Introduction
In Part I of “The Three-Fold Office of Christian Witness,” we laid the groundwork for understanding our role as believers by exploring two powerful doctrines: the Priesthood of All Believers and the Three-Fold Office of Christ as Prophet, Priest, and King. These foundational truths remind us that each believer shares in Christ’s anointing, called to bear witness to His light through lives of faith and service.
As we step into Part II, we delve deeper into how believers embody these offices collectively as the church—a prophetic voice proclaiming God’s truth, a priestly community offering hope and compassion, and a kingly presence advancing Christ’s kingdom.
Together, we’ll discover how each role equips us to live out our calling boldly and faithfully in every part of life
A Holy Company of Prophets
The church is appointed and anointed to be a prophetic witness to everyone everywhere. We do not need new revelations, since God’s final word has already been spoken and the inspiration of Scripture has ceased (Heb. 1:2; Rev. 22:18–19). Yet God’s people are still at times filled with his Spirit to speak his word with clarity and boldness (Acts 4:29–31). Like the Old Testament prophets, we declare God’s glory among the nations and defend God’s truth among rebellious peoples, “whether they hear or refuse to hear” (Ezek. 2:1–8). Like the New Testament apostles, we proclaim the gospel to all nations, empowered by Christ’s Spirit to make disciples and plant his church in each area (Luke 24:47; Acts 14:22–23). Like the long line of faithful martyrs, we are willing to suffer and even to die for the cause of public gospel proclamation.
A Holy Community of Priests
The church is appointed and anointed to be a priestly blessing among all nations (Gen. 12:3; Gal. 3:8). We are called to be a showcase community, living within the world while being kept holy and separate from sinful society, in order to be a contextualized countercultural witness of gospel blessing to all peoples in each community. All believers are invited to consecrate themselves “as a living sacrifice” that is dedicated to “the priestly service of the gospel” (Rom. 12:1; 15:16).
As Christ’s kingdom of priests today, the church is empowered by Christ’s Spirit to be a public demonstration of God’s love, forgiveness, reconciliation, and peace to all people. The church offers “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings” for all people (1 Tim. 2:1–8). The church displays Christ’s tender compassion to everyone, not only to prove the genuineness of the Christian faith, but also as further confirmation of the gospel’s authenticity (Mark 16:20). The church imitates God’s goodness and demonstrates his grace within all societies so that the world might praise God when they see the church’s good deeds (1 Pet. 2:12, 15).
A Holy Lineage of Princes
The church is appointed and anointed to be the kingly authority of Christ within this rebellious world. Not yet, however, do we reign with Christ in glory. For now, the church’s regal presence in the world is best described as that of a prince or princess. By faith, we confess our spiritual lineage, even though our true identity is not yet fully realized nor recognized by the deluded world in which we live.
We are princes and princesses in Christ’s kingdom, but presently we live in a world that rages against God and his anointed one. Scripture often describes God’s people as a minority group in a hostile environment; they are sojourners and foreigners (1 Pet. 2:11) who, like the Apostle Paul, must bear witness to Christ from positions of sociocultural weakness.
In this context, the church engages in spiritual warfare, both by fighting against internal “passions of the flesh” and by apologetically refuting “arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God” (1 Pet. 2:11; 2 Cor. 10:5). In this environment, the church serves as “ambassadors for Christ,” pleading with sinners “on behalf of Christ” to be reconciled with God (2 Cor. 5:20). Despite opposition, the church announces a message of eternal hope in a dying world, living with the expectation of a better country (Heb. 11:10, 13–16) while seeking the welfare of the society in which, by God’s providence, they are placed (Jer. 29:4–7; Matt. 6:33).
We All Are Witnesses of Christ
All believers share in this three-fold office of Christian witness. This function is not limited to a special class of people in the church. There are, of course, those who have a special calling to serve as missionaries, evangelists, church planters, apologists, or in related vocations. But every believer, in spiritual union with Christ, has been appointed to be a gospel witness.
Every believer, indwelled by the Spirit of Christ, is being anointed with gifts and graces in order to serve, together with the whole church, as Christ’s prophets, priests, and princes in the world today. Bearing witness to Christ in this way is the identity and calling of all believers. We all have the profound privilege and responsibility to share in Christ’s three-fold ministry of Christian witness.
Conclusion
Every Christian is called to share in Christ’s mission by being a witness to His truth and love. Through the doctrines of the Priesthood of All Believers and Christ’s Three-Fold Office, we understand our identity as people chosen to bring His light into the world. Whether through our words, actions, or prayers, we have the privilege and responsibility to point others to the hope found in Christ. Let us carry this calling with humility and joy, knowing that each of us plays a vital role in spreading His message of salvation and grace to everyone we meet.
Stay Blessed!
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