Mediation of Christ

Definition and Meaning

The mediation of Christ is the doctrine that Jesus Christ stands between God and humanity and reconciles the two. The Korean term jungbo (中保) means to stand in the middle as a guarantor and bring the parties together. The Korean Revised Version, New Edition (Gaeyeok Gaejeong), calls the one who performs this work jungboja, "mediator."

Protestant theology teaches that Christ is able to be the mediator because he possesses two natures, being truly God and truly man. His mediatorial work is understood in two parts: the atonement he accomplished on the cross, and his ongoing intercession for believers before God following his resurrection and ascension.

Biblical and Historical Background

• 1 Timothy 2:5 states that there is "one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."
• Hebrews calls Christ "the mediator of the new testament" (Hebrews 9:15), that is, of the new covenant. It also portrays him as the high priest who "ever liveth to make intercession" for believers (Hebrews 7:25). 1 John 2:1 calls him "an advocate with the Father."
• In the Old Testament, the priests and the mediator through whom the law was given (Galatians 3:19, commonly interpreted as Moses) stood between the people and God. The New Testament presents these roles as fulfilled in Christ.

The Reformers emphasized that Christ alone is the one mediator. John Calvin organized Christ's work under the three offices (the threefold office) of prophet, priest, and king. This framework was carried forward in Question 31 of the Heidelberg Catechism and in Chapter 8, "Of Christ the Mediator," of the Westminster Confession of Faith.

The Catholic Church likewise confesses Christ as the one mediator. It explains, however, that the intercession of the Virgin Mary and the saints (their praying on behalf of others) is a participation in Christ's mediation, and the Orthodox Church also affirms the intercessory prayers of the saints. Protestants reject this view. Instead, they connect Christ's mediation with the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers, according to which every believer approaches God directly through Christ.

Practice in the Korean Church

• Most prayers in Korean Protestant churches close with "We pray in the name of Jesus Christ." This custom is explained as an expression of faith in Christ's mediation, that is, the conviction that one approaches God only through Christ (John 16:23-24).
• Presbyterian churches teach the threefold office through the Westminster Shorter Catechism. Other denominations, including Methodist, Holiness, Baptist, and Full Gospel churches, likewise confess Christ as the sole mediator.
• Prayer for others is commonly called jungbo gido (intercessory prayer, literally "mediatorial prayer"). Some pastors and theologians argue that, because Christ alone is the mediator, more accurate terms would be dogo (禱告), the word rendered "intercessions" in 1 Timothy 2:1, or "prayer for one's neighbor." Those who use the term jungbo gido understand it to mean praying for one another in reliance on Christ's mediation.
• The intercession of the Holy Spirit described in Romans 8:26 is often discussed alongside this doctrine. In that context, it is taught that Christ intercedes in heaven, while the Holy Spirit intercedes within believers.