THE APOSTLES’ CREED – 2NDARTICLE THE THREEFOLD OFFICE OF CHRIST Lesson 34 Faith Foundations Course One

WHAT IS THE THREEFOLD OFFICE OF CHRIST?

HE SPEAKS ON OUR BEHALF Read Exodus 30:30. What does the word consecrate mean? To make or declare sacred, to set apart as holy or for religious use, to devote one’s life entirely to a religious office. What did it mean that Aaron and his sons were consecrated? They were set apart from the rest of the people to serve as priests.

HE SPEAKS ON OUR BEHALF Read Hebrews 7:24-27. Who is our High Priest? Jesus.

HE SPEAKS ON OUR BEHALF An important part of the priests’ work was to offer sacrifices for sin on behalf of the people. In what way did Jesus offer a sacrifice for sin? By offering his own life for the sins of the world.

HE SPEAKS ON OUR BEHALF Hebrews 7:25 says that Jesus intercedes for us. 1 John 2:1 tells us what that means. What does it mean? He serves like a lawyer before the judge—our heavenly Father.

HE SPEAKS ON OUR BEHALF If Jesus hadn’t come, our lives would have been very different. If Jesus hadn’t come, explain why… a. After his car broke down, his washing machine quit, and he got very sick, a man might be afraid that God was punishing him for his sins. If Jesus hadn’t come, our sins would still separate us from God and we’d deserve God’s punishment.

HE SPEAKS ON OUR BEHALF Thinking about ways you have disobeyed your parents would make you more and more afraid of death and the thought of facing God in judgment. If Jesus hadn’t come, we’d have to pay for our sins and so would be scared of Judgment Day.

HE SPEAKS ON OUR BEHALF Because Jesus did come to serve as our High Priest, our reactions to these kinds of situations are very different. In what ways? Our sins are forgiven. Nothing will separate us from God’s love. We don’t have to be scared of Judgment Day because Jesus will take us to heaven.

KEY POINT #1 Christ is our High Priest.

HE SPEAKS GOD’S WORD TO US Read Isaiah 7:14. Isaiah was a prophet. Although he wrote and spoke approximately 700 years before the time of Christ, with these words he was speaking about Jesus. How was that possible? God gave him the words to speak. Prophets speak God’s Word to the people.

HE SPEAKS GOD’S WORD TO US Read Deuteronomy 18:15. Many years before the time of Isaiah, Moses spoke these words about Jesus. He called him a prophet. In what way was Jesus a prophet? He preached and taught God’s Word to the people.

HE SPEAKS GOD’S WORD TO US Read Mark 16:15. Evaluate this statement: Jesus still does the work of a prophet through us. Yes, when we preach and teach his Word.

HE SPEAKS GOD’S WORD TO US Today some people say that Jesus was a great prophet like Isaiah or a very wise man like Solomon. They also say Jesus lived a good life by helping the poor and needy. Evaluate such descriptions. Jesus was more than that. He fulfilled God’s Word, proving that he is our Savior.

HE SPEAKS GOD’S WORD TO US “Josh, why does your family have so many Bibles around?” his friend asked. “The Bible is just an old book written for people long ago.” If you were Josh, how would you answer? The Bible is God’s Word. Jesus still speaks to us through them.

KEY POINT #2 Christ is our Prophet.

HE RULES FOR OUR GOOD Read Matthew 28:18. Jesus has all authority in heaven and earth. What does that mean? He rules over all things.

HE RULES FOR OUR GOOD Jesus rules over a threefold kingdom. Read John 18:28-37. What did Jesus say about his kingdom? His kingdom was not of this world. As king, he came to testify to the truth.

HE RULES FOR OUR GOOD Read Ephesians 1:22. What is the focus of Christ’s rule? The church.

HE RULES FOR OUR GOOD Read Luke 17:21 and John 8:31,32. Jesus said that his kingdom is within us. Who are the members of Jesus’ kingdom? Those who hold to his teachings—believers.

HE RULES FOR OUR GOOD Recall 2 Corinthians 11:24-33. Paul was severely mistreated. Yet, he boasted in God and rejoiced in the Lord. How did the knowledge that Jesus rules over his kingdom make it possible for Paul to feel this way? He knew that Jesus was ruling over all things for the good of Paul and the church.

HE RULES FOR OUR GOOD Read Philippians 1:21-23. Paul knew that whether he lived or died, he was the Lord’s. Why do you think he actually wanted to die? He would be with Christ in the glory of heaven.

HE RULES FOR OUR GOOD Read 1 Peter 5:4. What was Peter talking about? Judgment Day, when believers become part of Christ’s eternal kingdom.

KEY POINT #3 Christ is our King.

WHAT IS THE THREEFOLD OFFICE OF CHRIST? Christ is our High Priest. Christ is our Prophet. Christ is our King. SUMMARY Christ is our High Priest, Prophet, and King.

John 3:16 “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

The 2nd Article of the Apostles’ Creed I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried…

The 2nd Article of the Apostles’ Creed He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

The 2nd Article of the Apostles’ Creed What does this mean? I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the virgin Mary, is my Lord.