Q23. What offices doth Christ execute as our Redeemer?
A. 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.
Q1. What is the general office of Christ, which respects the whole of his undertaking, and runs through the whole of the covenant made with him?
A. It is his being the only Mediator between God and man, 1 Tim. 2:5 - "There is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."
Q2. What does the office of a Mediator between God and men suppose?
A. It supposes a breach between them, occasioned by sin on man's part, Isaiah 59:2.
Q3. Could a mere verbal intercession make up this breach?
A. By no means; nothing less than a full reparation for all the damages which sin had done to the honour of God, and his law, could do it away, Isaiah 53:10.
Q4. Was none but Christ fit for being Mediator in this respect?
A. None else: because there was no other who stood related to the two families of heaven and earth, which were at variance, in such a manner as he did.
Q5. How did he stand related to these two families?
A. By being, from eternity, God equal with the Father, he stood naturally and essentially related to heaven, John 10:30; and by consenting to become man, he stood voluntarily and freely related to earth, Phil. 2:6, 7.
Q6. What are the branches of Christ's mediatory office; or the particular offices included in it?
A. They are three; namely, his office of a prophet, Deut. 18:15; of a priest, Psalm 110:4; and of a king, Psalm 2:6.
Q7. Have each of these offices the same relation to the covenant of which he is the Mediator?
A. His priestly office, as to the sacrificing part of it, respecting the condition of the covenant, belongs to the MAKING of it; but his prophetical and kingly offices, with the intercessory part of his priestly office, respecting the promises of the covenant, belong to the ADMINISTRATION of it.
Q8. What respect have these offices to our misery by sin?
A. The prophetical office respects our ignorance; the priestly office our guilt; and the kingly office our pollution or defilement.
Q9. What is Christ made of God to us, in virtue of these offices, for the removal of these miseries?
A. As a Prophet, he is made of God to us wisdom; as a Priest, righteousness; and as a King, sanctification; and as vested with ALL these offices, he is made of God to us complete redemption, 1 Cor. 1:30.
Q10. Was he ordained or appointed to these offices?
A. Yes, from all eternity; 1 Pet. 1:20 - "Who, verily, was foreordained before the foundation of the world."
Q11. What were the necessary consequences of this eternal designation?
A. His mission and call.
Q12. In what consisted his mission?
A. In his being promised, Isaiah 7:14, and typified under the Old Testament, John 3:14; and in his being actually sent, in the fulness of time, to assume our nature, and finish the work which was given him to do, Gal. 4:4, 5.
Q13. Was he formally called to his mediatory office?
A. Yes; he did not take this honour unto himself, but was called of God, as was Aaron, Heb. 5. 4, 5.
Q14. Of what parts did his call consist?
A. Of his unction and inauguration.
Q15. What do you understand by his unction?
A. The consecration of him to all his mediatory offices, John 10:36; and the giving of the Spirit, with all his gifts and graces, without measure to him, that he might be fully furnished for the execution of these offices, John 3:34.
Q16. In which nature is Christ anointed with the Spirit?
A. The person of Christ was anointed in the human nature, which was the immediate receptacle of all gifts and graces, Psalm 68:18:- "Thou hast received gifts for men:" Margin, in the man; that is, in the human nature.
Q17. When was he inaugurated into his mediatory offices?
A. Although, in virtue of his assuming the human nature, he was born to the execution of them, yet he was not solemnly installed into the public exercise of these offices, till his baptism.
Q18. What was the solemnity of his inauguration or instalment at that time?
A. "The heavens were opened, the Spirit of God descended like a dove, and lighted upon him: and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased," Matt. 3:16, 17.
Q19. Why was Christ vested with this threefold office?
A. The nature of our salvation required that it should be revealed by him as a Prophet; purchased by him as a Priest; and applied by him as a King.
Q20. Did ever ALL these offices centre in any ONE person except Christ alone?
A. No; for, in order to set forth the vast importance of these offices, as united in the person of Christ, none of those who were typical of him under the Old Testament were ever clothed with all the three: this honour was reserved for himself, as his peculiar dignity and prerogative; John 14:6 - "I am the way, and the truth, and the life;" that is, the WAY in my death, as a Priest; the TRUTH in my word, as a Prophet; and the LIFE in my Spirit, as a King.
Q21. In what states does Christ execute all these offices?
A. Both in his estate of humiliation on earth, and in his state of exaltation in heaven.
Q22. What do you understand by Christ's executing of his offices?
