A question about the Trinity
Recently a reader of this blog wrote in with the following email:
Hi,
I don’t believe in the trinity like you (still a believer and follower of Jesus).
I came across a scripture that implies rather heavily that Jesus is God. It’s Hebrew 3:3-4.
“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. For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.”
From it I get that Jesus is better than Moses in the same way the builder (Jesus )of the house is better than the house (Moses) but then says that God is the builder of everything. I don’t know why they had to mention that part after the analogy of that’s supposed to refer to Jesus and Moses. It seems to imply that Jesus is better than Moses because he built the house… the house that was Moses and everything more.
Thank you
Our reply and exposition of Hebrew 3:3-4
Below is our reply which we publish here in the hope it will help others looking at this passage.
Hi,
Thanks so much for your email and apologies for the delay in responding.
I’ve had a look at the passage you supplied. A few preliminary points:
1. Jesus is not God
From the rest of scripture, we know that Jesus was the son of God and a man – not God Himself (for examples of this see http://www.the-gospel-truth.info/bible-teachings/god-unity-or-trinity/). He showed forth God’s righteous and moral character though and was obedient in all things. In this sense, he was one with God.
2. The Bible does not contradict itself
The Bible is true and does not contradict itself having been written by men directed by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:19-21, 2 Timothy 3:16, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, Hebrews 1:1 etc). These men were compelled to write what God determined and therefore this is the word of God. God cannot lie (Titus 1:2).
Having these two principles in mind, clearly defined in multiple places in the scriptures we then approach the verses of Hebrew 3:3-4 to determine their meaning. I’ve split this out verse by verse in an attempt to explain each verse.
Hebrews 3:1
Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
This passage follows on from the context of chapter 2 – e.g. that of Christ’s personal temptations and sufferings which he overcame and Christ’s superiority. The future inheritance promised would be under the jurisdiction of Christ. Christ was an ‘apostle’ (meaning one sent forth) by God – John 12:49.
Hebrews 3:2
Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.
Christ was faithful to God in his apostolic mission- so also was Moses (who was also ‘sent forth’ by God and so we are having a comparison made see Exodus 3:10).
Note: God appointed him. This is the key point in relation to your question as it shows God and Christ are working together but are not the same personage.
If Christ and God were the same person this passage would make no sense. If this were the case it should say “Who was faithful to himself”.
Hebrews 3:3
“For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses,”
It’s interesting to note the definition here of Jesus as a MAN. Not as God.
So they were both faithful, but Christ was counted worthy of more than Moses. Why?
“inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.”
So Jesus was one who “builded the house.” He was, however, appointed to do so (v2).
Hebrews 3:4
“For every house is builded by some man;
This is a simple statement of fact. Houses are built by people.
“but he that built all things is God.”
The way I understand this is that God was the Master builder although he had appointed (v2) His son to build on His behalf.
We know God is the builder because we are plainly told so in Heb 11:10: “…whose builder and maker is God.”
It was God who appointed the son of David (Christ) to “build an house for my name” 2 Samuel 7:13.
As a Christadelphian I believe that this has two meanings:
1. A literal house in the coming Kingdom of God (e.g. Isaiah 2:2, Isa 56:7, Ezekiel 40+ etc)
2. A ‘spiritual’ household made up of people throughout the generations, called in Galatians 6:10 “the household of faith”. We are told this in Ephesians 2:
“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord…” Eph 2:19-21
This is God’s house, predetermined by His love and mercy. Christ has been appointed to build it through his ministry and sacrifice.
Hebrews 3:5
And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;
Moses was a servant in the house – to bear witness to Gods word. He served in the house.
This is a quote from Numbers 12:7
“My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house.”
Hebrews 3:6
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.
Christ was part of the household. A son over the house. The son of God.
We can be part of the house through Christ (belief, baptism into the gospel and living a Godly life in Gods mercy – Mark 16:16, Romans 1:16 etc).
So – I hope that makes sense. In simple terms, God is the master builder who operated through His Son. The son and God are separate entities because God appointed the son for this work. This Son is far superior to the servant who was Moses.
I hope that helps!
Much love
Matt
