AN INTRODUCTION TO HEBREWS
Notes
Transcript
INTRODUCTION
The Epistle to the Hebrews is a unique book in the New Testament
The Epistle to the Hebrews is a unique book in the New Testament
It begins as an essay...
1 God, having of old time spoken unto the fathers in the prophets by divers portions and in divers manners, 2 hath at the end of these days spoken unto us in his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds;
It progresses as a sermon...
1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things that were heard, lest haply we drift away from them. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; 3 how shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation? which having at the first been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed unto us by them that heard; 4 God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders, and by manifold powers, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will.
It ends as a letter...
23 Know ye that our brother Timothy hath been set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you. 24 Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you. 25 Grace be with you all. Amen.
Its contents are deep and challenging...
Its contents are deep and challenging...
Many Christians find it difficult
Some equate its difficulty with the book of Revelation
But for Christians who are willing to take the time to read and reflect upon it...
But for Christians who are willing to take the time to read and reflect upon it...
They are reminded of how blessed they are to have trusted in Christ
They are impressed with the superiority of Christ and His New Covenant over Moses and the
Old Covenant
They are warned of the danger of apostasy and the need for steadfastness in their faith
With this lesson, I wish to begin a series of expository sermons based upon this epistle...
With this lesson, I wish to begin a series of expository sermons based upon this epistle...
Yet just as one should not begin a journey without some idea of where they are going
So it is beneficial to begin with a preview of this epistle, that we might have an idea...
Of where we are headed
And what we can expect to find
Such a “preview” or introduction would naturally include some information on...
DISCUSSION
THE BACKGROUND TO THIS EPISTLE
THE BACKGROUND TO THIS EPISTLE
THE AUTHOR
THE AUTHOR
The author does not identify himself
Many believe it to be the apostle Paul (e.g., Clement of Alexandria)
This seems unlikely in view of the author’s statement: “...was confirmed to us by those who heard Him,” - He 2:3
For Paul declared that he had not received the gospel from or through men - Ga 1: 11-12
Yet there are many arguments which favor Paul as the author (cf. New Testament Commentary on Hebrews, Robert Milligan, pp. 5-19)
Other names have been proposed over the years:
Barnabas (suggested by Tertullian)
Apollos (suggested by Luther)
Priscilla (suggested by Harnack)
Perhaps Origen says it best, “But who wrote the epistle, to be sure, only God knows.” Sermons From Hebrews 3
THE RECIPIENTS
THE RECIPIENTS
The general consensus is that this letter was written to Jewish Christians
But there is uncertainty as to where they and the author were at the time of composition
Most believe the recipients were in Palestine, and the author in Rome
Others suggest the readers were in Rome and the author elsewhere, based upon a
possible implication in...
24 Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.
In any case, they were Jewish Christians whom the author knew personally...
34 For ye both had compassion on them that were in bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your possessions, knowing that ye have for yourselves a better possession and an abiding one.
19 And I exhort you the more exceedingly to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
THE DATE OF WRITING
THE DATE OF WRITING
We know it was prior to 96 A.D., for Clement of Rome quotes from Hebrews in his letter written at that time
There are certainly strong implications that it was written prior to 70 A.D.
There is no mention of the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple
The author writes as though priests were still offering sacrifices...
4 Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, seeing there are those who offer the gifts according to the law;
11 And every priest indeed standeth day by day ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, the which can never take away sins:
If the Jewish Christians were in Palestine, it was likely before or at the beginning of the Jewish Wars (ca. 66-70 A.D.), in light of...
4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin:
The time frame of 63-65 A.D. is often suggested
THE PURPOSE OF THIS EPISTLE
THE PURPOSE OF THIS EPISTLE
To prevent his readers from abandoning their faith in Christ
1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things that were heard, lest haply we drift away from them. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; 3 how shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation? which having at the first been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed unto us by them that heard; 4 God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders, and by manifold powers, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will.
To encourage his Jewish brethren not to go back to the Old Law by showing the superiority of Christ and His Covenant …
1 Now in the things which we are saying the chief point is this: We have such a high priest, who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2 a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man.
6 But now hath he obtained a ministry the more excellent, by so much as he is also the mediator of a better covenant, which hath been enacted upon better promises.
A key word found throughout the epistle is “better”
Christ is “better than the angels” -
4 having become by so much better than the angels, as he hath inherited a more excellent name than they.
We enjoy “the bringing in of a better hope” -
19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a bringing in thereupon of a better hope, through which we draw nigh unto God.
Jesus has become “the surety of a better covenant”
22 by so much also hath Jesus become the surety of a better covenant.
He is also “the Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises”
6 But now hath he obtained a ministry the more excellent, by so much as he is also the mediator of a better covenant, which hath been enacted upon better promises.
The heavenly things benefit from “better sacrifices”
23 It was necessary therefore that the copies of the things in the heavens should be cleansed with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
Indeed, the purpose of this epistle has been to exhort his readers
22 But I exhort you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation: for I have written unto you in few words.
With this background to the epistle, let’s continue our brief survey of the book by noticing...
