“Christ is God’s (1 Cor. 3:23):
God’s Christ, God’s Servant, God’s Prophet, God’s Priest, God’s King.”
John ‘Rabbi’ Duncan
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Subsections
Prophet
Priest
King
Surety
Intercessor
Grounds of Christ the Mediator Receiving Divine Worship
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Order of Contents
Mediator 12+
. Corruptions 1
3 Offices 6+
Quotes 3
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On Christ’s Office as Mediator
Articles
Anthology of the Post-Reformation
Heppe, Heinrich – ch. 18, ‘The Mediatorial Office of Jesus Christ’ in Reformed Dogmatics ed. Ernst Bizer, tr. G.T. Thomson (1861; Wipf & Stock, 2007), pp. 448-88
Heppe (1820–1879) was a German reformed theologian.
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1500’s
Bullinger, Henry – 7th Sermon, ‘Of Christ, King & Priest; of his Only & Everlasting Kingdom & Priesthood; and of the Name of a Christian’ in The Decades ed. Thomas Harding (1549; Cambridge: Parker Society, 1850), vol. 3, 4th Decade, pp. 273-97 Bullinger does not mention Christ’s office of prophet.
Calvin, John – Institutes of the Christian Religion tr. Henry Beveridge (1559; Edinburgh: Calvin Translation Society, 1845), vol. 2, bk. 2
12. ‘Christ, to perform the Office of Mediator, behoved to become man’ 1-35
Ursinus, Zacharias – ‘Of the Office & Person of Christ the Only Mediator’ (1562) in A Collection of Certain Learned Discourses… (Oxford, 1600), pp. 239-49 This was Ursinus’s disputation at the University of Heidelberg “for his degree of Doctorship”. Ursinus gives 12 propositions with Scripture proofs.
Beza, Theodore
A Brief & Pithy Sum of the Christian Faith made in Form of a Confession (London, 1565), Ch. 3
2. The Son the only Mediator between God & his Elect Eternally Ordained
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17. Jesus Christ the only Mediator ordained and promised
pp. 13-20 in A Book of Christian Questions & Answers… (London, 1574)
de Brès, Guy – ‘Of One Only Mediator’ in The Staff of Christian Faith… for to Know the Antiquity of our Holy Faith… gathered out of the Works of the Ancient Doctors of the Church… (London, 1577), pp. 191-201
de Bres (1522-1567) was a Walloon pastor, Protestant reformer and theologian, a student of Calvin and Beza in Geneva.
Viret, Pierre – A Christian Instruction… (d. 1571; London: Veale, 1573)
The Sum of the Principal Points of the Christian Faith
10. Of the Redemption & Restoring of Man, & of the only Mediator Jesus Christ 11
The Summary of the Christian Doctrine, set forth in Form of Dialogue & of Catechism
Of the Union of the Divine & Human Nature in the Person of Jesus Christ & of his Office
A Familiar Exposition of the Principal Points of the Catechism, and of the Christian Doctrine, made in Form of Dialogue
3rd Dialogue
Of the Only & True Mediator Jesus Christ
9th Dialogue: Of the Offices of Jesus Christ
23rd Dialogue
Ursinus, Zachary – The Sum of Christian Religion: Delivered… in his Lectures upon the Catechism… tr. Henrie Parrie (Oxford, 1587)
Of the Mediator 237
1. What a Mediator is
2. For what cause a Mediator is necessary
3. What is the office of a Mediator
4. What manner of Mediator ours ought to be
5. Who is and may be that Mediator
6. That there is but one Mediator 252-53
Apostles’ Creed
I Believe in ‘Christ’ 437
. 1. What Christ’s Unction or Anointing is
Beza, Theodore, Anthony Faius & Students – 21. ‘Of the Office of Christ’ in Propositions & Principles of Divinity Propounded & Disputed in the University of Geneva by Certain Students of Divinity there, under Mr. Theodore Beza & Mr. Anthony Faius… (Edinburgh: Waldegrave, 1591), pp. 45-47
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1600’s
Perkins, William – 18. Of Christ’s Nativity & Office in A Golden Chain (Cambridge: Legat, 1600)
Bucanus, William – 2. ‘Of Christ’ in Institutions of Christian Religion... (London: Snowdon, 1606), pp. 13-27
Ames, William – The Marrow of Theology tr. John D. Eusden (1623; Baker, 1997), bk. 1
ch. 19, ‘The Office of Christ’, pp. 131-34
ch. 24, ‘The Application of Christ’, pp. 149-52
Ames (1576-1633) was an English, puritan, congregationalist, minister, philosopher and controversialist. He spent much time in the Netherlands, and is noted for his involvement in the controversy between the reformed and the Arminians. Voet highly commended Ames’s Marrow for learning theology.
