Hebrews: An introduction
Notes
Transcript
A different kind of (epistle?)
A different kind of (epistle?)
By whom? We don’t know
By whom? We don’t know
The Letter does not say
Early church attestations:
Paul -
The Bible Knowledge Commentary Authorship
Clement of Alexandria thought Paul had written it originally in the Hebrew language and that Luke had translated it into Greek.
But the letter does not fit Paul’s style
Barnabas -
The Bible Knowledge Commentary Authorship
In fact the other name with early support is that of Paul’s former missionary partner, Barnabas. This tradition appeared first in the West in Tertullian (ca. 160/170–215/220). In a polemical passage he quoted from Hebrews and assigned the quotation to an Epistle by Barnabas.
Others close to Paul
Apollos
Silas
Priscilla
Luke - writing style matches, close proximity to Paul, Friendship with Timothy, established writer.
Internal hints:
Internal hints:
23 You should know that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom I shall see you if he comes soon.
24 Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who come from Italy send you greetings.
1 Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.
2 For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution,
3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard,
4 while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
To whom? We don’t know
To whom? We don’t know
Used by Clement in his writings in 96 AD
Saw wide spread use in the churches
Assumes an understanding of the Old Testament
Likely a church with a large Jewish presence.
One internal clue points possibly to Rome
24 Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who come from Italy send you greetings.
When was it written?
When was it written?
No mention of the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70
Does not mention the temple but the tabernacle
Had to be before 96 AD - Clement quotes it
Timothy is alive but Paul is not mentioned
The point?
The point?
Hebrews is a letter to the church that calls them to greater faith in the Gospel in light of trials they face by pointing them to the supremacy of Jesus in all things.
Key Verse(s)
Key Verse(s)
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
With all that said, let’s look at how the author introduces us to this letter:
Read
1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,
2 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.
3 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,
God Communicated Through the Prophets
God Communicated Through the Prophets
1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,
Adam - the promise within the curse - Genesis 3:14-15
14 The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life.
15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”
Abraham - Genesis 17:1-8
1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless,
2 that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.”
3 Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him,
4 “Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations.
5 No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.
6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you.
7 And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you.
8 And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God.”
Moses - Deuteronomy 18:15-19
15 “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen—
16 just as you desired of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, when you said, ‘Let me not hear again the voice of the Lord my God or see this great fire any more, lest I die.’
17 And the Lord said to me, ‘They are right in what they have spoken.
18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.
19 And whoever will not listen to my words that he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him.
David, Isaiah, Micah, Zechariah . . .
God Communicates Through Jesus
God Communicates Through Jesus
2 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.
3 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,
Jesus Word makes all of God’s promises secure.
Jesus Word makes all of God’s promises secure.
Jesus is the heir of all things, thus he has authority over all things.
Jesus is the heir of all things, thus he has authority over all things.
Jesus created all things and holds them together by the power of His Word.
Jesus created all things and holds them together by the power of His Word.
Jesus is God and perfectly represents who God is.
Jesus is God and perfectly represents who God is.
Jesus is the perfect sacrifice.
Jesus is the perfect sacrifice.
Jesus is the Final Authority.
Jesus is the Final Authority.
Jesus is our perfect prophet, priest, and king.
Jesus is our perfect prophet, priest, and king.
