The Twelfth Lord’s Day

12 The Twelfth Lord’s Day 
Acts 2:36
Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made that same Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.
This is one of the last parcels of that first Sermon which the Apostle Peter made to the Jews after Christ’s resurrection. It contains the principal conclusion of the whole Sermon, as appears by the illative particle,1 therefore; and the necessity of the consequence itself, certainly know, therefore, etc. The conclusion is that Jesus is the Lord himself, and the Messiah that was promised. The arguments from which it is deduced are testimonies of preceding Prophets, and the present effusion of the Holy Spirit, which could be the effect of none other, but of Christ the Lord, or the Messiah.
In the conclusion itself, two things are explicated: the function or charge of Christ; and the calling to that charge. The function is included in these titles, Lord and Christ. The calling is declared in this, that he is said to have been made Lord and Christ, and constituted so by God. We have three names here that are attributes of our Saviour: Jesus, Christ, and Lord. These are commonly joined elsewhere in Scripture, and this distinction may be observed between them: Jesus is his proper name; Christ is his name of authority; and Lord is his name of power. Jesus points to the end which our Saviour had before him; Christ points to the means and way to come to that end; Lord is the perfect execution and attainment of that end. Between Christ and Lord there is no real difference, nor so great a notional difference as there is between Christ and Jesus. The Lordship or dominion is, at it were, an adjunct following that function, which is designed by the titles of Christ, Messiah, or Anointed.
But between Christ and Jesus this is the difference: that Jesus, as said before, designs the end, and Christ designs the means and manner of attaining it. Jesus denotes Christ’s action on our behalf properly; and Christ denotes his perfection for it, and his receipt of that dignity from the Father.
Doctrine 1. Our Saviour Jesus was ordained and constituted by the Father for performing all these things that were necessary for our salvation.
It is hence gathered, that he is said to be made Lord and Christ; that is to say, he was made that Messiah whom all the Prophets from the beginning of the world foretold and preached was to come, for procuring and perfecting the salvation of man; and whom all the faithful looked for with great desire, as the only author of their salvation. The things that were necessary for our salvation to be brought about are contained in these three functions which are intimated in the name Messiah and Christ, namely, the functions of Prophet, Priest, and King.
Our Savior was the anointed Prophet. 
1 Grammar: expressing or preceding an inference.
Reason 1. Because by outward Ministry he proclaimed and revealed the whole counsel of God about our salvation, Deuteronomy 18:18; John 15:15, John 17:8.1
Reason 2. Because inwardly he illuminates the minds, and opens our hearts, so that we may be taught by God.2
Reason 3. Because he told us all things to come that are necessary to be known, and that belong to his Church and Kingdom.
Our Saviour was also the anointed Priest . 
Reason 1. Because by offering himself up, he reconciled us to God. 
Reason 2. Because he yet effectually intercedes at the hands of the Father for us.
Reason 3. Because he makes us and our imperfect works acceptable to God, by virtue of his own oblation3 and intercession. 
Our Saviour is also the anointed King. 
Reason 1. Because he overcame and gloriously triumphed over all the enemies of our souls and of our salvation. 
Reason 2. Because as Prince and head of his Church, he governs, protects, and conserves her by his efficacious power.
Reason 3 . Because he shall with the greatest glory, perfect the government, protection, and salvation of his Church; and shall deservedly at last not only be called and acknowledged King, but King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.4
Use 1 . Of Information: that by true Faith we may distinctly see in Christ, that which in all our necessities may supply our wants. If we would have our ignorance and blindness taken away, we may fly to Christ as our Prophet, to be taught by him and to seek wisdom from him, who is himself the wisdom of God.5 If we are pressed with the guilt of our sins, and accused by our own consciences, we may fly to the blood and oblation of Christ our Priest, which he made himself for us. If we would attain anything from God, we may use Christ as our Intercessor. Lastly, if our own weakness and the strength of our enemies discourage and terrify us, we may look to Christ our King, by whose help all the faithful shall become more than Conquerors.6
Use 2 . Of Consolation: that we never give way to despair, because God has provided for us so sufficient and able a Saviour. 
Use 3. Of Admonition: that by no means we separate those things which God has conjoined in Christ. And they are separated by those who either seek knowledge only, but do not care to be cleansed from their sins, nor to be subjected themselves under the obedience of Christ as King — or else seek only remission of their sins in the name of Christ, but neglect knowledge and other means of this, and flatly refuse to bear Christ’s yoke, or to acknowledge his Scepter and Crown.1
1 Deuteronomy 18:18 I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. John 15:15 “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you; John 17:8 “For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.
2 John 6:45 “It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me. 
3 Oblation: an act of offering; Jesus’ oblation is “offering himself up to God for us without spot, to purge our consciences from dead works,” Hebrews 9:14.
4 1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 17:14.
5 1 Corinthians 1:24.
6 Romans 8:37.
Doctrine 2. Christ was called to perform all the duties of these offices.
