WCF 8.6
Westminster Confession of Faith
8.6. Of Christ the Mediator
Although the work of redemption was not actually wrought by Christ till after His incarnation, yet the virtue, efficacy, and benefits thereof were communicated unto the elect in all ages successively from the beginning of the world, in and by those promises, types, and sacrifices, wherein He was revealed, and signified to be the seed of the woman which should bruise the serpent’s head; and the Lamb slain from the beginning of the world: being yesterday and to-day the same, and forever.
Proof texts
- Gal. 4:4, 5 — [4] But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, [5] to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
- Gen. 3:15 — [15] I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”
- Rev. 13:8 — [8] and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.
- Heb. 13:8 — [8] Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Gal. 4:4, 5 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 4 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WSC Q26 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WSC Q27 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
WSC Q26 · WSC Q27 · WSC Q28 · WLC Q45 · WLC Q46 · WLC Q47 · WLC Q48 · WLC Q49 · WLC Q50 · WLC Q51 · WLC Q52 · WLC Q53 · WLC Q54 · WLC Q55 · WLC Q56 · WLC Q36 · WSC Q21 · BC 5.2 · BC 5.3 · BC 5.4 · BC 5.5 · BC 5.6 · HC Q29 · CD 2.1 · HC Q37 · 1689 8.1 · SD 8.1 · IAR 4.5 · SC60 2.2 · SHC 2.3 · SHC 2.4 · IAR 5.1 · IAR 5.2 · IAR 5.3 · IAR 5.4 · IAR 5.5 · SC60 3.1 · SHC 3.2
Leader's notes
A Commentary on the Confession of Faith (A.A. Hodge): These Sections teach us of the effects of Christ's mediatorial work on earth : 1st. That Christ made satisfaction in behalf of those whom he represented (a) by his obedience, (6) by his sacrifice of himself. 2d. That Christ has in strict rigour /ttZ/y satisfied all the demands of divine justice upon those whom he represents. 3d. That thus he has, according to the terms of the eternal covenant, not only secured, in behalf of those whom he represented, remission of sins and propitiation of divine wrath, but also an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven. 4th. That although this perfect satisfaction was rendered in his obedience and suffering only subsequently to his incarnation, yet the full benefits thereof…
An Exposition of the Confession of Faith (Robert Shaw): This section asserts the efficacy of the death of Christ for the salvation of sinners before, as well as since, he actually laid down his life. Though foiu' thousand years elapsed before he actually appeared in the flesh, and put away sin by the sacrifice of himself, yet he was exhibited from the beginning of the world, in promises, predictions, and types ; and believers under the Old Testament were saved by the merit of his sacrifice, as well as those under the New. Abraham " rejoiced to see his day," and was justified by faith in him. ** His death is not more efficacious now, nor will be to eternity, than it was before ; for he is the…