The Westminster Shorter Catechism

Q24. How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet

A. Christ executeth the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by His Word and Spirit,
the will of God for our salvation.[1]

Proofs

[1] John 1:18; 15:15; 20:31; 1 Peter 1:10–12.

Comments

A prophet is a man who declares the will of God to man. Here we are taught that Christ performs the office of a prophet by revealing to us what the will of God is for our salvation. In other words, Christ declares to us the whole counsel of God, or whatever God would have us know, believe and do to obtain salvation.

Although, under the Old Testament economy, Christ revealed the will of God in “divers manners” (Heb 1:1), it was always through His Word, revealed, spoken or written (1 Pet 1:10–11), and through the illuminating help of the Holy Spirit. Even where dreams and visions were used as channels of revelation, their interpretation and transmission (to others) were always given in words. Since Christ is the Word of God (Jn 1:1), these revelations may all be denoted the Word of Christ. Thus Peter speaks about the “Spirit of Christ” signifying to the prophets of old regarding His work of redemption (1 Pet 1:10–11).

During His earthly ministry, Christ spoke to His disciples as the Word incarnate: verbally and audibly, and by His manner of life. But to us who have the benefit of the completed canon of Scripture, Christ speaks to us by the written Word (e.g., Jn 20:31). Thus Paul says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Col 3:16). Moreover, Christ, by His Spirit (i.e., the Holy Spirit whom He sends), illumines the Word to our understanding (cf. Jn 14:26).

Note that just as the Word is not efficacious unto salvation without the Spirit, so the Spirit does not reveal the will of God without the Word. He who is without the Spirit of Christ cannot understand unto salvation, the Word of Christ (1 Cor 2:14–16). And though the Spirit may indeed teach us the will of God without the Word, yet the Word, being completed and sufficient for our salvation, the Spirit no longer reveals directly (cf. Rev 22:18–19).