12 Reasons For Being A Member Of The Church Of Christ
"Christ Is Our Mediator"
"For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." 1 Tim 2:5
We do not claim to have full comprehension of all that the Bible reveals on this subject, but we will set forth scripture which establishes Jesus Christ as our mediator and refutes false beliefs concerning the idea of a mediator between God and man.
Vines defines mediator, "literally, a go-between, between two parties with a view to producing peace, as in 1 Tim 2:5, though more than mere mediatorship is in view, for the salvation of men necessitated that the Mediator should Himself possess the nature and attributes of Him towards whom He acts, and should likewise participate in the nature of those for whom He acts; only by being possessed both of Deity and humanity could He comprehend the claims of the one and the needs of the other; further, the claims and the needs could be met only by One who, Himself being proved sinless, would offer Himself an expiatory sacrifice on behalf of men."
Contrary to the belief of some, there is just one mediator between God and man. Paul clearly establishes this truth in 1 Tim 2:3-5. Can departed Christians meditate for us? No! Could the apostle Peter, or Paul, even while on earth, mediate for sinner? No! Can Mary the mother of Jesus mediate for us? No! The Holy spirit, in 1 Tim 2:5, is very clear, concise, and positive on this matter and is not subject to more than one interpretation. "There is ... one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." Other passages i.e. Heb 7:23-25 and Eph 2:14-22 that deals with this matter are just as positive in declaring that we have only one mediator and intercessor.
We cannot approach God through another person. Certainly we can not pray in the name of any one else and hope God will recognize us, Col 3:17. We can not serve God under the name of any one but Jesus Christ, Acts 4:12. There is only one mediator between God and mankind, Christ Jesus our Lord. A mediator is one who stands between those who are at variance, thus there is need for an intermediary. The privilege of having Jesus as their mediator and intercessor is a blessing to all those who are in Christ, members of His body, His church, 2 Tim 2:19.
The details of how our Lord mediates and intercedes for us are not fully revealed. We do know He came to reveal the way of life through which reconciliation with the heavenly Father could be obtained. In the perfect life He lived; in His death on the cross; in the divine power He demonstrated; in His resurrection; in His last will and testament that He gave for us to follow; He does mediate and intercedes for all who obey Him. He is our advocate with the Father pleading our case before the bar of God's divine justice, 1 John 2:1. As our mediator and intercessor, sitting at the right hand of God (Mark 16:19), having experienced all the fleshly temptations as we, our Lord is divinely qualified to represent and act in our behalf. - Ray Wilson