What Shall I Do To Be Saved?

By Rev. Dr. Curian Kaniyamparambil

Question 104. Refer to the following verses: "Therefore there is one God and there is one mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." (1 Tim 2: 5,6). Why then have mediators?

The Bible talks about Christ the mediator in Heb. 2:17, 7:25, 8:6, 9-15, 12, and 24. First we will quote these verses. Then we will discuss 'Christ the Mediator', and thereafter we will discuss who saints are and what their status is, and then we will see whether saints as mediators is in accord with the bible.

"Therefore, it was meet and proper that in everything he should resemble his brethren, that he might be merciful and faithful high priest in the things of God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people." (Heb 2:17)
"Therefore He is also able to save forever those who come to God by Him because He always lives to make intercession for them." (Heb 7:25)
"But now Jesus Christ has received a ministry which is greater than that; just as the covenant in which he was made a mediator is greater, so are the promises greater than those given in the old covenant." (Heb 8:6)
"And for this cause he became the mediator of the new covenant, by his death, he became salvation for those who transgressed the old covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of eternal inheritance." (Heb 9:15)
"For Christ has not entered into the holy place made of hands, which is the symbol of the true one; but he entered into heaven itself to appear before the presence of God for our sakes." (Heb 9:24)

-- "Because Adam committed sin, humanity lost the guidance and companionship of the Lord. The human race became imperfect." (Gen 3:8)

-- "But God loved the world But now, through Jesus Christ, you who sometimes were far off, are brought near by the blood of Christ." (Eph. 2:13) "Jesus became the one and only mediator between God and us" (1 Tim 2:5) and "He alone is the mediator of the new Covenant." (Heb 8:6, 12:24)

-- Thus, no one else has this status as lone Mediator. Nobody else will receive it and there is no need for anyone else to obtain it. Jesus Christ alone received it because of His sacrifice for Human kind. (1 Tim 2:5).

Since it is stated explicitly that Jesus is the only mediator between God and men, it is obvious that saints are not mediators between God and us. So who are the saints and what is their status? When we say the saints as mediators it means that they mediate between the 'only Mediator' and us (i.e. Jesus Christ and us). We do NOT consider saints as mediators to God, but to Jesus Christ. If one reads through our prayers, you can immediately understand this difference.

-------
Malankara World
A service of St. Basil's Syriac Orthodox Church, Ohio
Copyright © 2009-2020 - ICBS Group. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer
Website designed, built, and hosted by International Cyber Business Services, Inc., Hudson, Ohio