BC 6.5

6.5. The Intercession of Christ

We believe that we have no access to God except through the one and only Mediator and Intercessor, "Jesus Christ the righteous," (1 John 2:1) who therefore was made human, uniting together the divine and human natures, so that we human beings might have access to the divine Majesty. Otherwise we would have no access. But this Mediator, whom the Father has appointed between himself and us, ought not terrify us by his greatness, so that we have to look for another one, according to our fancy. For neither in heaven nor among the creatures on earth is there anyone who loves us more than Jesus Christ does. Although he was "in the form of God," Christ nevertheless "emptied himself," taking "human form" and "the form of a slave" for us; (Phil. 2:6-8) and he made himself "like his brothers and sisters in every respect." (Heb. 2:17) Suppose we had to find another intercessor. Who would love us more than he who gave his life for us, even though "we were enemies"? (Rom. 5:10) And suppose we had to find one who has prestige and power. Who has as much of these as he who is seated at the right hand of the Father, (Rom. 8:34, Heb. 1:3) and who has "all authority in heaven and on earth"? (Matt. 28:18) And who will be heard more readily than God's own dearly beloved Son? So, the practice of honoring the saints as intercessors in fact dishonors them because of its misplaced faith. That was something the saints never did nor asked for, but which in keeping with their duty, as appears from their writings, they consistently refused. We should not plead here that we are unworthy- for it is not a question of offering our prayers on the basis of our own dignity but only on the basis of the excellence and dignity of Jesus Christ, whose righteousness is ours by faith. Since the apostle for good reason wants us to get rid of this foolish fear- or rather, this unbelief- he says to us that Jesus Christ was made like "his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest" to purify the sins of the people. (Heb. 2:17) For since he suffered, being tempted, he is also able to help those who are tempted. (Heb. 2:18) And further, to encourage us more to approach him he says, "Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Heb. 4:14-16) The same apostle says that we "have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus." "Let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith...." (Heb. 10:19, Heb. 10:22) Likewise, Christ "holds his priesthood permanently.... Consequently, he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them." (Heb. 7:24-25) What more do we need? For Christ himself declares: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) Why should we seek another intercessor? Since it has pleased God to give us the Son as our Intercessor. let us not leave him for another- or rather seek, without ever finding. For, when giving Christ to us, God knew well that we were sinners. Therefore, in following the command of Christ we call on the heavenly Father through Christ, our only Mediator, as we are taught by the Lord's Prayer, being assured that we shall obtain all we ask of the Father in his name.

Proof texts

• 1 Tim. 2:5 — [5] For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
• 1 John 2:1 — [1] My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
• Eph. 3:12 — [12] in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
• Matt. 11:28 — [28] Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
• John 15:13 — [13] Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
• Eph. 3:19 — [19] and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
• 1 John 4:10 — [10] In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
• Phil. 2:6-7 — [6] who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7] but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
• Heb. 2:17 — [17] Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
• Rom. 5:8, 10 — [8] but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. [10] For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
• Heb. 1:3 — [3] He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
• Heb. 8:1 — [1] Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,
• Matt. 28:18 — [18] And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
• Matt. 3:17 — [17] and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
• John 11:42 — [42] I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.”
• Eph. 1:6 — [6] to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
• Acts 10:26 — [26] But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.”
• Acts 14:15 — [15] “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.
• Jer. 17:5, 7 — [5] Thus says the LORD: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD. [7] “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD.
• Acts 4:12 — [12] And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
• 1 Cor. 1:30 — [30] And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,
• John 10:9 — [9] I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.
• Eph. 2:18 — [18] For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
• Heb. 9:24 — [24] For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.
• Heb. 2:17-18 — [17] Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. [18] For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
• Heb. 4:14-15 — [14] Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. [15] For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
• Heb. 7:24-25 — [24] but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. [25] Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
• Rom. 8:34 — [34] Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died — more than that, who was raised — who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
• John 14:6 — [6] Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
• Heb. 13:15 — [15] Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.
• Matt. 6:9-13 — [9] Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. [10] Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. [11] Give us this day our daily bread, [12] and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. [13] And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
• Luke 11:2-4 — [2] And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. [3] Give us each day our daily bread, [4] and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.”
• John 16:23 — [23] In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.
• John 14:13 — [13] Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited 1 Tim. 2:5 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 34 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
3. HC Q86 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

HC Q86