Theological glossary · FaithLogic

Intercession (of Christ)

The ascended Christ's continual ministry of representing his people before the Father — 'he always lives to make intercession for them' — securing the ongoing application of his finished work.

Greek entynchanō, 'to approach / petition on another's behalf'; the noun enteuxis is used of prayer generally (1 Tim 2:1).

Isaiah 53:12; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; 9:24 ('to appear in the presence of God on our behalf'); 1 John 2:1 ('an advocate with the Father'); John 17 (the 'high-priestly prayer' as a foretaste).

The classical Protestant reading: the intercession is not the persuading of a reluctant Father but the abiding presence of the crucified-and-risen Christ before God — his wounds and his righteousness 'speaking' for his people (Heb 12:24), guaranteeing that his once-for-all sacrifice keeps saving 'to the uttermost'. The Spirit's parallel intercession is within the believer (Rom 8:26–27).

Grounds assurance and perseverance: the believer's standing does not depend on the strength of their own prayers but on the Son's unceasing advocacy.

Whether the intercession is a continual 'pleading' or the ongoing presentation of a completed offering; its relation to the Eucharist.

Open in the glossary for related terms and the doctrines this concept appears in.