Church after He rose was the Holy Ghost, who came to lead men to all truth.  When the Lord ascended on high He received gifts for men, “and he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ."[147] It is in Him that all Christian teaching originates, and through His Spirit that it takes hold of men’s hearts.  Our Lord does not indeed now appear in visible form, speaking face to face with men as He did in Palestine, but He speaks in and through every believer who in His name seeks to win souls for His Kingdom.  Paul recognised this when he wrote to the Corinthians, “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us:  we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God."[148]

In His exaltation, Christ executes the office of a Priest.  The functions of the Jewish high priest were not limited to the offering of sacrifice.  When he had made an end of offering, he carried the blood of the victim into the Holy Place and made intercession for the sins of the congregation.  As the mediator between God and His people, he thus foreshadowed the work of Him who is a “priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek,”—­succeeding none, and being succeeded by none, in His priestly office.  As the high priest’s work was partly without and partly within the Holy Place, so Christ’s priestly work is twofold, consisting of His satisfaction for sin upon earth and His intercession in heaven.  “Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.”  He was once offered to bear the sins of many, thereby satisfying Divine justice and reconciling men to God.  After having as our great High Priest offered the sacrifice of Himself, He passed into the heavens.  There He makes continual intercession for us.

At the right hand of God He exercises kingly prerogatives also.  He was anointed to the royal office at His baptism, when the Holy Ghost descended on Him.[149] When by death He overcame him who had the power of death; when He rose from the grave and announced to His disciples that all power was given Him in heaven and earth, He asserted His kingly office; and when God, having raised Him from the dead, set Him at His own right hand in heavenly places, far above all principalities, and powers, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come, all things were put under His feet, He was given to be Head over all things to the church,[150] and received dominion and glory and a kingdom.  He must reign until all His enemies are under His feet.  “To which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?"[151]

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ARTICLE 7

From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead