An "Ask the Preacher" article as it has appeared in the Santa Rosa Press Gazette (Milton, Florida). The author is Pastor Carl Gallups of Hickory Hammock Baptist Church in Milton, Florida. Click HERE to go to the Main Index page of Hickory Hammock Baptist Church to read many more such articles. This article is copyrighted by Carl Gallups and may be reproduced provided that copyright notice is given.



Dear Pastor Gallups, I have some relatives that say that the Virgin Mary is an important intercessor between God and me. I don't understand this. Is this so? L.T. -Milton

Dear L. T., There are some religious systems that teach that the Virgin Mary is an important intercessor or mediator between God and man. Primarily, they say, because she has direct access to her Son, Jesus. Many people who believe this are fine folks and well meaning. But, on this very important issue, their view differs greatly from what the Bible actually and clearly teaches.

The Bible clearly teaches in I Timothy 2:5 that there is only ONE mediator between God and man, and that is Jesus Christ and Him ALONE! We need no other mediator to get us to God if we are a born again child of God. No preacher, priest, religious system, angel, prophet or other person need ever, nor, can ever, get us into God's presence. The born again believer has direct and immediate access to God's throne by the blood of Jesus! What a joy, what freedom, what an honor and privilege!

Hebrews 4:13-16 declares that Jesus is our High Priest and the ONLY one we need to get to God's throne. We can "approach the throne boldly" in prayer and with our lives because of what JESUS has done for us! L.T., I know that there are many that will strongly disagree with me on this matter. Thousands of years of false religious teaching is hard to overcome in the minds of some folks. However, the Word of God, our FINAL authority, can not be clearer on this matter.

Mary is blessed among all women (Luke 1:42-45) because she was used in the fulfillment of God's promise of the Messiah. But, now that Jesus has ascended to the Father and sits enthroned above all authorities and powers, there is nothing whatever in the Bible to indicate that Mary, as wonderful as she is, has any special claims on Him or any role in our prayer life or salvation. Let me urge you, L.T., to keep your eyes and your faith squarely on Jesus Christ and Him alone. You can never be wrong before the Lord when you live according to His Word!