Salvation

The Offices of Christ

Confessional Text

As God, and man, and sacrifice, He alone is qualified to be our compassionate Saviour and conquering King⁶³. He alone is our Great High priest⁶⁴, mediating⁶⁵ and interceding⁶⁶ for His people. He alone is our Prophet - perfectly communicating and being the Word of God⁶⁷.

Scriptural References

[63]

Hebrews 7:25

Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

Colossians 2:9

For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.

Hebrews 2:18

For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

Hebrews 7:26

For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens.

Psalm 89:19

I have found David My servant; with My holy oil I have anointed him.

[64]

Hebrews 4:14

Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God

[65]

1 Timothy 2:5

For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus

[66]

Hebrews 7:25

Since He always lives to make intercession for them

[67]

John 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God

All scripture quotations are from the ESV (English Standard Version).

Historical & Theological Background

Historically, Christ's work has been understood through the threefold office: Prophet (revealing God), Priest (mediating between God and man), and King (ruling over all). As Prophet, He is the final Word of God. As Priest, He offers the perfect sacrifice and intercedes for His people. As King, He reigns over creation and will return to judge. Reformed theology particularly emphasized these offices as a comprehensive framework for understanding Christ's person and work.

African Contextual Commentary

Many African Christians seek multiple spiritual mediators—ancestors, Mary, prophets, or spiritual fathers—to approach God. This statement affirms that Christ alone fulfills all mediatorial roles. He is the only prophet who perfectly reveals God, the only priest who can atone for sin, and the only king who can save and rule. We need no other intermediaries. This is liberating: we can boldly approach God through Christ, knowing He sympathizes with our weaknesses and intercedes for us. It also guards against the cult of personality around spiritual leaders who position themselves as necessary mediators between believers and God.