Polyander, Johannes – 26. ‘On the Office of Christ’ in Synopsis of a Purer Theology: Latin Text & English Translation Buy (1625; Brill, 2016), vol. 2, pp. 100-130
Wolleb, Johannes – 16. ‘The Person of Christ the God-Man’ in Abridgment of Christian Divinity (1626) in ed. John Beardslee, Reformed Dogmatics: J. Wollebius, G. Voetius & F. Turretin (Oxford Univ. Press, 1965), bk. 1, pp. 86-96
Wolleb (1589–1629) was a Swiss reformed theologian. He was a student of Amandus Polanus.
Maccovius, John – ch. 11, ‘On the Person & Office of Christ’ in Scholastic Discourse: The Distinctions & Rules of Theology & Philosophy Buy (1644), pp. 201-23
Turretin, Francis – Institutes of Elenctic Theology, tr. George M. Giger, ed. James Dennison Jr. (1679–1685; P&R, 1994), vol. 2, 14th Topic
1. ‘In what sense is the name “Mediator” applied to Christ?’ 375
2. ‘Is Christ a Mediator according to both natures? We affirm against the papists and Stancar.’ 379
3. ‘Is Christ the Mediator of angels? We deny.’ 384
4. ‘Is Christ alone our Mediator with God? We affirm against the Papists.’ 385
van Mastricht, Peter – Theoretical Practical Theology (2nd ed. 1698; RHB), vol. 4, pt. 1, bk. 5
ch. 2, ‘The Mediator of the Covenant of Grace’ 55
ch. 3, ‘The Names of the Mediator’ 89-124
Heidegger, Johann H. – 19. ‘On the Office of Jesus Christ’ in The Concise Marrow of Theology tr. Casey Carmichael in Classic Reformed Theology, vol. 4 (1697; RHB, 2019), pp. 129-39
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Quote
1700’s
Edward Fisher
Catechism
“Q. 41.9. How often were the commandments written on tables of stone?
A. The first being broken by Moses, on occasion of the idolatry of Israel, Exod 32:19, the Lord condescended to write on two other tables, the very same words that were on the former, Exod 34:1.
Q. 41.10. Was there any difference between the first two tables and the second?
A. The first two, which were entirely the work of God, (the polishing as well as the engraving,) were broken beneath the mount, Exod 32:16,19; but the second, which were hewed by Moses, the typical mediator, were put into the ark, Deut 10:3,5.
Q. 41.11. What spiritual mystery was represented by this?
A. That though the covenant of works, made with the first Adam, was broken and violated by him, yet it was fulfilled in every respect by Christ the true Mediator, who “restored that which he took not away,” Ps 69:4.”
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Latin Articles
1500’s
Zanchi, Jerome – On the Incarnation of the Son of God, in Two Books, in which the Whole of this Mystery is Solidly Explained… (Heidelberg: Harnisch, 1593), Bk. 2, Heresies on the Incarnation of Christ are Refuted, ch. 3, Propounds 12 Questions
Q. 11. …the office of the Mediator 401, Christ is the one Head of the Church 402, of the actions of Christ 405
Piscator, Johannes – Locus 10, ‘The Person & Office of Christ’ in Theological Common Places, Exposited in Brief Thoughts, or Aphorisms of Christian Doctrine, the Greater Part of which are Excerpts from the Institutes of Calvin (Herborne, 1589; 1605), pp. 67-74
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1600’s
Boethius, Henry – A Theological Disputation on the Person of Christ, of the Hypostatic Union of the Two Natures in Him, of the Communication of Properties & of his Office (Helmstedt, 1605) 20 pp.
