Westminster Larger Catechism (1647), Westminster Assembly

Question 42

Why was our Mediator called Christ?

Our Mediator was called Christ, because he was anointed with the Holy Ghost above measure;a and so set apart, and fully furnished with all authority and ability,b to execute the offices of prophet,c priest,d and king of his church,e in the estate both of his humiliation and exaltation.

Why was our Mediator called Christ?

Our Mediator was called Christ, because he was anointed with the Holy Ghost above measure;a and so set apart, and fully furnished with all authority and ability,b to execute the offices of prophet,c priest,d and king of his church,e in the estate both of his humiliation and exaltation.

  1. a. John 3:34; Psalm 45:7

    John 3:34

    3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.

    3:34 For the One whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.

    Psalm 45:7

    45:7 Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

    45:7 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you above your companions with the oil of joy.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  2. b. John 6:27; Matthew 28:18–20

    John 6:27

    6:27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

    6:27 Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval."

    Matthew 28:18–20

    28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

    28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, 28:20 and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  3. c. Acts 3:21–22; Luke 4:18, 21

    Acts 3:21–22

    3:21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. 3:22 For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.

    3:21 Heaven must take Him in until the time comes for the restoration of all things, which God announced long ago through His holy prophets. 3:22 For Moses said, 'The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to Him in everything He tells you.

    Luke 4:18; Luke 4:21

    4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 4:21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

    4:18 "The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, 4:21 and He began by saying, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  4. d. Hebrews 5:5–7; 4:14–15

    Hebrews 5:5–7

    5:5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. 5:6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

    5:5 So also Christ did not take upon Himself the glory of becoming a high priest, but He was called by the One who said to Him: "You are My Son; today I have become Your Father." 5:6 And in another passage God says: "You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek." 5:7 During the days of Jesus' earthly life, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence.

    Hebrews 4:14–15

    4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

    4:14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we profess. 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  5. e. Psalm 2:6; Matthew 21:5; Isaiah 9:6–7; Philippians 2:8–11

    Psalm 2:6

    2:6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

    2:6 "I have installed My King on Zion, upon My holy mountain."

    Matthew 21:5

    21:5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.

    21:5 "Say to the Daughter of Zion, 'See, your King comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.'"

    Isaiah 9:6–7

    9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

    9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 9:7 Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.

    Philippians 2:8–11

    2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

    2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross. 2:9 Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, 2:10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 2:11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

Related (2)

The Baptist Catechism (1695), parallel to this question

Question 26

What offices doth Christ execute as our Redeemer?

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.

Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), parallel to this question

Question 23

What offices doth Christ execute as our Redeemer?

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.

Commentaries (9)