesus emptied himself of the “form” (glory) of deity; did not empty himself of his nature of deity, Phil. 2:5-8 (Heb. 10:5); Jno. 1:14; Col. 2:9.
B. Error: Jesus had Two Spirits and His Human Spirit Died on the Cross. (Scripture please?)
1. His human body died on the cross, not his spirit! Lk. 23:46; Jno. 19:30; Acts 2:25-28
2. This error attempts to define the miracle of incarnation! Col. 2:9
C. Error: Jesus Would have been Powerless without the Anointing of the Holy Spirit.
1. Must acknowledge that choosing not to use power is not the same as not possessing power, Col. 1:16-17, 19.
2. Because He is God, Jesus always possessed power that was consistent with His nature, Jno. 1:1-3, 14; 17:4-5; Col. 2:9.
Conclusion
1. The presence of the Spirit with Jesus was observable by His words and His miracles, Acts 10:38.
2. The presence of Holy Spirit and power with Jesus is heaven’s full endorsement to the world that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
By: Joe R. Price
Posted: July 14, 2013