WSC Question 23:

Of Christ the Prophet

QUEST. 24. How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet?

ANSW. Christ executeth the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by his word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation.

Q. Why is Christ called a prophet?

A. Because he reveals and teaches men the will of God, Deuteronomy 18:18.

Q. Has Christ any other names relating to this work and office?

A. Yes; he is also called an apostle, interpreter, witness, and the Word of God, Hebrews 3 etc.

Q. Why is Christ called an apostle?

A. Because he is sent of [by] God to make a perfect revelation of his will, and to erect his church on earth, Hebrews 1:1.

Q. Why is Christ called an interpreter?

A. Because he explains the mysteries, or hidden things of God.

Q. Why is Christ called a witness?

A. Because he attests [testifies to, corroborates] the truths of God, John 18:37.

Q. Whereby does he attest them?

A. By his person, declarations, miracles, death, and sacraments.

Q. How does Christ attest divine truths by his person?

A. The great truths of God are clearly represented, and have their certainty evidenced in the constitution of his person as God-man, 1 Timothy 3:16; John 1:14.

Q. How does Christ attest divine truths by his declarations?

A. He affirms them by his word, and confirms them by his oath, 2 Corinthians 1:20; Hebrews 6:17.

Q. How does Christ attest divine truths by his death?

A. He suffered it from men for his adherence to truth; and the leading truths of God are clearly exemplified and displayed in his death, Rom. viii . 32. 33.

Q. How does Christ attest them by his sacraments?

A. The sacraments represent the doctrines, seal the promises, and bind us to obey the commands of God.

Q. Why does Christ attest divine truths?

A. They are wonderful; and sinners are flow of heart to believe them.

Q. Why is Christ called the Word of God?

A. Because by him the mind of God is made known; and he is the matter of his word, 2 Corinthians 1:20; Hebrews 1:1.

Q. Why was Christ made a prophet?

A. Because none else could teach sinners to profit,¹ John 1:18.

Q. What does Christ teach us?

A. The will of God.

Q. What of God’s will does Christ teach us?

A. Whatever is needful for our salvation.

Q. In what periods does Christ teach men the will of God?

A. Under the Old and New Testament.

Q. How prove you that he taught it under the Old Testament?

A. The scripture affirms he preached to the old world, and spake to Moses in mount Sinai.

Q. How prove you that Christ continues to teach it under the New Testament?

A. The scripture represents him as yet speaking from heaven, Hebrews 12:25.

Q. By whom has Christ revealed the will of God to men?

A. By himself, and by others, Luke 20:9, 13.

Q. How has he revealed it by himself?

A. In voices, visions, dreams, and his personal ministry on earth.

Q. How has he revealed the will of God by others?

A. By qualifying and sending angels, prophets, apostles, and ordinary pastors and teachers, to declare it.

Q. Wherein does Christ as a prophet excel all these?

A. Christ is their Lord, has all furniture [equipping, enabling] in himself, and teaches effectually; others are servants, receive their furniture from him, and cannot teach to profit.²

Q. By what means does Christ reveal the will of God to men?

A. By his word and Spirit, Luke 5:17.

Q. Is the word alone sufficient to teach us the will of God?

A. No; for it cannot give the blind their sight to discern the glory of divine truths.

Q. May men have the gospel faithfully preached to them, and yet not profit thereby?

A. Yes; nothing is more common: Many are called, but few chosen.

Q. Whence does this proceed?

A. From men’s not mixing faith with the word when they hear it, Hebrews 4:2.

Q. When God’s word does not profit hearers, what effect has it on them?

A. It hardens their hearts, and becomes the favour of death to them, Isaiah 6:10.

Q. What then can make the teaching of the word effectual to salvation?

A. Only the teaching of the Spirit.

Q. How does Christ teach us by his Spirit?

A. He opens our understanding by the word, and makes us see the beauty of divine things, and fall in love with them.

Q. Does ever the Spirit teach men without the word?

A. No, in such as are capable to hear it.

Q. Can then such as want [lack] the word of God be saved by the light of nature?

A. No: where no vision is, the people perish, Proverbs 19:18; Acts 4:12; Romans 10:14.

Q. Why will not Christ’s Spirit teach men without the word?

A. To put honour upon the word.

Q. At what schools does Christ teach men?

A. At the schools of the law, the gospel, and affliction.

Q. What does Christ teach us at the school of the law?

A. The great evil and danger of sin, Romans 3:20.

Q. What does he teach us at the school of the gospel?

A. That our salvation is wholly in Christ, and freely offered to us, Hosea 1:7; Romans 5:21.

Q. What does he teach us at the school of affliction?

A. The bitterness of sin, the vanity of this world, and the exercise of justifying God, resignation [submission] to his will, and desire to be with him, Hosea 2:6-16.

Q. Wherein does Christ’s saving teaching and all other teaching differ?

A. Christ’s saving teaching discovers [uncovers, reveals] to us our vileness and ignorance, humbles us in the dust, and makes us desire to be like Christ in holiness, and with him in glory.

Q. Does Christ make all men welcome to him for instruction?

A. Yes, Proverbs 8:4 and 9:4.

Q. For what end [intended purpose] does Christ teach sinful men?

A. For their salvation, Isaiah 54:13-14.

Q. Are then all saved who are taught by Christ’s word and Spirit?

A. Yes, John 17:3.

Q.What shall become of such as refuse to hear Christ’s word and Spirit?

A. They shall be destroyed.

Q. How should we improve [prove and confirm in our lives] Christ as a prophet?

A. By believing our own ignorance, and applying to him for instruction, Psalm 119:18.