CHRIST THE MEDIATOR

Scripture references are to the New International Version, UK

Question: Explain 1 Timothy 2: 5, 6:

[5] For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, [6] who gave himself as a ransom for all men the testimony given in its proper time.

Answer: To put it simply, there are three parties in the mediation process: God, Jesus, Mankind. Of these three, God and Mankind are ‘hostile’ to each other. Jesus is the intervening factor, and brings the other two into harmony.

When the perfect Adam sinned, he was sentenced to death by God. All his descendants the entire human family inherited his sentence.

Jesus the perfect man died for Adam a one-for-one substitution.

Just as all of Mankind was condemned under the one man (Adam), so all of Mankind is purchased from under the death sentence by one man (Jesus).

The Apostle Paul says as much in 1 Corinthians 15: 21, 22:

[21] For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.

[22] For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

Thus, there need be only one Mediator to effect reconciliation (harmony), between God and Mankind.

There are two ‘proper times’ during which this ‘testimony’ (witness) of reconciliation is tendered:

First, during the Gospel Age, by the preaching of ‘Christ crucified’. Those who believe become justified by faith, and thus reconciled to God.

Second, during Christ’s Kingdom on earth, yet to come. The remainder of mankind, raised from the dead, will be offered the opportunity to earn everlasting life, and thus reconciled to God.

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