An Exposition of the Assembly's
Shorter Catechism

by

John Flavel

Q25. How doth Christ execute the office of a priest?
A. Christ executeth the office of a priest, in his once offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, and reconcile us to God, and in making continual intercession for us.

Q. 1. What is the priesthood of Christ in general?
A. It is his expiation of our sins by the sacrifice of himself, and obtaining God’s favour for us; Colossians 1:20. And (having made peace through the blood of his cross) by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

Q. 2. What are the parts of Christ’s priestly office?
A. It bath two parts. First, Oblation, or offering of himself; Hebrews 9:14.. How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your consciences from dead works, to serve the living God? Secondly, Intercession for us; Hebrews 7:25. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost, that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Q. 3. What is the end of Christ’s oblation?
A. The end of it, as to God, was to satisfy his incensed justice; Romans 3:25. Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation, through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. And as to men, to put away their sins; Hebrews 9:26. For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world; hut now once in the end of the world, bath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

Q. 4. What is the first difference between Christ and other priests?
A. Other priests offered the blood of beasts; Christ his own blood; Hebrews 9:12. Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, lie entered once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

Q. 5. What is the second difference?
A. They offered many sacrifices; Christ perfected all by one offering, Hebrews 10:14. For by one offering he bath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

Q. 6. What was the sacrifice Christ offered to God?
A. His body; Hebrews 10:10. By the which will we are sanctified, through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And his soul; Isaiah 53:10. When thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin.

Q. 7. Whence is the efficacy of this sacrifice?
A. From the divine Person to whom that soul and body was united; Acts 15:28. Feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

Q. 8. What is the first inference from hence?
A. That believers are discharged by Christ from all their sins and debts; Acts 13:39. And by him, all that believe are justified from all things.

Q. 9. What is the second inference?
A. That it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of an absolute God; Luke 23:31. For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall he done in the dry?

Q. 10. What is the third inference?
A. That it is impossible for man to satisfy God for his own sins; Psalm 130:3. If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?

Q. 11. What is the last inference?
A. That the Christian religion only settles the conscience in peace; Hebrews 9:14. How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your consciences from dead works to serve the living God?