The Doctrine of Christ

LESSON THIRTY-TWO Christ the Mediator in the New Creation

1. The Creator and the Redeemer are the same person, and redemption is creation. Isaiah 43:1; 2 Corinthians 5:17, A. R. V., margin; Ephesians 2:10, 14, 15, ARV; Ephesians 4:24; Galatians 6:15, ARV, margin. TDOC 83.1

2. The same one who created all things, creates the new heart in man. Psalm 51:10; Ezekiel 36:26. TDOC 83.2

3. As the original creation was mediated through the Word, so is the new creation. John 15:3; 17:17. TDOC 83.3

4. As Christ was the mediator in the original creation, so is he in redemption. John 14:6; Romans 5:1, 2; Ephesians 2:18; 3:12; Hebrews 10:19, 20; 1 Timothy 2:5; Romans 3:24; Hebrews 13:20, 21. TDOC 83.4

NOTES: The only Mediator

“Christ’s mediatorial office in the physical creation was the starting point of the apostle’s teaching. His mediatorial office in the spiritual creation is its principal theme. If the function of Christ is unique in the universe, so it is also in the church, He is the sole and absolute link between God and humanity. Nothing short of his personality would suffice as a medium of reconciliation between the two. Nothing short of his life and work in the flesh, as consummated in his passion, would serve as an assurance of God’s love and pardon. His cross is the atonement of mankind with God. He is the head with whom all the living members of the body are in direct and immediate communication, who suggests their manifold activities to each, who directs their several functions in subordination to the healthy working of the whole, from whom they individually receive their inspiration and their strength. And being all this, he cannot consent to share his prerogatives with others. He absorbs in himself the whole function of mediation. Through him alone, without any interposing link of communication, the human soul has access to the Father.” TDOC 83.5

The need met in mediation

“The need of man, in one word, was mediation; the work of Christ is that of mediator. The life of man, as a spiritual being, is from first to last a mediated life, a life mediated through the incarnate Son of God.” TDOC 83.6

The solution of all problems

From a New Testament point of view it appears that all the mysterious problems of the moral world center in Jesus Christ, and must find their final solution in the manifestation of his person, his mediatorial activity, and the coming of his kingdom.” TDOC 84.1

The only explanation

“The emphasis placed on ‘the name of Jesus Christ,’ and on his work as Savior from sin, can be satisfactorily explained only’ in the light of his mediatorial office and work as set forth in other scriptures.” TDOC 84.2

The origin of mediation

“The entire mediation of Christ has its origin in the love of God. The sufferings of Christ are not the ground or cause of the exercise of God’s saving grace; the love of God is the cause and source of the sufferings.” TDOC 84.3

His person and work

“The redemption that is in Christ Jesus is the divine power in his person and work by the efficiency of which the sinner may be delivered from his sins. It is through this redemption that he is justified freely by his grace.” TDOC 84.4

The eternal Sonship

“It is this eternal son ship which, as it places him above angels and men alike, enables him to work out the redemption of a sinful world, and to be the great high priest of the human race. Hebrews 4:14.” TDOC 84.5

A great difference

“Come to him through Christ, and you shall find him a God of love. Come otherwise, and he will be found of you a consuming fire.” TDOC 84.6

His continual mediation

“Just as we believe that a strictly mediatorial work and function belongs to the Son of God in his divine nature, in respect of his general sovereign relation to the universe, in its origination and in its continuance and administration (and this apart from the special work of redemption), so we believe that, in the special work of redemption, his gracious interest in and intervention for his creature man is not to be restricted, if we would rightly understand it in its due connection and place, to the period since his actual incarnation. Rather is that the climax of a long course of previous visitations and dispensations of mercy.” TDOC 84.7

“Our Savior was a mediator even in the giving of the law, and previous to the incarnation; and, therefore, is not a mediator merely in respect to his human nature, seeing that he had not as yet assumed it.” TDOC 84.8