Chapter 8, Paragraph 1: Summary
This paragraph introduces Christ as the mediator of the covenant of grace. It teaches that God chose His Son, Jesus Christ, to fulfill this role from all eternity. Christ was appointed by God to reconcile sinners to Himself, making Him the only Savior and mediator between God and humanity. As mediator, Christ fulfills the offices of prophet, priest, and king, ensuring the salvation of His people.
The paragraph emphasizes that Christ was perfectly equipped for this role, being fully God and fully man. His divine nature ensured He could bear the infinite weight of God’s wrath, and His human nature ensured He could represent humanity. This union of natures made Him the perfect and sufficient mediator to redeem God’s elect.
Historical Context
This teaching reflects the Reformers’ emphasis on the sufficiency of Christ’s work for salvation, countering both the Roman Catholic view of multiple mediators (e.g., Mary and the saints) and heretical views that denied either Christ’s full deity or His full humanity. The Reformers highlighted the uniqueness of Christ as the only mediator appointed by God, essential for the salvation of sinners.
Key Biblical References
- 1 Timothy 2:5: There is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
- John 3:16: God sent His only Son for the salvation of the world.
- Isaiah 42:1: God’s chosen servant will bring justice, pointing to Christ’s role as mediator.
- Hebrews 9:15: Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, securing eternal redemption.
- Hebrews 7:25-26: Christ lives to intercede for His people, as the perfect high priest.
Summary
Chapter 8, paragraph 1 teaches that Jesus Christ is the mediator of the covenant of grace, appointed by God from eternity to save sinners. Fully God and fully man, Christ alone is uniquely qualified to reconcile humanity to God. As the prophet, priest, and king of His people, Christ ensures their redemption and eternal fellowship with God. This doctrine underscores the uniqueness and sufficiency of Christ’s person and work as central to salvation.
Chapter 8, Paragraph 2: Summary
This paragraph focuses on the person of Christ, teaching that He is both fully God and fully man in one person. As the eternal Son of God, He is of the same substance and equal with the Father. At the appointed time, He took on human nature, being conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. In doing so, Christ became fully human, sharing all the attributes of humanity (body and soul) but without sin.
The union of Christ’s two natures—divine and human—occurred without blending or confusion. He remains fully God and fully man, each nature retaining its distinct properties, yet united in one person. This unique union qualifies Him to be the perfect mediator between God and humanity.
Historical Context
This teaching builds on the early church’s doctrinal battles over Christology, particularly the Council of Chalcedon (451 AD), which affirmed the two natures of Christ in one person. The Westminster Confession upholds this biblical and historical understanding, countering both ancient heresies (e.g., Arianism, which denied Christ’s deity, and Apollinarianism, which denied His full humanity) and any view that undermines the sufficiency of Christ’s mediation.
Key Biblical References
- John 1:1, 14: The Word was God, and the Word became flesh, affirming Christ’s divinity and humanity.
- Philippians 2:6-8: Christ, though God, took on the form of a servant and became obedient to death.
- Colossians 2:9: In Christ, the fullness of deity dwells bodily.
- Hebrews 2:14-17: Christ shared in humanity to defeat sin and death and to be a merciful high priest.
- Luke 1:35: The Holy Spirit’s role in Christ’s conception affirms His sinless humanity.
Summary
Chapter 8, paragraph 2 teaches that Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully man, possessing two distinct natures united in one person. Conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, Christ shares in humanity without sin. This union of natures makes Him the perfect and sufficient mediator between God and humanity. This doctrine affirms the biblical and historic understanding of Christ’s person as essential for salvation.
Chapter 8, Paragraph 3: Summary
This paragraph emphasizes Christ’s full equipping for His role as mediator. It teaches that the two natures of Christ—divine and human—are united in one person, perfectly suited to fulfill His work of redemption. By virtue of this union, Christ’s obedience, suffering, and death were of infinite value and sufficient to reconcile sinners to God. His divine nature gave infinite worth to His actions, while His human nature enabled Him to represent humanity and bear the penalty for sin.
It further explains that Christ acted voluntarily and willingly submitted to the Father’s will in taking on this role. He fulfilled the law perfectly and offered Himself as a sacrifice for sin, fully satisfying the justice of God on behalf of His people.
Historical Context
This teaching reflects the Reformers’ commitment to Christ as the sole and sufficient redeemer of humanity. It counters views that diminished the value of Christ’s work by denying either His full divinity or humanity. The Reformers emphasized the infinite worth of Christ’s atonement, rooted in His unique person as both fully God and fully man, acting in perfect obedience to the Father.
Key Biblical References
- John 10:18: Jesus willingly lays down His life, demonstrating His voluntary submission to the Father’s will.
