Christ, the Chief Prophet

Read Heidelberg Catechism, Q. 31

The word prophet is derived from a Hebrew word meaning to overflow, to boil over. A prophet overflows with a burning message from God for others. He speaks and teaches the Word of God.

As Prophet, Christ teaches the way of salvation through His Word and Spirit. He is chief Prophet because He is the Son of God. He brings the Word directly from the Father to sinners. He teaches effectually and clearly as the fountain of all truth, having authority in Himself.

In the Old Testament Christ functioned as Prophet through visions, dreams, types and shadows, the prophets, appearances, verbal admonitions, the Urim and Thummim, and angels. In the New Testament He taught in person. He expounded the law, applied the prophecies, taught with parables, established His doctrines by signs and wonders, revealed the will of His Father, instituted and preserved the ministry of the gospel, and efficaciously instructed sinners unto salvation. Still today He enlightens the minds of sinners, convicts their hearts, and moves them to true faith and gospel obedience by His Spirit.

Christ is eternal Prophet. He not only authored the written Word of God, which is superior to all other modes of revelation, but is Himself the living eternal Word. Throughout eternity God’s people shall confess Him as their Prophet in whom they shall rejoice in the perfect knowledge of their God of salvation.

Especially in the proclamation of law and gospel, Christ draws near to teach sinners by His Spirit. As Prophet He convicts of actual and original sins, sins of omission and commission. He strips sinners of all their righteousness and leads them to confess that God is just to cast them away forever. He opens the righteousness of Christ, and grants faith to receive with meekness the engrafted Word. He reveals His own suitability, preciousness, and loveliness. He leads them to walk in the highway of holiness, living in gratitude out of Him and unto a triune God, whereby they experience, “He must increase and I must decrease” (Jn. 3:30). In this way He confirms for them by the fruits of His grace God’s secret counsel and will concerning their redemption.

Christ teaches deeply, simply, comfortingly, powerfully, patiently, willingly.

Do you need Him as your chief and eternal Prophet? Have you too experienced that in Christ all treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden?

Unto me, O Lord Jehovah,
Show Thy ways and teach Thou me;
So that, by Thy Spirit guided,
Clearly I Thy paths may see.
In Thy truth wilt Thou me guide,
Teach me, God of my salvation;
All the day for Thee I bide,
Lord, with eager expectation.

— Psalter 415:2

Scripture Reading: Acts 3:19-26

— JRB

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