Praying in Jesus' Name as Mediator and Advocate

The concept of praying in Jesus' name is rooted in his role as the sole Mediator and Advocate between God and humanity. A mediator is one who intervenes to reconcile two parties at variance ^[1]. The New Testament explicitly identifies Jesus Christ as "one Mediator of God and of men, the Man Christ Jesus" ^{[2, 4]}. This mediatorial role is not found in the Old Testament, though the idea is present in figures like the "daysman" or "umpire" in Job 9:33 ^[1].

As Mediator, Christ fulfills three functions: prophet, priest, and king ^[5]. His mediation is established through his atonement ^[6]. He is the Mediator of a new covenant, sealed by his blood, which "speaks better than that of Abel" ^{[3, 6]}. This contrasts with Moses, who is also called a mediator in Galatians 3:19, but in the sense of an internuncius or ambassador between contracting parties ^{[1, 6]}. John Gill notes that God the Father chose and called Christ to the office of Mediator, upholding him in this service ^{[11, 12, 13]}.

The term "Advocate" (Greek: parakletos) is closely related to Christ's mediatorial work. While often used for the Holy Spirit as the "Comforter" or "Helper" ^{[7, 8]}, it is also applied to Christ in 1 John 2:1 ^{[7, 8]}. An advocate is one who pleads another's cause, defending or comforting them ^[8]. John Gill explains that Christ speaks as Mediator when he promises to intercede with the Father for his disciples, encouraging them to ask in his name ^[9]. Adam Clarke further elaborates that praying in Jesus' name means recognizing him as the Savior and the Anointer, addressing prayers to the Father through him because of his redemptive death and his sending of the Holy Spirit ^[10].

The significance of Christ's unique mediation is emphasized in Reformed theology. John Calvin observed that during the time of Popery, the understanding of Christ as Mediator was largely obscured, and even when the name was used, the reality was often unknown ^[14]. The emphasis on Christ as the sole Mediator highlights that access to God is exclusively through him ^{[2, 4]}.

Sources

Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Mediator — One who intervenes between two persons who are at variance, with a view to reconcile them. This word is not found in the Old Testament; but the idea it expresses is found in Job 9:33, in the word "daysman" (q.v.), marg., "umpire." This word is used in the New Testament to denote simply an internuncius, an ambassador, one who acts as a medium of communication between two contracting parties. In this sense Moses is called a mediator in Gal. 3:19. Christ is the one and only mediator between God and man (1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 8:6; 9:15; 12:24). He makes reconciliat”
I Timothy “I Timothy 2:5 (LITV) — For God is one, also there is one Mediator of God and of men, the Man Christ Jesus,”
Hebrews “to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better than that of Abel. -- Hebrews 12:24”
1 Timothy “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, -- 1 Timothy 2:5”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Kingly office of Christ — One of the three special relations in which Christ stands to his people. Christ's office as mediator comprehends three different functions, viz., those of a prophet, priest, and king. These are not three distinct offices, but three functions of the one office of mediator. Christ is King and sovereign Head over his Church and over all things to his Church (Eph. 1:22; 4:15; Col. 1:18; 2:19). He executes this mediatorial kingship in his Church, and over his Church, and over all things in behalf of his Church. This royalty differs from that whic”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Christ, the Mediator — In virtue of his atonement -- Eph 2:13-18; Heb 9:15; 12:24. The only one between God and man -- 1Ti 2:5. Of the gospel covenant -- Heb 8:6; 12:24. Typified Moses. -- De 5:5; Ga 3:19. Aaron. -- Nu 16:48.”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Comforter — The designation of the Holy Ghost (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7; R.V. marg., "or Advocate, or Helper; Gr. paracletos"). The same Greek word thus rendered is translated "Advocate" in 1 John 2:1 as applicable to Christ. It means properly "one who is summoned to the side of another" to help him in a court of justice by defending him, "one who is summoned to plead a cause." "Advocate" is the proper rendering of the word in every case where it occurs. It is worthy of notice that although Paul nowhere uses the word paracletos, he yet presents the idea it embodie”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Advocate — (Gr. parakletos), one who pleads another's cause, who helps another by defending or comforting him. It is a name given by Christ three times to the Holy Ghost (John 14:16; 15:26; 16:7, where the Greek word is rendered "Comforter," q.v.). It is applied to Christ in 1 John 2:1, where the same Greek word is rendered "Advocate," the rendering which it should have in all the places where it occurs. Tertullus "the orator" (Acts 24:1) was a Roman advocate whom the Jews employed to accuse Paul before Felix.”
John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 14:16: And I will pray the Father,...., Here Christ speaks as Mediator, and promises his disciples, that he would intercede for them with the Father; which is designed as an encouragement to them to ask for what they want, in his name, and to comfort their hearts, which were troubled at the news of his departure from them; and he shall give you another Comforter. This is no inconsiderable proof of a trinity of persons in the Godhead; here is the Father prayed unto, the Son in human nature praying, and the Holy Ghost the Comforter prayed for; who is the gift of the Father, t”
John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on John 16:23: Ye shall ask me nothing - Ye shall then be led, by that Spirit which guides into all truth, to consider me in the character of Mediator in the kingdom of God, and to address your prayers to the Father in my name - in the name of Jesus the Savior, because I have died to redeem you - in the name of Christ the Anointer, because I have ascended to send down the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 12:15: Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,.... These are the words of God the Father, speaking to the church, concerning Christ, as mediator; who, as such, is God's servant, employed by him, and obedient to him, in the work of man's salvation; and is a righteous, faithful, prudent, and diligent one; whom he, from all eternity, had chosen to this service, and in the fulness of time sent him to do it, and supported and upheld him in it; for it is whom I uphold, in the Hebrew text. My beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased; who always was the object of his love, not only”
Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 42:6: I the Lord have called thee in righteousness,.... Not the Prophet Isaiah, as Jarchi and Aben Ezra interpret it; nor the people of Israel, as Kimchi; but the Messiah, whom Jehovah called to the office of Mediator, in a righteous way and manner, consistent with his own perfections; and not against the will of Christ, but with his full consent: or, "unto righteousness", as some (n); so the Arabic version; to fulfil his righteous purposes, concerning the welfare and salvation of his people; to perform his righteous promises of his coming, and of good things by him; to sho”
Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 49:3: And said unto me,.... Both in the everlasting council, and when he made a covenant with him in eternity; when he found him and anointed him, and laid help on him; and also when he brought him, his first begotten, into the world, at his incarnation: thou art my servant; of his choosing, appointing, calling, sending, bringing forth, and supporting; so he was as Mediator, especially in his estate of humiliation, when he appeared in the form of a servant, and came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and give his life a ransom for many; thereby to obtain redempti”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on 1-2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, section 10.4: carried to such a pitch, during the times of Popery, that scarcely one person in a thousand acknowledged Christ, even in words, to be the Mediator. And while the name was buried, still more was the reality unknown. Now that God has raised up good and faithful teachers, who have labored to restore and bring to the remembrance of men what ought to have been one of the best-known principles of our faith, the sophists of the Church of Rome have resorted to every contrivance for darkening a point so clear. First, the name is so hatef”

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