Mediation Between God and Humanity

General Message of the Lecture

This lecture discusses the concept of mediation between God and humanity from a Coptic Orthodox perspective, clarifying the distinction between Christ’s unique redemptive mediation and the spiritual and ministerial mediation carried out by the Church according to Holy Scripture.

Core Idea

• His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that Jesus Christ alone is the sole mediator in redemption and atonement, because He alone offered Himself as a ransom for the sins of the whole world.
• The biblical verses that speak about “one mediator” or “one advocate” refer specifically to atonement through the blood, not to the abolition of all other forms of mediation.

The Church as a Spiritual Mediator

• The Church mediates in transmitting faith through preaching, as St. Paul explains:
  How shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
• The Church mediates through baptism, by which a person is born of water and the Spirit.
• The Church plays a central role in teaching, which is essential for salvation.
• The Church is the steward of the divine mysteries and serves in repentance, confession, and communion.

Granting the Holy Spirit and Ministry

• The Holy Spirit is granted through the laying on of hands, as shown in the Acts of the Apostles, confirming that the Church is a mediator in this divine work.
• Likewise, the ordination of ministers (apostles, bishops, priests, deacons) is performed through the Church by the laying on of hands.

Intercession Among the Living and the Saints

• Orthodox teaching distinguishes between:
  • Atoning intercession, which belongs to Christ alone.
  • Supplicatory intercession, which is prayer on behalf of others, whether by the living or by the saints.
• Scripture contains many examples of intercession: Abraham, Moses, Job, David, and others.
• Asking for the intercession of the saints means asking for their prayers, not replacing Christ.

Spiritual Dimension

• Belief in intercession reflects humility of the soul, while rejecting it is often linked to pride and self-reliance.
• God honors His saints and works through them and their prayers, revealing His love and His saving plan.