Acts 10:38 (NASB):
“You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”
Here, the word “anointed” comes from the Greek word χρίω (chrio), meaning to anoint, consecrate, appoint, or empower for a divine purpose. It is the root of the title Christ (Christos), meaning “the Anointed One.”
How was Jesus anointed?
Jesus was publicly anointed at His baptism:
“After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water… and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him.” — Matthew 3:16 (NASB)
“The Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove.” — Luke 3:22 (NASB)
Jesus Himself declared His anointing
Quoting Isaiah’s prophecy, Jesus said:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor…” — Luke 4:18 (NASB)
What was the purpose of His anointing?
According to Acts 10:38, Jesus was anointed to:
- Do good
- Heal the sick
- Deliver those oppressed by the devil
- Reveal the Father
- Fulfill His messianic mission
A deeper truth
As the eternal Son of God, Jesus was always God. Yet in His earthly ministry He chose to minister as a man fully submitted to the Father and empowered by the Holy Spirit, becoming the perfect example for believers.
“For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form.” — Colossians 2:9 (NASB)
“God gives the Spirit without measure.” — John 3:34 (NASB)
The anointing of Jesus was not merely a ceremony; it was the Holy Spirit’s empowering presence upon Him to accomplish the Father’s will and inaugurate the Kingdom of God on earth.
Jesus the same yesterday today and forever
Hebrews 13:8 (NASB)
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Meaning
This verse declares the unchanging nature of Jesus Christ. His character, His deity, His faithfulness, His love, His power, and His promises do not change.
Malachi 3:6 (NASB) says:
“For I, the LORD, do not change…”
And concerning Christ:
“But You are the same, And Your years will not come to an end.” — Hebrews 1:12 (NASB)
What remains the same?
- His love for His people (John 13:1)
- His saving power (Romans 10:13)
- His authority (Matthew 28:18)
- His priesthood and intercession (Hebrews 7:24-25)
- His promises (2 Corinthians 1:20)
What does “yesterday, today, and forever” mean?
- Yesterday — The Jesus revealed in the Gospels.
- Today — The risen, reigning Lord who is alive and active.
- Forever — The eternal King who will never cease to be who He is.
Because Jesus does not change, believers can have confidence that the same Savior who forgave sinners, healed the brokenhearted, delivered the oppressed, and kept His promises in Scripture is faithful to fulfill His Word forever.
“Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above… with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” — James 1:17 (NASB)
Jesus Christ is eternally consistent in His nature and faithfulness, making Him the sure foundation for our faith.
Harvest of Faith 