Theology of theWestminster Confession

Adult Sunday School

2017

Christ the Mediator

Sin and the Savior

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Of Christ the Mediator

God was pleased, in his eternal purpose, to choose and ordain the Lord Jesus, his only begotten Son, to be the mediator between God and man. As the mediator, he is the prophet, priest, and king, the Head and Savior of the church, the heir of all things, and the judge of the world. God gave to him, from all eternity, a people to be his seed and to be by him, in time, redeemed, called, justified, sanctified, and glorified. [WCF, 8.1, MESV]

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Sin and the Savior

The Mediator

• The doctrine of Christ the mediator is deep and mysterious, but always remember the simplicity of the gospel

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (Jn 3:16)

• The Christ was known in part from the beginning (Gen 3:15; Isa 42:1)

• The Christ is clearly revealed in these last days for our sake (1 Pet 1:20)

• How could it be that the Christ was ordained from the creation of the world? Because Christ the mediator was the Son of God himself!

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Prophet - Priest - King

• Promoted as a prophet greater than Moses (Acts 3:22)

• Declared the eternal high priest (Heb 5:5-6)

• Crowned unending king of Zion (Ps 2:6; Lk 1:33)

• Functions of Christ’s three-fold office1. As Prophet he is our teacher

2. As Priest he is our mediator and only hope

3. As King he is our defender and ruler

• Implications of this office• Source of all wisdom and knowledge

• Savior from death and judgment

• Head of the church; Lord of the nations

• Heir of all things

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The gift

• Christians make much of Jesus as our greatest treasure. This is right, true, and good.

• But the Bible says God gave Christ his greatest treasure: the Church!

• Think of it: we are Christ’s beloved treasure, a precious gift received from God. As unlovable as we can be, he still treasures us.

God’s people are Christ’s gift from God, and we are most precious to him

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Sin and the Savior

Of Christ the Mediator

The Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, being truly and eternally God, of one substance and equal with the Father, did, when the fullness of time had come, take upon himself man's nature, with all its essential properties and common frailties, yet without sin. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the virgin Mary and of her substance. In this way, two whole natures, the divine and the human, perfect and distinct, were inseparably joined together in one person without being changed, mixed, or confused. This person is truly God and truly man, yet one Christ, the only mediator between God and man. [WCF, 8.2, MESV]

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Sin and the Savior

God and man

• Christ the mediator is God

• In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.(Jn 1:1)

• And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. (1 Jn 5:20)

• Christ the mediator is also man

• And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (Jn 1:14)

• But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law(Gal 4:4)

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Substance and equality

• In Christ, God became man. Man did not become God (this is impossible)!

• WCF wisely employs ancient creedal language• The Son of God was “of the same substance” as God the

Father. Jesus Christ is really, truly divine.

• The Son of God was of the same substance as Mary his mother. Jesus Christ is really, truly human.

• Jesus Christ is one person with two natures (divine and human)

• There is no confusion, conversion, or composition between the human and divine natures of Christ

Jesus, who is our one Christ, is one person who is very God and very man

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Sin and the Savior

Of Christ the Mediator

In his human nature, united to the divine nature, the Lord Jesus was set apart and anointed with the Holy Spirit beyond measure, having in him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. In him the Father was pleased to have all fullness dwell, so that—being holy, blameless, and undefiled, full of grace and truth—he might be completely equipped to fulfill the office of a mediator and guarantor. He did not take this office to himself but was called to it by his Father, who put all power and judgment into his hand and commanded him to execute it. [WCF, 8.3, MESV]

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Sin and the Savior

The Holy Spirit

• The uniqueness of Christ is not only tied to his divine nature. His human nature is unparalleled.

