**Your post illustrates perfectly why context matters in understanding Scrioture. You clearly explained how the two verses work. Nicely done.**
Thanks. Just seeing the timeline in the gospels: post resurrection instruction to his disciples.
I call many RC teachings to be the stuff of an iron and clay religion. Scripture mixed with pagan traditions just can’t stand the earthshaking of the whole doctrine of God.
Just the praying to the works of men’s hands is blasphemy. I know they trot out Moses brass serpent (which was the only one made), but the Israelites were only to look at it if they got bit, not bow and etc. The making of all the statues, prayer beads, necklaces, etc. is no different than the silversmiths of Diana.
And that brass serpent had to be destroyed when the people started bowing down to and worshiping it.
Hear here!