In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is uniquely identified as both the Apostle and High Priest, roles that underscore His divine mission and mediatorial work. This dual designation is explicitly mentioned in the book of Hebrews, which provides a profound theological exposition of Christ's person and work.

Apostle

The term "apostle" (Greek: ἀπόστολος, apostolos) generally refers to one who is sent with a specific mission or message. In Hebrews 3:1, Jesus is called "the Apostle and High Priest of our confession." This title emphasizes His role as the one sent by God to reveal His will and accomplish His redemptive purposes. Jesus Himself frequently spoke of being sent by the Father, as seen in John 20:21: "As the Father has sent Me, so also I am sending you."

As the Apostle, Jesus is the ultimate messenger of God's covenant, surpassing the prophets and even Moses, who was revered as the greatest prophet in Israel's history. Hebrews 3:3-6 compares Jesus to Moses, stating, "For Jesus has been counted worthy of greater glory than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself." This comparison highlights Jesus' superiority and His foundational role in the establishment of the New Covenant.

High Priest

The role of High Priest is central to understanding Jesus' work of atonement and intercession. In the Old Testament, the high priest was the mediator between God and the people, offering sacrifices for sins and entering the Holy of Holies once a year on the Day of Atonement. Jesus, however, is described as a High Priest of a different order, "in the order of Melchizedek" (Hebrews 5:10), which signifies an eternal and superior priesthood.

Hebrews 4:14-16 presents Jesus as a compassionate and approachable High Priest: "Therefore, since we have such a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin." This passage assures believers of Jesus' empathy and His ability to intercede effectively on their behalf.

Furthermore, Jesus' priesthood is marked by the offering of Himself as the perfect sacrifice. Hebrews 9:11-12 states, "But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands, that is, not of this creation. He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption." This act of self-sacrifice fulfills and surpasses the sacrificial system of the Old Covenant, providing a once-for-all atonement for sin.

Intercessor and Mediator

As both Apostle and High Priest, Jesus serves as the mediator of the New Covenant, bridging the gap between God and humanity. Hebrews 7:25 underscores His ongoing intercessory role: "Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them." This continuous intercession assures believers of their secure standing before God.

In summary, Jesus as the Apostle and High Priest embodies the fullness of God's revelation and redemption. His apostolic mission reveals God's truth, while His high priestly ministry accomplishes the reconciliation of humanity to God through His sacrificial death and ongoing intercession.