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Christ is the English term for the Greek Χριστός (''Khristós'') meaning ''the anointed'', which as a translation of the Hebrew מָשִׁיחַ (''Mašíaḥ,''), carries much of its original Jewish meaning of ''Messiah'' —ie. ''one [who is] anointed'' or ''appointed by God'' with a unique and special purpose (mission) on Earth.In the 3rd- to 1st-centuries BC, the Tanakh (what Christians would in later centuries come to call the Old Testament) was translated into a Greek version called the Septuagint, in which ''Khristós'' was used as a translation of מָשִׁיחַ ''Mašíaḥ.'' Jewish traditional customs associated an appointment to a special purpose with the customary ''anointment'' of a person with holy anointing oil.

In the first century C.E., a growing sect of religious converts believed that Jesus is ''the Christ'' (Messiah), and these became known as ''Christians.'' This usage remains current and dominant, such that while the Hebrew term ''Messiah'' may specifically

refer to the Jewish concept of ''the Messiah'' yet to come (hence excluding Jesus), or to the concept of such a being in general (such that would include Jesus and others), the term ''Christ'' is largely associated with Christianity and the belief that Jesus was the Jewish Messiah.

In general theological usage, the term ''Christ'' is largely founded on the concept of the divine presence of God within each and all human beings. In Christian theological contexts, the term ''Christ'' is more specialized, referring to this same presence of God (cf. Holy Spirit), along with the messianic title, in particular within the 1st century human being ''Jesus'' (Hebrew ''Yeshua''). Further, Christians since the 4th century C.E. have promoted the view that this divine ''presence'' was not altogether an identical presence of God as found in all beings, but a special and unique ''union'' such that God and Jesus together with the Holy Spirit ''form one being'' (either literally or mythically) in ''The Christ'' (cf. Nicene Creed).

The area of Christian theology focusing on the nature of Jesus as the Christ, particularly with how the divine and human are related in his person, is known as Christology. A central doctrine within the Trinitarian (Nicene) interpretation is that God took human form in the body of Jesus, ''the Christ,'' and accordingly ''Christ'' was or is both ''fully human'' and ''fully God''. Following from this association between God and Jesus, many Christians believe that belief in Jesus either qualifies them as inheritors of a special privilege or else provides for them a conceptual ''interface'' to God's being, such that translates to having a greater ''personal relationship'' with God. Further, these concepts of personal connection with God have claimed relevance, in varied denominational doctrines, to fundamental spiritual concepts including God's love, divine providence, divine illumination and even ''salvation''.

Etymology

The spelling ''Christ'' in English was standardized in the 17th century, when, in the spirit of the Enlightenment, spellings of certain words were changed to fit their Greek or Latin origins. Prior to this, in Old and Middle English, the word was usually spelled ''Crist,'' the ''i'' being pronounced either as /iː/ (see IPA for English), preserved in the names of churches such as St Katherine Cree, or as a short /ɪ/, preserved in the modern pronunciation of Christmas). The spelling ''Christ'' is attested from the 14th century.

The term ''Christ'' (or similar) appears in English and most European languages, owing to the Greek usage of ''Khristós'' (transcribed in Latin as ''Christus'') in the New Testament as a description for Jesus. In the Septuagint version of the Hebrew Bible, it was used to translate into Greek the Hebrew ''mashiach'' (messiah), meaning ''anointed.'' Scripture asserts that Jesus was conceived, by a miraculous work of the Holy Spirit, in the womb of his virgin mother Mary without a human father .

The Jewish historian Flavius Josephus's ''Antiquities of the Jews'' says:

Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man; for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles. He was Christ. And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day, as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him. And the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day.

However, the authenticity of this quote is in question.

Various texts titled ''Apostles' Creed'', dating from the third century A.D., and still in current use among Christians, describe Jesus as

Esoteric views

Christian Science

In the theology of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, the religion's founder, wrote in her book, ''Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures'', that:

Western Wisdom Teachings

In the Rosicrucian writings of Max Heindel, also known as Western Wisdom Teachings, there is a distinction to be made between Jesus and the Christ. Jesus is considered a high Initiate of the human life wave (the cycle of rebirth) and of a singularly pure type of mind, vastly superior to the great majority of the present humanity.

