Hebrews

Overview

Author:

Unknown; possibly Paul or Priscilla

if Priscilla- deliberate suppression of female authorship

Time period:

63-64 AD

before the destruction of the Temple (AD 70)

Audience:

Jewish

Style:

Pauline in style

Why:

Drifting away from ‘so great a salvation’

()

Failing to enter God’s rest

(, )

Failure to move on to maturity

()

Willful sin

()

Giving up on the race

(Hebrews 12)

Why:

Main idea: Superiority of the Son

Main idea: Superiority of the Son

Theme: Persevere

5 Warnings: (Exhortations)

Drifting away from ‘so great a salvation’

()

Failing to enter God’s rest

(, )

Failure to move on to maturity

()

Willful sin

()

Giving up on the race

()

Culture:

part of NT debate between the extreme Judaizers (who argued that non-Jews must convert to Judaism before they can receive the Holy Spirit of Jesus' new covenant) versus the extreme antinomians (who argued that Jews must reject God's commandments and that Jewish law was no longer in effect). James and Paul represent the moderates of each faction, respectively, and Peter served as moderator

Chapter 1

Supremacy of God’s Son

What does this say about God?

God speaks to His people

through prophets

through His Son

Jesus is:

the “radiance of the glory of God”

the “exact imprint” of God’s nature (v. 3)

He upholds the universe

purification for sins

superior to the angels

His throne is eternal

Loves righteousness and hates wickedness

Creator of all things; Self-existent

Immutable (stays the same)

He sends ‘ministering spirits’ (angels) to serve His people

Chapter 2

Warning Against Neglecting Salvation

What does this say about God?

He distributes gifts of the Holy Spirit according to his will

Founder of Salvation

What does this say about God?

Everything is in subjection to Christ

Nothing is outside of his control (Omnipotent)

Devil has power of death

Jesus destroyed the devil

We were subject to lifelong slavery

Jesus was made like us in every respect

Jesus made propitiation for our sins

Jesus suffered, was tempted

Jesus helps us; who are tempted

What does this say about God? who are tempted

Chapter 3

Jesus Greater Than Moses

What does this say about God?

Jesus is worthy of more glory than Moses

God is the builder of all things

We are his house

A Rest for the People of God

What does this say about God?

our hearts can be hardened by sin

Israelites in the wilderness were unable to enter the promised land because of unbelief

Chapter 4

A Rest for the People of God (cont)

What does this say about God?

He gives us a promise of entering his rest

His works were finished from the foundation of the world

God gives a Sabbath rest to his people

if we are in disobedience- we do not enter that rest

the word of God is living and active

the word of God divides the soul and spirit; discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart

No creature is hidden from God; all are naked and exposed

We must give account

Jesus the Great High Priest

What does this say about God?

He is able to sympathize with our weaknesses

He was tempted in every respect as we are; yet He was without sin

Because of Him, we can ‘draw near to the throne of grace’ with confidence- to receive mercy and grace in time of need

Chapter 5

Jesus the Great High Priest (cont)

What does this say about God?

He deals gently with the ignorant and wayward

Jesus learned obedience through suffering

Jesus was made perfect; and therefore is the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him

Jesus is our High Priest

Warning against Apostasy

Chapter 6

Warning against Apostasy (cont)

What does this say about God?

Milk =

repentance from dead works

faith toward God

instruction about washings (baptism)

laying on of hands

resurrection of the dead

eternal judgment

If we know these things (milk) and then fall away- we are crucifying once again the Son of God, to our own harm and holding him up to contempt

Everyone who lives on milk is a child; unskilled in the word of righteousness

solid food is for the mature; who have power of discernment

the mature are trained by ‘constant practice’ in discerning good from evil

God is just

we inherit the promises through faith and patience

Certainty of God’s Promise

What does this say about God?

God is unchangable (Immutable)

It is impossible for God to lie

Chapter 7

The Priestly Order of Melchizedek

Melchizedek =

King and priest

king of righteousness

king of peace

Melchizedek has no birth/death (eternal nature of Christ)

In Jewish tradition- thought possibly to be Shem (Noah’s son)

Melchizedek give bread and wine to Abraham as he returns from war; saving Lot (picture of bread and wine of Christ)

Abraham paid him tithe ()

PLR- Melchizedek (as archetype of Christ) turned priesthood over to Abraham’s line (Levites); much in the same way through Christ, we are made “kings and priests”.

Jesus Compared to Melchizedek

Chapter 8

Jesus, High Priest of a Better Covenant

Chapter 9

The Earthly Holy Place

Redemption Through the Blood of Christ

Chapter 10

Christ’s Sacrifice Once for All

Full Assurance of Faith

Chapter 11

By Faith

Chapter 12

Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith

Do Not Grow Weary

A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken

Chapter 13

Sacrifices Pleasing to God

Benediction

Final Greetings