Joel Stephen Williams

I. The offices of Christ are traditionally given in a three-fold arrangement. These should not be thought of as separate or independent compartments. They are merely a logical, orderly way to summarize the work Christ does on our behalf as our mediator.

A. Prophet

1. Mk. 6:4, 15; 8:28; 14:65; Mt. 14:5; 21:11; 21:46; Lk. 7:16, 39; 13:33; 24:19; Jn. 4:19, 44; 6:14; 7:40, 52; 9:17. Which of these are the opinions of people and which are the opinion of Jesus himself?

2. A prophet was a proclaimer of God's word. Frequently the prophets spoke critically about sins and evils of their generation and warned of the coming wrath of God if people did not repent. Does this accurately describe Jesus?

3. Prophets sometimes had special knowledge, even of future events. Did Jesus?

4. Some prophets had the power to perform miracles. Did Jesus?

5. Jesus was a prophet, even the greatest of all the prophets, but he was much more than a prophet. Discuss the following quote from William Barclay: "It may be that prophet is the highest human term by which he [Jesus] can be described, but the fact is that no human term adequately describes him....He was a prophet and more than a prophet, for, while there are many prophets, there is only one Christ" (Jesus as They Saw Him, 239).

B. Priest

1. The book of Hebrews is the preeminent explanation of the priestly role of Christ.

2. Heb. 4:14; 5:6; 7:26-27; 9:11-12, 24-27

3. What is the meaning of Christ being a priest after the order of Melchizedek?

4. A priest represents people in their approach to God for atonement. How does Christ do this for us?

5. A priest needs to understand people's struggles in order to represent them well. How can Christ do this?

6. What are some other qualifications for a priest which Christ holds?

7. What kind of sacrifice does Christ offer as our high priest?

C. King

1. Discuss the question of Jesus as King in the Gospels - Jn. 1:49; 18:36-37; Lk. 1:32-33; 19:38; 23:2; Mt. 21:5

2. Discuss Jesus as King in the epistles - Eph. 1:20-23; Phil. 2:9-11; 1 Cor. 15:25; Heb. 1:8; 2:8-9

3. Discuss Jesus as King in Revelation - Rev. 1:5-6; 5:1-14; 19:15-16

4. In what ways was Jesus qualified to be King?

a. Birth

b. Anointing or appointment

II. Some titles of Christ. On each of these discuss what the meaning of the term or the title is. Then discuss the significance of each title for the three-fold work of Christ as exemplified in the offices he holds. Finally, discuss how the deity of Christ is significant for these various titles.

A. Christ - Mt. 16:16

B. God - Jn. 1:1; 20:28

C. Son of God - Jn. 3:16; 20:31; Rom. 1:3

D. Emmanuel - Mt. 1:23

E. The Lamb of God - Jn. 1:29

F. The light of the world - Jn. 9:5

G. Savior - Lk. 2:11; Jn. 4:42

H. The Word - Jn. 1:1, 14

I. The Alpha and Omega - Rev. 21:6

J. The good shepherd - Jn. 10:11

K. The King of the Jews - Mt. 27:37

L. The Lord - Acts 2:36

M. The King of kings and Lord of lords - Rev. 19:16

N. The Lord of glory - 1 Cor. 2:8

O. The Holy One of God - Mk. 1:24

P. The cornerstone - Eph. 2:20

Q. The foundation - 1 Cor. 3:11

R. The chief shepherd - 1 Pet. 5:4

Q. The Beloved Son - Lk. 3:22; 9:35

III. Conclusion

A. Can you think of a hymn which describes Christ is either prophet, priest, or king?

B. Memory verse - Rev. 19:16