“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your house.” Acts 16:30-31

Because we must believe in the biblical Jesus, not a Jesus of our own imagination, let’s now consider the Work of Christ: What He did and still does as High Priest. (See also LBCF 8)

A. The Offices of Christ. One way of defining the work of Christ is to refer to the three offices of Christ described by Eusebius (A.D. 263-339) and more fully articulated by John Calvin (1509-1564).

1. Christ the Prophet. A prophet speaks to God’s people on God’s behalf (Exodus 4:15-16). Prophets both foretell and tell-forth (proclaim) God’s Word to and for God’s people. Jesus is identified as a prophet (Acts 3:22-ff, John 4:19). Jesus is the final and ultimate Prophet of God (Hebrews 1:1).

2. Christ the Priest. A priest speaks to God on behalf of God’s people (Deuteronomy 18:5, Hebrews 5:4). Melchizedek the priest was a type of Christ (Genesis 14:18-20, Hebrews 7). The Messiah was to be a priest (Psalm 10:4, 24:7-10). As a priest, Jesus offered a sacrifice, but it was unique in that He was both the sacrifice and the One who offered the sacrifice (Hebrews 9:25-28, 10:5-14). While Christ’s priestly sacrificial work was completed on the cross, His intercessory work continues (Hebrews 7:25).

3. Christ the King. A king is a conqueror and ruler, and exercises sovereign dominion. The Messiah was to be a king (Genesis 49:10, Isaiah 9:6-7). As our King, Jesus has conquered all His enemies (Colossians 2:15, 1 Corinthians 15:55-57) and rules over all (1 Corinthians 15:24-28), though not in the manner in which earthly/human kings rule (Matthew 20:25-28).

B. Christ and the Atonement.

1. Inadequate Historical Theories. Each of the following errors expresses a partial truth, but when a partial truth is believed to be the whole truth, it becomes an untruth.

a. Ransom to Satan Theory. Championed by Justin Martyr (A.D. 100-165) and Origen (A.D. 185-254), this incorrect theory says that Christ paid a ransom to Satan to buy the elect back from Satan for God. The truth is that Christ ransomed His people from sin and the ransom satisfied God’s justice; but it was not paid to Satan.

b. Commercial Theory. Championed by Anselm (A.D. 1033-1109). This theory says that Christ paid the penalty for our sins, but it fails to recognize that Christ’s sinless life is imputed to the elect as well. This is known as the Active and Passive Obedience of Christ. His Active Obedience was fulfilled by actively living a sinless life. His Passive Obedience was fulfilled by passively submitting Himself to death on the cross.

c. Example, or Martyr Theory. Championed by Peter Abelard (A.D. 1079-1142). This theory teaches that Jesus’ example of obedience and selfless death for others inspires God’s people to turn from their sins. It denies total depravity in man that disables him from being righteous no matter who set what example for him. This theory denies man’s need for redemption.

d. Moral Influence Theory. Championed by liberal theologians Bushnell (1802-1876), Schleiermacher (1768-1834), and Ritschl (1822-1889). These theorize that Jesus’ death was nothing more than an expression of love. This demonstration of love shames man into turning from sin. It asserts no need of redemption. Jesus’s death certainly was an expression of love, but it is also much more.

e. Governmental Theory. Championed by Hugo Grotius (1583-1645). This theory says God punished Jesus merely as an example to demonstrate God’s wrath regarding sin. This denies Christ’s substitutionary death.

The biblical view on the atonement, next time.