Prophet, Priest, and King: The Roles of Christ in the Bible and Our Roles Today

by Richard P. Belcher

Overview

Although early church fathers recognized the different roles of Christ, John Calvin was the first to call attention to his distinct offices of prophet, priest, and king. Starting in Genesis, these offices recur time and again throughout the Bible. Viewed alongside Christ’s humiliation and exultation, they give us a fully rounded understanding of his work, as well as insight into the ongoing work of the church. In this biblical theology, Richard Belcher explores and defines the basic functions of prophets, priests, and kings through an analysis of key Old Testament texts before discussing the fulfillment of these offices in Christ and the transformation of these offices for the church, its leaders, and individual believers. Includes study questions.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781596385023
Publisher:	Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing
Publication date:	09/30/2016
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Richard P. Belcher Jr. (MDiv, Covenant Theological Seminary; STM, Concordia Theological Seminary; PhD, Westminster Theological Seminary) is John D. and Frances M. Gwin Professor of Old Testament and Academic Dean at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte. He has a decade of pastoral experience and is author of The Messiah and the Psalms and commentaries on Genesis and Ecclesiastes.

Table of Contents

Analytical Outline vii

Foreword O. Palmer Robertson xi

Acknowledgments xiii

Abbreviations xv

1 The Importance of Prophet, Priest, and King 1

2 The Role of the Prophet in the Old Testament 17

3 Christ as Prophet: Mighty in Word and Deed 41

4 The Role of the Priest in the Old Testament 59

5 Christ as Priest: Consecrated as Mediator for God's People 85

6 The Role of the King in the Old Testament 105

7 Christ as King in His Humiliation and Exaltation 139

8 Prophet, Priest, and King: Implications for the Church 159

Selected Bibliography 181

Index of Scripture 187

Index of Subjects and Names 201

Editorial Reviews

The Reformation viewed the threefold office of prophet, priest, and king (munus triplex) as fundamentally important to the understanding of Christ’s work in redemption, and Dr. Belcher’s impressive treatment of these offices in their biblical-theological setting is essential reading in understanding their comprehensive nature. This book deftly combines biblical and pastoral insight that is most welcome in furthering our understanding of Scripture and the person and work of Christ. Enthusiastically recommended.

Derek W.H. Thomas

Although Reformed theologians have long recognized the importance of the three offices of Christ, there have been few sustained works on this essential topic in the last few generations. Thankfully, Dick Belcher has stepped forward to fill this gap in biblical scholarship. With wisdom, clarity, and grace, Belcher guides the reader to a richer and fuller vision of Christ as Prophet, Priest, and King.

The biblical offices of prophet, priest, and king are time-tested categories to make sense of Christ’s person and work. I am therefore grateful for this new volume by Richard Belcher that walks the reader through each of these three anointed offices in the Old Testament, and provides some ways that they illumine the work of Christ as the One who was anointed with the Holy Spirit beyond measure. This is a fine introduction not only to prophet, priest, and king in the Old Testament, but also to the person and work of Christ in the New.

Brandon D. Crowe

It is common today for Christians to speak of Christ as the fulfillment of all that the Scriptures teach. Richard Belcher has shown how this is true by focusing on the developments of prophetic, priestly, and royal themes in the Bible. As delightful as this is, he has gone further. Rather than simply speaking of Christ as the fulfillment of these themes, he has also drawn out the practical implications of prophetic, priestly, and royal service for all who follow Christ. Belcher’s work points us all toward the importance of keeping the centrality of Christ in view as we address the manifold challenges that Christians face as we long for his return in glory.

Richard L. Pratt Jr.

The biblical offices of prophet, priest, and king are time-tested categories to make sense of the person and the work of Christ. I am therefore grateful for this new volume by Richard Belcher which walks the reader through each of these three anointed offices in the OT, and provides some ways that they illumine the work of Christ as the one who was anointed with the Holy Spirit beyond measure. This is a fine introduction not only to prophet, priest, and king in the OT, but also to the person and work of Christ in the NT.

Brandon Crowe