Jesus' baptism is depicted as his anointing ceremony, where God pours out His spirit on Jesus.
The term 'Christian' originated in Antioch and marked the followers of Jesus, distinguishing them from other social and religious groups.
Jesus shares his spirit anointing with his disciples, empowering them to carry out his mission and endure tests just as he did.
Deep dives
Jesus as the Anointed One
The podcast explores the theme of the anointed, focusing on Jesus as the anointed one or the Christ. In the New Testament, Jesus is referred to as the anointed one, even though he did not undergo the official oil anointing ceremony in Jerusalem. The baptism of Jesus is treated as an anointing ceremony, where God pours out His spirit on Jesus. After his resurrection, Jesus's disciples also receive the spirit, making them anointed ones or Christians. The sufferings of Christ become a model for the sufferings of Christians, as they endure tests of trust and allegiance on behalf of others.
The Origin of the Term Christian
In the early days of the Christian movement, followers of Jesus were mainly called Jews who followed the way or the Nazarene. The term Christian, meaning anointed ones or those who follow the anointed one (Christ), originated in the multicultural city of Antioch. It distinguished the followers of Jesus, who were both Jews and Greeks, from other social and religious groups. The term was initially used by others to refer to these followers, and over time, it became adopted by the early Christians themselves.
The Sharing of the Anointing
The anointing received by Jesus at his baptism is not just for him alone. Jesus shares his spirit anointing with his disciples, empowering them to carry out his mission. This sharing of the anointing is connected to the concept of suffering, as the disciples are called to endure tests and difficulties just as Jesus did. By sharing in his sufferings, the disciples become partakers in the anointed one's mission and experience the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.
The Christian Identity
The term Christian marks those who identify as followers of Jesus, the anointed one. The suffering and trials faced by Christians are seen as a participation in the sufferings of Christ. Rather than being ashamed, Christians are called to honor God by embracing the name Christian when they face challenges or persecution. The suffering of Christians becomes a witness to the sufferings of Christ and a testament to their identification with him.
The City of the Anointed
In the upcoming theme study, the podcast will explore the significance of the city as the ideal for human existence. While the Bible initially presents the garden as the ideal, the city takes on a negative connotation due to human failures and sin. However, in the final pages of the Bible, the city symbolizes the merging of God's heavenly realm with earth in the new creation. Understanding the city motif helps us to see how heaven can come to earth through the lives of those who embrace their identity as anointed ones or Christians.
“Jesus the anointed one” is the literal translation of the Greek title “Christ,” frequently applied to Jesus. In this podcast episode, Tim and Jon discuss both this title and Jesus’ baptism, which the gospel writers depict as his anointing ceremony. Listen in as we explore the theme of the anointed in the New Testament and how Jesus’ followers become anointed ones too.
You can experience our entire library of resources in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.
Show Music
“Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTS
“Sailing on a Flying Boat” by Enzalla
“CluB waVes” by Tyler Bailey
“Along the Yarra” by Stan Forebee
Show produced by Cooper Peltz with Associate Producer Lindsey Ponder, Lead Editor Dan Gummel, and Editors Tyler Bailey and Frank Garza. Mixed by Tyler Bailey. Podcast annotations for the BibleProject app by Hannah Woo.
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