WSC Question 23:

Of Christ the Priest

QUEST. 25. How doth Christ execute the office of a priest?

ANSW. Christ executeth the office of a priest, in his once offering up of himself a sacrifice, to satisfy divine justice, and reconcile us to God; and in making continual intercession for us.

Q. What do you mean by a priest?

A. One who, by virtue of God’s appointment, offers up sacrifice to him, in the room of [instead of, on behalf of] guilty sinners.

Q. What is a proper sacrifice?

A. An holy offering of some life to God in the stead of guilty men, upon an altar, and by a priest of his appointment.

Q. Why call you it an holy offering?

A. Because it was to be made to an holy God, in a holy and reverend manner, Leviticus 10:3.

Q. Why call you it the offering of a life?

A. Because the life of the thing offered was to be taken from it in the sacrifice, Leviticus 17:11.

Q. Why was the life of the thing offered to be taken from it?

A. Because without shedding of blood there can be no remission of sin, Hebrews 11:22.

Q. Why so?

A. Because man’s sin is an attack upon the life of the most high God, Job 15:26.

Q. Wherein [in what] does Christ’s priestly office differ from his prophetical and kingly offices?

A. Christ, in the execution of his prophetical and kingly offices, deals with creatures; but in the execution of his priestly, he deals immediately with God.

Q. What are the two parts of Christ’s priestly office?

A. His offering sacrifice, and making intercession.

Q. What sacrifice did Christ offer up?

A. He offered up himself, Hebrews 9:14.

Q. Which of Christ’s two natures did he offer as a sacrifice?

A. His human nature.

Q. Whether did he offer his soul or his body in sacrifice?

A. He offered both his soul and body.

Q. How prove you that he offered his foul?

A. It is said, Thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin: his soul was troubled and sorrowful: nor could he have atoned for the sin of our souls, if he had not offered his own in sacrifice, Isaiah 53:10 etc.

Q. How prove you that Christ’s divine nature was not properly offered in sacrifice?

A. Because his divine nature cannot suffer.

Q. How is it then said, He gave himself for us?

A. Because his divine person gave infinite worth to the offering of his human nature, Acts 20:28.

Q. On what altar did Christ offer his sacrifice?

A. On the altar of his divine nature, Hebrews 9:14.

Q. Of what use was the altar in sacrifices?

A. It sanctified, and made valuable the gift.

Q. How prove you the cross could not properly be the altar whereon Christ offered his sacrifice?

A. Because it could not give value to his offering.

Q. How long did Christ continue in offering himself?

A. He began his sacrifice in his incarnation, continued it through his life, and completed it in his death.

Q. When did he most remarkably offer himself?

A. In his agony in the garden, and on the cross.

Q. What was the sword that killed, and fire that consumed this sacrifice?

A. The justice and wrath of God.

Q. Did not divine justice make use of men and devils as instruments in slaying this sacrifice?

A. Yes, but not in the severest part of its work.

Q. Why did not an angry God make use of them in the whole of that work?

A. Because they could not afflict Christ with such severity as his justice required.

Q. Who was the priest that offered up Christ in sacrifice?

A. It was himself, Hebrews 9:14.

Q. Why was it necessary Christ should offer himself?

A. Because a voluntary death was essentially necessary to the acceptance of this sacrifice: and none else could present this offering to God, John 10.

Q. Where did Christ offer himself?

A. On earth.

Q. Why upon earth?

A. Because the earth is the theatre of man’s rebellion against God which he atoned for; and it was necessary God should be glorified by Christ’s death, where sin had dishonoured him.

Q. How often did Christ offer himself a sacrifice?

A. Only once, Hebrews 9:28; Revelation 1:18.

Q. Why no oftener than once?

A. Because his one offering, which comprehends [includes all] his whole surety-righteousness, fully satisfied the law and justice of God.