A. His doing or fulfilling what was incumbent upon him, in virtue of each of these offices, Matt. 3:15.
Q23. Are the offices of Christ the proper fountain from whence the promises flow?
A. No; the proper fountain and spring of all the promises, is the sovereign will and good pleasure of God: hence the sovereign will of God is set in the front of all the promises, - "I WILL put my law in their inward parts, and I WILL be their God; I WILL forgive their iniquity; and I WILL remember their sin no more," Jer. 31:33, 34; "I WILL take away the stony heart out of your flesh; and I WILL give you a heart of flesh," &c. Ezek. 36:26, 27.
Q24. What connexion then have the promises with the offices of Christ?
A. They are revealed to us by Christ as a Prophet, Heb. 1:2; confirmed by his blood, as a Priest, Heb. 9:16; and effectually applied by his power, as a King, Psalm 110:3.
Q25. Is the order in which the offices of Christ are here laid down, the very order in which they are executed?
A. Yes; for it is the order laid down in scripture, 1 Cor. 1:30.
Q26. By whom is this order inverted?
A. By the Arminians and other legalists, who make Christ's kingly office the first which he executes, in the application of redemption.
Q27. How do they make Christ's kingly office the first which he executes?
A. By alleging that Christ, as a King, has, in the gospel, given out a new preceptive law, of faith and repentance, by obedience to which we come to be entitled to Christ and his righteousness.
Q28. What is the danger of this scheme of doctrine?
A. It confounds the law and gospel; and brings works into the matter and cause of a sinner's justification before God, contrary to Rom. 5:19, and Gal. 2:16.
Q29. When faith closes with Christ, does it not close with him in all his offices?
A. Yes; for Christ is never divided: we must have him wholly or none of him, John 8:24.
Q30. Which of his offices does faith act upon for justification?
A. Upon his priestly office only: for the great thing a guilty sinner wants is righteousness, to answer the charge of the law; and the enlightened sinner sees that Christ, in his priestly office, is "the end of the law for righteousness," Rom. 10:4.
Q31. What may we learn for encouragement from Christ's being clothed with this three-fold office?
A. That since all these offices have a relation to us, we may warrantably employ him in every one of them; that in like manner as he is made over of God unto us, so we may actually have him for our "wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption," 1 Cor. 1:30.
Q1. What are the states and conditions of our Redeemer?
A. Christ's states are twofold; namely, his state of humiliation, and his state of exaltation; Philippians 2:8, 9. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross: Wherefore God also has highly exalted him, and given him a name above every name.
Q2. How many offices belong to Christ in these states?
A. Christ has a threefold office; namely, of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king.
Q3. Why does Christ take all these three offices?
A. Because they are all necessary for our salvation, and we have the benefit of them all; 1 Corinthians 1:30. Who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.
Q4. Can no man take Christ in one office, and not in another?
A. No; whoever will have the benefit of any one, must receive him in all; Acts 5:31. Him has God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince, and a Savior, for to give repentance unto Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
Q5. What respect have the offices of Christ to the promises?
A. The promises flow out of them as out of their fountain; 2 Corinthians 1:20. For all the promises of God in him, are yes, and in him, Amen.
Q6. What promises flow out of the prophetic office?
A. All promises of illumination, guidance, and direction flow out of Christ's prophetic office?
Q7. What promises flow out of the priestly office?
A. All the promises of a pardon and peace flow out of it.
Q8. What promises flow out of the kingly office?
A. All the promises of defense, protection, and deliverances.
Q9. What is the first instruction?
A. Hence we learn the completeness of Christ for all the wants of his people; Colossians 2:10. And you are complete in him.
Q10. What is the second instruction?
A. Hence we learn the folly and misery of all those hypocrites that close partially with Christ.
Q11. What is the third instruction?
A. Hence we learn the singular dignity of the Lord Jesus: None ever having had all those offices but Christ.
Q12. What is the last instruction?
A. That faith is a considerate act; and requires much deliberation. Of Christ's Prophetic Office
Q1. Is Christ a complete Redeemer?
A. Yes: For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell, Col. 1:19.
Q2. Is he completely qualified for the undertaking?
A. Yes: For God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him, John 3:34.
Q3. Is he authorized for it?
A. Yes: For all things are delivered to him of the Father, Matt. 11:27.
Q4. Has he a full commission?
