--- title: "Chapter 8: Of Christ the Mediator | Westminster Confession of Faith" description: "Westminster Confession of Faith, chapter 8: Of Christ the Mediator 1. It pleased God, in His eternal purpose, to choose and ordain the Lord Jesus, His only begotten Son, to be the Mediator bet" canonical: "https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-8-christ-the-mediator/" source: "https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=38" --- # Chapter 8: Of Christ the Mediator | Westminster Confession of Faith 1. It pleased God, in His eternal purpose, to choose and ordain the Lord Jesus, His only begotten Son, to be the Mediator between God and man; the Prophet, Priest, and King, the Head and Saviour of His Church, the Heir of all things, and Judge of the world: unto whom He did from all eternity give a people, to be His seed, and to be by Him in time redeemed, called, justified, sanctified, and glorified. Scripture proofs: Isa. 42:1; 1 Pet. 1:19-20; John 3:16; 1 Tim. 2:5; Acts 3:22; Heb. 5:5-6; Ps. 2: 6; Luke 1:33; Eph. 5:23; Heb. 1:2; Acts 17:31; John 17:6; Ps. 22:30; Isa. 53:10; 1 Tim. 2:6; Isa. 55:4-5; 1 Cor. 1:30. 2. The Son of God, the second person in the Trinity, being very and eternal God, of one substance and equal with the Father, did, when the fulness of time was come, take upon Him man’s nature, with all the essential properties and common infirmities thereof, yet without sin; being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the virgin Mary, of her substance. So that two whole, perfect, and distinct natures, the Godhead and the manhood, were inseparably joined together in one person, without conversion, composition, or confusion. Which person is very God, and very man, yet one Christ, the only Mediator between God and man. Scripture proofs: John 1:1, 14; 1 John 5:20; Phil. 2:6; Gal. 4:4; Heb 2:14, 16-17; Heb. 4:15; Luke 1:27, 31, 35; Gal 4:4; Luke 1:35; Col. 2:9; Rom. 9:5; 1 Pet. 3:18; 1 Tim. 3:16; Rom. 1:3-4; 1 Tim. 2:5. 3. The Lord Jesus, in His human nature thus united to the divine, was sanctified and anointed with the Holy Spirit, above measure, having in Him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; in whom it pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell; to the end that, being holy, harmless, undefiled, and full of grace and truth, He might be thoroughly furnished to execute the office of a Mediator and Surety. Which office He took not unto Himself, but was thereunto called by His Father, who put all power and judgment into His hand, and gave Him commandment to execute the same. Scripture proofs: Ps. 45:7; John 3:34; Col. 2:3; Col. 1:19; Heb. 7:26; John 1:14; Acts 10:38; Heb. 12:24; Heb. 7:22; Heb. 5:4-5; John 5: 22, 27; Matt. 28:18; Acts 2:36. 4. This office the Lord Jesus did most willingly undertake; which that He might discharge, He was made under the law, and did perfectly fulfil it, endured most grievous torments immediately in His soul, and most painful sufferings in His body; was crucified, and died; was buried, and remained under the power of death; yet saw no corruption. On the third day He arose from the dead, with the same body in which He suffered, with which also He ascended into heaven, and there sitteth at the right hand of His Father, making intercession, and shall return to judge men and angels at the end of the world. Scripture proofs: Ps. 40:7-8 with Heb. 10:5-10; John 10: 18; Phil. 2:8; Gal. 4:4; Matt. 3:15; Matt. 5:17; Matt. 26:37-38; Luke 22:44; Matt. 27:46; Matt. 26––27; Phil. 2:8; Acts 2:23- 24, 27; Acts 13:37; Rom. 6:9; 1 Cor. 15: 3-4; John 20:25, 27; Mark 16:19; Rom. 8:34; Heb. 9:24; Heb. 7:25; Rom. 14: 9-10; Acts 1:11; Acts 10:42; Matt. 13: 40-42; Jude 6; 2 Pet. 2:4. 5. The Lord Jesus, by His perfect obedience, and sacrifice of Himself, which He, through the eternal Spirit, once offered up unto God, hath fully satisfied the justice of His Father; and purchased, not only reconciliation, but an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven, for all those whom the Father hath given unto Him. Scripture proofs: Rom. 5:19; Heb. 9:14, 16; Heb 10:14; Eph. 5:2; Rom. 3:25-26; Dan. 9:24, 26; Col. 1:19-20; Eph. 1:11, 14; John 17:2; Heb. 9:12, 15. 