Torrey's Topical Textbook

"Concerning Redemption, The Work of the Redeemer"

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Matthew Henry Commentary -
Easton's Bible Dictionary - Nave's Topical Bible - Torrey's Topical Textbook

Concerning Redemption, The Work of the Redeemer

  • IV. Concerning Redemption.
  • C. The work of the Redeemer as Prophet, Priest, and King.
  • 1. As prophet.
  • A prophet of God is one who has authority and who has the necessary qualifications to convey God's messages to men. He may also be an interpreter.

  • a. Christ executed the office of prophet, by His word and by His works.
  • Mt 5:24
  • b. Also through other agents: through His Spirit, by inspiration, by spiritual illumination, through the officers of the church inspired as apostles, prophets, and teachers.
  • Eph 4:11,12; 1Jo 2:20; 5:20
  • . He continues to execute the office of prophet through eternity.
  • Re 7:17; 21:23
  • 2. As priest. A priest is one who is qualified and authorized to "draw near to the Lord for men." Ex 19:22; Heb 5:1
  • a. Must be taken from among men to represent them.
  • Ex 28:9,12, 21,29; Heb 5:12
  • b. Must be chosen by God.
  • Ex 28:1; Nu 16:5; Heb 5:4
  • c. Must be holy--morally pure and consecrated to God.
  • Ex 39:30,31; Le 21:6,8; Ps 106:16
  • d. Must have a right to draw near to Jehovah and to offer sacrifices and make intercession.
  • Ex 19:22; Le 16:3,7, 12,15; Nu 16:5
  • e. The Old Testament declares Christ to be a priest.
  • Ps 110:4; Heb 5:6; 6:20; Zec 6:13
  • f. Priestly functions ascribed to Him.
  • Isa 53:10; Da 9:24,25
  • The temple and its services and all Old Testament sacrifices typical of Christ and His work. He superseded these.
  • Col 2:17; Heb 9:10-12; 10:11,12
  • g. New Testament proof.
  • Was taken from among men to stand for them for God. Heb 2:16; 4:15
  • Was chosen by God. Heb 5:5,Heb 5:35.
  • Was perfectly holy. Lu 1:35; Heb 7:26.
  • Has the right of the nearest access and the greatest influence with the Father. Joh 11:42; 16:28; Heb 1:3; 9:11-24
  • 1. He "mediated" in the general sense of the term.
  • Joh 14:6; 1Ti 2:5; Heb 8:6
  • 2. He offered propitiation.
  • Eph 5:25; Heb 9:26; 10:12; 1Jo 2:2
  • 3. He makes intercession.
  • Ro 8:4; Heb 7:25; 1Jo 2:1
  • h. Christ as priest made atonement for us, was made a substitute for us. A substitute is one appointed or accepted to act or to suffer in the stead of another, and His actions or sufferings are _vicarious_.
  • 1. The Greek preposition _huper_, with the genitive, sometimes signifies _instead of_, and the construction is used to set forth the relation of Christ's work to us.
  • 2Co 5:14, 15,20; Ga 3:13; Phm 1:13; 1Pe 3:18
  • 2. The preposition _anti_ definitely and always expressed substitution.
  • Mt 2:22; 5:38; 20:28; Mr 10:45; 1Ti 2:6
  • 3. The same is true as to what the Scriptures teach as to our sins being laid upon Christ.
  • Le 7:18; Nu 18:27; Ps 106:31; Isa 53:12; Lu 22:36; Ro 2:26; 4:3-9; 2Co 5:19-21; Ga 3:13
  • 4. The effects of Christ's action as priest are shown.
  • a. As toward God, they are declared to be propitiatory.
  • Ro 3:25,26; Heb 2:17; 1Jo 2:2; 4:10
  • b. As respects the sinner, they are declared to be redemption, deliverance by ransom.
  • Isa 51:11; 62:12; 1Co 7:23; Ga 3:13,14; 1Ti 2:6; 1Pe 1:18,19; Re 5:9
  • 2. As King.
  • Da 2:44; Mt 13; 22:1-14; Lu 13:22-30; 17:20,21; Ro 14:17; Eph 1:10,20-22; 1Pe 3:22
  • a. Christ's authority embraces the universe.
  • Mt 28:18; Eph 1:17-23; Php 2:9-11

  • 1. _His kingdom of power_, embracing the entire universe in His providential and judicial administration.
  • Joh 5:22-27; 9:39; 1Co 15:25; Heb 10:12,13
  • 2. _His kingdom of grace_, spiritual alike as to its subjects, laws, modes of administration and instrumentalities.
  • 3. _His kingdom of glory_, the consummation of His gracious administration, will continue forever.
  • b. The object of Christ's authority is to accomplish the salvation of His church. Eph 1:22,23
  • 1. To cause all things to work together for the good of His people. Ro 8:28
  • 2. To establish a kingdom for them. Lu 22:29; Joh 14:2
  • a. To subjugate all His enemies. 1Co 15:25
  • b. That all should worship Him. Heb 1:6; Re 5:9-13
  • c. The following are some of the titles to this kingdom, with the sense in which they are used.
  • 1. _The kingdom of God_, Lu 4:43, because of divine origin and the authority of God exercised in its administration.
  • 2. _The kingdom of Christ_, Mt 16:28; Col 1:13 , because He is in person the immediate sovereign.
  • 3. _The kingdom of heaven_, Mt 11:12 , because its origin and characteristics are from heaven and its consummation is to be in heaven.
  • d. Christ's administration of His kingdom presents two aspects:--
  • (1) As militant. Eph 6:11-17.
  • (2) As glorified, or triumphant. Re 3:21 Accordingly, Christ is represented as a great Captain, ( Re 19:11,16), and as a Prince reigning upon His throne. Re 21:5, 22,23 The throne upon which Christ sits is represented as
  • -- A throne of grace. Heb 4:16. A throne of judgment. Re 20:11-15. A throne of glory. #Re 4:3; 5:6
  • e. The sense in which Christ's kingdom is spiritual.
  • 1. The king is a spiritual and not an earthly sovereign. Mt 20:28; Joh 18:36
  • 2. His throne is at the right hand of God. Heb 1:3
  • 3. His sceptre is spiritual. Ps 110:2; Isa 61:1-3; 63:1
  • 4. The citizens of the kingdom are spiritual men. Joh 4:24
  • 5. The mode in which He administers His government is spiritual. Zec 4:6,7
  • 6. His laws are spiritual. Joh 4:24
  • 7. The blessings and penalties of His kingdom are spiritual. 1Co 3:4-11; 2Co 10:4; Eph 1:3-8; 2Ti 4:2; Tit 2:15
  • f. Christ as seated at the right hand of the Father.
  • Some of the language may be figurative, but it sets forth the glorification of Christ in heaven. It presents Him as the God-man exalted to supreme and universal glory and power.

  • Ps 110:1; Da 7:13,14; Mt 26:64; Mr 16:19; Joh 5:22; Ro 8:34; Eph 1:20-22; Php 2:9-11; Col 3:1; Heb 1:3,4; 2:9; 10:12; 1Pe 3:22; Re 5:6
    •