• Jesus is full of the Holy Spirit. As a man he is one of a kind—sanctified and anointed like no other.• For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for

he gives the Spirit without measure.(Jn 3:34)

• For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell (Col 1:19)

Jesus is filled with the Spirit for the purpose of being equipped for the office of covenant mediator

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Sin and the Savior

Christ as “surety”

• As our Spirit-filled mediator, he functions as our “surety”

• What is a surety?“A person who undertakes some specific responsibility on behalf of someone else. The surety is the guarantor, the person who makes himself liable for the default or miscarriage of another—no matter what the cost.” ~ Van Dixhoorn, CTF, 114

• As the mediator between God and man, Jesus knew the cost (sacrificial death) of guaranteeing the payment for perpetual covenant breakers. And yet he still willingly and joyful paid that price!

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Sin and the Savior

Of Christ the Mediator

This office the Lord Jesus most willingly undertook, and in order to discharge its obligations he was born under the law and perfectly fulfilled it. He endured most grievous torments in his soul and most painful sufferings in his body; he was crucified, died, and was buried; he remained under the power of death, yet his body did not undergo decay; and he arose from the dead on the third day with the same body in which he had suffered. In this body he ascended into heaven, where he sits at the right hand of his Father, making intercession, and he shall return to judge men and angels at the end of the age. [WCF, 8.4, MESV]

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A willing mediator

• Christ is not a self-appointed mediator, rather he was called to this office and accepted it

For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father." (Jn 10:17-18)

• God the Son willingly submitted himself to and perfectly fulfilled:

• God’s moral law

• God’s ceremonial law

• God’s sacrificial law

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Torments of the soul, suffering of the body

• Jesus endured the sufferings of crucifixion to death

• Jesus endured the torments of his descent into Hell

• The agony in his soul must have been the worst that Jesus endured, but it was not the most obvious• "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me.

Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done." And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. (Lk 22:42-44)

• And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" that is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mt 27:46)

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A risen Savior

• Our mediator did not remain in the grave—Hallelujah!

• Matters of “first importance” (1 Cor 15:3-4)• He died for our sins

• He was buried

• He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures

• God knew the story of Christ’s resurrection is nearly unbelievable• God provided us eyewitness testimonies

• God provided “Doubting Thomas” with indisputable evidence

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Resurrection evidence for skeptics

So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe." Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.“

Jn 20:25-29

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An ascended Savior

• Jesus ascended to heaven in his same body. He is still alive!

• Jesus is still in heaven as our active, embodied mediator

• Jesus is busy reigning and building his Church around the world and throughout the ages• Giving his people gifts and graces

• Defending his people from his and our enemies

• Guiding his people into truth and holiness

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Sin and the Savior

The return of the king

• One day Christ will return to judge men and angels

• That day is Judgment Day• Glorious for the grace-covered Church

• Dreadful for all others who are exposed to God’s justice

• We will all stand before the judgment seat of God. So take heed to:• Not be busy judging one another

• Prepare ourselves for the return of Christ our mediator

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Sin and the Savior

Of Christ the Mediator

The Lord Jesus, by his perfect obedience and sacrifice of himself—which he through the eternal Spirit once offered up to God—has fully satisfied the justice of his Father. He purchased not only reconciliation but also an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven for all those whom the Father has given to him. [WCF, 8.5, MESV]

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Sin and the Savior

Fully satisfied justice

• What did Christ purchase by his obedience and sacrifice?• The only high priest to offer his own perfect obedience

• The sacrificial atonement for sin is not an animal, but himself. He is our perfect substitute sacrifice.

• This perfect sacrifice is an offering of infinite merit and worth

• It accomplished the propitiation (averting) and expiation (atoning) of God’s wrath due to us for our sin. For the Christian: “My sin!”

• The answer: God’s grace and mercy in love, forgiveness, and acceptance toward his beloved sinful people

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Sin and the Savior

Of Christ the Mediator

Although the work of redemption was not actually accomplished by Christ until after his incarnation, yet the power, efficacy, and benefits of it were applied to the elect in all ages successively from the beginning of the world, in and by those promises, types, and sacrifices by which Christ was revealed and signified to be the seed of the woman who would bruise the serpent's head, and to be the Lamb slain from the beginning of the world. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. [WCF, 8.6, MESV]

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Sin and the Savior

Redemption accomplished and applied

• The difference between redemption accomplished and applied. How to answer the question: “When were you saved?”

