_A Summary of the Christian Faith by Henry Eyster Jacobs, D.D., LL.D Copyright, 1905, BY THE BOARD OF PUBLICATION OF THE GENERAL COUNCIL OF THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN NORTH AMERICA. Chapter XV. Pages 179-183 -------------------- CHAPTER XV. CHRIST AS KING. 1. _In what relation is the Kingship of Christ con- sidered here_? Not with reference to his rule in His divine nature, from all eternity ("the essential Kingship") but as a part of the Mediatorial Office ("the personal Kingship") ex- ercised according to both natures (Chapter XI, 50), and beginning, therefore, with His conception. 2. _Define it_? It is His dominion over all things for the application of Redemption. 3. _What stages belong to this Kingship_? In the State of Humiliation, Christ ordinarily refrained not only from the assertion of His claims as King, but also according to His human nature, from the use of its prerogatives. Like Ulysses in Ithaca, "he came unto his --------------------End of Page 179-------------------- own, and they that were his own received him not" (John 1:11). He had not where to lay His head (Matt. 8:20). His majesty was not displayed, because His kingdom was not of this world (John 19:36) and did not come "with observation" (Matt. 17:20). It was only through his passion and death that He entered into glory (Luke 24:26), and into the exercise of all power in heaven and earth (Matt. 28:18). Nor was there any resort to earthly pomp and glory in the collection and govern- ment of His Church; this was accomplished solely by His call to enjoy spiritual blessings, the forgiveness of sins, sonship with God, peace of conscience, etc. Even after he had asserted His majesty by rising from the dead, and was about to ascend to heaven, he recalled His disciples from their thought concerning any kingdom characterized by earthly dignities (Acts 1:6, 8, 9), to the duties of humble and painful service, just as he had pre- viously warned the mother of James and John (Matt. 20:23). But the final goal of the kingdom both for the King and His obedient subjects, is a most prominent sub- ject of revelation, prophecy and promise. 4. _Within what spheres is this Kingship exercised_? The Kingdom of Power, the Kingdom of Grace and the Kingdom of Glory. The distinction corresponds to the diverse modes in which Christ regards His subjects and governs them. 5. _What is the Kingdom of Power_? That by which Christ, according to both natures, rules and disposes all things in heaven and earth, for the collec- tion, preservation and salvation of His people. Heb. 2:8--"Thou hast put all things under his feet." Phi. 2:10--"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth." Eph. 1:21, 22. 6. _How was this Kingship occasionally asserted even during His State of Humiliation_? --------------------End of Page 180-------------------- By His miracles, in which He showed that He was master of the powers of Nature, and of demons. Matt. 8:27--"What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?" Matt. 14:26--"And the disciples saw him walking on the sea." Matt. 8:16--"He cast out the spirits with his word and healed all that were sick." Luke 7:14, 15--"And he said, Young man, I say unto thee arise; and he that was dead sat up and began to speak." 7. _Where does it culminate_? In the State of Exaltation. (See above, Chapter XII, 67 sqq.). Here belongs the application to Christ also in His human nature, of all that belongs to Him in His divine, in the treatment of Providence (see above, Chap- ter V). 8. _If the Kingdom of Power is Christ's dominion over all things, how can there be also a Kingdom of Grace and a Kingdom of Glory_? In one sense, the Kingdom of Power comprehends the Kingdoms of Grace and of Glory. But in use, it is re- stricted to that sphere in which Christ displays nothing but power. 9. _What then is the Kingdom of Grace_? It is that through which He bestows spiritual blessings in this life; or that "in which, through the Word and Sacraments, He collects and preserves the Church Mili- tant and abundantly furnishes it with spiritual blessings." The full treatment of this subject belongs to the chapters concerning the Applying Grace of the Holy Spirit, or Soteriology that are immediately to follow. 10. _Who are the subjects_? All believers of all nations and peoples, all ranks and classes. Matt. 28:18-20. Gal. 3:28--"There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond or free, there can be no male and female: for ye are all one man in Christ Jesus." --------------------End of Page 181-------------------- 11. _What is its peculiar sphere_? The inner life. Matt. 17:20, 21--"The kingdom of God cometh not with observation; neither shall they say, Lo here! or, There! for lo, the kingdom of God is within you." Rom. 14:17--"The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but right- eousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost." 12. _What are its characteristics_? (a) In the world, but not of the world (John 17:9-11) (b) Here (as in passages under 11), and yet in the future, as in the petition of the Lord's Prayer; the refer- ence being to successive stages, in its diffusion among men, in its crises and periods of development, and in the appropriation of its blessings by individuals. 13. _How is it ruled_? By the Holy Spirit exerting His efficacy through Word and Sacraments, and thereby impressing His law upon men's hearts (Heb 8:10). 14. _To what privilege are its subjects admitted_? They share in the rule. 1 Pet. 2:9--"Ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession." 1 Cor. 3:21--"For all things are yours." 15. _What is the Kingdom of Glory_? The rule of the exalted Saviour over the Triumphant Church, i. e., saints and angels in Heaven. 1 John 17:24--"I desire that they also whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory." 1 Pet. 2:22--"Who is on the right hand of God, having gone into heaven; angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him." Heb. 12:22, 23; Matt. 25:34; Luke 22: 29, 30. 16. _What different stages of this kingdom are there_? It began with the Ascension, but will not reach its consummation until the Final Judgment. 17. _Is it eternal_? Rev. 11:15--"The kingdom of the world is become the kingdom of our Lord and his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever." 18. _But is not this inconsistent with 1 Cor. 15:24-28_? "Then cometh the end when he shall deliver the kingdom to God, even the Father," etc. --------------------End of Page 182-------------------- "Kingdom" may refer here materially to all who con- stitute the kingdom, i. e., the Church or mystical body of Christ; and the passage would then mean that Christ will present to the Father all His people whose salvation is now perfected. Or, as it is more frequently explained by our theologians, the reference is only to the mode of administration, as the Kingdom of Grace, with its means, Word and Sacraments, passes entirely into the Kingdom of Glory, where we shall see and know Him without means. There is no deposition or abdication, but only the presentation of all that has been accomplished to God. Verse 28, referring to the subjection of the Son to the Father must be understood of the divine person of the Son according to the human nature. The whole history of redemption, from its beginning to its consummation will then be understood, and the mystery explained of the Son's voluntary subjection for its accomplishment, and of all that was effected by this subjection. --------------------End of Chapter on Page 183-------------------- This text was converted to ascii format for Project Wittenberg by William Alan Larson and is in the public domain. You may freely distribute, copy or print this text. Please direct any comments or suggestions to: Rev. Robert E. Smith of the Walther Library at Concordia Theological Seminary. E-mail: smithre@mail.ctsfw.edu Surface Mail: 6600 N. Clinton St., Ft. Wayne, IN 46825 USA Phone: (260) 452-2123 Fax: (260) 452-2126