Boethius (1551-1622) was a reformed professor of theology and greek at Helmstedt, Germany.
Alsted, Johann H. – ch. 10, ‘On the Person & Office of Christ’ in Theological Common Places Illustrated by Perpetual Similitudes (Frankfurt, 1630), pp. 56-61
Voet, Gisbert – 1. Of the Mediator & the Office of the Mediator in General in Syllabus of Theological Problems (Utrecht, 1643), pt. 1, section 2, tract 2 Abbr.
Alting, Henry
The Scriptural Theology of Heidelberg… (Amsterdam, 1646), vol. 1
pt. 1, Didactic Theological Places, Locus 10, ‘Of the Person & Office of Christ’, pp. 141-78
pt. 2, Elenctic Theology, Locus 10, ‘Of the Person & Office of Christ’, pp. 477-580
ch. 12, ‘Of the Person & Office of Christ’ in A New Elenctic Theology, or a System of Elenctics (Amsterdam, 1654), pp. 483-508
Locus 12, ‘Of the Person & Office of Christ’ in A Method of Didactic Theology (Amsterdam, 1656; 1662), pp. 62-71
Locus 12, ‘Of the Person & Office of Christ’ in A New Problematic Theology, or a System of Theological Problems (Amsterdam, 1662), pp. 559-612
23. ‘Whether Christ was annointed even according to the divine nature?’, p. 592
24. ‘Whether Christ, according to Scripture, is able to be called the mediator of angels?’, p. 593
25. ‘Whether and in what way was Christ the mediator in the Old Testament?’, p. 596
26. ‘In what sense is Christ called our Savior by merit and efficacy?’, p. 597
27. ‘Is the threefold office of Christ prefigured in the Old Testament by a triple-order of anointings?’ [Yes], p. 599
28. ‘Whether Christ indeed was a prophet, priest and king in the earth?’ [Yes], p. 600
29. ‘Whether Christ as prophet is even able to be called a Legislator?’, p. 601
30. ‘Whether Christ discharged the prophetic office in the eath? or rather He may even exercise that from heaven?’, p. 602
31. ‘Whether Christ despaired on the cross?’, p. 603
32. ‘Whether the blood of Christ poured out on the cross putrified?’ [Probably], p. 605
33. ‘Whether it ought to be said that the death of Christ is eternal, or whether it is equivelent to eternal?’, p. 606
34. ‘Whether Christ died even for reprobates, such that He procured for them [common, non-saving] spiritual gifts and the resurrection of the flesh?’ [No], p. 607
35. ‘Whether the satisfaction or merit of Christ is destroyed out of the principles of the orthodox doctrine?’, p. 609
36. ‘Whether the kingdom of Christ, because the Scripture calls it eternal, is hence rightly called an economy and temporal?’, pp. 611-12
Hoornbeek, Johannes – ch. 9, ‘Of Christ’ in Theological Institutes, Harmonized from the Best Authors (Leiden, 1658), pp. 270-339
10. The office of Christ in general is twofold, to be a mediator and a savior, that is, Jesus 302
11. To which there is an anointing from God, or a singular calling and bestowed gifts, that is, [to be] the Christ: Junius, Zanchi, Maccovius 302
12. The mediator is Christ Jesus, one and perfect: Ames & Trelcatius 302
13. And He is the Mediator according to each nature: Trelcatius, Walaeus, 304
14. The parts of the office of Christ are to be a prophet, priest and king: Ames 307
15. For the prophetic office Christ teaches the Church the true religious salvation: Ames, Maccovius 307
16. However, other new or more perfect precepts have not been added to the moral law: Synopsis 309
17. The priestly office of Christ consists in this, that He offered Himself to God in a true expiation for sins and intercedes continually for us before the Father: Ames 310
18. Christ expiated for our sins by a true satisfaction: Maccovius & Wallaeus 311
19. Christ sustained sufferings and death for us, not only bodily, but spiritual, even in the soul itself He suffered most weighty punishments: Walaeus 318
20. And made satisfaction to the Law by a most full righteousness, both active and passive: Gomarus 319
