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| Chapter XII.—Meaning of the Name Christian.
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Chapter XII.—Meaning of the Name Christian.
And about your laughing at me and calling me
“Christian,” you know not what you are saying. First,
because that which is anointed541
| 541 “The argumentation of this chapter depends
on the literal meaning which Theophilus attaches to Christos,
the Anointed One; and he plays on this meaning, and also on the
similarity of pronunciation between χρηστός,
‘useful,’ and χριστός
, ‘anointed.’”—Donaldson. | is sweet and serviceable,
and far from contemptible. For what ship can be serviceable and seaworthy,
unless it be first caulked [anointed]? Or what castle or house is
beautiful and serviceable when it has not been anointed? And what man,
when he enters into this life or into the gymnasium, is not anointed with
oil? And what work has either ornament or beauty unless it be anointed
and burnished? Then the air and all that is under heaven is in a certain
sort anointed by light and spirit; and are you unwilling to be anointed
with the oil of God? Wherefore we are called Christians on this account,
because we are anointed with the oil of God.542
| 542 [Not material oil probably, for it is not mentioned in
such Scriptures as Acts viii. 17, xix. 6, Heb. vi. 2; but the anointing
(1 John ii. 20) of the Holy Ghost. As a symbol, oil was used at an early
period, however; and the Latins are not slow to press this in favour of
material oil in the chrism, or confirmation.] | E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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