2d. Because the Bible ascribes all of these functions to Christ. Prophetical, Deut. xviii., 15, 18 ; compare Acts iii., 22, and vii., 37 ; Heb. i., 2 ; priestly, Ps. ex., 4, and the whole Epistle to the Hebrews ; kingly, Acts v., 31 ; 1 Tim. vi., 15 ; Rev. xvii., 14.
It is always to be remembered that these are not three offices, but three functions of the one indivisible office of mediator. These functions are abstractly most distinguishable, but in the concrete and in their exercise they qualify one another in every act. Thus, when he teaches, he is essentially a royal and priestly teacher, and when he rules he is a priestly and prophetical king, and when he either atones or intercedes he is a prophetical and kingly priest.
11. What is the scriptural sense of the word prophet ?
Its general sense is one who speaks for another with authority as interpreter. Thus Moses was prophet for his brother Aaron, Ex. vii., 1.
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A prophet of God is one qualified and authorized to speak for God to men. Foretelling future events is only incidental.
12. How does Christ execute the office of a prophet ?
I. Immediately in his own person, as when (1.) on earth with his disciples, and (2.) the light of the new Jerusalem in the midst of the throne, Kev. xxi., 23.
II. Mediately, 1st, through his Spirit, (1.) by inspiration, (2.) by spiritual illumination. 2d. Through the officers of his church, (1.) those inspired as apostles and prophets, and (2.) those natur- ally endowed, as the stated ministry, Eph. iv. 11.
III. Both externally, as through his word and works ad- dressed to the understanding, and,
IV. Internally, by the spiritual illumination of the heart, 1 John ii., 20, and v., 20.
V. In three grand successive stages of development, a Before his incarnation ; b since his incarnation ; c throughout eternity in glory, Bev. vii., 17, and xxi., 23.
13. How can it be proved that he acted as such before his in- carnation ?
1st. His divine title of Logos, " Word," as by nature as well as office the eternal Kevealer.
2d. It has been before proved (Chap. XIX., question 11, and Chap. VIII., question 12) that he was the Jehovah of the Old Tes- tament economy. Called Counselor, Is. ix., 6. Angel of the Cov- enant, Mai. hi., 1. Interpreter, Job xxxiii., 23.
3d. The fact is directly affirmed in the New Testament, 1 Pet. i., 11.
14. What is essential to the priestly office, or what is a priest in the scriptural sense of that term ?
As the general idea of a prophet is, one qualified and author- ized to speak for God to men, so the general idea of a priest is, one qualified and authorized to treat in behalf of men with God.
A priest, therefore, must —
1st. Be taken from among men to represent them, Heb. v., 1, 2 ; Ex. xxviii., 9, 12, 21, 29.
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2d. Chosen by God as his special election and property, Num. xvi., 5 ; Heb. v., 4.
3d. Holy, morally pure and consecrated to the Lord, Lev. xxi., 6, 8 ; Ps. cvi., 16 ; Ex. xxxix., 30, 31.
4th. They have a right to draw near to Jehovah, and to bring near, or offer sacrifice, and to make intercession, Num. xvi., 5 ; Ex. xix., 22 ; Lev. xvi., 3, 7, 12, 15.
The priest, therefore, was essentially a mediator, admitted from among men to stand before God, for the purpose, 1st, of propitiation by sacrifice, Heb. v., 1, 2, 3 ; and, 2d, of intercession, Luke i., 10 ; Ex. xxx., 8 ; Kev. v., 8, and viii., 3, 4. — Taken from Fairbairn's Typology, Vol. II., Part III., Chap. III.
15. Prove from the Old Testament that Christ was truly a priest.
1st. It is expressly declared. Compare Ps. ex., 4, with Heb. v., 6, and vi., 20 ; Zech. vi., 13.
2d. Priestly functions are ascribed to him, Is. liii., 10, 12 ; Dan. ix., 24, 25.
3d. The whole meaning and virtue of the temple, of its ser- vices, and of the Levitical priesthood lay in the fact that they were all typical of Christ and his work as priest. This Paul clearly proves in the Epistle to the Hebrews.
16. Show from the New Testament that all the requisites of a priest were found in him.
1st. Christ was a man taken from among men to represent them before God, Heb. ii., 16, and iv., 15.
2d. He was chosen by God, Heb. v., 5, 6.
3d. He was perfectly holy, Luke i., 35 ; Heb. vii., 26.
4th. He had the right of the nearest access, and the greatest influence with the Father, John xvi., 28, and xi., 42 ; Heb. i., 3, and ix., 11, 12, 13, 14, 24.
17. Show that he actually performed all the duties of the office.
The duty of the priest is to mediate by (1.) propitiation, (2.) intercession.
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1st. He mediated in the general sense of the word, John xiv., 6 ; 1 Tim., ii., 5 ; Heb. viii., 6, and xii., 24.
2d. He offered propitiation, Eph. v., 2 ; Heb. ix., 26, and x., 12 ; 1 John, ii., 2.
3d. He offered intercession, Eom. viii., 34 ; Heb. vii., 25 ; 1 John, ii., 1.