6. Although the work of redemption was not actually wrought by Christ till after His incarnation, yet the virtue, efficacy, and benefits thereof were communicated unto 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 for ever. Scripture proofs: Gal. 4:4-5; Gen. 3:15; Rev. 13:8; Heb. 13:8. 7. Christ, in the work of mediation, acteth according to both natures, by each nature doing that which is proper to itself: yet, by reason of the unity of the person, that which is proper to one nature, is sometimes in Scripture attributed to the person denominated by the other nature. Scripture proofs: Heb. 9:14; 1 Pet. 3:18; Acts 20:28; John 3:13; 1 John 3:16. 8. To all those for whom Christ hath purchased redemption, He doth certainly and effectually apply and communicate the same, making intercession for them, and revealing unto them, in and by the Word, the mysteries of salvation, effectually persuading them by His Spirit to believe and obey, and governing their hearts by His Word and Spirit, overcoming all their enemies by His almighty power and wisdom, in such manner, and ways, as are most consonant to His wonderful and unsearchable dispensation. Scripture proofs: John 6:37, 39; John 10:15-16; 1 John 2:1-2; Rom. 8:34; John 15:13, 15; Eph. 1:7-9; John 17:6; John 14:26; Heb. 12:2; 2 Cor. 4:13; Rom. 8:9, 14; Rom. 15:18-19; John 17:17; Ps. 110:1; 1 Cor. 15:25-26; Mal. 4:2-3; Col. 2:15. ## For kids — a study explanation (ages 10–13) These explanations are separate from the official text above. Words to knowMediatorThe one who brings estranged people and God together; Jesus is our only saving mediator.IntercessionJesus’ continuing representation of his people before the Father on the basis of his finished work.IncarnationThe eternal Son becoming truly human without ceasing to be God. ### WCF 8.1 · Jesus is our mediator God chose his eternal Son, Jesus, to bring his people back to him. Jesus is our Prophet, Priest, and King, the head of the church and judge of the world. The Father gave him a people to redeem, bring to faith, declare righteous, make holy, and finally glorify. Explore the ScripturesIsaiah 42:1; 1 Peter 1:19-20; John 3:16. Talk about itHow do Jesus’ three offices help us understand his saving work? [Read original paragraph 1 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-8-christ-the-mediator/#paragraph-1) ### WCF 8.2 · Fully God and fully human The eternal Son became human without stopping being God. By the Spirit’s power he was conceived in Mary’s womb. He has a real human body and soul and our ordinary human weaknesses, but no sin. His divine and human natures are distinct and never mixed or changed into each other. They belong forever to one person: Jesus Christ. Explore the ScripturesJohn 1:1; 1 John 5:20; Philippians 2:6. Talk about itIs Jesus half God and half human, or fully both? [Read original paragraph 2 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-8-christ-the-mediator/#paragraph-2) ### WCF 8.3 · Equipped and appointed to save Jesus’ human nature was filled with the Spirit’s holiness, wisdom, and grace. He was perfectly equipped to be our mediator and the one who guarantees our salvation. He did not simply appoint himself: the Father called him to this work and gave him authority. Explore the ScripturesPsalm 45:7; John 3:34; Colossians 2:3. Talk about itWhy can we trust Jesus to carry out the work the Father gave him? [Read original paragraph 3 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-8-christ-the-mediator/#paragraph-3) ### WCF 8.4 · Jesus obeyed, died, and rose Jesus willingly became our mediator. He kept God’s law perfectly and suffered in body and soul. He died on the cross, was buried, and rose on the third day in the same body. He ascended to heaven and rules at the Father’s right hand. There he represents his people before the Father on the basis of his finished work. He will return to judge. Explore the ScripturesPsalm 40:7-8; Hebrews 10:5-10; John 10:18. Talk about itHow does Jesus’ finished work give us confidence before the Father? [Read original paragraph 4 