Description

This episode of A Better Bible Study podcast continues the series dubbed the Gospel and Spiritual Growth. We will look into the different passages in the scriptures that foretell the gospel. Studying the gospel requires that we not only read it as it is but also understand its full context. In this episode, we will look into the scripture, specifically the Old Testament, and see how the post-contemporary man is able to identify the Messiah.

The gospel, the word of Christ cannot be simply stated as the good news about Christ because, although technically correct, this does not tell the whole story of the gospel. In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul writes the components of the gospel with much emphasis that it is “according to the scriptures.” This phrase, on a deeper scale tells us that the gospel is already prophesied way back hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus. Moreover, the prophesies have given a guideline, the events and qualifications that must be fulfilled. Like a criteria, these passages in the scriptures describes what the messiah is, and what he will fulfill in his days.

 

The Messiah according to the scripture

The scripture (Old Testament) has given many passages that describe what the Messiah is. These passages outline the qualifications of the one who will fulfill them and through which he will be identified as the Messiah. In this manner, the Messiah is identified because only him, the Christ, will be able to fulfill all of these prophesies.

Among these prophesies is that the Messiah will not be spared from death but he will remain incorrupt (Psalms 16:10, Psalms 30:3). And the passage in Psalms 22:1 “…My God, my God, why have You forsaken me… (NASB)”, a passage that Jesus uttered as a fulfillment of this prophesy.

Other passages are:

[7] All who see me sneer at me; They separate with the lip, they wag the head… (Psalms 22:7 NASB)

“…Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors…”(Isa 53:12 NASB)

“[16]…They pierced my hands and my feet. (Psa 22:16 NASB)”

[3] He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. (Isa 53:3 NASB)

“[10]…so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced… (Zec 12:10 NASB)”

            These passages allow those who have studied the scriptures to identify the messiah. The early believers in the church of Christ however, have misinterpreted these passages and did not see them fulfilled albeit being fulfilled in their time.

 

The Messianic prophesy and the early believers

What transpired in the days of Christ was overlooked by the early believers. Although it was clearly written in the scriptures what the messiah will be, it is worthy to note that in those early days, the majority of the Jews did not initially accept Jesus as the Christ. .. And so, although they had access to the scriptures, it was not studied at a greater depth being filtered through a biased and corrupt leadership.

Christ, the anointed one

            In the letter of Paul to the church in Corinth, he uses the term “Christ” when describing the gospel. It can be noted that the name of Jesus was only mentioned in verse 31 of 1Corinthians 15. The use of “Christ” here is related to the Paul’s understanding of Christ as the “anointed one”, or in Hebrew, “the messiah.” In other words, Paul acknowledges that Christ is prophesied to be essential for  salvation. Under the Old Testament and Messianic system, there are three kinds of people that are anointed ones: the priests, prophets and kings. So the emphasis of Paul on Christ bears the implication that Christ is sufficient for us. He is all three, priest, prophet and king. He is the anointed one.

It will be fitting to examine closely where in the scripture we can find the designation of the anointed ones, and what their roles are.

Exodus 28:3-43 shows the beginnings of priesthood when God commanded Moses to anoint them and become servants of God as priest. It is in the command of God that they were anointed.

[41] “You shall put them on Aaron your brother and on his sons with him; and you shall anoint them and ordain them and consecrate them, that they may serve Me as priests.” (Exd 28:41 NASB)

                In the works of Elijah, in 1 Kings 19:16, he was commanded to anoint a king in Israel and Elisha the prophet.

“[16] and Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint king over Israel; and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place.” (1Ki 19:16 NASB)

            Furthermore, the anointed king was to take the role of a ruler and one to deliver the people from the enemies.

[1] Then Samuel took the flask of oil, poured it on his head, kissed him and said, “Has not the LORD anointed you a ruler over His inheritance? (1Sa 10:1 NASB)

            The emphasis of Paul’s use of Christ tells us that Christ is anointed as all three of those kind of people. This is crucial, and it gives a picture of what is to come and what Christ demands from us.

In relating the Christ as the Messiah prophesied, verses in the New Testament can be found asserting these roles of Jesus in his time. In Hebrews 3 it is written there that Jesus is our high priest.

[1] “Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession; [2] He was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was in all His house.” (Hbr 3:1-2 NASB)

            The scripture also describes that the Messiah will be the prophet in Acts 3:22, and in Hebrews 1:1-2

[22] “Moses said, ‘THE LORD GOD WILL RAISE UP FOR YOU A PROPHET LIKE ME FROM YOUR BRETHREN; TO HIM YOU SHALL GIVE HEED to everything He says to you.” (Act 3:22 NASB)

[1] “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, [2] in these last days has spoken to us in His Son…”. (Hbr 1:1-2 NASB)

Christ being the prophet and priest are two roles we must understand as we move along this online bible study, and are essential for deeping our understanding of what is the gospel. Ultimately, understanding this aspect about the gospel will enrich our appreciation of its implication to our faith and thus helps in our spiritual growth.

In the early times, the prophets serves the purpose of sending the message of God to man, while the priest serves as the bridge through which man sends his supplications to God. Christ being the anointed one, the prophet and priest signifies that He now, serves as the only bridge, the only way to God. Whereas having another man who is subject to mistakes take these roles, Christ tells occupies this role, and thus giving the assurance that no human error can get in our way God and to salvation.

Christ the King

The third kind of person that gets anointed in the early days is kings. Several verses in the New Testament shows Jesus being acknowledged as King in John 18:30-33 and in verse 37 where Jesus himself acknowledged that He has a kingdom. This ‘in other words’ acknowledges that Jesus is King.  However, these verses are just a small part of the Bible study that could be done in understanding this aspect of Christ. For more on this we can refer to Ephesians 1: 22-23, Revelations 1:5 and the various prophesies of Daniel about the Kingdom of God in Daniel 2:44, and verses 7:13-14.

Christ being King and the full authority is a significant fact in our faith. It leads to the awareness that He is our only way to God, being priest and prophet and that he has the full control of authority in our life, our King. This knowledge, as we go with our online Bible study should make us even more aware of the significance of the gospel to our spiritual growth and salvation.

Reading for next Episode

A few suggested readings can be helpful in the next episode of this Podcast and in your personal Bible study in further understanding the gospel. The book of Psalms chapter 22, 1 Corinthians 15 are suggested. To help build a foundation in understanding the gospel, Isaiah 42 to the end, especially chapter 53 are suggested for study.

More of the Gospel and Spiritual Growth in the coming episode of this online Bible study with the Church of Christ.