Rev. Brian Vos

This Sermon was published in -Modern Reformation-
Volume 8, Number 6, November / December 1999
Preached at the evening (catechetical) service on April 25, 1999.

Text: Acts 11:26; Heidelberg Catechism Q/A 31-32
Created in the image of God, man was endowed with true righteousness, holiness, and knowledge of God, "that he might rightly know God his Creator, heartily love him, and live with him in eternal blessedness to praise and glorify him" (Heidelberg Catechism, Q/A 6).

Put another way: in Paradise, man was created as prophet, priest, and king. As prophet, man was created with a true and right knowledge of God, to think and to speak God's thoughts after him. As priest, man was created to love God with all his heart, to dedicate his life to God. As king, man was created to reign with God, to exercise dominion over the works of God's hand. Prophet, priest, and king—created in the image of God—this was man's high calling.

But man fell from his high calling. The image of God within him became marred, tainted, warped, stained, corrupt. From true righteousness to corruption; from true holiness to impurity; from true knowledge of God to holding the truth in unrighteousness—such was man's fall. Man became a false prophet, no longer speaking and thinking God's thoughts after him, but exalting his own word and his own thoughts as the standard of right and wrong. Man became a false priest, no longer dedicating his life to God, but to wickedness and evil. Man became a false king, no longer ruling over God's creation as God had commanded, but exploiting it for his own ends. Paradise stands ruined—the image of God in man shattered and stained. He is no longer the prophet, priest, and king that God created him to be.

How, then, can we be restored in the image of God? How can we be made prophet, priest, and king once again? How can we regain this true righteousness, holiness, and knowledge of God? The Catechism tells us there is but one way: through Christ, the Anointed—through Christ, the True Prophet, Priest and King.

Why is he called Christ, that is, Anointed? Because he is ordained of God the Father, and anointed with the Holy Spirit, to be our chief Prophet and Teacher, who has fully revealed to us the secret counsel and will of God for our redemption; and our only High Priest, who by the one sacrifice of his body has redeemed us, and makes continual intercession for us with the Father; and our eternal King, who governs us by his Word and Spirit, and defends and preserves us in the salvation obtained for us. (Heidelberg, Q/A 31).

Old Testament Prophets, Priests, and Kings

In order to fully understand what it means that Christ is our Prophet, Priest, and King, we must consider this three-fold office in terms of the Old Testament. When viewed in this light we see that the outstanding feature of these offices in the Old Testament was their anointing to office.

Prophets were anointed to carry out their task as prosecutors of God's covenant: warning of the judgment to come, heralding the grace of the New Covenant. Caught up into the divine counsel of God (Is. 6; Ezek. 1), they were sent forth as the "mouthpiece of God" (1King 8:15). With holy oil they were anointed to office (1 King 19: 16). The Lord said of his prophets "Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm" (Ps. 105:15). Throughout the Old Testament, prophets were anointed to office.

Priests were anointed in the Old Testament to stand in the presence of God and intercede for his people. The books of Exodus and Leviticus give detailed commands regarding the anointing of the priests (Ex. 28:41; 29:7; 30:30; 40:13-15; Lev. 8:12). Psalm 133 pictures this anointing very beautifully: "It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of his robes." Throughout the Old Testament, priests were anointed to office.

Kings were also anointed in the Old Testament to reign over God's people as an earthly representation of the heavenly King. Saul, David, and Solomon were all anointed as kings (1 Sam. 9:16; 15:1, 17; 16:3; 1 Kings 1:34). Throughout the Old Testament, kings were anointed to office.

Why did those chosen for the offices of prophet, priest, and king need to be anointed with oil? What was behind this strange practice? Their anointing set them apart to the Lord. The oil with which they were anointed was symbolic of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of glory and life. Endowed with the Spirit, through their anointing with holy oil, these prophets, priests, and kings, were transformed into the likeness of the Lord of Glory.

It is noteworthy that in the Old Testament, these three offices of prophet, priest, and king were never united in one person. There were some in the Old Testament who functioned as both prophet and priest. Others functioned as both priest and king. But God never permitted any one person to hold all three offices. These offices pointed beyond themselves—they were shadows and types—pointing to the fulfillment of the One who is the Prophet, Priest, and King.

We see the True Prophet foreshadowed in Deuteronomy 18. The Lord said to Israel through Moses: "The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him…I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. If anyone does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my Name, I myself will call him to account." Moses was but a shadow of the Prophet to come. In the prophets God revealed himself—warning of judgment, heralding his grace. But another Prophet would come, embodying the judgment of the world, embodying grace for his people. Yes, there will be another Priest!

We see the True Priest foreshadowed in Melchizedek, Priest of God Most High. We read in Genesis 14:18, "Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, 'Blessed be Abram by God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.' Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything." Mechizedek was but a shadow of the Priest to come. In the priests God revealed the way of intercession—without blood there is no forgiveness of sins. But another Priest would come as both Sacrificer and Sacrifice, whose blood alone forgives sins. Yes, there will be another Priest!

