Topical Encyclopedia A "go-between" in biblical terms refers to an intermediary or mediator who acts as a bridge between two parties, often to reconcile differences or facilitate communication. This concept is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, where various figures serve as intermediaries between God and humanity, as well as between individuals or groups.Old Testament Examples 1. Moses: One of the most prominent go-betweens in the Old Testament is Moses. He served as a mediator between God and the Israelites. After the Israelites sinned by worshiping the golden calf, Moses interceded on their behalf. In Exodus 32:11, Moses implores the LORD, "Why should Your anger burn against Your people, whom You brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand?" Moses' role as a mediator is further emphasized in Deuteronomy 5:5, where he says, "At that time I stood between the LORD and you to declare to you the word of the LORD, because you were afraid of the fire and did not go up the mountain." 2. Abraham: Abraham also acted as a go-between, particularly in his intercession for Sodom and Gomorrah. In Genesis 18:23-33, Abraham pleads with God to spare the cities if righteous people can be found within them. His negotiation with God highlights the role of a mediator in seeking mercy and justice. 3. Priests and Prophets: The Levitical priests and prophets often served as intermediaries. Priests offered sacrifices and prayers on behalf of the people, while prophets conveyed God's messages. The priestly role is outlined in Leviticus, where priests are instructed to make atonement for the people (Leviticus 16:32-34). New Testament Fulfillment 1. Jesus Christ: In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is the ultimate go-between, serving as the mediator of the New Covenant. Hebrews 9:15 states, "For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that He has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant." Jesus' sacrificial death and resurrection bridge the gap between a holy God and sinful humanity, offering reconciliation and eternal life. 2. The Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit also acts as a go-between, interceding for believers. Romans 8:26-27 explains, "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God." 3. Apostles and Disciples: The apostles and early disciples served as intermediaries in spreading the Gospel and establishing the early Church. They acted as go-betweens by teaching, baptizing, and guiding new believers in the faith, as seen in the Acts of the Apostles. Theological Significance The role of a go-between is central to understanding the relationship between God and humanity. It underscores the need for mediation due to the holiness of God and the sinfulness of man. The concept of a mediator is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who provides the only way to the Father (John 14:6). This role is essential for salvation, as it emphasizes the necessity of an intermediary to bridge the gap caused by sin. Practical Implications Believers are called to emulate the role of a go-between in their own lives by interceding for others in prayer, sharing the Gospel, and promoting reconciliation. The ministry of reconciliation is highlighted in 2 Corinthians 5:18-20, where Paul writes, "All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us." In summary, the concept of a go-between is woven throughout the biblical narrative, illustrating the necessity of mediation in the divine-human relationship and the call for believers to participate in this ministry. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (n.) An intermediate agent; a broker; a procurer; -- usually in a disparaging sense.Greek 3316. mesites -- an arbitrator, a mediator ... a mediator. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: mesites Phonetic Spelling: (mes-ee'-tace) Short Definition: a mediator, go-between Definition: (a ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3316.htm - 7k Library Mercury, Also, Has Been Named as Though He were a Kind of Go ... The Communion of Gifts. Whether those who are Guilty of Simony are Fittingly Punished by ... Annunciation to Zacharias of the Birth of John the Baptist. Three Forms of Prayer. Whether Names which Imply Relation to Creatures are Predicated of ... Esther's Venture Excursus on the Present Teaching of the Latin and Greek Churches ... Testimonies. Guiltless and Without Sin. Thesaurus Go-between (2 Occurrences)Go-between. Gob, Go-between. Goblet . Noah Webster's Dictionary ... Multi-Version Concordance Go-between (2 Occurrences). Galatians 3:19 What then is the law? ... /g/go-between.htm - 7k Goblet (6 Occurrences) Gob (3 Occurrences) Undertaking (30 Occurrences) Intermediary (2 Occurrences) Mean (93 Occurrences) Addition (112 Occurrences) Ordered (264 Occurrences) Resources Did Jesus go to hell between His death and resurrection? | GotQuestions.orgWhere was Jesus for the three days between His death and resurrection? | GotQuestions.org Does our tithe all have to go to our church or can part of it go to a Christian ministry? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Go-between (2 Occurrences)Galatians 3:19 Galatians 3:20 Subtopics Related Terms |
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