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CHRIST'S WORK AS PROPHET

An Old Testament prophet was one who was ordained and qualified to speak for God to men. First, he received God's Word, then he brought and taught God's Word to the people.

As Prophet, Christ teaches by His Word and Spirit that sinners may come to know God, His will, and His way of salvation.

Christ teaches through His Word in an objective way and by His Word and Spirit in a subjective manner.

The objective, outward teaching of God's Word contains numerous benefits. A nation which understands and follows God's law, even if it is only outwardly and objectively, will experience many blessings. But these benefits will only be temporal, outward blessings of common grace. Such benefits would include: being restrained from openly sinful actions, valuing human life, keeping the Sabbath, avoiding the use of wrong language, upholding moral values, treasuring family life, and many other precious blessings.

The objective teaching of God's Word also includes God's external call - His calling to all who hear His Word to repent (the law) and to believe (the gospel). God's Word commands all to turn from Satan to God, from self to Christ, and from sin to holiness.

All to whom Christ's teachings are brought are responsible for what they do with them. The rejection of His Word is a sin of the most serious nature. The following story illustrates an aspect of this truth.

Elizabeth Barret Browning, rejected by her parents for moving to Italy where she lived for fifteen years, wrote her parents letter after letter. Her letters were very affectionate. Often she poured out her heart in them. Frequently she pleaded with her parents to be reconciled with her - but she never received one reply.

After fifteen years, she returned to find a box containing all her letters - not one had been opened! The anguish of her heart was unspeakable. The cold rejection of her warm, inviting letters was too much for her to endure.

  • Objective - Pertaining to abstract truths or outward things in the mind; free from personal feelings
  • Subjective - Pertaining to inward and personal matters within the mind and emotions
  • Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures.

    - Luke 24:45

    For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance.

    - I Thessalonians l:5a

    Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse;

    A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day:

    And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God.

    - Deuteronomy 11:26-28a

    Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

    And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

    - Mark 1:14b-15

    The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and behold, a greater than Jonas is here.

    The Queen of the South shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermoSt parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, a greater than Solomon is here.

    - Matthew 12:41-42


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