“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” -1 Peter 2:9
Introduction
Today’s article is based on an insightful message by Brian A. DeVries, encouraging us to support each other in living out our call to share the truths we’ve experienced in knowing Christ. Brian explores the deep biblical foundation of our role as witnesses, focusing on two key teachings that shape our identity in Christ: The Priesthood of All Believers and Christ’s Three-Fold Office as Prophet, Priest, and King. These truths help us understand how each of us, as believers, is called to shine Christ’s light in the world.
We hope that this message inspires you not only to reflect on your faith but also to share this truth with others, embracing our shared calling to be a light in the world.
All Believers Are Witnesses of Christ
Everyone who knows Christ experientially has a calling and passion to make him known. Christian believers desire to testify to everyone everywhere “that which we have heard” and “have seen” and have experienced for themselves to be true about Christ (1 John 1:1). Christian witness is the identity and calling of the church.
The risen Christ commissioned his people to be his witnesses (Acts 1:8; cf. Isa. 43:8–13), and the apostle Peter described public witness as an essential task of the church (2 Pet. 2:9–12; cf. Ex. 19:5–6). Furthermore, the following two crucial Reformed doctrines give us a biblically faithful framework to explain the identity and calling of all believers as Christ’s witnesses.
The Priesthood of All Believers
The Protestant Reformers taught that all believers in Christ have received a holy calling and all share in his priestly status. As Calvin wrote, Christ is the perfect office bearer and he “also admits us into this most honourable alliance.” The risen Christ makes all believers “a kingdom, priests to his God and Father” (Rev. 1:6).
Indeed, God’s people have always been “a kingdom of priests” among the nations (Ex. 19:6), and his church is still “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation” that declares, displays, and defends his gospel light “among the Gentiles” (1 Pet. 2:9–12).
This doctrine is not a license for the radical individualism of believers, now common within some expressions of Western Christianity. Yet this Reformed doctrine remains foundational for understanding the official spiritual function of all believers as witnesses of Christ to everyone everywhere.
The Three-Fold Office of Christ
A second doctrine describes Christ’s three-fold office as Prophet, Priest, and King. The European Reformers, following Eusebius and other early church leaders, used this framework to explain Christ’s work and ongoing ministry. The Heidelberg Catechism gives us a classic statement of this teaching:
Why is he called “Christ,” meaning “anointed”?
Answer: Because he has been ordained by God the Father and has been anointed with the Holy Spirit to be our chief prophet and teacher . . . our only high priest . . . and our eternal king . . . .”
Christ’s mediatorial ministry as Prophet, Priest, and King is central to Scripture and our faith. His three-fold ministry was anticipated and foreshadowed in the Old Testament. This ministry was perfectly performed on earth in his state of humiliation. Now in his state of exaltation, Christ’s three-fold ministry continues globally, through his word and Spirit, not only within each believer spiritually and individually but also publicly and corporately through the witness of all believers in the world.
Why Are You Called a Christian?
The next question of the Heidelberg Catechism takes us further, personally applying these doctrines to each believer. But why are you called a Christian?
Answer: Because by faith I am a member of Christ and so I share in his anointing. I am anointed to confess his name [prophet], to present myself to him as a living sacrifice of thanks [priest], to strive with a free conscience against sin and the devil in this life, and afterward to reign with Christ over all creation for eternity [king].
This answer overflows with precious and profound truths, synergistically expanding upon each other! Spiritual union in Christ: by faith, all believers are made a “member of Christ” and “have fellowship with him in his graces, sufferings, death, resurrection, and glory.
Spiritual unction by Christ’s Spirit: all believers “share in his anointing” ( 1 John 2:20, 27). As Christ was anointed by the Spirit for ministry, so also all believers in Christ are indwelled and empowered by the Spirit to be witnesses of Christ in the world (Acts 1:8). Spiritual function with Christ: all believers are commissioned to follow in his three-fold office.
In Christ, all believers participate in his priesthood, as God’s kingdom of priests among all nations. The church also serves prophetically as Spirit-filled witnesses who declare his glory and “confess his name” publicly, and as Spirit-led kingdom-seekers who fight “against sin and the devil” in this world.
The Office of Christian Witness
All believers collectively, as Christ’s church on earth, have been appointed and anointed to continue Christ’s ongoing global ministry by serving within this world as his prophets, priests, and kings. This three-fold office is more than merely the personal spirituality of believers or the inward-facing ministries of the church. It includes the outward-facing ministry of the church.
Together with the Holy Spirit, the church is God’s official agent within society, commissioned to bear witness to gospel truth in all places (John 15:26–27; Acts 5:32). Christian witness, as the identity and calling of all believers, is a personal application flowing from these two doctrines: the priesthood of all believers and the three-fold office of Christ. Furthermore, these crucial Reformed doctrines give us the framework for a practical application of these truths.
To be continued!
Stay Blessed!
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