A. Yes: For the Father judgeth no man, but has committed all judgment to the Son, John 5:22.
Q5. And has he an ability equal to his authority?
A. Yes: For as the Father hath life in himself, so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself, ver. 26.
Q6. Is there all that in Christ which fallen man stands in need of?
A. Yes: For Christ is all, and in all, Col. 3:11.
Q7. Is he light?
A. Yes: I am the light of the world, John 8:12.
Q8. Is he life?
A. Yes: In him was life, and the life was the light of men, John 1:4.
Q9. Is he our peace?
A. Yes: He is our peace, Eph. 2:14.
Q10. Is he our head?
A. Yes: He is the head of the body, the church, Col. 1:18.
Q11. Is he the door?
A. Yes: I am the door of the sheep, John 10:7.
Q12. Is he the way?
A. Yes: I am the way, the truth, and the life, John 14:6.
Q13. Can we come to God as a Father, otherwise than by Jesus Christ as Mediator?
A. No: For no man cometh to the Father but by me, John 14:6.
Q14. Is he our food?
A. Yes: I am that bread of life, John 6:48.
Q15. Is he our friend?
A. Yes: This is my beloved, and this is my friend, Cant. 5:16.
Q16. Is Jesus Christ a Redeemer in office?
A. Yes: For God hath exalted him with his own right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, Acts 5:31.
Q17. Is he duly put in office?
A. Yes: For him hath God the Father sealed, John 6:27.
Q18. Does he duly execute his office?
A. Yes: For he was faithful to him that appointed him, Heb. 3:2.
Q19. Is he a Prophet?
A. Yes: This is of a truth that Prophet that should come into the world, John 6:14.
Q20. Is he a Priest?
A. Yes: He is the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Heb. 3:1.
Q21. Is he a King?
A. Yes: He is King of kings, and Lord of lords, Rev. 19:16.
Q22. Did Christ execute these offices in his state of humiliation?
A. Yes: I have glorified thee on the earth, John 17:4.
Q23. Does he execute them in his state of exaltation?
A. Yes: For in heaven itself he now appears in the presence of God for us, Heb. 9:24.
Q24. Is he then an all-sufficient Saviour?
A. Yes: He is able to save to the uttermost all those that come to God by him, Heb. 7:25.
Q25. And is he as willing to save as he is able?
A. Yes: Whosoever comes unto me I will in no wise cast out, John 6:37.
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Christ the Redeemer
The person and work of Christ, and the application of redemption
Q21. Who is the Redeemer of God's elect?
A. The only Redeemer of God's elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, became man and so was, and continueth to be, God and man in two distinct natures, and one person, forever.
Q22. How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?
A. Christ, the Son of God, became man, by taking to himself a true body, and a reasonable soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the virgin Mary, and born of her yet without sin.
Q23. What offices doth Christ execute as our Redeemer?
A. 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.
Q24. How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet?
A. Christ executeth the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by his Word and Spirit the will of God for our salvation.
Q25. How doth Christ execute the office of a priest?
A. Christ executeth 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.
Q26. How doth Christ execute the office of a king?
A. Christ executeth 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.
Q27. Wherein did Christ's humiliation consist?
A. Christ's humiliation consisted in his being born, and that in a low condition, made under the law, undergoing the miseries of this life, the wrath of God, and the cursed death of the cross; in being buried, and continuing under the power of death for a time.
Q28. Wherein consisteth Christ's exaltation?
A. Christ's exaltation consisteth in his rising again from the dead on the third day, in ascending up into heaven, in sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and in coming to judge the world at the last day.
Q29. How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?
A. We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effectual application of it to us by his Holy Spirit.
Q30. How doth the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?
A. The Spirit applieth to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling.
Q31. What is effectual calling?
A. Effectual calling is the work of God's Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel.
Q32. What benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this life?
A. They that are effectually called do in this life partake of justification, adoption, and sanctification, and the several benefits which in this life do either accompany or flow from them.
Q33. What is justification?
A. Justification is an act of God's free grace, wherein he pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.
Q34. What is adoption?
A. Adoption is an act of God's free grace, whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges, of the sons of God.
Q35. What is sanctification?
A. Sanctification is the work of God's free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.
Q36. What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification?
A. The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are, assurance of God's love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end.
Q37. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?
A. The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory; and their bodies, being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves till the resurrection.
Q38. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?
A. At the resurrection, believers being raised up in glory, shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment, and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God to all eternity.