Q. In whose stead did Christ offer himself?

A. In the stead of the elect only.

Q. How prove you that Christ died in the room of the elect?

A. The scripture affirms their sin was laid on him, and be bare it, and laid down his life for them.

Q. How prove you that he died in the room of the elect only?

A. Because he prayed for, and saves the elect only, John 17:9 and 10:15; Romans 11:7.

Q. Why then do other men share of gospel-offers, common operations of the Spirit, and much temporal happiness?

A. Though Christ represented the persons of the elect only in his death; yet others, for the elect’s sake, receive these good things as the consequence of his death, Matthew 24:22; Isaiah 52.

Q. To whom did Christ offer himself?

A. To God.

Q. For what end did Christ offer himself?

A. To satisfy divine justice, and reconcile us to God.

Q. Why did divine justice require a satisfaction?

A. Because the elect had dishonoured God, and broken his law, Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:9-26.

Q. What did divine justice require as a satisfaction?

A. That the curse of God’s law should be executed, either upon the elect themselves, or a surety in their room.

Q. Why might they not have satisfied for themselves?

A. Because they were wicked, and could not cease from sin; and were finite, and could not give the infinite satisfaction divine justice required, Micah 6:6-7.

Q. Why did divine justice require an infinite satisfaction for the sin of finite creatures?

A. Because it had given infinite offence to God, Jeremiah 44:4.

Q. How could divine justice demand that satisfaction from Christ?

A. Because he had engaged to pay all the debt of the elect world, Psalm 40:6-7.

Q. How could Christ lawfully give away his life for others?

A. He was God, and his life was wholly his own, which he might dispose of as he pleased.

Q. Has Christ fully satisfied divine justice for our sins?

A. Yes; his sacrifice was to God of a sweet-smelling savour, and savour of rest, Ephesians 5:2; Hebrews 9:12.

Q. Why is Christ’s sacrifice so called?

A. Because it entirely overcame the abominable savour of sin, and gave God’s justice the sweetest rest, Isaiah 42:21.

Q. How do you further prove that Christ satisfied divine justice?

A. From his saying on the cross, It is finished; and from his Father’s raising him from the dead, and exalting him to his right hand, John 19:30.

Q. What is the effect of Christ’s satisfying divine justice?

A. Our reconciliation to God, Romans 5:10.

Q. Did Christ’s offering himself change God’s dispositions towards us?

A. No; but it removed out of the way whatever hindered the manifesting of his love to us.

Q. How does the death of Christ reconcile men’s hearts to God?

A. When it is applied to their conscience, the love of God shines so brightly in it, that it slays their enmity against God, 1 John 4:9-10, 19.

Q. Is not the shedding of Christ’s blood sufficient to save us?

A. No; it must also be applied to, or sprinkled on our consciences: and hence it is called the blood of sprinkling, Ezekiel 36:25; 1 Peter 1:2.

Q. When are we actually reconciled to God?

A. When Christ’s blood is first sprinkled on our consciences.

Q. How may we know that we are reconciled to God?

A. If we are made heart-enemies to all sin, Psalm 119.

Q. What is the second part of Christ’s priestly work?

A. His making intercession for us, Hebrews 9:24.

Q. What do you understand by Christ’s intercession?

A. His willing the application of his purchased redemption to his people, John 17.

Q. Is Christ’s intercession in heaven any part of his surety-righteousness?

A. No; it is a part of his glorious reward, Hebrews 1:3 and 11:24.

Q. Might not his intercession alone have saved sinners?

A. No; for it could not satisfy divine justice.

Q. If God’s justice is satisfied, and all blessings purchased by his sacrifice, what need is there of his intercession?

A. That he may procure the possession of these blessings to the elect in such a way as best secures the glory of God, his own honour, and our welfare.

Q. How does Christ’s intercession secure the glory of God?

A. As by this means he has no gracious dealings with sinners but through a Mediator.

Q. How does it honour Christ?

A. In this way believers have immediate dependence on Christ forever.

Q. How does Christ’s intercession secure the welfare of his people?

A. It renders them bold before God; and secures their grace and glory, notwithstanding of their great carelessness and folly, Hebrews 6:14-16.

