Topical Bible: Titles and Names of Christ: Messiah

Bible > Topical > Titles and Names of Christ

◄ Titles and Names of Christ: Messiah ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The term "Messiah" is derived from the Hebrew word "Mashiach," meaning "Anointed One." In the Greek New Testament, the equivalent term is "Christos," from which we get the English "Christ." The concept of the Messiah is deeply rooted in the Old Testament and is central to the identity and mission of Jesus Christ in the New Testament.

Old Testament Foundations

The anticipation of a Messiah is woven throughout the Old Testament, where the term "anointed" is used to describe prophets, priests, and kings who were consecrated for God's service. The promise of a coming deliverer is first hinted at in Genesis 3:15, where God speaks of the seed of the woman who will crush the serpent's head. This promise is progressively revealed through the covenants with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David.

The Davidic Covenant, as recorded in 2 Samuel 7:12-16, is particularly significant, promising a descendant of David whose kingdom will be established forever. The prophets further develop this expectation, with Isaiah prophesying a child born to us who will be called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). Isaiah also speaks of the "Servant of the Lord" who will suffer for the sins of the people (Isaiah 53).

New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, Jesus of Nazareth is identified as the long-awaited Messiah. The angel Gabriel announces to Mary that her son will be called "the Son of the Most High" and will inherit the throne of David (Luke 1:32-33). At His birth, the angels proclaim to the shepherds, "Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:11).

Throughout His ministry, Jesus fulfills the Messianic prophecies, demonstrating His authority over nature, sickness, and sin. In John 4:25-26, Jesus explicitly reveals His identity to the Samaritan woman, saying, "I who speak to you am He" , in response to her mention of the coming Messiah.

Messianic Titles and Roles

Jesus' role as Messiah encompasses several titles and functions. He is the "Son of David," affirming His royal lineage and right to the throne (Matthew 1:1). As the "Son of God," He possesses divine authority and nature (John 1:34). He is the "Lamb of God," who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), fulfilling the sacrificial system and the suffering servant motif of Isaiah 53.

The title "Messiah" also implies Jesus' role as the ultimate Prophet, Priest, and King. As Prophet, He reveals God's truth; as Priest, He mediates between God and humanity, offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice; and as King, He reigns over His spiritual kingdom, which will be fully realized at His second coming.

Rejection and Acceptance

Despite the clear fulfillment of Messianic prophecies, Jesus was rejected by many of His contemporaries, particularly the religious leaders who expected a political liberator rather than a suffering servant. This rejection was foretold in passages like Psalm 118:22, "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone" .

However, for those who believe, Jesus is the Messiah who brings salvation and reconciliation with God. Peter's confession in Matthew 16:16, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" , encapsulates the faith of the early church and remains a central tenet of Christian belief.

Eschatological Hope

The Messianic hope is not only historical but also eschatological. Christians await the return of Christ, the Messiah, who will consummate His kingdom, judge the living and the dead, and establish a new heaven and a new earth. This future hope is rooted in the promises of Scripture and the assurance of Christ's victory over sin and death.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Daniel 9:25
Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem to the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and three score and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 1:41
He first finds his own brother Simon, and said to him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Names Son of God and Son of Man.
... Both of the names which he applied to himself"Son of God ... (further illustrated in
Christ's last words ... not among the more usual or best known titles of Messiah ...
/.../section 58 the names son.htm

The Title "Word" is to be Interpreted by the Same Method as the ...
... Messiah is coming, who is called Christ; when He ... in the prophets a countless number
of titles which are ... announce the things concerning Him under various names. ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/23 the title word is.htm

More Particularly, in what Respect Christ is Called the Truth.
... the Israelites, who were under that dispensation, to look to Christ, the promised ...
in this regard, that he fully answers all the titles and names which he ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter xi more particularly in.htm

Verbal Inspiration
... mouth of all His prophets, that Christ should suffer ... is particularly noticeable in
connection with the Divine titles. The names Elohim and Jehovah are found on ...
/.../the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter thirteen verbal inspiration .htm

Christ the Mediator of the Covenant
... There are several names and titles in Scripture ... deny his human nature; but John
1:14 says The Word was made flesh.' It is spoken of Christ the promised ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/2 christ the mediator of.htm

Jesus Makes his First Disciples.
... the list at Acts 1:13, and the names Matthew and ... four Gospels, but is there invariably
used by Christ himself. ... their minds were thus full of his titles of glory ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxi jesus makes his first.htm

Messiah the Son of God
... compassion, and faithfulness, it is obvious that these names, when applied ... They are
both the titles of MESSIAH ... The God-man, the whole person of Christ, was sent ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxvii messiah the son.htm

The Revelation and Career of the Anti-Christ.
... contrast between Christ and the Anti-christ in their several names and titles but
the ... The Anti-christ then will deny both the Father and the Son (see 1 ...
/.../pink/the redeemers return/4 the revelation and career.htm

Names and External Form of the Old Testament
... The new covenant introduced by Christ is, in a sense, a ... as we now have them; for
the names of which ... latter wanting in the Septuagint), under the titles of 3 ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xiii names and external.htm

The Kingdom and the King
... best to take the two first titles as a ... virtue of the characteristics expressed in
the foregoing names. ... The vision tarries, because Christ's followers have not ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the kingdom and the king.htm