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《比利时信条》第廿六条 论基督的代求
我们相信，除了藉着惟一的中保1和代求者，就是公义的耶稣基督之外2，没有其他途径可以让人来到神的面前。为此目的，祂降世为人，神性与人性联合在一个位格中，使我们不至与神隔绝，而是藉着祂得以亲近威严的神3。同时，圣父所命定的神人之间的这位中保，不能使我们因祂的威严而惧怕，以至于我们照自己的喜好另寻一位中保。天上地下，没有谁会像耶稣基督那样爱我们4。他本有神的样式，反倒虚己，取了奴仆的形像，成为人的样式（腓2:6-7），凡事与他的弟兄相同（来2:17）。我们若另寻一位中保，有谁会比祂更爱我们呢？甚至当我们还作祂仇敌的时候，祂就为我们舍命（罗5:8,10）；如果我们要寻找一位有权能者，有谁能胜过祂呢？祂坐在天父的右边5，并有天上地下一切的权柄。何况，有谁的代求能比神独生爱子的更蒙神垂听呢6？
因此，尊荣圣徒为中保的习俗不是在尊荣圣徒，反而是羞辱他们，是纯属不信的行为，是圣徒未曾作过或要求他人作过的行为。事实上，从他们的作品中看出，他们照自己的本分始终拒绝接受这样的尊荣7。在此，我们不应有自己不配向神祷告的想法，因为我们献上祷告本不是出于自己，乃是单单因耶稣基督的美德与功劳8，因为藉着信，祂的义成了我们的义9。
所以，为了更好地除去我们这种愚拙的惧怕，或更确切地说是不信，希伯来书作者告诉我们，“耶稣基督凡事与他的弟兄相同，为要在神的事上成为慈悲忠信的大祭司，为百姓的罪献上挽回祭。他自己既然被试探而受苦，就能搭救被试探的人”。为了激励我们亲近祂，使徒又说：“我们既有一位已经升入高天尊荣的大祭司，就是神的儿子耶稣，便当持定所承认的道。因我们的大祭司并非不能体恤我们的软弱，他也曾凡事受过试探，与我们一样；只是他没有犯罪。所以我们只管坦然无惧地来到施恩的宝座前，为要得怜恤，蒙恩惠，作随时的帮助” （来4:14-16）10。信上还说：“弟兄们，我们既因耶稣的血得以坦然进入至圣所……就当存着诚心和充足的信心来到神面前”（来10:19,22）。此外，基督既是永远长存的，祂祭司职任就长久不更换。凡靠着祂进入到神面前的人，祂都能拯救到底，因为祂是长远活着，替他们祈求11。我们还需要什么呢？基督自己说：“我就是道路、真理、生命，若不藉着我，没有人能到父那里去”（约14:6）。神既喜悦赐下祂的儿子作我们的中保，我们为何还要寻找另一位中保呢？让我们不要离弃基督中保或寻求第二中保，更何况我们不可能找到，因为当神赐下中保时，祂熟知我们都是罪人。
总之，照着基督的吩咐和所教导我们的主祷文，我们要奉我们的惟一中保基督之名12，求告天上的父13。我们确信奉靠基督的名向天父所求，就必能得着14。
1.提前2:5
2.约壹2:1.
3.弗3:12.
4.太11:28; 约15:13; 弗3:19; 约壹4:10.
5.来1:3; 来8:1.
6.太3:17; 约11:42; 弗1:6.
7.徒10:26; 徒14:15.
8.耶17:5, 7; 徒4:12.
9.林前1:30.
10.约10:9; 弗2:18; 来9:24.
11.罗8:34.
12.来13:15.
13.太6:9-13; 路11:2-4.
14.约14:13.
英文对照：
We believe that we have no access to God except through the only Mediator and Advocate Jesus Christ the righteous. For this purpose He became man, uniting together the divine and human nature, that we men might not be barred from but have access to the divine majesty. This Mediator, however, whom the Father has ordained between Himself and us, should not frighten us by His greatness, so that we look for another according to our fancy.
There is no creature in heaven or on earth who loves us more than Jesus Christ. Though He was in the form of God, He emptied Himself, taking the form of man and of a servant for us, and was made like His brethren in every respect. If, therefore, we had to look for another intercessor, could we find one who loves us more than He who laid down His life for us, even while we were His enemies* If we had to look for one who has authority and power, who has more than He who is seated at the right hand of the Father and who has all authority in heaven and on earth* Moreover, who will be heard more readily than God‘s own well-beloved Son*
Therefore it was pure lack of trust which introduced the custom of dishonouring the saints rather than honouring them, doing what they themselves never did nor required. On the contrary, they constantly rejected such honour according to their duty, as appears from their writings. Here one ought not to bring in our unworthiness, for it is not a question of offering our prayers on the basis of our own worthiness, but only on the basis of the excellence and worthiness of Jesus Christ, whose righteousness is ours by faith.
Therefore with good reason, to take away from us this foolish fear or rather distrust, the author of Hebrews says to us that Jesus Christ was made like His brethren in every respect, so that He might become a merciful and faithful High Priest in the service of God, to make expiation for the sins of the people. For because He Himself has suffered and been tempted, He is able to help those who are tempted. Further, to encourage us more to go to Him, he says: Since then we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a High Priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
The same letter says: Therefore brethren, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus . . . let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, etc. Also, Christ holds His priesthood permanently, because He continues forever. Consequently He is able for all time to save those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. What more is needed* Christ Himself says: I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by Me. Why should we look for another advocate* It has pleased God to give us His Son as our Advocate. Let us then not leave Him for another, or even look for another, without ever finding one. For when God gave Him to us, He knew very well that we were sinners.
In conclusion, according to the command of Christ, we call upon the heavenly Father through Christ our only Mediator, as we are taught in the Lord‘s prayer. We rest assured that we shall obtain all we ask of the Father in His Name.