Christ Jesus, the High Priest of Our Profession

Link credit

Hebrews 3:1 (KJV) Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;

I checked various translations to see how the word “profession” was translated. Of the versions I checked, 13 translated it as “profession” or “profess”. Thirty translated it as “confession”, “confessed”, or “confess”.

Why does it matter?

To understand what is being said we have to understand the meaning and intent of the word.

There is a big difference in translating a “plane” as a twin prop engine plane or a 747 in the capacities of what each can do and the mental picture that each word paints.

When it comes to the word “confession”, there are ministries that focus on faith and the confession of the Word of God.  Recommended are teachings from either Rhema Bible Church or Capps Ministries. You can go to their book stores, find their videos online, or, in the case of Rhema Bible Church, attend online services through links found at Rhema Bible Church.  As a reminder, the link repeated at the bottom of each post takes you to a list of these and other resources for more study.

Rather than talk about  the topic of “confession”, since the above ministries teach on that topic, let’s look at “profession”.

Here are some dictionary meanings of the word “profession”.

While there are several meanings, I will focus on two as they will be sufficient to make the point.

From the above dictionary link, the act of taking the vows of a religious community; this would apply to entering a certain Order of the Catholic Church.  The point to be made is that initial vows are taken, but it is an ongoing lifestyle according to the rules of the Order.

Also from the above link, a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation.

“Profession” and “professional” are related in the root word.  When we think of a professional…a plumber, a lawyer, an electrician, a teacher, a doctor, a scientist…this is someone who not only has the training, but who continues to gain in experience and knowledge on an ongoing basis.  Many professions require refresher courses or credits every so often.  When we hire a professional, we do so because we expect a certain level of proficiency, consistency, and expertise.

And as a shout-out to the moms…there may not be a professional degree for “mom-hood” but certainly it requires consistency and faithfulness to change diapers, feed children, cook meals, wash clothes, keep the house clean, transport to school and appointments and church, etc.

So when it come to professing the Christian faith, the idea is more than a one time confession or belief in Jesus.  It is an ongoing lifestyle, a regular, consistent, daily lifestyle, of growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord.  It involves going to church, but also private Bible reading, prayer, community Bible studies, service, tithing…there are many aspects to a profession of faith.

It is more than just a one time visit to the church at Christmas and Easter.