the Third Week of Advent
free while helping to build churches and support pastors in Uganda.
Click here to learn more!
Bible Dictionaries
Intercession of Christ
Charles Buck Theological Dictionary
or His interposing for sinners by virtue of the satisfaction he made to divine justice.
1. As to the fact itself, it is evident, from many places of Scripture, that Christ pleads with God in favour of his people, Romans 8:34 . Hebrews 7:25 . 1 John 2:1 .
2. As to the manner of it: the appearance of the high-priest among the Jews, in the presence of God, on the day of atonement, when he offered before him the blood of the sin- offering, is at large referred to by St. Paul, as illustrating the intercession of Christ, Hebrews 9:11; Hebrews 9:14; Hebrews 9:22; Hebrews 9:26 . Feb. 10: 19, 21. Christ appears before God with his own body; but whether he intercedes vocally or not cannot be known: though it is most probable, I think, that he does not: however, it is certain that he does not intercede in like manner as when on earth, with prostration of body, cries and tears, which would be quite inconsistent with his state of exaltation and glory; nor as supplicating an angry judge, for peace is made by the blood of the cross; nor as litigating a point in a court of judicature; but his intercession is carried on by showing himself as having done, as their surety, all that law and justice could require, by representing his blood and sacrifice as the ground of his people's acceptance with the Father, Revelation 5:6 . John 17:24 .
3. The end of Christ's intercession is not to remind the Divine Being of any thing which he would otherwise forget, nor to persuade him to any thing which he is not disposed to do; but it may serve to illustrate the holiness and majesty of the Father, and the wisdom and grace of the Son; not to say that it may have other unknown uses with respect to the inhabitants of the invisible world. He is represented, also, as offering up the prayers and praises of his people, which become acceptable to God through him, Revelation 8:3-4 . Hebrews 13:15 . 1 Peter 2:5 . He there pleads for the conversion of his unconverted ones; and for the consolation, preservation, and glorification of his people, John 17:1-26 : 1 John 2:1-2 .
4. Of the properties of Christ's intercession we may observe,
1. That it is authoritative. He intercedes not without right, John 17:24 . Psalms 2:8 .
2. Wise: he understands the nature of his work, and the wants of his people, John 2:25 .
3. Righteous: for it is founded upon justice and truth, 1 John 3:5 . Hebrews 7:26 .
4. Compassionate, Hebrews 2:17; Hebrews 5:8; Is. 63: 9.
5. He is the sole advocate, 1 Timothy 2:5 .
6. It is perpetual, Hebrews 7:25 .
7. Efficacious, 1 John 2:1-2 .
8. The use we should make of Christ's intercession is this:
1. We may learn the wonderful love of God to man, Romans 5:1-21
2. The durability and safety of the church, Luke 22:31-32 . Is. 17: 24.
3. The ground we have for comfort, Hebrews 9:24 . Romans 8:34 .
4. It should excite us to offer up prayers to God as they are acceptable through him, Revelation 8:3-4 .
See Charnock's Works, vol. 2: p. 1109; Flavel's Works, vol. 1: p. 72; Doddridge's Lec. vol. 2: p. 294, 8vo. edit. Brown's Nat. and Rev. Rel. p. 348; Berry Street Lec. No. 18; Ridgley's Body of Div. ques. 55.
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
Buck, Charles. Entry for 'Intercession of Christ'. Charles Buck Theological Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/cbd/i/intercession-of-christ.html. 1802.
