INTRODUCTION
While the interaction between the persons of the Trinity must always be incomprehensible, yet the relation of God's Spirit to our incarnate Lord is especially shrouded in mystery. The Saviour, was both God and man, capable of growth yet perfect. He was self-sufficient as God, yet in His humiliation He needed the anointing of the Spirit. Let us then not grieve that all is not comprehensible but rather rejoice in the mystery of godliness (I Timothy 3:16). I. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE TOPIC.
That the work of the Spirit in the life of Christ is very important becomes evident when we consider that both the titles "Christ" and "Messiah" mean "anointed." Jesus is the "Christ" because He was anointed with the oil of the Spirit in a pre-eminent way (Hebrews 1:9, John 3:34, Acts 10:38).
The Old Testament has much to say about Christ as the anointed one that was to come:
A. In prophecy - Please note the following Scriptures: Psalms 45:7, 2:6 ("set" comes from a Hebrew word for "anointed". A Hebrew king was not "crowned" but "anointed" as king.), Isaiah 10:27, Luke 4: 16-21, Proverbs 8:23 (again "set up" means "anointed". Before the creation our Lord was foreordained to be the "Christ").B. In type:
1. The fine meal (a type of Christ's sinless flesh) was to be offered with oil (a type of the Spirit) according to the book of Leviticus.
2. The Old Testament Anointings.
In the Old Testament, men were anointed to the offices of prophet, priest, and king.
This typology finds its antitype in our Saviour the anointed of God.
a. Prophet - Isaiah 61:1-3
b. Priest - Hebrews 9:14
c. King - Isaiah 11:1-4, 42:1-4 II. THE NECESSITY OF THE ANOINTING.
The question of why the Son of God should need the Spirit’s anointing is part of the great mystery of the incarnation. We must remain very close to the letter of Scripture in answering this question and not wander into vain speculation. A. Our Lord's anointing enabled Him to be like His brethren.
The covenant of grace; required that for Christ to represent His people He must become a servant and take upon Himself their nature (Philippians 2:5-11, Hebrews 2:14, and 17). In this way He became the last Adam. As the children of God are dependent upon the Spirit for service, so Christ likewise served God through the power of the Spirit (Acts 10:38, Isaiah 61:1-3). Mark, who represents Christ as a servant says that He was driven by the Spirit (Mark 1: 12). B. Christ had two natures.
As a man Christ was capable of growth and was thus taught by the Spirit of God (Luke 2:40, Isaiah 11:1-4). As a man Christ was led by the Spirit (Luke 4:1). Even Christ's works are attributed to the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:28). In all this Christ never ceased to be God yet His real humanity was certainly displayed. III. THE STAGES OF THE SPIRIT'S ACTIVITY IN RELATION TO CHRIST.
A. Christ's forerunner.
The Holy Spirit enabled John the Baptist to carry out his work as Christ's forerunner (Luke 1:15). Even John's parents were Spirit-filled (Luke 1:41, 67) B. Christ's conception.
The Spirit of God prepared the Saviour's human body in the womb of Mary (Matthew 1:18-20). C. Christ's baptism.
Christ received a new anointing at His baptism (Matthew 3:13-17). The purpose of this was:
1. To give a pledge of the Father's complete satisfaction with Christ (Matthew 3: 17, Psalms 45:7).
2. To give a sign to others (John 1:32-34, 6:27). John recognized that Jesus had the full power of the Holy Spirit (John 3:34).
3. To equip Christ for service (Isaiah 61:1-4). D. Christ's temptation.
It was the Holy Spirit who led Christ into the place of His testing (Matthew 4:1, Mark 1:12). E. Christ's service.
Christ's wonderful words and works were produced by the, Spirit's power Acts 10:38, Luke 4:16-21, Matthew 12:28). F. Christ's death - Hebrews 9:14.
G. Christ's resurrection - Romans 1:4, 8:11, I Peter 3:18.
Note: This work as with others is attributed to the Father and the Son also. This helps us to remember that Christ never ceased to be God or exert His own Divine power. H. Christ's glorification.
John the Baptist taught that only Christ could baptize with the Spirit (Matthew 3:11). This could not take place until after the ascension of Christ (John 7:39, Acts 2:33). The right to bestow the Spirit of life and power upon His people was given to Christ upon condition that He perform His redemptive work in their behalf (Galatians 3:13-14). [When the Bible speaks of Christ sending His Spirit we are not to understand this to mean that the Spirit was not present before that time. These references rather refer to the Spirit's coming in New Testament power and blessing. Note that in John 14:16-17 our Lord speaks of the Spirit as present yet coming]. I. Christ's coming reign on earth.
The Bible connects the glory of Christ's future reign with the power of the Spirit (Isaiah 11:1-4, 42:1-4). =========== Go to Chapter six of Holy Spirit Study
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