Prophet, Priest, and King. Those three words have Christological tonnage tethered to them. Each communicates the person and work of Jesus with succinct theological clarity.
The Heidelberg Catechism picks up this thread in question 31 (emphasis mine):
Q: Why is he called “Christ,” that is, the anointed?
A: Because he is ordained of God the Father, and anointed with the Holy Ghost, to be our chief Prophet and Teacher, who has fully revealed to us the secret counsel and will of God concerning our redemption; and to be our only High Priest, who by the one sacrifice of his body, has redeemed us, and makes continual intercession with the Father for us; and also to be our eternal King, who governs us by his word and Spirit, and who defends and preserves us in that salvation, he has purchased for us.
I have found that these three terms are also quite helpful in thinking through the believer’s response to the gospel in living a life of worshipful obedience.
Prophet: Christians are to make the good confession of faith, speak the truth of the gospel to one another and outsiders, and continue to be governed by the truth that, “it is written . . .” (Rom. 10.9-11; Col. 3.15-17; Matt. 28.18-20; 2 Tim. 3.16-17).
Priest: As believers we are to continually offer up the sacrifice of praise in response to the sufficient and unblemished work of Christ. Just like the burnt offering that was to be ever burning and consuming of the sacrifice, so too Christians, in our thinking and living, are to be ever burning and completely consumed with the glory of Christ in the gospel (Rom. 12.1-2ff; Heb. 13.15-16).
King: As we follow Christ we are to strive against those things that oppose Christ our King. We are to put sin to death, resist the Devil, and look forward to reigning eternally with him (Rom. 6.12-13; Gal. 5.17ff; 2 Tim. 2.12; 1 Pet. 5.8-9).
These descriptions are not perfect, but I have found them helpful in personally thinking through and communicating our response to the work of Christ as we endeavor to obey and reflect him in this world.
