• Download Video
• Download Audio
• Print
• Email
• Save As PDF

"High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus."

Text: Hebrews 3:1

OUR CONFESSION OF FAITH

The phrase “confession of faith” has been used in a lofty manner (in the theological world) to describe a body of faith believed in. (Thus Presbyterians speak of the Westminster Confession of Faith as that which embodies basic Presbyterian beliefs).

However in the following text, the phrase “our confession” refers to a simpler concept.

“Consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession,
Christ Jesus.”
Hebrews 3:1d

1. Simple “Confession” (“homologias”)

a) This simply represents a verbal (outward) expression of faith.

b) A simple confession was used in the first century Church to identify a person as a believer:-

i) The genuine believer must confess that Jesus came in the flesh (Cf.1 John 4:2-3).

ii) He must also confess that Jesus is the Son of God. (Cf. 1 John 4:15)

c) Non-ability to confess the above created serious problems:-

i) The person is declared as “not of God” (Cf. 1 John 4:3)

ii) He who cannot confess fullness of faith in Jesus as the Incarnate Son of God is declared to have “the spirit of the Antichrist” (Cf.1 John 4:3).

2. Further thoughts added

The author of Hebrews was suggesting that believers consider the following thoughts about Jesus:-

a) That He was indeed “The Apostle” specially sent by God.

b) That Jesus was “The apostle and High Priest”.

c) The definite article was used with the word “apostle” (“ton apostolon”) and thus is best translated as “The Apostle”- highlighting the fact that He was indeed “The Sent One”.

d) The specific task that God had sent Jesus to perform was none other than that of being the High Priest. Our confession of faith must include this important truth about Jesus!