21. And further, He was thus meriting salvation for us from God: Zanchi, Gormarus 321
22. Christ presented that for his elect, those to be saved, those ones solely and all of them, by which they have already at some point been made alive or will be overcome: Gormarus & Maccovius 323
23. For the same Christ intercedes continually before the Father: Maccovius 326
24. Christ shows Himself king in gathering, preserving and advancing the Church, that is, his spiritual kingdom: Ames 327
Wettstein, Gernler & Buxtorf – 11. Office of Christ & of Both States in A Syllabus of Controversies in Religion which come between the Orthodox Churches & whatever other Adversaries, for material for the regular disputations… customarily held in the theological school of the academy at Basil (Basil, 1662), pp. 35-41
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On Corruptions of Christ being the Only Appointed Mediator between God & Man
See also ‘On the Intercession of Saints’.
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Articles
1500’s
Musculus, Wolfgang – Common Places of the Christian Religion (1560; London, 1563), ‘Popish Mass’
Whether the priest when he sings mass do play the mediator between God and the Church 331.b
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1600’s
Turretin, Francis – Institutes of Elenctic Theology, 3 vols. (P&R), vol. 1, 7th Topic
Q. 9, ‘Are Angels our Intercessors with God, and is Any Religious Worship Due to Them? We Deny Against the Romanists.’ 560-569
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On Christ’s Offices of Prophet, Priest & King
Articles
1500’s
Calvin, John – 15. ‘Three things chiefly to be regarded in Christ; viz., his Offices of Prophet, King & Priest’ in Institutes of the Christian Religion tr. Henry Beveridge (1559; Edinburgh: Calvin Translation Society, 1845), vol. 2, bk. 2, pp. 35-46
Viret, Pierre – A Christian Instruction… (d. 1571; London: Veale, 1573), A Familiar Exposition of the Principal Points of the Catechism, and of the Christian Doctrine, made in Form of Dialogue
9th Dialogue: Of the Offices of Jesus Christ
Of the Signification & Exposition of the name of ‘Christ,’ and of his offices, the which that name does comprehend
Of the Office of a Prophet of Jesus Christ, and of the perfection of his doctrine
Of the Power and efficacy of the ministry of Jesus Christ, and of that which He gives to the ministry of others
Of the Office of King of Jesus Christ
Of the office of Sacrificer of Jesus Christ, and of the parts thereof
Of the Office to teach
Of Two most principal parts of the priestly office of Jesus Christ
How that None may be a perfect sacrificer but Jesus Christ only
For what Cause no sacrifice nor any other work of man whatsoever it be, may be able to make satisfaction to God
Why One only sin makes a man guilty of all the law and of damnation
If those which have most sinned shall be most punished by God’s judgment
Of the Impurity of men’s works, and how God judges of them
Of the Obligation whereby man is bound to God, and for what cause he cannot make recompence by the good works which he does, for the evil works which he has committed
For what Cause there is nothing but the only sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which may satisfy at the judgment of God
Of the Perfect obedience of Jesus Christ, which makes his office so perfect
Of the Office of Intercessor & of Advocate of Jesus Christ, & of the virtue of the same
Of the Two Comings of Jesus Christ
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1600’s
Bucanus, William – pp. 24-27 of 2. ‘Of Christ’ in Institutions of Christian Religion... (London: Snowdon, 1606), pp. 13-27
Of the office of Christ
How manifold is the office of Christ?
What is his Prophetic office?
