Study in the Book of Hebrews

THEME: Supremacy of Jesus

WHO (Authorship)?

Barnabas

Apollos

Paul

WHEN: 33 - 69 AD

TO WHOM: Christians who came out of Judaism

WHY: They were wavering in their faith and contemplating a return to Judaism. The writer was encouraging them to remain in the Faith

They were discouraged by persecution and being forced to choose.

They began to neglect the assembly, which is usually a first sign of spiritual illness. (Heb 10:25)

Many had already returned to Judaism

Hebrews 6:4–6 ESV

For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.

It was becoming clear that the Jewish nation was not going to embrace Christianity.

Jewish Christians were going to be isolated (didn't fit with Gentiles, rejected by their Jewish families).

The writer compares the two religions and challenges his readers to choose, once and for all, which is superior.

Jesus is Greater than the Prophets

Hebrews 1:1–3 ESV

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

Antediluvian - From the creation to the flood

Postdiluvian - From the first rainbow after the flood to the ascension of Jesus

Last days - Pentecost Sunday to the Second Coming of Jesus

Patriotically Period - From Adam to Jacob

Prophetic Period - Moses to ascension of Jesus

Christian Period (Last Days) - Pentecost Sunday to the Second Coming of Jesus

Jesus Pre-eminence in History

Hebrews 1:2 ESV

but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.

John 1:1–4 ESV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

Genesis 1:26 ESV

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

Hebrews 1:7–8 ESV

Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.” But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.

Mark 2:5–7 ESV

And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

JESUS POSITION

Hebrews 1:3 ESV

He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

As Sacrifice for Sin - lowest position

Jesus could have expressed His preeminence and personhood without leaving heaven, but He did so in order to deal with man's sin.

Philippians 2:6–8 ESV

who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Hebrews 2:14 ESV

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,

Right hand of God - the highest position (authority)

Acts 7:54–56 ESV

Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”