Dictionaries :: Concerning Redemption, The Work of the Redeemer

Concerning Redemption, The Work of the Redeemer: As Prophet

A prophet of God is one who has authority and who has the necessary qualifications to convey God's messages to men. He may also be an interpreter.

a. Christ executed the office of prophet, by His word and by His works.

Mat 5:24

b. Also through other agents: through His Spirit, by inspiration, by spiritual illumination, through the officers of the church inspired as apostles, prophets, and teachers.

Eph 4:11,12; 1Jo 2:20; 5:20

He continues to execute the office of prophet through eternity. Rev 7:17; 21:23

Concerning Redemption, The Work of the Redeemer: As Priest

A priest is one who is qualified and authorized to "draw near to the Lord for men."

Exd 19:22; Hbr 5:1.

a. Must be taken from among men to represent them.

Exd 28:9,12,21,29; Hbr 5:12

b. Must be chosen by God.

Exd 28:1; Num 16:5; Hbr 5:4

c. Must be holy--morally pure and consecrated to God.

Exd 39:30,31; Lev 21:6,8; Psa 106:16

d. Must have a right to draw near to Jehovah and to offer sacrifices and make intercession.

Exd 19:22; Lev 16:3,7,12,15; Num 16:5

e. The Old Testament declares Christ to be a priest.

Psa 110:4; Hbr 5:6; 6:20; Zec 6:13

f. Priestly functions ascribed to Him.

Isa 53:10; Dan 9:24,25

The temple and its services and all Old Testament sacrifices typical of Christ and His work. He superseded these.

Col 2:17; Hbr 9:10-12; 10:11,12

g. New Testament proof. Was taken from among men to stand for them for God.

Hbr 2:16; 4:15.

Was chosen by God.

Hbr 5:5,6

Was perfectly holy.

Luk 1:35; Hbr 7:26

Has the right of the nearest access and the greatest influence with the Father.

Jhn 11:42; 16:28; Hbr 1:3; 9:11-24

1. He "mediated" in the general sense of the term.

Jhn 14:6; 1Ti 2:5; Hbr 8:6

2. He offered propitiation.

Eph 5:25; Hbr 9:26; 10:12; 1Jo 2:2

3. He makes intercession.

Rom 8:4; Hbr 7:25; 1Jo 2:1

h. Christ as priest made atonement for us, was made a substitute for us. substitute is one appointed or accepted to act or to suffer in the tead of another, and His actions or sufferings are "vicarious".

1. The Greek preposition "huper", with the genitive, sometimes signifies "instead of", and the construction is used to set forth the relation of Christ's work to us.

2Cr 5:14,15,20; Gal 3:13; Phm 1:13; 1Pe 3:18

2. The preposition "anti" definitely and always expressed substitution.

Mat 2:22; 5:38; 20:28; Mar 10:45; 1Ti 2:6

3. The same is true as to what the Scriptures teach as to our sins being laid upon Christ.

Lev 7:18; Num 18:27; Psa 106:31; Isa 53:12; Luk 22:36; Rom 2:26; 4:3-9; 2Cr 5:19-21; Gal 3:13

4. The effects of Christ's action as priest are shown.

a. As toward God, they are declared to be propitiatory.

Rom 3:25,26; Hbr 2:17; 1Jo 2:2; 4:10

b. As respects the sinner, they are declared to be redemption, eliverance by ransom.

Isa 51:11; 62:12; 1Cr 7:23; Gal 3:13,14; 1Ti 2:6; 1Pe 1:18,19; Rev 5:9

Concerning Redemption, The Work of the Redeemer: As King

The kingdom of Christ a very prominent subject in Scripture.

Dan 2:44; Mat 13; 22:1-14; Luk 13:22-30; 17:20,21; Rom 14:17; Eph 1:10,20-22; 1Pe 3:22

a. Christ's authority embraces the universe.

Mat 28:18; Eph 1:17-23; Phl 2:9-11

It is distinguished as --

1. "His kingdom of power", embracing the entire universe in His providential and judicial administration.

Jhn 5:22-27; 9:39; 1Cr 15:25; Hbr 10:12,13

2. "His kingdom of grace", spiritual alike as to its subjects, laws, modes of administration and instrumentalities.

3. "His kingdom of glory", the consummation of His gracious administration, will continue forever.

b. The object of Christ's authority is to accomplish the salvation of His church.

Eph 1:22,23

1. To cause all things to work together for the good of His people.

Rom 8:28

2. To establish a kingdom for them.

Luk 22:29; Jhn 14:2

a. To subjugate all His enemies. 1Cr 15:25

b. That all should worship Him. Hbr 1:6; Rev 5:9-13

c. The following are some of the titles to this kingdom, with the sense in which they are used.

1. "The kingdom of God",

Luk 4:43

because of divine origin and the authority of God exercised in its administration.

2. "The kingdom of Christ",

Mat 16:28; Col 1:13,

because He is in person the immediate sovereign.

3. "The kingdom of heaven",

Mat 11:12

because its origin and characteristics are from heaven and its consummation is to be in heaven.

d. Christ's administration of His kingdom presents two aspects --:

1. As militant. Eph 6:11-17.

2. As glorified, or triumphant. Rev 3:21.

Accordingly Christ is represented as

a great Captain, (Rev 19:11,16), and

as a Prince reigning upon His throne. Rev 21:5,22,23

The throne upon which Christ sits is represented as --

A throne of grace. Hbr 4:16.

A throne of judgment. Rev 20:11-15.

A throne of glory. Rev 4:3; 5:6

e. The sense in which Christ's kingdom is spiritual.

1. The king is a spiritual and not an earthly sovereign.

Mat 20:28; Jhn 18:36

2. His throne is at the right hand of God.

Hbr 1:3

3. His sceptre is spiritual.

Psa 110:2; Isa 61:1-3; 63:1

4. The citizens of the kingdom are spiritual men.

Jhn 4:24

5. The mode in which He administers His government is spiritual.

Zec 4:6,7

6. His laws are spiritual.

Jhn 4:24

7. The blessings and penalties of His kingdom are spiritual.

1Cr 3:4-11; 2Cr 10:4; Eph 1:3-8; 2Ti 4:2; Tts 2:15

f. Christ as seated at the right hand of the Father. Some of the language may be figurative, but it sets forth the glorification of Christ in heaven. It presents Him as the God-man exalted to supreme and universal glory and power.

Psa 110:1; Dan 7:13,14; Mat 26:64; Mar 16:19; Jhn 5:22; Rom 8:34; Eph 1:20-22; Phl 2:9-11; Col 3:1; Hbr 1:3,4; 2:9; 10:12; 1Pe 3:22; Rev 5:6