Session 26: WCF Chapter VIII - Of Christ the Mediator, Section 1

Isaiah 42:1 1 Peter 1:19,20 John 3:16 1 Timothy 2:5 Acts 3:22 Hebrews 5:5,6 Psalm 2:6 Luke 1:33 Ephesians 5:23

Hebrews 1:2 Acts 17:31 John 17:6 Psalm 22:30 Isaiah 53:10 1 Timothy 2:6 Isaiah 55:4,5 1 Corinthians 1:30

CHAPTER VIII - Of Christ the Mediator 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.

WCF 3.3 – the doctrine of God’s sovereign election WCF 7.3 – the doctrine of the covenant of grace between the Father and His Son WCF 8.1 – the doctrine of Christ’s role as: mediator, both God and man, exercising His authority as prophet, priest, and king. Moreover, He is Head and Savior of His Church, Heir of all things, and Judge of the world.

Mediation by Redemption Mediate – To bring together two parties who are separated and opposed to one another. Redeem – To set free by paying a price (a ransom).

Mediation Between God and Man Christ Man A: Man has sinned against me and must die. A: The full penalty must be paid for the sins committed. A: Infinite. Q: Why are you separated and at odds with each other? Q: What must be done to bring you together again? Q: What is the magnitude of that penalty? A: Only God could pay that penalty. I will pay that penalty. [penalty paid] A: [silence] [redemption to life]

Christ Divine Nature Human Nature

God and Man – Misconceptions Nestorians believed that Christ exists as two different persons in one body: one God, and one man. Monophysitists believed that Christ’s two natures merged into one. Eutychians believed that Christ’s nature as God merged with His nature as man, but that His God nature consumed His human nature as an ocean would consume a drop of vinegar. Monothelitists believed that Christ had two natures but only one will.

King Uzziah One of the good kings of Judah Reigned circa 790-739 B.C. Reigned during Isaiah, Hosea, Amos and Jonah’s ministries Good reputation spread far and wide Sought God, and Judah prospered Wanted to offer incense to God on the alter of the Temple 2 Chronicles 26:16-21 Why?

Separation of King and High Priest Offices “O profane and wicked prince [Uzziah] of Israel, whose day has come, whose time of punishment has reached its climax, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Take off the turban, remove the crown. It will not be as it was: The lowly will be exalted and the exalted will be brought low. A ruin! A ruin! I will make it a ruin! It will not be restored until he comes to whom it rightfully belongs; to him I will give it. (Ezekiel 21:25-27) Kings were to be from the tribe of Judah Priests were to be descendants of Aaron (Levites)

Suspension of King and High Priest Offices The last legitimate King to sit on David’s throne was Jeconiah. Jeconiah’s kingly line was cursed around 600 B.C. (Jeremiah 22:28-30) The last legitimate High Priest was Onias III. Onias III was murdered during the reign of Syrian conqueror Antiochus Epiphanes, about 174 BC. Antiochus auctioned off the office to the highest bidder, who was Jason, Onias III’s brother. (!) From that time forward, the highest bidder became the High Priest. https://gracethrufaith.com/end-times-prophecy/reunion-of-priest-and-king/

Who is Melchizedek? After [Abram’s] return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet [Abram] at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley). And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) And he blessed [Abram] and said, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!” And Abram gave him a tenth of everything [he had taken from his defeat of Chedorlaomer]. (Genesis 14:17-24) https://bible.org/question/was-melchizedek-theophany-or-real-man

He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever. (Hebrews 7:3)

Melchizedek and Christ as Type/Antitype Melchizedek's position as High Priest was not dependent on ancestry... neither was Christ's. (Hebrews 7:14) Melchizedek was not in a succession of many priests... neither is Christ. (Hebrews 7:3) Melchizedek's priesthood was higher than and separate from the Levitical order... so is Christ's. (Hebrews 7:4-7) Melchizedek was a priest and king... so is Christ! (Zechariah 6:9-15) Melchizedek received tribute from Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation, which shows the superiority of Melchizedek's priesthood above the Levitical, which came out of the loins of Abraham. (Genesis 14:18-20 with Hebrews 7:4)

The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” The Lord sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies! Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments; from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours. The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” (Psalm 110:1-4) 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”; as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 5:5,6)

Mediator Prophet Priest King

The Offices of the Lord Jesus Christ Prophet – Christ reveals to us, by his Word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation. (WSC 24) Priest – Christ once offered Himself up as a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice and reconcile us to God and continually intercedes for us. (WSC 25) King – Christ subdued us to himself, rules and defends us, and restrains and conquers all His and our enemies. (WSC 26)

Jesus accomplished our redemption by his death and resurrection Jesus accomplished our redemption by his death and resurrection. The Holy Spirit applies that redemption to God’s elect. (Romans 8:28-39) Effectual Calling – The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin, brings us to faith and persuades and enables us to come to Christ. (WSC 31) Justification – God declares us not guilty, but rather righteous, on the basis of Jesus’ perfect obedience to the law and death for our sin. (WSC 33) Adoption – God receives us into the number of the sons of God, giving us a right to all their privileges. (WSC 34)

Jesus accomplished our redemption by his death and resurrection Jesus accomplished our redemption by his death and resurrection. The Holy Spirit applies that redemption to God’s elect. (Romans 8:28-39) Sanctification – The Holy Spirit works progressively to transform us into the likeness of Christ. (WSC 35) Glorification – The Holy Spirit fully conforms us to the image of Christ in body and spirit.

Personal Personal Focus Focus

Which do you think of most often – Christ as prophet, priest or king?