1. Accomplished: When Jesus died on the cross

2. Applied: When I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior

• Both answers are true, from different perspectives

• Both answers are absolutely necessary for a person to be redeemed. Jesus had to die and you must believe.• OT believers were saved looking forward to redemption

being historically accomplished

• NT believers are saved looking backward to redemption already historically accomplished

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Sin and the Savior

Of Christ the Mediator

In the work of mediation, Christ acts according to both natures. Each nature does what is proper to itself; yet, by reason of the unity of his person, that which is proper to one nature is in Scripture sometimes attributed to the person designated by the other nature. [WCF, 8.7, MESV]

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Sin and the Savior

We are saved by a person, not a nature

• Jesus the God-man (one person) mediates our salvation according to his two natures

• Each nature does what is proper to itself• His human nature died, but his divine nature did not

• Communication of Christ’s attributes• What can be said of the humanity of Christ can be said of

his person

• What can be said of the divinity of Christ can be said of his person

• But what can be said of one nature is not necessarily true of the other nature

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An unusual use of biblical language

• Sometimes the humanity of Christ is expressed using divine categories

Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. (Acts 20:28)

• Sometimes the divinity of Christ is expressed using human categories

No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. (Jn 3:13)

• The communication of divine and human categories is hard to understand, but it helps keep us from oversimplifying biblical language

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Sin and the Savior

The Second

Person of

the Trinity

came to

save us

Of Christ the Mediator

To all those for whom Christ purchased redemption, he certainly and effectually applies and communicates it. He makes intercession for them and reveals to them, in and by the Word, the mysteries of salvation. He effectually persuades them by his Spirit to believe and obey, and governs their hearts by his Word and Spirit. He overcomes all their enemies by his almighty power and wisdom in such a manner, and by such ways, as are most agreeable to his wonderful and unsearchable administration. [WCF, 8.8, MESV]

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Sin and the Savior

The continual work of Christ our mediator

• Christ’s mediatorial work is certain and effective for us• Intercession of prayer

• Revelation of salvation’s mysteries

• Persuasion to believe and obey

• Heart government by Word and Spirit

• Overcomes all enemies by his power and wisdom

• Christ works all these for us in ways that agree with his wonderful and unsearchable administration as Lord and mediator of the covenant of grace

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Summary of key points

• Christ is our Prophet (teacher), Priest (mediator and only hope), and King (defender and ruler)

• God’s people are Christ’s gift from God, and we are most precious to him

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Sin and the Savior

• Jesus, who is our one Christ, is one person who is very God and very man

• Jesus is filled with the Spirit for the purpose of being equipped for the office of covenant mediator

• Christ is not a self-appointed mediator, rather he was called to this office and accepted it

• One day Christ will return to judge men and angels

• OT believers were saved looking forward to redemption being historically accomplished

Consider and discuss

1. What is your favorite hymn or song about Jesus? Why?

2. How has Jesus personally worked in your life to be your Prophet? Your Priest? Your King?

3. How would you summarize the work of Christ the mediator for a friend who asks, “What’s the big deal about Jesus?”

4. Someone argues, “It’s arrogant and narrow minded for Christians to say Jesus is the only way.” Discuss how to give a true and gracious response.

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Memorize

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

John 3:16-17

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Going deeper

Books

• Willson, Sandy. Christ’s Redemption. (Beginner)

• Sproul, R.C. Who is Jesus? (Intermediate)

• Stott, John. The Cross of Christ. (Advanced)

Articles

• Riddlebarger, Kim. The Triple Cure: Jesus Christ – Our Prophet, Priest and King.

• Packer, J.I. Saved by His Precious Blood.

• Articles on Jesus Christ at Monergism.com.

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