BARNET, ENGLAND, JULY 7TH, 1927
BARNET, ENGLAND, JULY 7TH, 1927
Mr. C. A. Coates.
Beloved Brother, — I have been awaiting an opportunity to answer yours of the 24th ult. I was very glad to have it, especially your remarks as to the Mediator.
What has exercised me is the repeated statement of Scripture that no one had seen God at any time: that thus to make Him known, One capable of laying His hand on Him and on man was needed, as Job saw. I have regarded therefore that mediatorship necessarily involves the Lord’s Person (His divinity) as well as His manhood; so that while John does not use the word, mediatorship is implied in the declaration of God. It is through, or by, the only-begotten Son, a divine Person but as Man, for otherwise He would not be within man’s range. It is dependent on the Word becoming flesh. Men are in view particularly in 1 Timothy 2, and so “the man Christ Jesus”. John’s gospel and 1 Timothy 2 would cover Job’s requirement; the ‘official’ references (Hebrews) relate to the New Covenant and so are more limited. In John 17 eternal life is given by Christ as given authority over all flesh, which is mediatorial. In the ‘eternal state’ God being with men tabernaclewise is, I am sure, in principle mediatorial. Indeed the more one dwells upon what God is (1 Timothy 6: 15, 16) he cannot but be convinced that to have to say to Him, be in relationship with Him, must be on the principle of mediatorship — He being what He is and we being what we are. But I will not say more on this great subject, knowing that you will see what I have in my mind by what I have written, although [p. 229] you may have other thoughts which as you express them may make the truth clearer. When you are free, I shall be glad of a line, I need not say.
I greatly value your prayers, the result of which, I believe, I am often conscious. You may count on mine continually.
The meetings in the London area are very interesting. The work of God is indeed cheering. We are going to Worthing for the week-end; then Purley, Park Street, Leamington, Burton, Sheffield, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Wallasey, Ireland.
Affectionately yours in Christ,
James Taylor.