THE HOUSE OF CHRIST

Hebrews 3:1-6 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; who was faithful to Him that appointed Him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. For this Man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honor than the house. For every house is builded by some man; but He that built all things is God. And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; 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.

The first and second chapters of this epistle depict, in great detail, the exalted nature of Jesus Christ. Wherefore, with this knowledge, the writer proceeds with his inspired message designed to teach holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, that is, to Hebrew Christians at that time, but also to all Christians today. Those that partake of God's heavenly calling, are those that hear, believe, obey the will of God, and are baptized into the body of Christ. By doing so, they are purged from their sins, and thus can be called holy brethren, brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ, and the adopted children of God.

It is this body of Christians that the writer asks to give earnest consideration to the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus. The word "apostle" means an emissary or an ambassador - one that is sent to deliver the message of the sender. The title is applicable to all prophets of God, including Moses, who delivered God's word to the children of Israel. Likewise it applies to Jesus' chosen apostles and all other inspired disciples sent to deliver the word of God. And above all other apostles is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the supreme Apostle sent to establish, and deliver, God's message of eternal salvation to all people of the world. The supremacy of Jesus not only existed as a lawgiver, but as a spiritual adviser and leader. He also holds the position of High Priest of our profession, that is, of our Christian faith. Within the church of Christ, Jesus holds both exalted positions of Apostle and High Priest, being superior to Moses, the lawgiver to Israel, as well as superior to Aaron, the priestly leader of the Jewish nation.

Numbers 12:7 declares that Moses, as God's servant, was faithful in his house. That is, Moses was faithful in his service to the house of Israel. The faithfulness of Moses to his house, the Jewish nation, is compared to that of Jesus Christ. The glory attributed to Moses for his service to the house of Israel is far exceeded by Jesus' service to His house. This statement in no way indicates that Moses failed as a servant of God, because the lesson text states that Moses was faithful in all his house, as a servant. Moses faithfully served the house of Israel, but he did not build it. It was designed and built by God. However, the service of Jesus was far superior to that of Moses because He came to earth to fulfill the purpose for which the house of Israel was built.

The house of Christ is also superior because it was designed and built by Jesus, Himself. Simon Peter made this confession to Jesus; Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. It is upon this foundation - Peter's spiritual and truthful confession, that Jesus Christ said I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (See Matt. 16:15-18). The church of Christ is indeed His house. The construction of His house was foretold by the prophet Isaiah: Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste (Isaiah 28:16). Quoting this passage, Peter tells us, in his first epistle, verses 2:1-6, that the fulfillment of this prophesy was the building of a spiritual house; His house; His church; the body of Christ. And he describes that body as being made up of Christians - lively stones (1 Pet. 2:5).

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, reigns over His own house; whose house are we. Just as Christians were added to the church, the household of God, on the Day of Pentecost by submitting to His will and being baptized for the remission of sins, so are all Christians today. We are the house of Christ if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. Eternal salvation is promised to those that entered into the house of Christ and remained there as faithful servants. Therefore, hold fast!