- Hebrews 9:14: Christ offered Himself through the eternal Spirit, a perfect and sufficient sacrifice for sin.
- Philippians 2:8: Christ humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death on a cross.
- Romans 5:19: Through Christ’s obedience, many are made righteous.
- Isaiah 53:10-11: The suffering servant makes many righteous through His atoning work.
Summary
Chapter 8, paragraph 3 teaches that Christ, as both fully God and fully man, was uniquely qualified to act as the mediator between God and humanity. His obedience, suffering, and death were of infinite value, fully satisfying God’s justice and reconciling sinners to Him. Acting willingly and in perfect submission to the Father, Christ fulfilled the requirements of the law and offered Himself as a perfect sacrifice for sin. This doctrine highlights the sufficiency of Christ’s person and work for redemption.
Chapter 8, Paragraph 4: Summary
This paragraph focuses on Christ’s atonement, teaching that His work of redemption was intended specifically for the elect—those whom God chose for salvation. Christ fully paid the penalty for their sins, satisfying God’s justice and reconciling them to God. His obedience, suffering, and death secured forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and all the blessings of salvation for His people.
The paragraph emphasizes the effectiveness of Christ’s atonement, ensuring that all for whom He died will be redeemed and saved. His work is not merely potential or general but actual and particular, accomplishing salvation for those the Father gave to Him.
Historical Context
This doctrine reflects the Reformed teaching of particular redemption (or limited atonement), which emphasizes that Christ’s atoning work was intended to save the elect specifically. It contrasts with views that Christ’s death made salvation possible for all but did not secure it for anyone in particular. The Reformers, building on Scripture, affirmed that Christ’s atonement was fully effective, ensuring the salvation of all who were chosen by God.
Key Biblical References
- John 10:14-15: Jesus lays down His life for His sheep, emphasizing the particularity of His atonement.
- John 17:9: Jesus prays specifically for those the Father has given Him, not for the whole world.
- Ephesians 5:25-27: Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her to make her holy and blameless.
- Isaiah 53:11: The suffering servant justifies many by bearing their iniquities.
- Hebrews 9:28: Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many, pointing to the effectiveness of His work.
Summary
Chapter 8, paragraph 4 teaches that Christ’s atonement was specifically for the elect, securing their redemption and ensuring their salvation. Through His obedience, suffering, and death, Christ fully satisfied God’s justice and reconciled His people to God. This doctrine highlights the particular and effective nature of Christ’s work, emphasizing that His atonement fully accomplishes salvation for those the Father has chosen.
Chapter 8, Paragraph 5: Summary
This paragraph teaches that the benefits of Christ’s atonement are applied to the elect in every age. From the beginning of the world to its end, Christ’s redeeming work is the only means by which anyone is saved. Although the full revelation of Christ’s work was not made known until the New Testament, Old Testament believers were saved through faith in the promises and types that pointed forward to Christ. In the New Testament, believers receive the full benefits of Christ’s completed work.
The paragraph emphasizes that Christ’s atonement is effective across all of history, uniting Old and New Testament believers in one covenant of grace. Salvation has always been through faith in Christ, either in anticipation of His coming or in recognition of His finished work.
Historical Context
This teaching highlights the continuity of salvation through Christ across all time, affirming that Old Testament believers were saved by the same covenant of grace as New Testament believers. The Reformers rejected the idea that there were different methods of salvation in different eras. Instead, they emphasized the unity of God’s redemptive plan centered on Christ as the only mediator.
Key Biblical References
- Hebrews 13:8: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever, affirming the consistency of His saving work.
- Acts 4:12: Salvation is found in no one else but Christ.
- Hebrews 9:15: Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, redeeming transgressions committed under the first covenant.
- Romans 3:25-26: God demonstrated His righteousness by passing over sins previously committed, showing His justice and grace in Christ.
- Galatians 3:7-9: Believers are sons of Abraham and heirs of the promise through faith, uniting Old and New Testament saints.
Summary
Chapter 8, paragraph 5 teaches that Christ’s atonement applies to the elect in every age. Old Testament believers were saved by faith in the promises and types that pointed forward to Christ, while New Testament believers are saved by faith in His completed work. This doctrine affirms the unity of salvation through Christ across all of history, showing that He is the only mediator between God and humanity.
Chapter 8, Paragraph 6: Summary
This paragraph emphasizes the fullness and sufficiency of Christ’s work as mediator. It teaches that Christ fully satisfied God’s justice, reconciled His people to God, and purchased all the benefits of salvation for them. These benefits include justification, adoption, sanctification, and eternal glory. Christ’s work is complete, and nothing needs to be added to it by human effort or merit.
