The Messiah (Hebrew: masiah, translated as the Greek word christos in the New Testament) is the ‘anointed one’ who was promised in the Old Testament prophecies to bring in God’s kingdom. Prophets (1 Kings 19:15-16), priests (Exodus 40:15) and kings (1 Samuel 10:1) were anointed with oil: it signified their appointment by God to carry out their role, and also symbolised the pouring out of the Holy Spirit to equip them for what was required. They often point to a greater ‘anointed one’ who was to come into the world as a perfect prophet, priest and king (e.g.1 Samuel 2:35, 2 Chronicles 6:42, Daniel 9:26). This is the Lord Jesus, whom the apostle Peter proclaims to be ‘the Messiah’ and ‘Son of the Living God’ (Matthew 16:16, Acts 4:26-27) and who establishes His kingdom throughout the world (Luke 4:16-21, Luke 24:45-49). Those who believe in Him will gain eternal life, as it says in John 20:31: ‘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.’
