Excerpt from Princeton Seminary Bulletin, 1991, Vol. 12

Let's begin this discussion by thinking about a Christological model. In the sixteenth century, a very helpful way of thinking about the identity and relevance of Jesus became widespread. This is often referred to as the threefold office of Christ. According to this approach, especially associ ated with Melanchthon and Calvin, Jesus' identity and relevance can be summed up in the formula prophet, priest, and king. In the person of Christ, the three great Old Testament offices or types are seen to converge. The prophetic office concerns Jesus' teaching and his miracles; the priestly office concerns his offering made for the sin of humanity upon the cross, and the continued intercession of the risen Christ for his people; the kingly office concerns the rule of the risen Christ over his people.

These three categories were seen as a convenient summary of all that Jesus Christ had achieved in order to redeem his people. Jesus is the prophet who, like Moses, would see God face to face (deut. He is the king who, like David, will establish and reign over the people of God (2 Sam. He is the priest who will cleanse his people of their sins. Thus the three gifts brought to Jesus by the Magi (or Wise Men: Mt. -12) were seen as reflecting these three functions.

What, then, is being said when Jesus is spoken of as prophet, priest, and king? That there are three individuals called Jesus? Certainly not! What is being said is that the one individual, Jesus Christ, assumes the functions of these three great Old Testament offices or institutions. If only one or two of these are used, a deficient and inadequate understanding of the identity and relevance of Jesus Christ results.

For example, if Jesus is thought of as being a prophet, but not a priest or a king, we find his identity and Significance reduced to that of a religious teacher. If we think of him as both prophet and king, but not a priest, we find him being portrayed as an authoritative religious teacher who rules over those whom he teaches, but whom he doesn't redeem. Only by bring ing all three models together do we build up the authentic Christian under standing of the identity of Jesus as the one who redeems his people, who instructs them, and who rules over them with authority.

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