Neo-Theosophy

In Neo-Theosophy, C.W. Leadbeater promulgated a Nestorian Christology that was taught by Alice A. Bailey, is taught by Benjamin Creme, and is accepted today by most Theosophists. This theology asserts that a powerful being from the higher spiritual planes known as the Maitreya overshadowed the being Theosophists know as the Master Jesus during the Ministry of Jesus, such that there were two beings (two souls) in one body--Maitreya was the ''Christ'' and the Master Jesus was ''Jesus''; the combination of the two beings functioned as Jesus Christ. Those adherent to the Ascended Master Teachings, a group of religions derived from Theosophy, believe in the existence of the Maitreya; however, they believe that although he encouraged the mission of Jesus, he did not actually overshadow Jesus.

Gnostic

The gnostics generally believed not in a Jesus who was a divine person with a human form, but in a spiritual christ who dwelt in Jesus. Through the spiritual path of gnosticism, followers of these schools believed that they could experience the same knowledge, or ''gnosis.'' Gnosticism, a non-hierarchical interpretation of the Christian message, was declared heresy by the formal, hierarchical Christian church at the first Ecumenical Council, which occurred at Nicaea in 325 A.D., although condemnation of such beliefs were held by orthodox church leaders for some time. Many of the Gnostic texts reveal that in order to be called worthy of the title ''Christian'' one must also be anointed with Holy oil and that the water baptism alone is incomplete. The Gospel of Philip states several such instances, one being; 'The ''Chrism'' is superior to baptism, for it is from the word ''Chrism'' that we have been called ''Christians,'' certainly not because of the word ''baptism.'' And it is because of the ''Chrism'' that the ''Christ'' has his name. For the Father anointed the Son, the Son anointed the apostles, and the apostles anointed us. He who has been anointed possesses everything. He possesses the Resurrection, the Light, the Cross, the Holy Spirit. The Father gave him this in the bridal chamber, he merely accepted the gift. The Father was in the Son and the Son in the Father. This is the Kingdom of Heaven.' This coincides with 1 John 2:18-29, Mark 6:13, and James 5:14 of the New Testament which also reveal the anointing.

Gnostic texts with Jesus Christ include the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Mary, and many more which have been discovered throughout the centuries.

Creation Spirituality

In his book ''The Coming of the Cosmic Christ'' Matthew Fox wrote of ''the Cosmic Christ.''

Islamic view

Muslims believe Jesus (Isa or عيسى) to be the Messiah (Massih) and a prophet. Although they believe in the Virgin Birth, they do not consider Jesus to be ''the son of God''. They believe Jesus was neither crucified nor dead, but was raised to Heaven by God while still living.

Islamic traditions narrate that he will return to earth near the day of judgement to restore justice and defeat ''al-Masīḥ ad-Dajjāl'' (''lit''. ''the false messiah'', also known as the Antichrist) and the enemies of Islam.

Χ

The use of ''Χ,'' derived from Chi, the Greek alphabet initial, as an abbreviation for Christ (most commonly in the abbreviation ''Χmas'') is often misinterpreted as a modern secularization of the term. Thus understood, the centuries-old English word Χmas, is actually a shortened form of CHmas, which is, itself, a shortened form for Christmas. In fact, the use of ''Χ'' to represent the full word goes back to the earliest days of Greek Christianity.

Slang usage

The interjection ''Christ!'' is often used as a sign of surprise or anger, without a direct religious reference—that is, as an exclamation. Some Christians understand this usage to be in violation of the Commandment against taking the Lord's name in vain, although the severity of the transgression varies among different groups of believers.

The prohibition against using interjections was taken more seriously in the past, to the point where it was not only considered socially improper, but a sin against God. This led to the creation of many circumlocutions which allowed the speaker to express the emotion while avoiding the transgression. Common euphemisms that have arisen for this usage include ''For crying out loud!'' (UK and US) and ''Crikey'' (UK, Aus.), used as an alternative by people reluctant to use ''Christ''. Beginning in the latter half of the 20th century, the prohibition against using the name of the deity as an interjection has become much more relaxed.