Christ
Christ is the title meaning “Anointed One,” used especially of Jesus as God’s promised Messiah. It identifies Him as the fulfillment of Old Testament hope and the true King, Priest, and Savior.
At a Glance
Christ is the title meaning “Anointed One,” used especially of Jesus as God’s promised Messiah. It identifies Him as the fulfillment of Old Testament hope and the true King, Priest, and Savior.
Description
Christ is not Jesus’ last name but a title: the Greek word Christos, corresponding to the Hebrew Messiah, meaning “Anointed One.” In Scripture, anointing was associated with offices such as prophet, priest, and king, and Jesus fulfills in the fullest sense all that God promised through those roles. The New Testament proclaims that Jesus is the Christ—the promised Son of David, the Savior sent by God, and the one in whom the Old Testament hopes reach their fulfillment. In Christian usage, “Jesus Christ” can function almost as a name, but the title itself remains richly theological, declaring that Jesus is God’s chosen and promised Redeemer.