We need a mediator who is true God and a true, sinless man (Q. 15–17). The Heidelberg Catechism (1563) now asks who he is.
Q. 18. But who, now, is that mediator, who is at the same time true God and a true, sinless man?
A. Our Lord Jesus Christ, who is freely given unto us for complete redemption and righteousness.
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). Zacharias Ursinus explains that a mediator “signifies one who reconciles two parties that are at variance, by interposing himself,” and that “in him the two extremes, God and man, are joined together.” We could not give such a mediator ourselves: “it was necessary that he should be given unto us of God.” So he “of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30). Which leaves the next question: how do we know this?
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SOURCES
Heidelberg Catechism, tr. Philip Schaff, The Creeds of Christendom, vol. III:
Zacharias Ursinus, Commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism, tr. G. W. Williard (1888), Q. 18:
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SCRIPTURE (KJV)
1 John 5:20 · Romans 9:5 · Galatians 4:4 · Isaiah 9:6 · Luke 2:11 · Philippians 2:7 · Hebrews 2:14–17; 4:15; 7:26 · 1 Peter 1:19; 2:22 · 1 Timothy 2:5 · Matthew 1:23 · 1 Corinthians 1:30 (proofs of the 1563 edition)
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