How doth Christ execute the office of a priest?
Christ executeth the office of priest in his once offering up himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice and reconcile us to God, and in making continual intercession for us.
Proofs
- Christ executeth the office of priest in his once offering up himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice (Hebrews 9:14, 28)
- and reconcile us to God, (Hebrews 2:17)
- and in making continual intercession for us. (Hebrews 7:24–25)
Additional Exposition
Section 1
Is Christ a priest?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: After the similitude of Melchizedek there ariseth another priest, (Hebrews 7:15)
Is he an high priest?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Having an High Priest over the house of God, (Hebrews 10:21)
Is he a great high-priest?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: We have a great High Priest, (Hebrews 4:14)
Is he so in his person?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For he is made higher than the heavens, (Hebrews 7:26)
Is he so on account of the great trust reposed in him?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For he is an High Priest of good things to come by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, (Hebrews 9:11)
And on account of the great solemnity of his installment?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: It was by an oath, (Hebrews 7:20)
And in respect to the continuance of his office?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: The Lord sware, and will not repent, thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek, (Hebrews 7:21)
Section 2
Doth the priesthood of Christ suppose man’s guilt?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For if one died for all, then were all dead, (2 Corinthians 5:14)
And man’s impotency?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: There were none to make up the hedge or stand in the gap, (Ezekiel 22:30)
Doth it imply Christ’s deity?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: We have a great High Priest, Jesus the Son of God, (Hebrews 4:14)
And his humanity?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For he that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified are both of one, (Hebrews 2:11)
Doth it also imply the Father’s designation?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: No man taketh this honour to himself, but he who is called of God as was Aaron, (Hebrews 5:4)
Section 3
Did Christ as a priest make satisfaction for the sins of his people?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He made reconciliation for iniquity, (Daniel 9:24)
Did he do this by sacrifice?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For without shedding of blood there is no remission, (Hebrews 9:22)
And by the sacrifice of. himself?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He hath put away sin by the sacrifice of himself, (Hebrews 9:26)
Was it necessary that this sacrifice should be offered?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For it was necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified by these, but the heavenly things themselves, with better sacrifices than these, (Hebrews 9:23)
But is it necessary that it should be repeated?
Answer: No.
Proof: For this man after he had offered one sacrifice for sins, for ever sat down at the right hand of God, (Hebrews 10:12)
Section 4
Was the oblation of Christ a voluntary one?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: No man taketh my life from me, but I lay it down of myself, (John 10:18)
And was it a precious one?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For the redemption of the soul is precious, (Psalm 49:8)
And was it complete and satisfactory?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He gave himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour, (Ephesians 5:2)
Section 5
Doth Christ as a priest make intercession?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, (1 John 2:1)
Is he an able Advocate?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: The Lord hath laid help upon one that is mighty, (Psalm 89:19)
Is he a wise and skillful Advocate?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He is of a quick understanding in the fear of the Lord, (Isaiah 11:3)
Is he a righteous Advocate?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He is Jesus Christ the righteous, (1 John 2:1)
Is he a kind and affectionate Advocate?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He is a merciful and faithful High Priest, (Hebrews 2:17)
Is he a constant Advocate?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He ever lives to make intercession for us, (Hebrews 7:25)
Is he a successful Advocate?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: I know that thou hearest me always, (John 11:42)
And is he the only Advocate?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: There is but one Mediator between God and man, (1 Timothy 2:5)
Section 6
Is the advocateship of Christ confined to those for whom he died?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: I pray not for the world, (John 17:9)
And doth it extend to every individual of those?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not, (Luke 22:32)
Should this encourage prayer?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Let us come boldly to the throne of grace, (Hebrews 4:16)
And does it afford matter of joy in every condition of life?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: These things I speak that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves, (John 17:13)