Lesson # 24—Christ the Prophet

Shorter Catechism Q & A # 24

Q. How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet?

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

Memorize Q & A—Exposition

Christ instructs his disciples along with the Holy Spirit (John 15:26). He is the “Word”: the intelligence of God, leading us in the way of truth, justice, and righteousness. (John 1:1–4, 14:6)

What does it mean?

“A prophet, as a term used in Scripture, is one who speaks for another, specifically, one who is qualified and authorized to speak for God to men.” [L. Boettner]

What is the significance of the term “Thus saith the Lord”? Note these verses: Exodus 8:1; Joshua 24:2; 2 Samuel 7:8; Isaiah 28:16, 38:5–6; Ezekiel 34:1–2; Zechariah 1:17.

Discuss Christ as the Prophet who spoke for God, and as God concerning God and his will for our salvation (Hebrews 1:1–3; John 1:18). What relationship has the Spirit with Christ as Prophet? (John 15:26, 27, 16:13)

What is our practice?

How does the understanding of Christ as Prophet affect our study and teaching of the Word of God, and of our testimony of the Gospel?

Quotes for thought and discussion:

“Because Christ drew from the fountainhead of all wisdom, He taught as one having authority, and not as the scribes. In all of His teaching there was never a note of indecision or doubt, never a tendency to reason things out or speculate, but always an air of authority and finality. He alone had original knowledge of God, and He alone knew the real condition of men’s spiritual nature and the remedy for that condition.” (Loraine Boettner, Studies in Theology)

(1) “Christ teaches the heart. Others may teach the ear, Christ the heart. ‘Whose heart the Lord opened.’ Acts xvi 14. All that the dispensers of the word can do is but to work knowledge, Christ works grace; they can but give the light of truth; Christ gives the love of the truth; they can only teach what to believe, Christ teaches how to believe. (2) Christ gives us a taste of the word. Ministers may set the food of the word before you, and carve it out to you; but it is only Christ can cause you to taste it. ‘If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.’ 1 Pet ii 3. ‘Taste and see that the Lord is good.’ Psa xxxiv 8. It is one thing to hear a truth preached, another thing to taste it; one thing to read a promise, another thing to taste it. David had got a taste of the word. ‘Thou hast taught me: How sweet are thy words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth.’ Psa cxix 102, 103. The apostle calls it the savour of knowledge. 2 Cor ii 14. The light of knowledge is one thing, the savour another. Christ makes us taste a savouriness in the Word.” (Thomas Watson)

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