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-8-christ-the-mediator/#paragraph-4) ### WCF 8.5 · A complete rescue Jesus’ perfect obedience and his once-for-all sacrifice fully satisfied God’s justice for his people. He secured peace with God and an everlasting inheritance for everyone the Father gave him. Nothing needs to be added to his sacrifice to finish paying for their sins. Explore the ScripturesRomans 5:19; Hebrews 9:14; Hebrews 10:14. Talk about itWhy does Jesus not need to repeat his sacrifice? [Read original paragraph 5 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-8-christ-the-mediator/#paragraph-5) ### WCF 8.6 · The Savior of believers in every age Jesus completed his saving work after becoming human. Yet its benefits reached God’s people from the beginning through promises and signs pointing forward to him. Old Testament believers were saved by this same Christ, who never changes. Explore the ScripturesGalatians 4:4-5; Genesis 3:15; Revelation 13:8. Talk about itHow could people be saved before Jesus’ earthly life? [Read original paragraph 6 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-8-christ-the-mediator/#paragraph-6) ### WCF 8.7 · One person acting in two natures Jesus acts through both his divine and human natures, each doing what belongs to it. Because he is one person, the Bible can speak of what he does in either nature as the work of that same Jesus. For example, the Son of God truly suffered in his human nature; his divine nature did not become mortal. Explore the ScripturesHebrews 9:14; 1 Peter 3:18; Acts 20:28. Talk about itWhen Jesus suffered as a man, was it really the eternal Son who suffered? [Read original paragraph 7 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-8-christ-the-mediator/#paragraph-7) ### WCF 8.8 · Jesus brings his people to salvation Jesus gives the salvation he purchased to everyone he redeemed. He intercedes for them, teaches them through Scripture, and brings them to believe and obey by his Spirit. He rules their hearts and overcomes their enemies with wise and mighty care. His saving work truly accomplishes its purpose. Explore the ScripturesJohn 6:37; John 10:15-16; 1 John 2:1-2. Talk about itDoes Jesus only make salvation possible, or also bring his people into it? [Read original paragraph 8 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-8-christ-the-mediator/#paragraph-8) ### Discuss and remember Read the chapter together, then choose a question to talk about. - Why do we need Jesus to bring us to God? - How does Jesus help His people as Prophet, Priest, and King? #### Scripture to remember 1 Timothy 2:5 [Read the memory passage in our Bible reader →](https://ctkrp.org/bible/?q=1%20Timothy%202%3A5) Read the passage in context. Explain it in your own words, then practice one short phrase at a time. Review it together during the week. #### Put it into practice Choose one of Christ’s offices and explain it in your own words. [Find help for family worship](https://ctkrp.org/family-worship/) Original source: [2026 RPCNA Constitution](https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=38) ## Related reading - [Salvation by grace through faith](https://ctkrp.org/learn/topics/salvation-by-grace/) - [Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 21: Who is the Redeemer of God’s elect?](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-21-who-is-the-redeemer-of-gods-elect/) - [Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 36: Who is the Mediator of the covenant of grace?](https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-36-who-is-the-mediator-of-the-covenant-of-grace/) - [The Reformed Doctrine of Redemption](https://ctkrp.org/church-papers/the-reformed-doctrine-of-redemption/) - [Find teaching on christ](https://ctkrp.org/sermons/?q=Christ) - [Read RP Testimony chapter 8](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-8-christ-the-mediator/) - [Chapter 7](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-7-gods-covenant-with-man/) - [Chapter 9](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-9-free-will/) Canonical page: https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-8-christ-the-mediator/