The paragraph highlights that Christ accomplished this work as both fully God and fully man. His divine nature ensured the infinite value of His atonement, while His human nature enabled Him to represent humanity perfectly. The completeness of His work guarantees salvation for all the elect.
Historical Context
This teaching reflects the Reformation’s focus on the sufficiency of Christ’s work for salvation. It stands in opposition to Roman Catholic teachings that emphasized the necessity of additional works, penance, or the mediation of saints. The Reformers affirmed that Christ’s atonement was entirely sufficient and that salvation rests solely on His completed work.
Key Biblical References
- Hebrews 10:14: By one sacrifice, Christ has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
- Romans 3:25-26: God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, demonstrating His justice and justifying those who have faith in Jesus.
- Ephesians 1:7: In Christ, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.
- 2 Corinthians 5:21: God made Christ, who knew no sin, to be sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God.
- Romans 8:32: God gave His Son for us and, with Him, freely gives us all things.
Summary
Chapter 8, paragraph 6 teaches that Christ’s work as mediator is complete and sufficient, fully satisfying God’s justice and securing all the benefits of salvation for His people. By His obedience and atoning sacrifice, Christ guarantees justification, adoption, sanctification, and eternal glory for the elect. This doctrine affirms that salvation rests solely on Christ’s finished work, reflecting the Reformation’s emphasis on His sufficiency.
Chapter 8, Paragraph 7: Summary
This paragraph emphasizes that Christ’s work as mediator is effective and unchangeable. It teaches that Christ applies the benefits of His redemption to His people through His continual intercession. As their eternal prophet, priest, and king, He ensures that His elect receive all the blessings of salvation at the right time. These benefits include justification, sanctification, and the eventual glorification of His people.
The paragraph highlights that Christ’s mediatorial work is ongoing, particularly in His role as a high priest. He intercedes for believers, ensuring their perseverance in faith and their ultimate salvation. This guarantees the security of all who are united to Him.
Historical Context
This teaching counters views that diminish the ongoing role of Christ in the lives of believers. The Reformers emphasized not only Christ’s completed work of atonement but also His ongoing intercession for His people, assuring their perseverance. This doctrine highlights the personal and continual care of Christ for His people, addressing concerns about assurance of salvation.
Key Biblical References
- Hebrews 7:25: Christ always lives to make intercession for those who draw near to God through Him.
- Romans 8:34: Christ is at the right hand of God, interceding for believers.
- John 17:9-19: Jesus prays specifically for His people, asking for their protection and sanctification.
- Philippians 1:6: He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
- Hebrews 9:24: Christ appears in the presence of God on behalf of His people.
Summary
Chapter 8, paragraph 7 teaches that Christ’s work as mediator is not only complete but also actively applied to His people through His continual intercession. As their eternal prophet, priest, and king, Christ ensures that all His elect receive the blessings of salvation and are preserved to the end. This doctrine assures believers of their security in Christ, highlighting His ongoing care and the effectiveness of His mediatorial work.
Chapter 8, Paragraph 8: Summary
This paragraph teaches that Christ’s saving work extends to all the elect, regardless of when or where they live. Whether under the Old Testament or the New Testament, all the elect are saved through the work of Christ as the one mediator of the covenant of grace. It emphasizes that no one is saved apart from Him, and the benefits of His mediation are applied to the elect across all ages.
The paragraph also highlights that the promises, sacrifices, and ordinances of the Old Testament pointed forward to Christ, while the gospel in the New Testament proclaims His completed work. Though the outward forms of worship differed, the substance of salvation—faith in Christ—has always been the same.
Historical Context
This teaching underscores the unity of God’s redemptive plan throughout history, countering views that suggested different methods of salvation for Old Testament and New Testament believers. The Reformers emphasized that Christ’s atonement was effective for all the elect, past, present, and future, and that Old Testament saints were saved by faith in the promised Messiah.
Key Biblical References
- John 14:6: Jesus declares Himself to be the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Him.
- Hebrews 9:15: Christ’s atonement redeems transgressions committed under the first covenant.
- Acts 10:43: All the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in Christ receives forgiveness of sins.
- Romans 3:25-26: God passed over former sins, demonstrating His righteousness in Christ.
- Galatians 3:7-9: Believers in all ages are heirs of the promise through faith, as sons of Abraham.
Summary
Chapter 8, paragraph 8 teaches that Christ’s saving work applies to all the elect, whether under the Old Testament or the New Testament. Salvation has always been through faith in Christ, who is the one mediator of the covenant of grace. This doctrine emphasizes the unity of God’s redemptive plan and the sufficiency of Christ’s atonement for all of God’s people across all ages.
Covenant Presbyterian Church 