WLC 45

Q45. How doth Christ execute the office of a king?

Christ executeth the office of a king, in calling out of the world a people to himself, and giving them officers, laws, and censures, by which he visibly governs them; in bestowing saving grace upon his elect, rewarding their obedience, and correcting them for their sins, preserving and supporting them under all their temptations and sufferings, restraining and overcoming all their enemies, and powerfully ordering all things for his own glory, and their good; and also in taking vengeance on the rest, who know not God, and obey not the gospel.

Proof texts

• Acts 15:14-16 — [14] Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. [15] And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written, [16] “‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it,
• Isa. 4:4-5 — [4] when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and cleansed the bloodstains of Jerusalem from its midst by a spirit of judgment and by a spirit of burning. [5] Then the LORD will create over the whole site of Mount Zion and over her assemblies a cloud by day, and smoke and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory there will be a canopy.
• Gen. 49:10 — [10] The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.
• Ps. 110:3 — [3] Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments; from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours.
• Eph. 4:11-12 — [11] And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, [12] to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
• 1 Cor. 12:28 — [28] And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.
• Isa. 33:22 — [22] For the LORD is our judge; the LORD is our lawgiver; the LORD is our king; he will save us.
• Matt. 18:17-18 — [17] If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. [18] Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
• 1 Cor. 5:4-5 — [4] When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, [5] you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.
• Acts 5:31 — [31] God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
• Rev. 2:10 — [10] Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
• Rev. 22:12 — [12] “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.
• Rev. 3:19 — [19] Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.
• Isa. 63:9 — [9] In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.
• 1 Cor. 15:25 — [25] For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.
• Ps. 110:1-2 — [1] The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” [2] The LORD sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies!
• Rom. 14:10-11 — [10] Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; [11] for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.”
• Rom. 8:28 — [28] And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
• 2 Thess. 1:8-9 — [8] in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. [9] They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,
• Ps. 2:8-9 — [8] Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. [9] You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.”

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited Acts 15:14-16 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 20 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
3. WSC Q21 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
4. WCF 8.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q21 · WCF 8.1 · HC Q29 · HC Q37 · BC 5.2 · BC 5.3 · BC 5.4 · BC 5.5 · BC 5.6 · CD 2.1 · 1689 8.1