This office to which Christ is called, is threefold; a prophet,¹ priest,² and king:³ This number and order of offices is necessary, for in respect of our⁴ ignorance, we stand in need of His prophetical office; in respect of our great⁵ alienation from God, we need His priestly office to reconcile us; and in respect of our averseness and utter inability to return to God, we need His kingly office, to convince,⁶ subdue,⁷ draw,⁸ uphold⁹ and preserve¹⁰ us to His heavenly kingdom.

1. Deuteronomy 8:15 who led you through the great and terrifying wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water, who brought you water out of the flinty rock, Acts 3:22–23 Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’  ↩︎
2. Hebrews 3:1 Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, Hebrews 4:14–15 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.  ↩︎
3. Psalm 2:6 “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.”  ↩︎
4. Acts 26:18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ 2 Corinthians 5:20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.  ↩︎
5. Colossians 1:21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds,  ↩︎
6. John 16:8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:  ↩︎
7. Psalm 110:3 Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments; from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours.  ↩︎
8. Song of Solomon 1:3 your anointing oils are fragrant; your name is oil poured out; therefore virgins love you. John 6:44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.  ↩︎
9. Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.  ↩︎
10. 2 Timothy 4:18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.  ↩︎