Apostle’s Creed: 2ndArticle-Christ’s Threefold Office: Prophet, Priest, King

Chain the Catechism: A topical study through the Lutheran confessions

Jn 6:68 “Lord to whom…”Mk 16:15 “Go into all…”Gal 4:4-5 When the time…Heb 7:26-27 Such a high priest…

1 Jn 2:1 We have one…Mt 28:18 All authority…Jn 18:36-37 “My kingdom…”2 Tim 4:18 The Lord will rescue…

Memorization Verses:

What are the functions and images do you associate with Christ’s 3Fold Office?

Prophet Priest King

Dear Jesus,Because you are our prophet…Because you are our priest…Because you are our king…

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1. Oh, for a thousand tongues to sing

My great Redeemer’s praise,The glories of my God and King, The triumphs of his grace!2. My gracious Master and my God,Assist me to proclaim,To spread through all the earth

abroadThe honors of your name.3. Jesus! The name that charms our

fears, That bids our sorrows cease,Sings music in the sinner’s ears,Brings life and health and peace.4. He breaks the power of canceled

sin;He sets the prisoner free.His blood can make the foulest

clean;His blood avails for me.5. Look to the Lord, who did atoneFor sin, O fallen race.Look and be saved through faith

alone,Be justified by grace.6. See all our sins on Jesus laid;The Lamb has made us whole.His soul was once an offering madeFor every human soul.7. To God all glory, praise, and loveBe now and ever givenBy saints below and saints aboveThe Church in earth and heaven.

“We believe in Allah and what has been revealed to us, and what was revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes, and what was given to Moses and Jesus and the prophets from their Lord; we do not make any distinction between any of them and to Him do we submit.”

Qua’ran, Surrah 3.84

2nd Art. Threefold Office: Discussion

The Munus Triplex (Threefold Office) is a development of Christology occurring late in the Reformation Eusebius (263-339 CE): “the only high priest of all, and

the only king of every creature, and the Father’s only supreme prophet of prophets.” (Ecclesiastical History, 1.3.8)

Luther (1483-1546): “Christ will remain a priest and king though He was never consecrated by any papist bishop or greased by any of those shavelings but he was ordained and consecrated by God Himself, and by Him anointed.” (Table Talk, 189)

Calvin (1509-1564) “Among heretics and false Christians, Christ is found in name only; but by those who are truly and effectually called of God, he is acknowledged as a prophet, king and priest” (Institutes, 2.15)

2nd Art. Threefold Office: History

Early Christology articulated a two-fold office (Priest and King), assuming the title of Prophet under KingshipReasoning included need for simplicity

(Melancthon), the definition of “Anointed” (xristos), and general importance (Priest before all).

In Lutheran dogmatics, the threefold offices are developed under Selnecker and GehardThe Melancthon view towards reductionism lost

favorRepresenting a historical objective approach to

doctrine

2nd Art. Threefold Office: History

It is a scriptural Christology See OT and NT Exegesis (Sl. 9-12)

It is a complete Christology If Christ were not prophet, no

written/proclaimed message If Christ were not priest, no mediation and

fulfillment If Christ were not King, no dominion or

community It is an active Christology

Christ intercedes for you before the foundations of the world

Christ declares and teaches to you by the logos and Scripture

Christ is victorious for you and connects you with other believers throughout time.

2nd Art. Threefold Office: Why 3?

High Priest and Mediator Temple worship, Holiness Distinction between God’s annointed and the king Connection of blood to atonement

Kingship Typology Yahweh is the true King, shows reluctant fulfillment. Uses human king as a reflection of the True King Davidic Covenant Breakdown and failure of man in nation/state covenant.

Prophets in the line of Moses Promise towards greater prophets called by God to

proclaim His word. Important vocation during the exilic period. Developed strong messianic confessions, pointing

towards a greater prophet of God that will fulfill future typologies.

2nd Art. Threefold Office: OT Context

The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him. (Deut. 18:15) I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who will do according to what is in my heart and mind. I will firmly establish his priestly house, and they will minister before my anointed one always. (1 Sam. 2:35)

Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.” (2 Sam. 7:13)

)bn (naba’): deliverer of someone’s will. Proclaimer of God am) (‘aman): To be faithful; also enduring. Ahk (kohen): Priest to serve as a representative )ssk (Kicce‘): Throne, place of symbolic authority Hkwlm (Maluwakah): King and Kingdom, community under ruler. Tyb (Bayith): House and household. Foundation

2nd Art. Threefold Office: Exegesis

Christ declares repentance, criticizes magisterial authority White washed tombs of the Pharisee tradition Connection with John the Baptist Referred to as Rabbi, spoke on the Law and

discussed the Kingdom of God, including God’s will for man.

Christ declares salvation through Himself Way truth and Life Forgives and heals

Christ declares His Kingdom not of this Earth Kingdom not of this world

Hebrews connects Christ to Mechelsidek Special biblical character that represents the

threefold office Aaronic covenant only temporary foreshadow to

Christ

2nd Art. Threefold Office: NT Context

Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Matt. 21:5

The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” Matt. 21:11

For this reason he had to be made like them,  fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Heb. 2:17

basileu/v (Basilus) leader of the people, prince and commander

profh/thv (propheten) Revealer of hidden things, oracle.

arxiereu/v (Archeireus) great and chief priest

2nd Art. Threefold Office: Exegesis

For what threefold office was Christ anointed?

