KJV Hebrews 3
3 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.
3 For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.
4 For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.
5 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;
6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
Explanation
The comparison of Moses and Jesus addresses the temptation of emphasizing Moses over Jesus, which continues today. People are more comfortable with the Law, as exhibited in Roman Catholicism. The Lutherans who ape the Church of Rome think they have to wear the ancient costumes, as if Jesus and the Apostles could have afforded such Medieval frills. Did Jesus say, "Take up your cope and follow Me?"
Significantly, Rome has made Moses the Savior and turned Jesus into the Lawgiver. Roman Catholicism teaches that grace is not grace unless it includes works. This notion fuels the need for works to alleviate some of the torture in Purgatory, which was borrowed from paganism, not mined from the Scriptures.
The Pope, as the so-called Vicar of Christ, creates and supports laws from the "throne of his heart." They must be obeyed, and when obeyed, are rewarded in a grudging way.
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Faith in Jesus Christ is the only access to the grace of God (Romans 5:1-2). Good works, the fruits of the Spirit, are the result of salvation, not the cause of salvation. |