ascended on high He received gifts for men, "and he gave some, apostles;
and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and
teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the
ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ."[147] It is in Him
that all Christian teaching originates, and through His Spirit that it
takes hold of men's hearts. Our Lord does not indeed now appear in
visible form, speaking face to face with men as He did in Palestine, but
He speaks in and through every believer who in His name seeks to win
souls for His Kingdom. Paul recognised this when he wrote to the
Corinthians, "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did
beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to
God."[148]

In His exaltation, Christ executes the office of a Priest. The functions
of the Jewish high priest were not limited to the offering of sacrifice.
When he had made an end of offering, he carried the blood of the victim
into the Holy Place and made intercession for the sins of the
congregation. As the mediator between God and His people, he thus
foreshadowed the work of Him who is a "priest for ever, after the order
of Melchizedek,"--succeeding none, and being succeeded by none, in His
priestly office. As the high priest's work was partly without and partly
within the Holy Place, so Christ's priestly work is twofold, consisting
of His satisfaction for sin upon earth and His intercession in heaven.
"Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us." He was once offered to bear
the sins of many, thereby satisfying Divine justice and reconciling men
to God. After having as our great High Priest offered the sacrifice of
Himself, He passed into the heavens. There He makes continual
intercession for us.

At the right hand of God He exercises kingly prerogatives also. He was