We see the True King foreshadowed in God's promise to David in 2 Samuel 7:11 and following: "The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you: When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring, to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever." Solomon was but a shadow of the King to come. In the kings, God revealed his rule over his people through the sons of David. But another King would come, the true Son of David, to whom belongs the scepter and the throne. Yes, there will be another King!

Do you see it? In Christ, the offices of prophet, priest, and king are united! He is the One to whom the Old Testament prophets, priest, and king are united! He is the One to whom the Old Testament prophets, priests, and kings pointed. As Prophet, he proclaims salvation. As Priest, he merits salvation. As King, he applies salvation.

Christ The Prophet, Priest, and King

Christ has been ordained by God the father to be our prophet, priest, and king. Christ has been anointed not with the holy oil used in the Old Testament, but with the Holy Spirit himself (Is. 61:1; Luke 4:18). At his baptism the Spirit came down upon him in the form of a dove, anointing him to carry out the office that God the Father had called him to: the threefold office of prophet, priest, and king.

Christ is anointed to be "our chief Prophet and Teacher, who has fully revealed to us the secret counsel and will of God concerning our redemption" (Heidelberg, Q/A 31; see Deut. 18:15; Acts 3:22, 7:37). Indeed, it was Christ who spoke through the prophets in the Old Testament; it was his Word that went forth. But he is the Word of God made flesh (John 1:14). He perfectly and completely reveals the will of God for our salvation (John 1:18; 15:15). He comes as the prophets of old, warning of the judgment to come, heralding the grace of the New Covenant. He is the supreme mouth of God, for he is God. He not only proclaims the way of salvation, he is salvation. He is the True Prophet.

It is a glorious thing that Christ proclaims and reveals the way of salvation,
but it is not enough.

Christ could stand before us all day long proclaiming the way of salvation,
and we would not walk in it.

Christ could stand before us all day long warning us of the judgment to come,
and it would strike no fear in our hearts.

Christ could stand before us all day long heralding the grace of the New Covenant,
and it would mean nothing to us at all.

Christ could stand before us all day long calling us to repent and believe,
and we would not repent;
we would not believe.

How can the dead make themselves alive? How can the blind make themselves see? How can the deaf make themselves hear? We are sinners—dead, blind, and deaf in our sins. We need more than a Prophet to proclaim the way. We need someone to open the way. And the glorious thing is that Christ, our Prophet who proclaims the way, is also our Priest who opens the way! He not only proclaims our salvation, he merits our salvation. He accomplishes our salvation, for he is Salvation!

Christ has been anointed as "our only High Priest, who by the one sacrifice of his body has redeemed us, and makes continual intercession for us with the Father" (Heidelberg, Q/A 31; see Ps. 110:4). Read the book of Hebrews. Over and over again, Christ is set before us as our Chief High Priest, who by the one sacrifice of his body has opened the way into the true Holy of Holies, even heaven itself (Heb. 9:24). He offered himself upon the altar of Calvary. When he hung his head in death, the temple veil was rent from top to bottom, opening the way past the guardian cherubim embroidered on the curtain, opening the way to the other side of the curtain, opening the way to the Holy of Holies, opening the way to Heaven, opening the way to Paradise, opening the way to God himself (Heb. 10:19-20)! He is the only Priest who is both Sacrificer and Sacrifice—the Sacrifice of our salvation (Heb. 10:12, 14; 9:12, 14, 28)!

Just as the priest of the Old Testament made intercession for the people, so Christ our Priest ever lives to intercede for us before the Father (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 9:24; 1 John 2:1). And so we can approach the throne of grace with boldness and confidence, for we have a Great High Priest, who makes intercession for us. He is the True Priest.

And yet it would still not be enough for us if Christ were only Prophet and Priest. We need more than One who proclaims the way of salvation. We need more than One who merits the way of salvation. We need One who also applies that salvation to us. This he does as our eternal King.

Christ has been anointed as "our eternal King, who governs us by his Word and Spirit, and defends and preserves us in the salvation obtained for us" (Heidelberg, Q/A 31; see Ps. 2:6; Zech. 9:9; Mat. 21:5; Luke 1:33; Mat. 28:18; John 10:28; Rev. 12:10-11). He applies salvation to us by defending us and preserving us in that salvation. And he does it by his Word and Spirit—the sword that proceeds from his mouth (Rev. 1:16; cf. Heb. 4:12), the sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:17)—by which we are brought into greater conformity to him.

He is anointed as our Prophet, Priest, and King.

That is why he receives the title "Christ"—Anointed One.

