Three Offices of Christ.



The Three Offices of Christ

The Westminster Shorter Catechism (Q. 23) asks:
“What offices doth Christ execute as our Redeemer?”
Answer: “Christ, as our Redeemer, executeth the offices of a Prophet, of a Priest, and of a King, both in His estate of humiliation and exaltation.”

Thus, Christ perfectly unites in Himself the three offices found in the Old Testament, now fulfilled in His person and work.

1. Christ as Prophet

Definition

Christ executes the office of a Prophet, “in revealing to us, by His Word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation” (WSC Q.24).

Meaning

A prophet is one who is chosen by God to reveal His will and speak His Word to the people. The prophet is God’s mouthpiece, bringing instruction, warning, and guidance.

Functions in the Old Testament

  • Prophets were God’s messengers (Jer. 1:9).
  • They revealed His law and covenant (Ex. 20; Isa. 1:18–20).
  • They foretold God’s judgments (Jer. 25:4–11).
  • They pointed to the coming Messiah (Deut. 18:15; Isa. 53).

Fulfillment in the New Testament

  • Christ is the Prophet like Moses (Deut. 18:15 → Acts 3:22).
  • He spoke the words of God (John 7:16; Matt. 7:29).
  • He revealed the Father (John 1:18; 14:9).
  • By His Spirit, He continues to teach His church (John 16:13–14; Heb. 1:1–2).

Summary:

OT Prophets → partial revelation.

Christ the Prophet → full and final revelation of God.

2. Christ as Priest

Definition

Christ executes the office of a Priest, “in His once offering up of Himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, and reconcile us to God, and in making continual intercession for us” (WSC Q.25).

Meaning

A priest is a mediator who represents man before God, offering sacrifice for sin and interceding on behalf of the people.

Hebrew word: kohen – “one who stands before God on behalf of another.”

Functions in the Old Testament

  • Offered sacrifices for sin (Lev. 16:15–17).
  • Appeased God’s wrath symbolically through blood (Lev. 17:11).
  • Interceded for the people (Num. 16:46–48).
  • Blessed the people in God’s name (Num. 6:23–26).

Fulfillment in the New Testament

  • Christ is our Great High Priest (Heb. 4:14).
  • He offered Himself once for all (Heb. 9:12, 26; 10:12).
  • His sacrifice fully satisfied divine justice (Rom. 3:25–26).
  • He continually intercedes for us (Heb. 7:25; Rom. 8:34).
  • His priesthood is eternal after the order of Melchizedek (Ps. 110:4 → Heb. 5:6).

Summary:

OT Priests → repeated sacrifices, temporary.

Christ the Priest → one sacrifice, eternal redemption.

3. Christ as King

Definition

Christ executes the office of a King, “in subduing us to Himself, in ruling and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all His and our enemies” (WSC Q.26).

Meaning

A king is one who governs and protects his people with authority, justice, and power.

Hebrew word: melek – ruler.

Functions in the Old Testament

  • Ruled the nation under God’s law (2 Sam. 23:3).
  • Defended the people against enemies (1 Sam. 8:20).
  • Executed justice and righteousness (1 Kings 3:28).
  • Pointed forward to the everlasting kingdom of God (Ps. 2:6–9; Isa. 9:6–7).

Fulfillment in the New Testament

  • Christ is the promised Son of David who reigns forever (2 Sam. 7:16 → Luke 1:32–33).
  • He entered Jerusalem as King (Zech. 9:9 → John 12:13).
  • He reigns now as “King of kings and Lord of lords” (Rev. 19:16).
  • He subdues our hearts by His grace (Acts 15:14; Col. 1:13).
  • He rules and defends His church (Eph. 1:20–22).
  • He will finally conquer all enemies at His return (1 Cor. 15:25–28).

Final Summary

  • Prophet → Christ reveals God’s will for our salvation.
  • Priest → Christ reconciles us to God by His sacrifice and continual intercession.
  • King → Christ rules, protects, and conquers for His people.

Thus, the Westminster Standards show Christ as the perfect Mediator (1 Tim. 2:5), fulfilling in His threefold office all that sinners need: light for our blindness, atonement for our guilt, and power for our weakness.

The Three Offices of Christ

Christ fulfills the threefold office given by God in the Old Testament: Prophet, Priest, and King. These were separate offices under the old covenant, but in Christ, they are perfectly united.


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