Term
priest (Christ's office)
Also known as Great High Priest
Christ's office as the perfect mediator who offers final sacrifice and continual intercession.
Filed underChristology
Definition
The office of Christ as the Great High Priest who fulfills the Old Testament priesthood by offering a final, penal substitutionary atonement and providing continual intercession for his people. Unlike the Aaronic priesthood based on ancestry, Christ's priesthood is after the order of Melchizedek—eternal and perfect. He serves as the mediator who reconciles sinful humanity to God through his dual work of oblation (sacrifice) and intercession (supplication).
Connections
Follow this entry through the Lexicon.
- Narrower than
- intercessionTerm
- sacrificeTerm
- Antitype of
- MelchizedekPersonMelchizedek in the OT foreshadows Christ in the NT.
- priest (Old Testament office and church officer)Term
- Includes
- oblationTerm
- Fulfills
- Old TestamentTerm
- See also
Sources
- 1.Wayne A. Grudem Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. 2nd ed.. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2020). 29BOriginal citation: Grudem, Wayne A. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2020, 29B.
Last revised August 14, 2026