The Reformed and Presbyterian Traditions
The Heidelberg Catechism interprets the title Christ in terms of the threefold office, in Lord's Day 12, Question and Answer 31:
Q. Why is he called "Christ," meaning "anointed"?
A. Because he has been ordained by God the Father
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- and has been anointed with the Holy Spirit to be
- our chief prophet and teacher
- who perfectly reveals to us
- the secret counsel and will of God for our deliverance;
- our only high priest
- who has set us free by the one sacrifice of his body,
- and who continually pleads our cause with the Father;
- and our eternal king
- who governs us by his Word and Spirit,
- and who guards us and keeps us
- in the freedom he has won for us.
The Westminster Shorter Catechism explains how Christ is redeemer according to the threefold office:
Q. 23: What offices doth Christ execute as our Redeemer?
- 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.
Q. 24: How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet?
- Christ executeth the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by his word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation.
Q. 25: How doth Christ execute the office of a priest?
- 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.
Q.26: How doth Christ execute the office of a king?
- 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.
Read more about this topic: Threefold Office
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