Q. For whom does Christ make intercession?

A. For the elect only, John 17:9.

Q. For what does he intercede to them in their unconverted state?

A. For their preservation from hell, and in bringing into the bond of the new covenant.

Q. What intercedes he for after their conversion?

A. For their continuance in the covenant, and the constant communication of the blessings of it to them.

Q. How does he obtain this?

A. By answering all accusations against them, removing new differences between God and them, and procuring the acceptance of what service they perform in faith, 1 John 2:1.

Q. Who accuse believers before God?

A. Satan, and their own consciences, Revelation 12:10.

Q. What do they accuse believers of?

A. Of continual departures from God, Zechariah 3.

Q. How does Christ answer these accusations?

A. By continually presenting his righteousness as theirs before God, Hebrews 9:24.

Q. How does he take up the new differences that sin makes between God and them?

A. By procuring new application of his blood to their consciences.

Q. What in believers’ worship tends to render it unacceptable to God?

A. The unworthiness of their persons, and the sin and weakness that attend their worship.

Q. How does Christ cure these defects?

A. By appearing in their name, and presenting his atoning blood to God for the perfuming of their services, Revelation 8:4.

Q. What doth Christ by his intercession procure to his people at death?

A. Abundant admission to glory.

Q. For what does Christ intercede after their death?

A. For their resurrection, and eternal continuance in glory.

Q. How long will Christ intercede for his people?

A. For ever: he ever liveth to make intercession.

Q. Upon what plea or ground does Christ intercede?

A. Upon the footing of his own merit or blood, which purchased eternal redemption for us, Hebrews 9:12.

Q. Where does Christ now intercede?

A. Within the vail in heaven, the true holy of holies.

Q. In what manner does Christ intercede for us?

A. Continually, distinctly, carefully, and successfully.

Q. How is Christ’s intercession continual?

A. He never ceases from his interceding work.

Q. How is it distinct?

A. He represents his people’s case precisely as it is, Zechariah 1:12.

Q. How is it careful?

A. He intercedes with the greatest earnestness and zeal for our good, John 17.

Q. How is Christ’s intercession successful?

A. The Father hears him always, John 11:42.

Q. Can angels, or saints departed, assist Christ in his intercession?

A. No; Christ is the only advocate with the Father.

Q. Wherein do the intercession of Christ and of the Holy Ghost differ?

A. The Holy Ghost intercedes within us, by stirring us up, and directing us how to plead with God for ourselves; but Christ intercedes without [outside, outwith] us, and presents our petitions to God, Romans 8; John 17.

Q. What singular honour has God put upon the priesthood of Christ?

A. He made him priest with an oath; and appointed more types to represent his priesthood than any of his other two offices, Psalm 110:4.

Q. Why was this peculiar honour put upon Christ’s priesthood?

A. Because it is most above the light of nature, most opposed by carnal men, gives the brightest view of the perfections of God, is the foundation of the other two offices, and has the most difficult work belonging to it, 1 Peter 1:10-11; Isaiah 53.

Q. What types under the Old Testament represented Christ’s priesthood?

A. The most of the types; but especially the sacrifices, altars, and priests.

Q. What was typified by all the proper sacrifices?

A. The sufferings of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Q. What was typified by the pouring out the blood of the sacrifice, burning the fat, and sometimes the whole beast?

A. The severity of Christ’s sufferings.

Q. What was signified by the blood of the sacrifice being sprinkled both on the altar, and on the person for whom it was offered?

A. That Christ’s sufferings should both appease God, and purify sinners.

Q. What was signified by the feasting on the flesh of sacrifices after the fat was burnt?

A. That the sacrifice of Christ is most proper, quickening, and nourishing entertainment [provision of food or hospitality] for our souls, John 6:53.

Q. What did the salting of the sacrifices typify?

A. The everlasting sweet savour, reconciling, and sin-killing influence of Christ’s death.

Q. What did the offering of sacrifices every day signify?

A. The constant virtue of Christ’s blood, and our daily need of applying it, Galatians 2:20.

Q. What were some of the most distinguished typical sacrifices?

A. The sacrifice of the birds for the leper, of the red heifer, and especially that of universal atonement on the tenth day of the seventh month.