THE MAIN DIVISIONS OF THIS EPISTLE
THE MAIN DIVISIONS OF THIS EPISTLE
THE SUPERIORITY OF CHRIST...- He 1:1-8:6
THE SUPERIORITY OF CHRIST...- He 1:1-8:6
Better than the prophets, as a much better Spokesman - He 1:1-3
Better than the angels, by virtue of His Deity and humanity - He 1:4-2:18
Better than Moses, for He is the Son who provides a heavenly rest - He 3:1-4:13
Better than Aaron, as His priesthood is a superior one - He 4:16-8:6
THE SUPERIORITY OF THE NEW COVENANT… - He 8:7-10:18
THE SUPERIORITY OF THE NEW COVENANT… - He 8:7-10:18
For it is based upon better promises - He 8:7-13
For it is based upon a better sanctuary - He 9:1-28
For it is based upon a better sacrifice - He 10:1-18
EXHORTATIONS DRAWN FROM THIS SUPERIORITY...- He 10:19-13:25
EXHORTATIONS DRAWN FROM THIS SUPERIORITY...- He 10:19-13:25
To draw near to God and hold fast - He 10:19-39
To run the race of faith with endurance - He 11:1-12:29
Miscellaneous exhortations - He 13:1-25
A unique feature of The Epistle To The Hebrews are the warnings throughout the book. As we conclude this introduction, perhaps it may be profitable to summarize...
A unique feature of The Epistle To The Hebrews are the warnings throughout the book. As we conclude this introduction, perhaps it may be profitable to summarize...
THE KEY WARNINGS IN THIS EPISTLE
THE KEY WARNINGS IN THIS EPISTLE
THE WARNING AGAINST DRIFTING…
THE WARNING AGAINST DRIFTING…
1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things that were heard, lest haply we drift away from them. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; 3 how shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation? which having at the first been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed unto us by them that heard; 4 God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders, and by manifold powers, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will.
Through neglect we can easily drift away
The solution is to give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard
THE WARNING AGAINST DEPARTING...
THE WARNING AGAINST DEPARTING...
12 Take heed, brethren, lest haply there shall be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God: 13 but exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called To-day; lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin: 14 for we are become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm unto the end: 15 while it is said, To-day if ye shall hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
Through sin’s deceitfulness we can become hardened and develop a lack of faith by which we can depart from the living God
The solution is exhort one another daily and remain steadfast
THE WARNING AGAINST DISOBEDIENCE…
THE WARNING AGAINST DISOBEDIENCE…
11 Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, that no man fall after the same example of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Like Israel in the wilderness, we can fail to enter our rest through disobedience
The solution is diligence and heeding the Word of God
THE WARNING AGAINST DULLNESS...
THE WARNING AGAINST DULLNESS...
11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard of interpretation, seeing ye are become dull of hearing. 12 For when by reason of the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need again that some one teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of solid food. 13 For every one that partaketh of milk is without experience of the word of righteousness; for he is a babe. 14 But solid food is for fullgrown men, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil. 1 Wherefore leaving the doctrine of the first principles of Christ, let us press on unto perfection; not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2 of the teaching of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this will we do, if God permit. 4 For as touching those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
Dullness of hearing can make it difficult for us to appreciate the extent of our blessings in Christ, and even falling away to the point of crucifying the Son of God afresh!
The solution is grasping the first principles of the oracles of God, and then pressing on to spiritual maturity and perfection
THE WARNING AGAINST DESPISING...
THE WARNING AGAINST DESPISING...
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which shall devour the adversaries. 28 A man that hath set at nought Moses’ law dieth without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses: 29 of how much sorer punishment, think ye, shall he be judged worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him that said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were enlightened, ye endured a great conflict of sufferings; 33 partly, being made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, becoming partakers with them that were so used. 34 For ye both had compassion on them that were in bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your possessions, knowing that ye have for yourselves a better possession and an abiding one. 35 Cast not away therefore your boldness, which hath great recompense of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, having done the will of God, ye may receive the promise. 37 For yet a very little while, He that cometh shall come, and shall not tarry. 38 But my righteous one shall live by faith: And if he shrink back, my soul hath no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of them that shrink back unto perdition; but of them that have faith unto the saving of the soul.
It is possible to so despise God’s grace as to no longer have a sacrifice for sins, but only a certain fearful expectation of judgment
The solution is to hold unto our confidence in Christ, and believe with endurance
THE WARNING AGAINST DEFYING...
THE WARNING AGAINST DEFYING...
14 Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man shall see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest there be any man that falleth short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby the many be defiled; 16 lest there be any fornication, or profane person, as Esau, who for one mess of meat sold his own birthright. 17 For ye know that even when he afterward desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected; for he found no place for a change of mind in his father, though he sought it diligently with tears. 18 For ye are not come unto a mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, and unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, 19 and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that no word more should be spoken unto them; 20 for they could not endure that which was enjoined, If even a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned; 21 and so fearful was the appearance, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake: 22 but ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable hosts of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 and to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better than that of Abel. 25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not when they refused him that warned them on earth, much more shall not we escape who turn away from him that warneth from heaven: 26 whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more will I make to tremble not the earth only, but also the heaven. 27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that have been made, that those things which are not shaken may remain. 28 Wherefore, receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us have grace, whereby we may offer service well-pleasing to God with reverence and awe: 29 for our God is a consuming fire.
It is possible to refuse to listen to the One who now speaks from heaven!
The solution is to look diligently to the grace of God, receiving it in such a way so we may serve Him acceptably with reverence and godly fear
CONCLUSION
With such warnings, this book is indeed a “word of exhortation”!
With such warnings, this book is indeed a “word of exhortation”!
22 But I exhort you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation: for I have written unto you in few words.
As we proceed through the book of Hebrews in the coming lessons, it will be my intent...
As we proceed through the book of Hebrews in the coming lessons, it will be my intent...
To remind you of how blessed we are to have trusted in Christ
To impress you with the superiority of Christ and His New Covenant over Moses and the Old
Covenant
To warn you of the real danger of apostasy and the need for steadfastness in our faith