Of Christ the Mediator
Section 8.7
Christ, in the work of mediation, acteth according to both natures, by each nature doing that which is proper to itself: yet, by reason of the unity of the person, that which is proper to one nature, is sometimes in Scripture attributed to the person denominated by the other nature.
In opposition to Roman Catholics, who maintain that Christ is mediator only as man, this* section asserts that Christ, as mediator, acteth according to both natures. The Scriptures teach us that he acted as mediator prior to his assumption of human nature. It is a mediatorial act — the act of a prophet, to reveal the will of God ; and it cannot be questioned that Christ was the author of revelation under the old as well as the new dispensation. It is a mediatorial act to intercede for the Church ; but this Christ did long before his incarnation. — Zech. i. 12. And since his incarnation the * Charrock's Works, vol. ii., p. 563.
1 12 CONFESSION OF FAITH. [^CHAP. VIII
mediator acts as God-man, and the works peculiar to each natm-e are ascribed to the person of Christ, in which both natures are united. The human nature alone could suffer and die ; yet it is said, " The Lord of glory was crucified ;" and, "God purchased the Church with his own blood." — 1 Cor. ii. 8 ; Acts xx. 28. This claims our special attention ; for upon the communion of the two natures in the person of Christ, in all mediatory acts, especially as a surety, the inherent value of his work principally depends.
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Chapter 8: Of Christ the Mediator
The person and offices of Christ as Mediator of the covenant of grace
Of Christ the Mediator
Section 8.1
It pleased God, in His eternal purpose, to choose and ordain the Lord Jesus, His only begotten Son, to be the Mediator between God and man; the Prophet, Priest, and King, the Head and Saviour of His Church, the Heir of all things, and Judge of the world: unto whom He did from all eternity give a people, to be His seed, and to be by Him in time redeemed, called, justified, sanctified, and glorified.
Of Christ the Mediator
Section 8.2
The Son of God, the second person in the Trinity, being very and eternal God, of one substance and equal with the Father, did, when the fulness of time was come, take upon Him man’s nature, with all the essential properties and common infirmities thereof, yet without sin: being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the virgin Mary, of her substance. So that two whole, perfect, and distinct natures, the Godhead and the manhood, were inseparably joined together in one person, without conversion, composition, or confusion. Which person is very God, and very man, yet one Christ, the only Mediator between God and man.
Of Christ the Mediator
Section 8.3
The Lord Jesus, in His human nature thus united to the divine, 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 fulness should dwell; to the end that, being holy, harmless, undefiled, and full of grace and truth, He might be thoroughly furnished to execute the office of a mediator and surety. Which office He took not unto Himself, but was thereunto called by His Father, who put all power and judgment into His hand, and gave Him commandment to execute the same.
Of Christ the Mediator
Section 8.4
This office the Lord Jesus did most willingly undertake; which that He might discharge, He was made under the law, and did perfectly fulfil it, endured most grievous torments immediately in His soul, and most painful sufferings in His body (Matt. 26, 27 chapters); was crucified, and died; was buried, and remained under the power of death; yet saw no corruption. On the third day He arose from the dead, with the same body in which He suffered, with which also he ascended into heaven, and there sitteth at the right hand of His Father, making intercession, and shall return to judge men and angels at the end of the world.
Of Christ the Mediator
Section 8.5
The Lord Jesus, by His perfect obedience, and sacrifice of Himself, which He, through the eternal Spirit, once offered up unto God, hath fully satisfied the justice of His Father; and purchased, not only reconciliation, but an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven, for all those whom the Father hath given unto Him.
Of Christ the Mediator
Section 8.6
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.
Of Christ the Mediator
Section 8.7
Christ, in the work of mediation, acteth according to both natures, by each nature doing that which is proper to itself: yet, by reason of the unity of the person, that which is proper to one nature, is sometimes in Scripture attributed to the person denominated by the other nature.
Of Christ the Mediator
Section 8.8
To all those for whom Christ hath purchased redemption, He doth certainly and effectually apply and communicate the same, making intercession for them, and revealing unto them, in and by the Word, the mysteries of salvation, effectually persuading them by His Spirit to believe and obey, and governing their hearts by His Word and Spirit; overcoming all their enemies by His almighty power and wisdom, in such manner, and ways, as are most consonant to His wonderful and unsearchable dispensation.
This Section proceeds to state —
1st. That all Christ's mediatorial actions involve the concurrent activities of both natures, each nature contributing that which is proper to itself.
Thus the divine nature of Christ is that fountain from which his revelation as prophet is derived. Other prophets reflect his light, or transmit what they receive from him. He is the original source of all divine knowledge. At the same time his humanity is the. form through which his Godhead is revealed, his flesh the veil through which its glory is transmitted. His person as incarnate God is the focus of all revelations — the subject as well as the organ of all prophetical teaching.
Thus, also, the human nature of Christ was necessary in order that his person should be "made under the law ;" and it is the subject of his vicarious sufferings, and the organ of his vicarious obedience and intercession as our representative Priest and Intercessor. At the same time, it is only the supreme dignity of his divine person which renders his obedience supererogatory and therefore vicarious, and the temporary and finite sufferings of his humanity a full equivalent in justice-satisfying eflScacy for the eternal sufferings of all the elect. Thus, also, the activities of his divinity and humanity are constantly and beautifully blended in all his administrative acts as King. The last Adam, the second man, the Head of a redeemed and glorified race, the Firstborn among many brethren, he has dominion over all creatures ; and, with a human heart acting out through the energies of divine wisdom and power, he makes all
things work together for the accomplishment of his purposes of love.
All mediatorial acts are therefore to be attributed to the entire person of the Theanthropos — God-man. And in the whole of his glorious Person is he to be obeyed and worshipped by angels and men.
This Section teaches — 2d. That, because of the unity of both natures in one Person, that which is proper to either nature belongs of course to that one Person ; and sometimes in Scripture that which is proper to one nature is attributed to the Person denominated by the other nature. Thus, as shown above under Section ii., the Scriptures often say that God shed his blood for his Church, or that the Son of Man came down from heaven, while they never say that the human nature of Christ came down from heaven, or that his divine nature suffered for his Church.