How doth Christ execute the office of a king?
Christ executeth the office of a king, in subduing us to himself, in ruling and defending us1, and in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies2.
Scripture proofs
The Westminster Assembly's proof texts (KJV). The bracketed numbers in the answer above mark the clause each set of references supports; expand a row to read the verses.
1 Ps. 110:3; Matt. 28:18-20; John 17:2; Col. 1:13
Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.
Matt. 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Matt. 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Matt. 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
2 Ps. 2:6-9; 110:1-2; Matt. 12:28; ICor. 15:24-26; Col. 2:15
Ps. 2:6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
Ps. 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
Ps. 2:8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
Ps. 2:9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.
Ps. 110:1 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
Ps. 110:2 The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
1 Cor. 15:24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
1 Cor. 15:25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
1 Cor. 15:26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
This doctrine across the Standards
Where the Confession and the Westminster Larger Catechism treat the same matter, so the question can be studied alongside its parallel statements.
In the Westminster Confession
VIII.1 It pleased God, in his eternal purpose, to choose and ordain the Lord Jesus, his only-begotten Son, to …
It pleased God, in his eternal purpose, to choose and ordain the Lord Jesus, his only-begotten Son, to be the Mediator between God and man, the Prophet, Priest, and King; the Head and Saviour of his Church, the Heir of all things, and Judge of the world; unto whom he did, from all eternity, give a people to be his seed, and to be by him in time redeemed, called, justified, sanctified, and glorified.
→ VIII.1 · Of Christ the MediatorVIII.3 The Lord Jesus, in his human nature thus united to the divine, was sanctified and anointed with the …
The Lord Jesus, in his human nature thus united to the divine, was sanctified and anointed with the Holy Spirit above measure; having in him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, in whom it pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell; to the end that, being holy, harmless, undefiled, and full of grace and truth, he might be thoroughly furnished to execute the office of a mediator and surety. Which office he took not unto himself, but was thereunto called by his Father, who put all power and judgment into his hand, and gave him commandment to execute the same.
→ VIII.3 · Of Christ the MediatorIn the Westminster Larger Catechism
Q.41 Why was our Mediator called Jesus?
Our Mediator was called Jesus, because he saveth his people from their sins.
→ Open Q.41Q.42 Why was our Mediator called Christ?
Our Mediator was called Christ, because he was anointed with the Holy Ghost above measure; and so set apart, and fully furnished with all authority and ability, to execute the offices of prophet, priest, and king of his church, in the estate both of his humiliation and exaltation.
→ Open Q.42Q.43 How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet?
Christ executeth the office of a prophet, in his revealing to the church, in all ages, by his Spirit and word, in divers ways of administration, the whole will of God, in all things concerning their edification and salvation.
→ Open Q.43Q.44 How doth Christ execute the office of a priest?
Christ executeth the office of a priest, in his once offering himself a sacrifice without spot to God, to be a reconciliation for the sins of his people; and in making continual intercession for them.
→ Open Q.44Q.45 How doth Christ execute the office of a king?
Christ executeth the office of a king, in calling out of the world a people to himself, and giving them officers, laws, and censures, by which he visibly governs them; in bestowing saving grace upon his elect, rewarding their obedience, and correcting them for their sins, preserving and supporting them under all their temptations and sufferings, restraining and overcoming all their enemies, and powerfully ordering all things for his own glory, and their good; and also in taking vengeance on the rest, who know not God, and obey not the gospel.
→ Open Q.45