Q. What did the sacrifice of the birds typify?

A. The bird slain over running water typified God’s holy child Jesus dying for our sins; and the living bird flying away after it was dipped in the blood of the slain bird, typified his rising and ascending to glory, to present his blood before God for our justification, Romans 4:25.

Q. What did the burning, etc. of the red heifer signify?

A. That Christ’s sufferings should perfume and purify all his people in every generation.

Q. What did the sacrifice of universal atonement signify?

A. The slaying of one goat for all Israel typified Christ’s bearing all the sins of the elect in his death; and the sending the other goat into the wilderness, signified Christ’s taking away, and making an end of our sins by it.

Q. What did the burning of sacrifices with holy fire typify?

A. That Christ as a sacrifice, offered by the eternal Spirit, should be scorched and melted in the fire of the Father’s wrath.

Q. What did the altar typify?

A. Christ’s divine nature.

Q. What did the altar’s being made of stone, brass, etc. typify?

A. The sufficiency of Christ’s divine nature to support the human in his sufferings.

Q. What did the priests, and especially the high priest, typify?

A. The person of Christ as our priest.

Q. What did the washings, and freedom from blemishes in priests and sacrifices, typify?

A. The perfection and purity of Christ and his righteousness.

Q. What was typified by the vast number of priests?

A. The great extent and importance of Christ’s work as our great high priest, Hebrews 7, 8, and 10.

Q. What did their robes, especially those of the high priest, typify?

A. Christ’s glorious righteousness.

Q. What did the high priest’s mitre typify?

A. That Christ is both king and priest.

Q. What did his Urim and Thummim signify?

A. The infinite knowledge and perfection of Christ.

Q. What did the high priest’s bearing the names of all the tribes of Israel on his breast plate signify?

A. That Christ has all the elect’s names engraven on his heart, and continually represents them before God.

Q. What did the high priest’s going in once a year to the holy of holies, to present the blood of atonement, typify?

A. Christ’s ascending once for all into heaven, to present his sacrifice to God in the name of his people.

Q. Why might not one type have sufficed to represent Christ?

A. All types were created and imperfect things, whereas Christ’s person and work was divine.

Q. Wherein did Christ resemble the Old Testament priests?

A. He, like them, had God’s call; was taken from among, and represented his guilty brethren.

Q. Wherein did Christ excel the Old Testament priests?

A. In his person, instalment [installation], order, and duration of office; and in the nature, extent, and efficacy of his work.

Q. How does Christ excel them in his person?

A. He is Immanuel, God-man; and they were but sinful men.

Q. How does he excel them in his instalment into his office?

A. He was installed by God, with an oath; but they by men, without an oath.

Q. How does Christ excel them in order of office?

A. They were priests after the order of Aaron; but he is a priest after the order of Melchizedek.

Q. Wherein did Melchizedek typify Christ?

A. In the dignity and eternity of his priesthood.

Q. How does Christ excel the Old Testament priests in duration of office?

A. They did not continue by reason of death, and their priesthood is now abolished; but Christ’s priesthood is eternal and unchangeable.

Q. How does he excel them in the nature of his work?

A. They offered beasts, etc.; Christ offered himself.

Q. How does he excel them in the extent of his work?

A. They were many, and each had but a small share of work; but Christ alone performs the whole work of the priesthood for all the elect, Hebrews 10:14.

Q. Why then are believers called priests unto God?

A. Because they are clothed with Christ’s righteousness; and in his name offer sacrifices, not of atonement, but of praise and thanksgiving to God, Revelation 1, 4, and 5.

Q. How does Christ excel the Old Testament priests in the efficacy [effectiveness] of his sacrifice?

A. Their sacrifices in themselves never pleased God, nor took away sin; but Christ’s sacrifice perfectly satisfied divine justice, and made an end of our sin, Hebrews 10:1, 14.

Q. How should we improve [prove and confirm in our lives] the priesthood of Christ?

A. By making his righteousness and intercession the only ground of our confidence before God; and by boldly asking in his name whatever blessings we need.