This arises from these words: God made this man Lord and Christ. This calling contains in it his election, preordination, mission or sending, and all other things that belong to preparation, inauguration, confirmation, and consummation of this anointed one now sent. By virtue of election, and pre-ordination, or predestination, Christ was Mediator from all eternity. By virtue of this revealed purpose, he exercised the office of Mediator immediately after the fall of Adam. By virtue of his mission or sending, in the fulness of time he was manifested; and after he had manifestly and openly exercised these functions on earth during the time appointed for that end, he was taken up to the greatest glory and dignity in which, with great glory and majesty, he still exercises these functions that befit so divine and exalted a Mediator. From this also, in the Text where Jesus is said to be made Lord and Christ, a singular regard seems to be paid to this exaltation of Christ, after and in which he came, as to the consummate possession of this dominion, in respect to which he is called Lord and Christ.
Reason 1. Because none could or ought to usurp or assume to himself this honour, except the one that was called of God, Hebrews 5:1-14, Hebrews 6:1-2
Reason 2. Because the whole nature of Christ’s mediatory office stood in this: that he should do the will of the Father, Hebrews 10:7; Hebrews 9:3
Reason 3 . Because in Christ an example is set down of that procedure which God observes in us to be brought into life and glory by him. For our life and glory have their first foundation in God’s electing of us, and begin at his effectual calling of us.
Use 1. Of Information: for establishing our Faith; because we may certainly know that God made Christ in every way fit for accomplishing our salvation. 
Use 2 . Of Consolation: against all terrours and tumults whereby either our salvation or the Church of Christ is impugned; because we certainly ought to know that Christ is made Lord and has all power of restraining his enemies at his own pleasure. If therefore nothing at present appears from which we may be confirmed against such temptations, yet we ought to live by this Faith, according to that text, The just shall live by Faith. 4
1 That is, they receive him only as their Saviour, but not as their Lord; they want salvation without sanctification.
2 Hebrews 5:4-6 And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.” As He also says in another place: “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek”.
3 Hebrews 10:7; Hebrews 10:9 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come-- In the volume of the book it is written of Me-- To do Your will, O God.’” then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second.
4 Hebrews 10:38. 
Doctrine 3. All that by true Faith rely upon Christ are made partakers according to their measure of the dignity of Christ.1
This is collected from this: that the Apostle so earnestly exhorts us to this faith, especially if we compare this conclusion with the occasion of the question, as it is explicated in Acts 2:17 and Acts 18:2 For they are in some way partakers of the Prophetic fruition and dignity, as they have the Spirit of Christ. In Acts 18:17-18, it is apparent by which Spirit they are taught all things, 1 John 2:27; 1 John 3:1-24 so that in some way they may discern all things, 1 Corinthians 2:15.4 Secondly, they are also made partakers of the Priestly function and dignity, as it is granted to them, to offer unto God Sacrifices and Oblations, while they offer themselves to God, Romans 12:1; Romans 5:1-21 and while all that they can and have are dedicated and consecrated to God; and lastly, while they continually cause to ascend to the presence of God the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving.6 Thirdly, they are made partakers of the Kingly dignity, 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6-7 because they have through the grace of God gotten dominion over themselves, and are no longer servants of this world, but rather masters of it; and because they are heirs of heavenly glory, and receive the right and first fruits of it in this life.
Reason 1 . Because so great is the spiritual and mystical union that believers have with their Head, that they must of necessity in some way or other participate in his dignity, just as the members of the body partake of the dignity of the head, and just as the Wife participates in the dignity of her Husband.
Reason 2. Because all things that Christ does as Mediator, he does for us, and for our good, in our name, and in a way, in our person; that is, representing and standing in our stead. Reason 3. Because so great is the love of Christ towards his own, that he would have what is his, as far as it can be, communicated to others.
Use 1 . Of Information: that we may understand the force and reason for this name whereby we are called Christians. Now believers would rather be calledChristians than Jesuits because, as was said, Jesus properly denotes Christ’s action of saving us; but Christ denotes the receiving of that office; so that we are not made Saviours of ourselves so much, as fitted receivers of this salvation from him. For what he does as our Jesus, he doesn’t communicate to us, but only the fruit of it — only what he received as our Christ. Therefore he received it so that he might in some way communicate it to us, and make us fit to receive it from him. Therefore, only those who have spiritual and effectual communion with Christ, or with God in Christ, are truly Christians.
1 Hebrews 3:14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end.
2 That is, Acts 2:17-18, marked by the effusion of the Holy Spirit, as prophesied by Joel (Joel 2:28).
3 1 John 2:27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. John 14:26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
4 1 Corinthians 2:15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. 
5 Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
6 Hebrews 13:15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
7 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; Revelation 1:6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Use 2. Of Admonition: that we do not make the divine name of Christian dishonoured and blasphemed by the filthiness of our life and manners.1
1 Romans 2:24.