In "Christ Greater Than Moses," Don Fortner addresses the supremacy of Christ over Moses, emphasizing that Christ warrants greater honor due to His role as the Builder of the Church, whereas Moses functioned merely as a servant within that structure. Key arguments include the understanding that while Moses was faithful in God's house, he only served as a type and shadow of Christ, who is God's Son and heir over the Church. Fortner supports his assertions with Scripture, particularly Hebrews 3:3-6, highlighting that Christ's divinity is affirmed in His role as the divine Builder (Hebrews 3:4), and that all believers are spiritually constructed upon Him (1 Peter 2:5). The practical significance of this doctrine lies in recognizing the inadequacy of the Old Covenant compared to the New, urging believers to hold firmly to their faith in Christ as the true foundation of hope and salvation.
Key Quotes
“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.”
“Moses... was a servant for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after... his entire life and ministry was a prophecy and type of Christ.”
“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.”
“These words are written to distinguish between genuine believers born and taught of God and counterfeit professors.”
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. 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. - Hebrews 3:3-6Christ Greater than Moses
Because Christ is greater than Moses, he is worthy of greater glory than Moses. Religion magnifies men, things, creeds, works, history, and rituals. The Book of God magnifies Christ.
Verse 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.”
Our Lord Jesus is considered worthy of much greater honour than Moses because Christ is the Builder of his house, the church. Moses is just part of the house, like we are. Christ and Moses are not to be compared, any more than the builder of a house is to be regarded on the same level as the house. Moses (the law) was but a servant. Christ is the Son, the Lord, the Heir (John 9:28,29; 5:45-47). Moses (the law) is of no value unless he is put in his proper place as Christ's servant.
Verse 4 – “For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.”
A house does not build itself. Someone conceives the idea, draws the plans, and erects the building. The Planner and Builder of all things is our God. This is a plain declaration of Christ’s divinity. The Holy Spirit here states, in the most unmistakable terms possible, that the man Christ Jesus is God. The reference here is to the building of the church and kingdom of God, or the body of believers (Matt. 16:18; 1 Peter 2:5). All God’s elect, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and even Moses, all the prophets, all the apostles, all believers are built by and upon Christ and receive all their gifts from him (1 Cor. 3:4-9).
Verse 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, the Lord’s servant, was faithful. He served the Lord with fear, reverence and obedience in all that God called him to do. Yet, his entire life and ministry was a prophecy and type of Christ. And all his writings spoke as a testimony to Christ. He wrote of Christ, he spoke of Christ, and he erected the tabernacle, the greatest type and picture of Christ (Lk. 24:44,45; 1 Pet. 1:9-12).
Verse 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."
The Lord Jesus Christ, too, is Jehovah’s Servant, but not a servant like Moses. Christ is the Son, the Master and the Heir of all things. “Whose house are we.” All who trust Christ (whether Jews or Gentiles) are living stones, built up a spiritual house in whom Christ dwells by faith and over whom he reigns (Col. 2:9,10; 1 Cor. 1:30), “If we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.” These words are not to be understood as a condition of grace, salvation, and sonship. They do not indicate that the sons of God might, after all, depart from Christ. Not at all. – These words are written to distinguish between genuine believers, born and taught of God, and counterfeit professors. True believers will continue. False professor stones will fall (1 John 2:19; Matt. 10:22; Col. 1:20-23). All is not gold that glitters; and they are not all Israel who are of Israel.
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