Perhaps the best known confession of Jesus is found in Matthew 16:16 in the King James Version, it reads: "And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." The word "Messiah" is the Hebrew form of the Latin word "Christ." Both simply mean, "anointed." Biblical anointing was used in referring to God's chosen for a particular purpose. Jesus is anointed as the "only begotten Son" (John 3:16). The Bible clearly teaches that Jesus as Christ or Messiah, demands and receives homage and worship as a unique individual, both man and God! Jesus said in Matthew 12:30, "He that is not with me is against me, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad." Thus to refuse to accept Jesus as the Messiah is to doom oneself to opposing and denying the Son of God! Jesus, although born by human birth was conceived by miracle in the virgin Mary (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:21-23). However, He existed from the very beginning. Note, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made" (John 1:1-3, emphasis mine, ER). Verse 14 adds, "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."
One of the attitudes that the "politically correct" detest today, is anything that hints at being exclusive. However, the New Testament clearly teaches that one who rejects Jesus, as Messiah will be eternally condemned. Jesus said, "He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad" (Matthew 12:30). He also said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6). The word "Christ" or "Messiah" is used more than 550 times in the King James Version of the New Testament. Thus it is not a "minor" detail nor "Theological opinion" that is of no consequence! As the apostle Peter summed up and concluded in the first sermon after Jesus arose from the dead, "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ" (Acts 2:36, emphasis mine, ER). Most folks are aware that many religions including both Islam (Muslim) and sects of Judaism are still anticipating the coming Messiah! We would humbly submit that Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified and arose from the dead during the first century A.D., fits the qualifications and IS the Messiah of all mankind.
Expressing God's love for all (John 3:16), Jesus came to redeem all from their sin and rebellion against God. However, there are conditions that one must meet in order to be a recipient of the redeeming blood that Jesus shed. As the apostle Peter stated in Acts 2:36-38, when one becomes convinced that Jesus is the Christ, or Messiah, it is necessary to obey as in Acts 2:38. One must repent (change their will or mind toward sin, and resolve to serve God) and be baptized (immersed) for the forgiveness of their past sins. Jesus, as our Mediator, will then also be our Intercessor (1 John 2:1) when we need to address God the Father. Have YOU done these things and can claim Jesus as your Lord? (Acts 2:36).
Ed Rodgers, Forney, TX
