Calvin Synod Herald, 2007 (108. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

2007-07-01 / 7-8. szám

6

CALVIN SYNOD HERALD

Continuedfrom page 5

better things. “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:” (Ephesians 5:8) “Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:60)

C. The times are evil and even a bit of light will make a great difference. “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.” (Philippians 2:15-16)

D. The failing world is lazy; believers seize every opportunity and every instrument of faithfulness. “Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.” (1 Thessalonians 5:5-8)

E. Only what is done for Christ will last. “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,” (Philippians 3:8)

F. Although not all seed produces the same amount of grain, it does multiply; nurture what God planted. “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12)

Dr. Edwin P. Elliot

Reformed Doctrine, Chapter VIII of Christ the Mediator

i.

In the eternal counsel with Himself God ordained that His Son Jesus Christ would be the only mediator between man and God.[l] God ordained Christ, Prophet[2], Priest,[3] and King[4] along with being the Head and Savior of His church[5]. Jesus Christ is the heir of all things[6] and the Judge of the world. [7] From eternity God gave Christ a people to be His seed[8] and to be in time redeemed, called, justified, sanctified, and glorified. [9]

II.

The Son of God is the second person in the Trinity, totally equal to and God. Jesus is of one substance and equal to the father. In the fullness of God’s timing take on the nature of man[10] as His own. Jesus Christ took on all of the faculties and attributes of man to include the frailties of the flesh but did not sin[ 11]. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of Mary and of Mary’s substance[12]. The two natures were perfectly and completely combined in the one person, yet distinct natures from each other. God and man perfectly joined together in one person and this union cannot be broken. The two exist without conversion, composition, or confusion[13], Jesus Christ is God

and man, yet, one person the only mediator between God and man[14],

III.

Jesus Christ thereby united the nature of God and man and was sanctified and anointed with the Holy Spirit above measure[15], Christ had in Himself all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge[16]. It pleased God that in Christ all fullness should dwell[17] to the end that Christ is holy, harmless, undefiled, and full of grace and truth[18]. Hereby Christ is thoroughly able to be the only mediator between God and man and God’s surety[19] to man. Christ did not take this office but was appointed to it by God[20] who put power and judgment into His hand and commanded Christ to do these things. [21]

IV.

Jesus most willingly took[22] this office upon Himself and so He could fulfill[23] it was made under the Law[24] which He perfectly kept. Christ in assuming this office endured most grievous torments immediately in His soul[25]. His body suffered most painfully[26] as He was crucified, died[27], and was buried. He remained under the power of death yet saw no corruption[28]. On the third day He arose from the dead[29] with the same body in which He had suffered[30]. It was also this same body He ascended into heaven with to sit on the right hand of God the Father[31] making intercession[32] for His people. In this body He will return at the end of the world to judge men and angels.[33],

V.

Christ, by his perfect obedience, and sacrifice of himself, which he, through the eternal Spirit, once offered up unto God, has fully satisfied the justice of God the Father.[34] Christ purchased, not only reconciliation, but an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven, for all those whom the Father has given to him. [3 5]

VI.

The work of redemption was not actually completed by Christ till after his incarnation, but the virtue, efficacy, and benefits were communicated to the elect, in all ages successively from the beginning of the world, in and by those promises, types, and sacrifices, wherein he was revealed, and signified to be the seed of the woman which should bruise the serpent’s head; and the Lamb slain from the beginning of the world; being yesterday and today the same, and forever. [3 6]

VII.

Christ accomplishes mediation according to both natures doing what is proper for each nature[37]. Yet, because of the unity of the person in the Bible we find places where some thing proper for one nature is attributed to the other[38].

VIII.

Those whom Christ has purchased redemption for He with all certainty and effectively apply the needed graces and communicates this to the person[39]. Christ makes intercession for them [40] and by the Word of God reveals to them the mysteries of salvation[41]. Christ effectually persuades them by His Spirit to believe and obey along with governing their hearts by His Word and Spirit[42]. Christ overcomes all of their enemies by His almighty power and wisdom in whatever way or means is in harmony with His wonderful and unsearchable administration or