SPECIAL TOPIC: THE HOLY ONE

I. “The Holy One of Israel” is a favorite title for Deity in Isaiah (cf. Isa.
1:4; 5:19; 10:17,20; 12:6; 17:7; 29:19,23; 30:11,12,15; 31:1; 37:23; 40:25; 41:14,16,20; 43:3,14,15; 45:11; 47:4; 48:17; 49:7;
54:5; 55:5; 60:9,14). Because He is “holy,” His people should be holy (cf.
Lev. 19:2; Matt. 5:48; 1 Pet. 1:16).

This title, in a sense, expresses the impossible tension of a sinful, fallen
people conforming to a holy standard. The Mosaic Covenant was impossible
to keep (cf. Jos. 24:19; Acts 15; Galatians 3; book of Hebrews). The old covenant was
a way to show the impossibility of humans to conform to God’s standard
(Galatians 3), yet He
was with them, for them, preparing them for His answer to their fallen
condition (i.e., “the New Covenant in Jesus”). He does not lower His standard, but provides it through His
Messiah. The new covenant (cf. Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 36:22-38) is a
covenant of faith and repentance, not human performance, though it issues in
Christlikeness (cf. James 2:14-26). God wants a people who reflect His
character to the nations (cf. Matt. 5:48).

II. “The Holy One” can refer to

1. God the Father (cf. numerous OT passages on “the Holy One of
Israel”)

2. God the Son (cf. Mark 1:24; Luke 4:34; John 6:69; Acts 3:14; 1 John 2:20)

3. God the Spirit (His title, “Holy Spirit” cf. John 1:33; 14:26;
20:22).

Acts 10:38 is a verse where all three persons of the Godhead are involved
in anointing. Jesus was anointed (cf. Luke 4:18; Acts 4:27; 10:38).
The
concept is widened to include all believers (cf. 1 John 2:27). The Anointed One
has become the anointed ones! This may be parallel to Antichrist and antichrists
(cf. 1 John 2:18). The OT symbolic act of physical anointing with oil (cf. Exod.
29:7; 30:25; 37:29) relates to those who were called and equipped by God for a
special task (i.e., prophets, priests, and kings). The word “Christ” is a
translation of the Hebrew term “the anointed one” or Messiah.