Lesson #23—Christ Our Redeemer

Shorter Catechism Q & A # 23

Q. What offices doth Christ execute as our Redeemer?

A. Christ, as our Redeemer, executeth the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in his estate of humiliation and exaltation.

Memorize Q & A—Exposition

Christ Jesus, being both God and man, executes the offices of Prophet, Priest, and King, on earth and in heaven. Christ continues to walk with us in our daily lives as our Teacher, Advocate, and Sovereign Ruler; whom we, in every thought and action, are to honor and obey.

What does it mean?

Discuss “Humiliation” (Philippians 2:6–8) and “Exaltation” (2:9–11).

Define “Prophet” [Acts 3:21–22, Heb. 12:25, 2 Cor. 13:3]; “Priest” (Heb.5:5–7, 7:25); and “King.” (Psalm 2:6, Isaiah 9:6–7, Matt. 21:5, Psalm 2:8–11).

What is our practice?

What does it mean to be like Christ? [From Philippians 2:1-5 mark out at least eight things which a Christian should practice in humiliation and exaltation

Quotes for thought and discussion:

“…it must be apparent to all that the exaltation of Christ, as well as His humiliation, relates not to His Divine nature, which is and always has been infinitely blessed and glorious, but only to His human nature. His divine nature is immutable, and therefore not capable of either increase or diminution. His humiliation was temporary. It began with His birth and was completed with His burial, and it can never be repeated. His exaltation is permanent. It

began with His resurrection and ascension. It continues now as He sits at the right hand of God the Father and directs the affairs of His advancing kingdom. It will be more fully revealed when at the end of the world He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels to judge the nations and to assign to each individual his eternal destiny. (Loraine Boettner, Studies in Theology)

“By the blessed Spirit; who is called the ‘Spirit of grace,’ because he is the spring of all grace. Zech. 12:10. Faith is the chief work which the Spirit of God works in a man’s heart. In making the world God did but speak a word, but in working faith he puts forth his arm. Luke 1:51. The Spirit’s working faith is called, ‘The exceeding greatness of God’s power.’ Eph. 1:19. What a power was put forth in raising Christ from the grave when such a tombstone lay upon him as ‘the sins of all the world’! Yet he was raised up by the Spirit. The same power is put forth by the Spirit of God in working faith. The Spirit irradiates the mind, and subdues the will. The will is like a garrison, which holds out against God: the Spirit with sweet violence conquers, or rather changes it, making the sinner willing to have Christ upon any terms; to be ruled by him as well as saved by him.” (Thomas Watson, A Body of Divinity)

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