An intercessor, in biblical terms, is an individual who intervenes on behalf of others through prayer, seeking God's favor, mercy, or intervention. The role of an intercessor is deeply rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition, where it is seen as a vital aspect of spiritual life and community.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, intercession is often associated with prophets, priests, and leaders who stood in the gap between God and His people. One of the earliest examples is Abraham, who interceded for Sodom and Gomorrah, pleading with God to spare the cities if righteous individuals could be found within them (Genesis 18:22-33). Moses is another prominent intercessor, frequently praying on behalf of the Israelites. In Exodus 32:11-14, Moses implores God to relent from His anger after the Israelites worship the golden calf, and God responds to Moses' plea.

The role of the priesthood, particularly the high priest, also included intercession. The high priest would enter the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement to make atonement for the sins of the people (Leviticus 16). This act symbolized the intercessory role of the priest as a mediator between God and Israel.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is the ultimate intercessor. His sacrificial death and resurrection provide the means for humanity's reconciliation with God. Hebrews 7:25 states, "Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them." Jesus' intercession is ongoing, as He sits at the right hand of the Father, advocating for believers.

The Holy Spirit also plays a crucial role in intercession. 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."

The Role of Believers

Believers are called to participate in intercessory prayer, following the example of Christ and the early church. The Apostle Paul frequently requested prayers from the churches for his ministry and personal needs (Ephesians 6:18-20, Colossians 4:3-4). James 5:16 encourages believers to "confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail."

Intercessory prayer is seen as an act of love and service, reflecting the heart of God for His people. It is a means by which believers can support one another, seek divine intervention, and align themselves with God's purposes.

Conclusion

The concept of the intercessor is integral to understanding the relationship between God and humanity. Through the examples of biblical figures, the work of Christ, and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, intercession remains a powerful and essential practice within the Christian faith.1. (n.) One who goes between, or intercedes; a mediator. (a) One who interposes between parties at variance, with a view to reconcile them. (b) One who pleads in behalf of another.

2. (n.) A bishop, who, during a vacancy of the see, administers the bishopric till a successor is installed.

3875. parakletos -- called to one's aid
... parakletos Phonetic Spelling: (par-ak'-lay-tos) Short Definition: an advocate,
comforter, helper, Paraclete Definition: (a) an advocate, intercessor, (b) a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3875.htm - 7k

3316. mesites -- an arbitrator, a mediator
... mediator. From mesos; a go-between, ie (simply) an internunciator, or (by implication)
a reconciler (intercessor) -- mediator. see GREEK mesos. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3316.htm - 7k

1783. enteuxis -- a petition, ie spec. supplication
... Intercession is not "the tool in and of itself" to act according to the , of
the intercessor! It always builds on faith (learning God's ).]. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1783.htm - 8k

6293. paga -- to meet, encounter, reach
... come between, cause to entreat, fall upon, make intercession, intercessor,
entreat. A primitive root; to impinge, by accident or ...
/hebrew/6293.htm - 6k

The Intercessor
... THE INTERCESSOR. 'These words spake Jesus, and ... very imperfect followers. In verse
9 Jesus assumes the great office of Intercessor. 'I pray ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture st john chaps xv to xxi/the intercessor.htm

Moses the Intercessor
... THE BOOK OF NUMBERS MOSES THE INTERCESSOR. 'Pardon, I beseech Thee, the
iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of Thy ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/moses the intercessor.htm

Moses, the Mighty Intercessor
... IV. MOSES, THE MIGHTY INTERCESSOR. Intercessory Prayer is a powerful means
of grace to the praying man. Martyn observes that at times ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/iv moses the mighty intercessor.htm

That no Bishop who is an Intercessor is to Hold the See Where He ...
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon LXXIV. (Greek lxxvii.) That no bishop who
is an intercessor is to hold the see where he is intercessor. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon lxxiv greek lxxvii that.htm

Epistle xxv. To John, Bishop of Constantinople, and the Other ...
... For to what end is a bishop chosen of the Lord but to be an intercessor
for the offences of the people? With what confidence, then ...
/.../gregory/the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xxv to john bishop.htm

A Great Fall and a Great Recovery
... But passing from that, the words before us seem to me to suggest a threefold thought
of the Intercessor for tempted souls; of the consequent re-illumination of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/a great fall and a.htm

If Ye Abide
... this promise. Set yourself to be an intercessor for men; a fruit-bearing
intercessor, ever calling down more blessing. Such faith ...
/.../murray/the true vine meditations for a month on john 151-16/if ye abide.htm

Christ Our Mediator. --Continued.
... world's comprehension. When one stands as our intercessor we are favored
in proportion to his standing with the other party. When ...
/.../x christ our mediator continued.htm

The Barren Fig-Tree.
... Abraham's seed, natural and mystical, are the fig-tree; and the Mediator between
God and man is the Dresser of the vineyard, the intercessor for the barren tree ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/xx the barren fig-tree.htm

On the Holy Spirit.
... Now Paraclete, when spoken of the Saviour, seems to mean intercessor. For in Greek,
Paraclete has both significations"that of intercessor and comforter. ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/chapter vii on the holy spirit.htm

Intercessor (2 Occurrences)
... the bishopric till a successor is installed. Multi-Version Concordance
Intercessor (2 Occurrences). Job 33:23 If there be with him ...
/i/intercessor.htm - 7k

Paraclete
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) An advocate; one called to aid or support; hence,
the Consoler, Comforter, or Intercessor; -- a term applied to the Holy Spirit. ...
/p/paraclete.htm - 17k

Advocate (7 Occurrences)
... advocate of free trade, an advocate of truth. 3. (n.) Christ, considered
as an intercessor. 4. (n.) To plead in favor of; to defend ...
/a/advocate.htm - 11k

Intercession (12 Occurrences)
... Religion, Seen in Moses' Intercessions 4. Intercessory Prayer in Israel's Later
History 5. The Rise of Official Intercession 6. Samuel as an Intercessor in His ...
/i/intercession.htm - 52k

Mediator (7 Occurrences)
... (n.) One who mediates; especially, one who interposes between parties at variance
for the purpose of reconciling them; hence, an intercessor. Int. ...
/m/mediator.htm - 42k

Upheld (15 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 59:16 He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor:
therefore his own arm brought salvation to him; and his righteousness ...
/u/upheld.htm - 10k

Intercessors (2 Occurrences)

/i/intercessors.htm - 6k

Intercessions (2 Occurrences)

/i/intercessions.htm - 7k

Intercede (12 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 59:16 And He saw that there was no man, and was astonished that there was
no intercessor; therefore His own arm brought salvation unto Him; and His ...
/i/intercede.htm - 10k

Intervene (1 Occurrence)
... Isaiah 59:16 And He saw that there was no man, and was astonished that there was
no intercessor; therefore His own arm brought salvation unto Him; and His ...
/i/intervene.htm - 7k

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