Christology

CHRISTOLOGY

2005-2006

LESSON SEVENTEEN

I. The Doctrine of Christ’s Office (p. 330 et. seq.)

A. In General

1. Christ, the wonderful Person – the God-Man – performed equally wonderful work:

a. The work to which He was appointed (Jn 17:4)

b. Which He willingly assumed (Jn 4:34)

c. Is the salvation of mankind

(1) Mt 18:11 (fn in NIV)

(2) Lk 19:10

(3) 1Ti 1:15

2. All He did in state of humiliation and does in exaltation constitutes the office, or work, of Christ.

3. Office seen in His name “Jesus”.

a. Mt 1:21,25.

b. “Christ” signifies that He was divinely equipped for this office with infinite gifts.

4. His official duties

a. Did not begin with His Baptism (solemn intro. into His public ministry).

b. Began with His incarnation.

5. View that Son would have assumed human nature even if mankind had not sinned.

a. Unprofitable and perilous philosophical speculation.

b. Scripture knows of no other purpose than salvation of sinners.

c. Notion that primary or secondary purpose was the perfecting of Creation.

(1) Whether to improve the divine image in man.

(2) Or as a necessary evolution of the divine essence.

(3) Or at least of the divine revelation of it.

(4) Unscriptural and anti-scriptural.

(5) Creation was “very good” per Genesis 1 and 2.

(6) Scripture describes Redemption as the destruction of devil’s work and the restoration of the loss sustained through the Fall.

(7) Theory also:

(a) Mutilates Scriptural picture of 2Co 4:6.

(b) His glory is His love for a sinful world (Jn 3:16).

(d) Minimizes both His grace and seriousness of sin.

B. The Threefold Office of Christ (p. 333 et. seq.)

1. His work grouped under three heads.

2. To preach the Gospel to the poor.

a. Lk 4:18.

b. Jn 1:18.

c. Heb 1:1,2.

3. To reconcile the world with God.

a. 2Co 5:19.

b. Mt 20:28.

c. Ro 5:10.

d. 1Jn 2:2.

4. To govern the Church as its Head and King and to rule the universe.

a. Lk 1:33.

b. Eph 1:22.

c. Jn 18:33-37.

5. Accordingly, Church from earliest days, divided His office into

a. The prophetic office.

b. The high-priestly office.

c. The kingly office.

6. Old Testament

a. As Prophet: Dt 18:15-19.

b. As King, Prophet (“says” in v.1) and Priest: Ps 110.

c. As King: Ps 2:12.

7. Three offices

a. Most Lutherans use.

b. Some combine prophetic with the sacerdotal per Mal 2:7.

c. External arrangement does not touch the essentials.

d. Some object to customary order, contending sacerdotal should be first (conception came before His teaching).

e. We will use customary order.

f. All actions performed by our Prophet, Priest, and King are theanthropic actions (see 3d Genus)