Friendly Theology: Barclay’s Catechism Chapter 3 (part 3)

CHAP. III. (cont.)

Of Jesus Christ being manifest in the Flesh, the Use and End of it.

Q. For what End did Christ appear in the World?

A. For what the Law could not do, in that it was weak through the Flesh, God sending his Son in the likeness of sinful Flesh, and for Sin condemned Sin in the Flesh [Rom. 8:3].

For this Purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the Works of the Devil. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our Sins [1 John 3:8,5].

Q. Was Jesus Christ really Crucified and Raised again?

A. For I delivered unto you first of all, that which I also received, how that Christ died for our Sins, according to the Scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he arose again the third day, according to the Scriptures [1 Cor. 15:3-4].

Q. What End do the Scriptures ascribe unto the Coming, Death and Sufferings of Christ?

A. For mine Eyes have seen thy Salvation, which thou hast prepared before the Face of all People, A Light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel [Luke 2:30-32].

Whom God hath set forth to be a Propitiation through Faith in his Blood, to declare his Righteousness for the Remission of Sins that are past, through the forbearance of God [Rom. 3:25].

And walk in Love as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us, an Offering and a Sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling Savour [Eph. 5:2].

And having made Peace through the Blood of this Cross by him, to reconcile all things unto himself by him, I say, whether they be things in Earth or things in Heaven. And you that were sometimes alienated, and Enemies in your minds by Wicked Works; yet now hath he reconciled in the Body of his Flesh through Death, to present you Holy, Unblamable, and Unreprovable in his Sight [Col. 1:20-22].

Neither by the Blood of Goats and Calves, but by his own Blood he entered in once into the Holy Place, having obtained Eternal redemption for us. How much more shall the Blood of Christ, who through the Eternal Spirit offer’d himself without Spot to God, purge your Consciences from dead Works, to serve the Living God [Heb. 9:12,14].

For Christ also hath once suffered for Sins, the Just for the Unjust (that he might bring us to God) being put to Death in the Flesh, but quickened by the Spirit [1 Pet. 3:18].

Hereby perceive we the Love of God, because he laid down his Life for us [1 John 3:16].

And for this Cause he is the Mediator of the new Testament, that by means of Death for the Redemption of Transgressions that were under the first Testament, they which are called might receive the Promise of the Eternal Inheritance [Heb. 9:15].

Q. Is Christ then the Mediator?

A. For there is One God, and 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].

Q. Was not Christ the Mediator until he appeared, and was Crucified in the Flesh?

A. He is the Lamb that was slain from the Foundation of the World [Rev. 5:12; 13:8].

***************

Robert Barclay plainly asserts that Jesus Christ came to take away our sins. The law was unable to remove sin from humankind and so Jesus became human to condemn sin. Jesus condemned sin through his life, burial and resurrection which Barclay asserts to be real and physical.

Barclay quotes Ephesians 5:2, “walk in Love as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us, an Offering and a Sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling Savour.” The idea of a “sweet smelling Savour” goes back to the Old Testament sacrifices which were a pleasing aroma to God. Jesus is the culminating sacrifice which would end all future sacrifices and be a lasting aroma pleasing to God forever. Jesus is thus the Mediator of the New Testament enabling an eternal inheritance to those who are called.

Jesus is the only Mediator between God and humans. We have no need for earthly priests to enable us to commune with God; we have a direct relationship with Jesus Christ who mediates our communion with God. Further, it is through no other spiritual source that our relationship with God is mediated. We need no guru, no prophet, no teacher, no guide; Christ alone is able to be our Mediator.

It is through Christ’s mediation that all persons from all times (both past and present) are permitted to commune with God. For Christ is the “Lamb that was slain from the Foundation of the World.” The salvation of Abraham is just as dependent upon Christ as is my salvation.

Filed Under Christianity, Church, Religion | Leave a Comment