Introduction to Hebrews

Why Study Hebrews?

Question of Allegiances?

What does it mean to have an ‘allegiance’?

Paint a picture of someone with an ‘allegiance’?

What factors play into someones allegiance to something or someone?

What are forces that work against having an allegiance?

Ex. Martyrs and hero’s of faith…what forces were working against them? Or what tendencies or pitfalls did they fight against in order to keep their allegiance?

Background Information

Audience

undisputed written to the Jews who converted to Christianity…(Christian Jews)

Remember: Christianity, had not formally separated from Judaism…this would happen around 90 AD

Jews began to believe in Christ but still deeply rooted in Jewish belief system which encompassed Moses, covenant, promise land, Aaron/levitical priesthood, sacrifices, temple, Jerusalem

They likely attended at the synagogue but then also gathered to partake of the Eucharist

The divergent behaviors of Christian-Jews came at a price

social pressure to not attend ‘church’ and partake of Eucharist

Financial implication of cutting off from the Jews...

Jews were known by the Roman and given special exemptions but Christians (followers of Christ) were not know. They didn’t receive the same exceptions.

struggles with sexual immorality

All the pressures would lead Christian-Jews to quarrel with each other as they tried to figure things out.

assumes reader has a solid knowledge of the OT and fundamental Jewish beliefs.

When

Belief that it was written sometime around 65 AD but before 70 AD

Pauline Authorship: written before 65 AD - Paul’s martyrdom in Rome

Non-Pauline: between 65 - 70 AD - destruction of the temple not mentioned

Authorship

Debated - Anonymous -

Most orthodox circles believe that St. Paul was the author though he didn’t sign it like his 13 other epistles.

Clement of Alexandria - If Paul an apostle to the gentiles, known for not following the Mosaic law, signed his name Jews wouldn’t want to read it.

Hebrews 13:22–23 NKJV

22 And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words. 23 Know that our brother Timothy has been set free, with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly.

Timothy was a close companion of Paul

Difference of opinions among church fathers

Academic scholarship is leaning away from Paul as the author, but inconclusive.

WHAT DOES THIS TELL YOU ABOUT HOW THE ORTHODOX CHURCH APPROACHES SCRIPTURE?

Content and the theology behind the book matter more than who the author is.

Does it line up with the faith that was handed down.

so many letters were falsely written, using the names of apostles in order to get recognized, though the theology was flawed....church spotted the flawed theology a mile a way!

Purpose and Themes

Purpose

To address the struggle of a Christian-Jew in the mid 1st century who were between all the Jewish practices which were the means to a relationship with God versus pursuing a relationship with Christ who is the gateway to the father.

Mosaic Law / Jewish Practice

Vs

Jesus Christ

The Struggle: (old and stable v. new)

mosaic law and practices had a concreteness to them.

A relationship with a person is very different because is very dynamic, sometimes hard to wrap your mind around.

Frequent question:

Give me a checklist for my relationship with God

A spiritual rule is an external framework for an internal journey

The goal was union with God....The question was which way was the best?

Choosing the right way was vitally important because there was so much at risk for the Christian-Jew

Author of Hebrews was making the case that every element of Jewish practice was pointing us towards Christ, but did so in an imperfect or incomplete way.

Theme

MAIN PURPOSE: Christ is Supreme

Christ is the perfection and fulness of every Jewish practice

There should be no fear in faithfully following him though you will incur some losses and challenges

Christ is Supreme to...

Angels & Torah that delivered the word of God to Moses

Moses and the promise land

Priests and Melchizedek

Sacrifices and the Covenant

As the author makes it clear that the Person of Christ and our following of Him is a logical and educated choice, it requires a step of faith, which will put us all in unfamiliar ground calling us to live the true life of a believer.

Famous chapter in Hebrews, ch 11 talks about the “hero’s of faith” paints a picture of those who have followed God faithfully leaving an imprint on us all on what the life of a believer looks like.

Warnings

Woven into the main theme of “Christ is Supreme” are 5 warnings for anyone who is wavering in their belief.

5 Warnings of Hebrews

Danger of Neglect (2:1-4)

Danger of Unbelief (3:7-19)

Danger of Not Maturing (5:11-14)

Danger of Shrinking Back (10:26-39)

Danger of Refusing God (12:25 & 39)

Our Goals for studying Hebrews

All of us have Jewish tendencies to adhere to what is concrete or tangible

We like security, predictability, systems, and structure.

While successful fruitful relationships require faith, trust, love, allegiance and sacrifice.

Real qualities that are so easily tangible

As we read and study the comparisons between Jewish practice and Christ can we find a parallel between the practice and a modern day vice that holds us back in becoming a HERO of faith?

Also, can we heed the warnings laid out in the book that address any individual seeking to follow God faithfully.

As much as it is a letter to Christian-Jews it is a letter to me an you because the tendencies to retreat back to what is safe and structured is a human problem…not just a Jewish problem.

Reading for Next week Chapters 1-2