1689 8.3

8.3. Of Christ the Mediator

The Lord Jesus in his humane nature thus united to the divine, in the Person of the Son, was sanctified, and anointed with the Holy Spirit, above measure; having in him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; in whom it pleased the Father that all fullness should dwell: To the end that being holy, harmless, undefiled, and full of Grace, and Truth, he might be throughly furnished to execute the office of a Mediator, and Surety; which office he took not upon himself, but was thereunto called by his Father; who also put all power and judgement in his hand, and gave him Commandement to execute the same.

Proof texts

• Psalms 45:7 — [7] you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions;
• Acts 10:38 — [38] how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
• John 3:34 — [34] For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure.
• Colossians 2:3 — [3] in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
• Colossians 1:19 — [19] For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,
• Hebrews 7:26 — [26] For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.
• John 1:14 — [14] 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.
• Hebrews 7:22 — [22] This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.
• Hebrews 5:5 — [5] So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”;
• John 5:22, 27 — [22] For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, [27] And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man.
• Matthew 28:18 — [18] And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
• Acts 2:36 — [36] Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited Psalms 45:7 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 12 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
3. WSC Q21 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
4. WLC Q36 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q21 · WLC Q36 · WCF 8.1 · HC Q29 · HC Q37 · BC 5.2 · BC 5.3 · BC 5.4 · BC 5.5 · BC 5.6 · CD 2.1 · SD 8.1