SS: Prophet, Priest, KingM: Prophet: JC preached personallyT : Prophet: we preach the GospelW: PriestTh: King

2nd Article of the Apostle’s Creed:Christ’s Threefold Office: Prophet, Priest, King

Prophet: Christ was appointed to be our Prophet, Priest, and King.

•• •

SS: Jesus Christ—True God

Prophet As Prophet, Christ 1. preached personally during

His life on earth, validating His word with miracles, especially his own resurrection;

Jesus is His personal Name. Deut 18:15 The Lord your God

will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to Him.

Mt 17:5 "This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him!";

Mk 1:38 Let us go somewhere else-to the nearby villages-so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.

Jn 1:17-18 The law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but God

the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made Him known.

Jn 6:68 Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life."

• Pray: Lord Jesus, help me, a

poor sinner, to listen to no one, no matter who he is or where he comes from, in everything applying to my salvation, but to You only. You are the one Prophet come from heaven. Your Word is the infallible Truth. To this Word let me cling, O Jesus. Let me trust in it, let me depend on it in life and death. Amen. (C.M. Zorn, 1846-1928)

M Prophet

2. through the preached Gospel today still proclaims Himself to be the Son of God and Redeemer of the world.

Mk 16:15 He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation."

Lu 10:16 He who listens to you listens to Me; he who rejects you rejects Me; but he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.

2 Cor 5:20 We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf. Be reconciled to God.

•

Pray: O Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world, look upon us and have mercy on us; You are Yourself both Victim and Priest, Yourself both Reward and Redeemer, keep safe from all evils those whom You have redeemed, O Savior of the world. Amen. (Irenaeus of Lyons, d.c. 200)

T Prophet cont.

1. fulfilled the Law perfectly for our stead (active obedience)

Gal 4:4-5 When the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.

2. sacrificed Himself for our sins (passive obedience)

1 Cor 15:3 Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.

Heb 7:26-27 Such a high priest meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, He does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for His own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when He offered Himself.

1 Jn 2:2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

3. still pleads for us with His heavenly Father (intercession)

1 Jn 2:1 We have one who speaks to the Father in our defense-Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

• Pray: “Glory be to God in the highest, and upon

earth peace, good-will among men.” We praise

You, we sing hymns to You, we bless You, we glorify You, we worship You by Your great High Priest. You are the true God, the One Unbegotten, the only inaccessible Being. For Your great glory, O Lord and heavenly King, O God the Father Almighty, O Lord God, the Father of Christ, the immaculate Lamb, who takes away the sin of the world, receive our prayer. You sit upon the cherubim, for You only are holy, You alone are the Lord Jesus, the Christ of God of all created nature, and our King, by whom glory, honor, and worship be to You. Amen. (Apostolic Constitutions, c. 350-80)

Lord Jesus, You are the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and also for the sins of the whole world. You have taken upon Yourself the punishment we deserve for our sins. Therefore, we as You to plead for us before Your heavenly Father that He may look upon Your atoning sacrifice and grant us forgiveness. In Your name we pray. Amen. (Earl Gaulke)

W As Priest, Christ

1. rules with His almighty power over all creation (the kingdom of power—all creatures);

Mt 28:18 All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.

2. governs and protects especially His church (the kingdom of grace—the church on earth)

Jn 18:36-37 Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, My servants would fight

to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is from another place." "You are a king, then!" said Pilate - Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to Me."

3. finally leads His church to glory in heaven (the kingdom of glory00the church in heaven)

2 Tim 4:18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

• Pray: Rule, O God the Son, who has redeemed

and ransomed us from sin. Take from us the burden of sin committed during the week now past, and graciously grant us Your peace. You

are the Supreme Bishop and Archshepherd of our souls. Help all servants of Your Word in this and all Your congregations on earth to labor and bring forth much fruit unto eternal life. Amen. (Johann Habermann, 1516-90)

Dear Lord God, bring and give blessedness and salvation to the holy church which is the kingdom of Christ. Send us devout and God-fearing teachers who will reveal Your name to the world and who proclaim that You are gracious and merciful, forgiving us our sins for the sake of Your Son. He will grant us eternal life in order that all people may rely on Your grace and mercy, call upon You, and give praise and thanks to You. Abolish all doctrines of men and let Christ alone be our King, who shall rule through His Gospel and make us His servants (John 2:15). Amen. (Luther).

Th As King, Christ

ConclusionProphet: Christ was appointed to be our Prophet, Priest, and King. Prophet As Prophet, Christ1. preached personally during His life on earth, validating His word with miracles, especially his own resurrection; Jesus is His personal Name.2. through the preached Gospel today still proclaims Himself tobe the Son of God and Redeemer of the world. As Priest, Christ1. fulfilled the Law perfectly for our stead (active obedience)2. sacrificed Himself for our sins (passive obedience)

3. still pleads for us with His heavenly Father (intercession) 1 Jn As King, Christ1. rules with His almighty power over all creation (the kingdom of power—all creatures)2. governs and protects especially His church (the kingdom of grace—the church on earth)3. finally leads His church to glory in heaven (the kingdom of glory—the church in heaven)

2nd Article:Christ’s Humiliation

Next Time…(4/8)