Christ

Christ (/kraɪst/) (ancient Greek: Χριστός, Christós, meaning 'anointed') is a translation of the Hebrew מָשִׁיחַ (Māšîaḥ), the Messiah, and is used as a title for Jesus in the New Testament.

The followers of Jesus became known as Christians (as in Acts 11:26) because they believed Jesus to be the Messiah (Christos) prophesied in the Hebrew Bible. Christians designate him Jesus Christ, meaning Jesus the Christos. Christ was originally a title, but later became part of the name "Jesus Christ", though it is still also used as a title, in the reciprocal use Christ Jesus, meaning "The Messiah Jesus". In common usage "Christ" is generally treated as synonymous with "Jesus of Nazareth".

Jesus is not accepted by the majority of Jews as their Messiah. The Jewish people still await the Messiah's first coming, while Christians await his second coming, when they believe he will fulfill those parts of Messianic prophecy left unfulfilled in the first century AD.

The area of Christian theology called Christology is primarily concerned with the nature and person of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament.

Read more about Christ:  Etymology and Origins, Background and New Testament References, Pre-existence, Incarnation and Nativity, Christ and Salvation in Christianity, Symbols

Famous quotes containing the word christ:

    One memorable addition to the old mythology is due to this era,—the Christian fable. With what pains, and tears, and blood these centuries have woven this and added it to the mythology of mankind! The new Prometheus. With what miraculous consent, and patience, and persistency has this mythus been stamped on the memory of the race! It would seem as if it were in the progress of our mythology to dethrone Jehovah, and crown Christ in his stead.
    Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)

    If the Christ were content with humble toilers for disciples, that wasn’t good enough for our Bert. He wanted dukes’ half sisters and belted earls wiping his feet with their hair; grand apotheosis of the snob, to humiliate the objects of his own awe by making them venerate him.
    Angela Carter (1940–1992)

    Because you live, O Christ,
    the spirit bird of hope is freed for flying,
    our cages of despair no longer keep us closed and life-denying.
    The stone has rolled away and death cannot imprison!
    O sing this Easter Day, for Jesus Christ has risen!
    Shirley Erena Murray (20th century)