United To Christ; Receiving His Name

And his name is given to us. We bear the name "Christian." And the Catechism rightly then asks us,

Why are you called a Christian? Because I am a member of Christ by faith, and thus a partaker of his anointing, that I may confess his Name, present my self a living sacrifice of thankfulness to him, and with a free and good conscience fight against sin and the devil in this life, and hereafter reign with him eternally over all creatures. (Heidelberg, Q/A 32)

Why are you called a Christian?

"Because I am a member of Christ by faith, and thus a partaker of his anointing."

Christ and the Christian are never separated. When Christ died, the Christian died (Rom. 6:1-6). When Christ rose from the dead, the Christian was raised from the dead (Rom. 6:8-11; Eph. 2:6). When Christ ascended into heaven, the Christian ascended into heaven (Phil. 3:20; Col. 3:3). In Christ's anointing, the Christian is anointed (1 John 2:27; Acts 2:17). Christ is Prophet, Priest, and King; the Christian is prophet, priest, and king.

Why are you called a Christian?

Because you are anointed as prophet to confess his Name (Mat. 10:32; Rom. 10:10). Do you confess his Name? Do you confess his Name not only in word, but also in deed? Do you confess his Name at home? Do your children witness your devotion to Christ? Does your spouse see your love for Christ? Do you speak freely about Christ with your family members? Does your life bear witness to what you confess? Do you confess his Name at work? Do you speak of Christ not only to Christian co-workers, but also to those who do not believe? Does your life set an example for them? Does your light so shine among them that they see your good works, and give glory to your Father in heaven? Young people; do you confess his Name? Do you confess his Name at school among your peers? Do you confess his Name when you are at the game on Friday night? Does your life demonstrate your love for him when you go out with your friends? Does he come first in your life even when you are alone with your girlfriend or boyfriend? Do you confess his Name in all that you say and in all that you do? Are you worthy to bear the name "Christian?"

Why are you called a Christian?

Because you are anointed as priest to offer yourself to him as a living sacrifice of thankfulness (Rom. 12:1; 1 Pet. 2:5, 9; Rev. 1:6; 5:8, 10). Do you give your utmost for the Highest? Do you offer your whole life in sacrifice to the Lord? Do you deny yourself? Do you take up his cross? Do you follow him? Do you put that which pleases him before that which pleases you? Do you do all things to the glory of his Name? Are you worthy to bear the name "Christian"?

Why are you called a Christian?

Because you have been anointed as king to fight against sin, and afterward to reign with him (2 Tim. 2:12; Mat. 25:34). Do you fight the good fight of the faith? Do you strive with a good conscience against sin and the devil? Do you give in to temptation without so much as a fight? Do you gird yourself up with the armor of the Lord? Do you stand firm with the belt of truth buckled around your waist? Do you stand firm with the breastplate of righteousness in place? Do you stand firm with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of peace? Do you take up the shield of faith with which you are able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one? Do you take the helmet of salvation? Do you take the sword of the Spirit; which is the Word of God? Do you pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests, being alert and always praying for all the saints? Do you pray for that brother or sister in Christ who has offended you so greatly? Do you remove the plank from your own eye before the speck in your brother's? Do you fight the good fight? Do you stand for the truth of God's Word? Are you worthy to bear the name "Christian?"

The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch (Acts 11:26). They fought the good fight of the faith; they offered themselves as living sacrifices to God; they confessed the Name of Christ. And the world knew that they had been with Jesus. Can the same be said of you?!

Be honest with yourself. Why should you be called a Christian? You, who are ashamed to speak his name, even among Christians, why should you be called a Christian? You who show so little gratitude to God, why should you be called a Christian? You who are so reluctant to fight the good fight of the faith, why should you be called a Christian?

Why are you called a Christian?

There can be but one answer: because I have been united to the Lord Jesus Christ. In and of myself, I am not worthy to bear the name. I increase my guilt daily. Daily I deny him whose Name I bear. Daily I deny him with my words. Daily I deny him with my deeds. There is so little of a prophet in me. Daily I put myself before him. Daily I live a life of ungratefulness. There is so little of a priest in me. Daily I lay down the sword and refuse to fight. Daily I compromise the authority of God's Word. There is so little of a king in me.

But Christ is the True Prophet! Christ is the True Priest! Christ is the True King! And though there is in me only a small beginning of the life of Christ (Heidelberg Q/A 114), he is my all in all! He is my hope! He is my redemption! He is my Prophet! He is my Priest! He is my King! In Christ I am restored to what I was created to be prophet, priest, and king. In him, the image of God is restored within me. In him, I have been restored unto true righteousness, holiness, and knowledge of God. Now I see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. Now I confess his Name imperfectly, then I shall confess perfectly. Now I love him in part, then I shall love in full. Now I fight the good fight of the faith, then I shall reign forevermore! In Christ, Paradise is mine once again!

Gladly you will bear the name of Christ when you stand before him on Judgment Day, but will you bear it today?

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