God gave of old both kings, priests, and prophets, unto the church. He both anointed them unto their offices, directed them in their discharge, was present with them in their work, and accepted of their duties; yet by none of them, nor by all of them together, was the church supernaturally enlightened, internally ruled, or eternally saved: nor could it so be. Some of them — as Moses in particular — had as much power, and as great a presence of God with him, as any mere man could be made partaker of; yet was he not, in his ministry, the saviour of the church — nor could he be so any otherwise than typically and temporally. The ministry of them all was subservient unto that end which, by its own power, it could not attain.
It is evident, therefore, that the redemption and salvation of the church do not depend merely on this — that God hath given one to be the king, priest, and prophet of the church, by the actings of which offices it is redeemed and saved; but on the person of him who was so given unto us: as is fully attested, Isa. 9:6, 7 [show] [6]For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. [7]Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
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This must be declared.
John Owen, Christologia, page 85-86. (Emphasis mine.)
Jesus Christ is a prophet, it is true. But he is More. The prophets of old were also messengers, but their message was “The LORD shall do such and such.” Christ’s message was–and continues to be– “I will do such and such.” Faith in his word requires faith in his person. Is he faithful to fulfill his word? And when he puts forth his hand to fulfill his word, does he have the actual, effective power to accomplish it? Does he have the wherewithal, the resources, to back up his promises? Not merely the will to fufill, but the power?
Only if He is truly both God and man in one person. And He is.
…and this must be declared.
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