47. Why was Jesus Christ called by that name?

Answer: To show who he was and what was his mission.

Proof:

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. (Matt. 1:21).

48. In what way does his name show this?

Answer: First by Jesus, which is a name of Hebrew origin, signifying God shall save; and then by Christ, which is a Greek word, meaning anointed.

Proof:

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. (Matt. 1:23).

The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, (Psa. 2:2).

For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, (Acts 4:27).

49. What is anointing?

Answer: It is the ceremony by which kings and priests were by divine appointment consecrated to their office. It consisted in putting holy oil on their heads.

Proof:

Then shalt thou take the anointing oil, and pour it upon his head, and anoint him. And thou shalt bring his sons, and put coats upon them. And thou shalt gird them with girdles, Aaron and his sons, and put the bonnets on them: and the priest's office shall be theirs for a perpetual statute: and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons. (Ex. 29:7-9).

To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me. (1 Sam. 9:16).

Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance? (1 Sam. 10:1).

And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons. And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD. And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee. (1 Sam. 16:1-3).

50. Was Christ anointed with oil?

Answer: No: he was anointed with that of which the oil of ancient custom was but a type. He was anointed with the Spirit of God at his baptism in the Jordan.

Proof:

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. (Acts 10:38).

Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. (Luke 3:21-22).

51. Then the man bearing the name of Jesus Christ would be pointed out by that name as the man through whom God, by the anointing Spirit, would save men -- from what?

Answer: From their sins.

Proof:

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. (Matt. 1:21).

CONTENTS | CONCERNING THE DEATH OF CHRIS