Through Hebrews
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Imagine the massive changes that shook up the frame work of Judaism. Judaism took its recognizable form during the Babylonian exile and the Persian period, [Esther].
Traditional Jewish belief traces its origin to God’s covenant with Abraham, but historians describe a gradual evolution into what became Second Temple Judaism.
From Jesus saying “this is the new covenant in my blood” the night before He was crucified to the unexpected conversion of a Pharisee named Saul who was harassing and arresting Christians - even holding the clothes of Stephen Jewish elders stoned him to death. But his opinion on Judaism was flipped by the grace of God. Saul became Paul and when Jesus chooses someone - He knows what He’s doing. he used Moses that way, Joshua, Samuel, David, Solomon, Josiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Peter, Matthew, Luke, and John because He knows our frame, our strengths and weaknesses, our abilities and our character. So He knows where we fit in His purposes! Judaism started well after the captivity but soon became political
Paul’s strongest criticism of Judaism-as-a-salvation-system and of the Judaizers appears in Galatians 1:6-9, Philippians, and Acts, where he argues that the Law cannot justify, circumcision cannot save, and anyone adding the Law to the gospel is preaching “another gospel.” These themes are confirmed in the search results, especially the summaries of Galatians 2, Galatians 5, and Philippians 3
6 I marvel that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ for a different gospel, 7 which is really not another, only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should proclaim to you a gospel contrary to the gospel we have proclaimed to you, let him be accursed! 9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is proclaiming to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let him be accursed!
But this was because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our freedom which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us.
Paul even rebuked Peter for for Judaizing! And finishes my saying
nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.
The book of Hebrews was written to a community of Jewish Christians facing pressure, persecution, and spiritual fatigue, urging them not to abandon Christ but to persevere by seeing His absolute superiority over every part of the old covenant system. The author is unknown, the date is likely before A.D. 70, and the recipients were believers tempted to drift back into Judaism under hardship
1 It was for freedom that Christ set us free. Therefore, stand firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. 2 Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. 3 And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. 4 You have been severed from Christ, you who are being justified by law; you have fallen from grace!
These are all indictments against Judaism who taught both Jews and Gentiles that you could believe in Jesus as Messiah but you must continue to keep the law and be circumcised.
The author is unknown.
He knew Timothy (Hebrews 13:23).
He was not an eyewitness of Jesus’ earthly ministry (Hebrews 2:3).
Early suggestions include Paul, Apollos, Barnabas, Luke, Priscilla/Aquila—but none can be proven.
1 God, having spoken long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 in these last days spoke to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds, 3 who is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power; who, having accomplished cleansing for sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become so much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they.
Deity of Jesus
God used to speak through His prophets beginning with Moses, he spoke from a burning bush, from Mt Sinai.
Can you think of how God spoke to the other prophets?
5 For to which of the angels did He ever say, “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You”? And again, “I will be a Father to Him And he shall be a Son to Me”? 6 And when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says, “And let all the angels of God worship Him.”
7 And of the angels He says, “Who makes His angels winds, And His ministers flaming fire.”
2. Dependency of the Angels
8 But of the Son He says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, And the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom. 9 “You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness above Your companions.” 10 And, “You, Lord, in the beginning founded the earth, And the heavens are the works of Your hands; 11 They will perish, but You remain; And they all will wear out like a garment, 12 And like a mantle You will roll them up; Like a garment they will also be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not come to an end.”
3. Eternity of Jesus
13 But to which of the angels has He ever said, “Sit at My right hand, Until I put Your enemies As a footstool for Your feet”? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?
4. Ministry of Angels