Show some testimonies
What is his Priestly office?
How many parts be there of this office?
According to which nature is Christ a mediator and a priest?
Was Christ Mediator before his Incarnation?
How does the Son make intercession to the Father?
Have you any pregnant testimony concerning the Priesthood of Christ?
May the ministers of the Gospel be called ‘priests’?
What is the kingly office of Christ?
Show some plain testimonies concerning this office
How manifold is the administration of this office?
Who are citizens of this kingdom and what be the laws?
What be the benefits or the effects of this kingdom of grace?
Which be the parts of the kingly office of Christ?
Seeing the kingdom of Christ is eternal, Ps. 45:7, Why is it said that in the Last Day (1 Cor. 15:24) He shall render up the kingdom to God, even the Father?
What things are contrary to the doctrine of the office of Christ?
Leigh, Edward – ch. 4. Of Christ’s Offices in A System or Body of Divinity… (London, A.M., 1654), bk. 5, pp. 404-24
Whitaker, William – Sermon 13, ‘The Mediator of the Covenant, Described in his Person, Natures & Offices’ in The Morning Exercise Methodized [Puritan Sermons] (London, 1660), vol. 5, pp. 261 ff. on 1 Tim. 2:5
This Whitaker was not the famed one from the early 1600’s, but nonetheless was an English puritan, circa 1680’s.
Rijssen, Leonard – ch. 12, ‘Christ’s Offices’ in A Complete Summary of Elenctic Theology & of as Much Didactic Theology as is Necessary tr. J. Wesley White MTh thesis (Bern, 1676; GPTS, 2009), pp. 127-44
Rijssen (1636?-1700?) was a prominent Dutch reformed minister and theologian, active in theological controversies.
Turretin, Francis – 5. ‘Why ought Christ to sustain a threefold office of Mediator?’ in Institutes of Elenctic Theology, tr. George M. Giger, ed. James Dennison Jr. (1679–1685; P&R, 1994), vol. 2, 14th Topic, pp. 391-94
van Mastricht, Peter – Theoretical Practical Theology (2nd ed. 1698; RHB), vol. 4, pt. 1, bk. 5
ch. 5, ‘The Threefold Office of the Mediator’ 169
ch. 6, ‘The Mediator as a Prophet’ 181
ch. 7, ‘The Mediator as a High Priest’ 203
ch. 8, ‘The Mediator as a King’ 237-68
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1700’s
à Brakel, Wilhelmus – ch. 19, ‘Concerning The Three Offices of Christ, & Particularly His Prophetic Office’ in The Christian’s Reasonable Service, vols. 1 ed. Joel Beeke, trans. Bartel Elshout Buy (1700; RHB, 1992/1999), pp. 517-39
a Brakel (1635-1711) was a contemporary of Voet and Witsius and a major representative of the Dutch Further Reformation.
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1800’s
Vos, Geerhardus – ch. 4, ‘Offices’ in Reformed Dogmatics tr: Richard Gaffin 1 vol. ed. Buy (1896; Lexham Press, 2020), vol. 3, ‘Christology’, pp. 447-45
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1900’s
Berkhof, Louis – ‘Introductory Remarks on the Offices in General’ (1950) 3 paragraphs, in Systematic Theology
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Latin Article
1600’s
Wendelin, Marcus Friedrich – ch. 17, ‘Of the Species of the Office of Christ [Prophet, Priest & King]’ in Christian Theology (Hanau, 1634; 2nd ed., Amsterdam, 1657), bk. 1, ‘Knowledge of God’, pp. 280-300
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Quotes
John ‘Rabbi’ Duncan
“If you receive Christ for anything, you receive Him for everything.”
“As soon may a man bottle up daylight as have a gospel of benefits without the immediate shining of the Sun of Righteousness.”
“I would not preach the benefits of redemption without preaching Christ, but neither would I preach a benefitless Christ.”
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Related Pages
On Christ’s Humiliation & Exaltation
On the Session of Christ at God’s Right Hand