Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of Christ as the Mediator is central to Christian theology, emphasizing His unique role in reconciling humanity to God through His atoning sacrifice. The term "mediator" refers to one who intervenes between two parties to restore peace and fellowship. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is identified as the sole Mediator between God and mankind, a role He fulfills through His atonement.
Biblical FoundationThe Apostle Paul explicitly identifies Christ as the Mediator in
1 Timothy 2:5-6: "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all—the testimony that was given at just the right time." This passage underscores the exclusivity and sufficiency of Christ's mediatorial work, highlighting His humanity and His sacrificial offering as the basis for mediation.
The Epistle to the Hebrews further elaborates on Christ's mediatorial role, particularly in
Hebrews 9:15: "Therefore Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, now that He has died to redeem them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant." Here, Christ's death is presented as the pivotal act that inaugurates the New Covenant, fulfilling and surpassing the Old Covenant's sacrificial system.
Atonement and MediationThe atonement of Christ is the foundation of His mediatorial work. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus addresses the problem of sin, which separates humanity from God.
Romans 3:23-25 states, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. God presented Him as the atoning sacrifice through faith in His blood, to demonstrate His righteousness."
The atonement is both substitutionary and propitiatory. Christ, as the sinless Lamb of God, takes upon Himself the penalty of sin, satisfying divine justice and appeasing God's wrath. This sacrificial act is the means by which reconciliation is achieved, allowing Christ to mediate effectively between God and humanity.
The High Priestly RoleChrist's mediatorial work is also depicted in His role as the High Priest.
Hebrews 4:14-16 describes Jesus as the great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, sympathizing with human weaknesses yet without sin. As High Priest, He offers Himself as the perfect sacrifice and continually intercedes for believers before the Father. This ongoing intercession is a vital aspect of His mediatorial ministry, ensuring that the benefits of His atonement are applied to those who come to God through Him.
The New CovenantThe New Covenant, established through Christ's atonement, is characterized by the internalization of God's laws and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Jeremiah 31:31-34 prophesies this covenant, which is fulfilled in Christ. The New Covenant provides a direct and personal relationship with God, mediated by Christ, who ensures that believers receive the promised eternal inheritance.
Implications for BelieversFor believers, Christ's role as Mediator assures them of access to God, forgiveness of sins, and the hope of eternal life.
Hebrews 10:19-22 encourages believers to "draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith," made possible by the new and living way opened through Christ's flesh. This access to God is a profound privilege, grounded in the completed work of Christ's atonement.
In summary, the Mediator Christ, in virtue of His atonement, stands as the central figure in the divine plan of salvation, bridging the gap between a holy God and sinful humanity. His unique and all-sufficient work as Mediator is the cornerstone of Christian faith, offering redemption, reconciliation, and eternal life to all who believe.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Ephesians 2:13-18But now in Christ Jesus you who sometimes were far off are made near by the blood of Christ.
Torrey's Topical TextbookHebrews 9:15
And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Hebrews 12:24
And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaks better things that that of Abel.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
Christ and Man in the Atonement
... The Mediator between God and man is Himself man, Christ ... Lord Himself, appealing to
us in the virtue of His ... The idea of fellowship with Christ, for example, is ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/denney/the death of christ/chapter 9 christ and man.htm
Christ and Man in the Atonement
... The Mediator between God and man is Himself man, Christ ... Lord Himself, appealing to
us in the virtue of His ... The idea of fellowship with Christ, for example, is ...
/.../denney/the atonement and the modern mind/chapter iii christ and man.htm
Jesus, the Mediator of the New Covenant
... New Covenant blessing, is already ours in virtue of our ... to take the heavenly
gift"a life in Christ according to ... as to you, in full truth, the Mediator of the ...
/.../murray/the two covenants/chapter x jesus the mediator.htm
What is the Sanctuary?
... pointed to Christ as a sacrifice, and the high priest represented Christ as a mediator,
the scapegoat ... When the high priest, by virtue of the blood of the sin ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /23 what is the sanctuary.htm
Christ's Priestly Office
... 5. The covenant of grace and its mediator 4. Christ's ... his blood to his Father, and,
in the virtue of that ... The high priest was herein a lively type of Christ. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/4 christs priestly office.htm
What is the Sanctuary?
... to Christ as a sacrifice, and the high priest represented Christ as a mediator,
the scapegoat ... When the high priest, by virtue of the blood of the sin ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 23 what is the.htm
Christ in the Covenant
... I shall dwell on Christ, not as the Mediator, nor as ... There is not a virtue which
Christ ever had, that is ... it staggers my faith." But he sees Christ with all ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/christ in the covenant.htm
Fifth Sunday in Lent
... Holy Spirit, adorned with every grace and virtue, a true ... Testament dispensation man's
transgressions remained, but now Christ is our Mediator through his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/fifth sunday in lent.htm
Expiation
... the heels of its master,"a sense that virtue should be ... Now we say that Christ was
the best person to be a ... for just consider what sort of a mediator was needed ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/expiation.htm
Christ
... upon me, and he has done so by virtue of his ... There is no mediator between a holy
God and a sinful man. If Jesus Christ were not God, then he did not rise from ...
//christianbookshelf.org/haldeman/christ christianity and the bible/christ.htm
Resources
What does it mean to be crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Christ consciousness? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean "to live is Christ" (Philippians 1:21)? | GotQuestions.orgChrist: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus