I Believe in the Christ

Minister:
Date: AM
Text: Acts 3, 4; Lord's Day 12
Psalters: 267, 242, 45, 303
  1. Faith that He is Christ.
    1. Christ (Greek) and Messiah (Hebrew) mean "the anointed one."
      1. This is not a personal name, but a title, indicating His official dignity.
      2. The office to which one was anointed is that of representing the invisible God in a visible world.
      3. The fall into sin changed the office into a service of the devil, using the same abilities for the devil.
    2. The Anointed One came as THE office-bearer.
      1. Jesus, with the Person of God the Son, was appointed and qualified to represent God perfectly.
      2. He delivered from the power of sin (Heb. 5:4-6; 10:7,9; 4:15,16).
    3. In heaven Christ received the Spirit, by which He, as the office-bearer, fulfills His ministry of representing God.
      1. As Prophet Christ reveals to us, through the preaching, the will of God concerning our salvation.
      2. As our Priest Jesus intercedes for us, serving as our Advocate before the Father (Hebrews 7:25).
      3. As the King of kings He rules over all things for the sake of the Church.
  2. Those who are in Christ are partakers of His anointing and thus are Christians, anointed ones.
    1. To have the right to be called a Christian is a gift of grace.
    2. This means that we must live the life of Christians.
      1. As prophets we confess His name.
      2. As priests we present ourselves as living sacrifices.
      3. As kings we manfully fight against sin and Satan in this life, and afterwards reign with Him in eternity.