OFFICES OF CHRIST (OFfise's Ov krist), are generally considered as threefold.
(1) A prophet to enlighten and instruct (John vi :14 ; John :2). (2) A priest to make atone ment for his people (Is. liii ; Heb. vii). (3) A king to reign in, and rule over them (Zech. ix :9 ; Ps. ii :6).
(1) Prophet. Christ is Prophet because more than all others he has declared to men the truth and will of God. He is himself the revelation of God (see John xiv :9 ; xvii :25, 26 ; Heb. :1, 2, et al.).
(2) High Priest. Christ is the great High Priest. He is the first begotten, an elder brother of God's spiritual family of chosen priests. He directs his people, offers sacrifice for them, and by his blood and Spirit consecrates them to God. How transcendant his unction to, and prepara tion for his work ! He wears his manhood, and executes his office, in the double estate of de basement and glory. How shining his robes of righteousness and garments of salvation and how fixed forever, as on his shoulder and heart, are all the Israelites indeed ! As he espoused a pure and virgin nature into personal union with himself none but virgin saints and churches are really his people. On his head are many crowns ; and by him, as our righteousness and sanctification, are we sanctified, and made holiness to the Lord. He is the great High Priest of our profession, and of good things to come. His person, as God-man, is infinitely dig
nified in his sacrificial and intercessory work : his priesthood is the great foundation and ob ject of our gospel-profession, and the cause of all the precious blessings that come upon us in time and eternity (Heb. :r, and viii :I). If Christ had remained on earth, Ile co:ad not have been. a priest: being descended of the tribe of Judah, he had no right to officiate in the sacer dotal work of the earthly tabernacle or temple; and if he had remained on earth after his oblation of himself, he could not have shewcd himself the true Messiah, nor by his intercession finished his work, and rendered the shedding of his blood effectual (Heb. viii :4). (See ATONEMENT.) (3) King. Christ is king: King of kings; Lord of lords; and King of saints. By his Father's appointment, he subdues, governs, and defends his church: and has all power in heaven and earth given him for the promoting of her welfare: he restrains and conquers her enemies ; and at the last day, he will pass an irreversible sentence of judgment on thc whole world (Ps.
and xlv ; Matt. xxv :34; Rev. xvii :14, and xix :i6). (See JESUS CHRIST; KING; MESSIAH ; MEDIATOR.)