How Are Believers Prophets, Priests, and Kings?
BY R. SCOTT CLARK | How do Christians exercise a threefold office as prophets, priests, and kings in this world?
We need to clearly distinguish between Christ, the prophet, priest, and king, and our participation, by grace alone through faith alone by virtue of our union with Christ, in that threefold office.
In questions 31 and 32 of the Heidelberg Catechism, we read,
31. 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 concerning our redemption; and our only High Priest, who by the one sacrifice of His body, has redeemed us, and ever lives to make 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 redemption obtained for us.
32. But why are you called a Christian?
Because by faith I am a member of Christ and thus a partaker of His anointing, in order that I also may confess His Name, may present myself a living sacrifice of thankfulness to Him, and that with a free conscience I may fight against sin and the devil in this life, and hereafter in eternity reign with Him over all creatures (Heidelberg Catechism [1563]).
Where do we find Christ as Prophet, Priest, and King in Scripture?
Even before the fall, God the Son installed the federal head of all humanity and his wife, Adam and Eve, to be king and queen over creation…