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LESSON 11• Hebrews
“That You Might Believe and Have Life In His Name” (John 20:31)
Preparation for New Testament Survey, April 16, 2006
Hebrews
INTRODUCTION
Hebrews is a marvelous portrait of Jesus Christ seen through the lens of the Old Testament. As a theological treatise, it stands next to Romans in giving us insights into the mystery of God’s work in Christ. Above all the books in the New Testament, it uniquely presents the superiority of Christianity over Judaism.
This wonderful treatise is placed in the canon of holy scripture due not to its authorship or circumstances but for its extraordinary theological worth! The anonymous author appears as a subject only in 13:18-19, with an assurance that he has a pure conscience and hopes for a rapid restoration to the readers. In 13:23, it is reported that Timothy, called “our brother,” has recently been released from prison (13:23), and the author sends greetings from “those from Italy” (13:24). These few references serve as some of the key factors in linking this treatise to Paul.
Most credible Bible scholars believe this letter to be written by Paul. No one can deny that the author was someone in the primitive church who was learned in scripture and knew technical modes of argumentation. Some historians believe that Apollos was the author. When first introduced to Apollos in Acts 18:24-28, note his credentials. Also be aware that some historians have suggested that Barnabas or Luke wrote Hebrews.
It is impossible to determine a date for the composition of this letter. However, it seems likely that it was written prior to the destruction of the temple (A.D. 70) since the author consistently refers to it in the present tense.
Sometime earlier the disciples had suffered persecution and endured it joyfully (10:32-34; Acts 5:41; 1 Thes.2:14). However, by the time of this letter they had a different attitude. They were neglectful (2:3), sluggish (6:12), dull of hearing (5:11), spiritually immature (5:12-13), forsaking the assembly (10:25), and were in need of being taught the first principles (5:12). These early Christians had grown lax in their faith and were on the verge of renouncing Christianity and returning to their ancestral Jewish faith.
MONDAY
Hebrews contains the longest sustained argument in the New Testament. We have met the basic argument before, most notably in Romans 5:12-21. Written against a backdrop of apostasy to Judaism, the Hebrew author establishes the supremacy of Christ as the only acceptable way to God.
A key statement in the prologue summarizes the central theme of the treatise, “In these last days, God has spoken to us by His Son” (1:2). The opening words of Hebrews shatter both ancient and contemporary notions of a God who is silent. This very first phrase contrasts God with lifeless idols of ancient paganism and modern perceptions that God is silent in the affairs of men!
The Christology of Hebrews (1:1-10:18) focuses on three primary tenets –
* The preeminence of Christ;
* The preeminence of Christ’s priesthood;
* The preeminence of Christ’s sacrifice.
The first argument is established in three stages. After declaring that Christ as the Son of God is preeminent over the Jewish prophets (1:1-3); the author also strings together a series of quotations from the Old Testament to show the preeminence of Christ over angels (1:4-2:18); who were regarded by contemporary Jews as the mediators of God’s law to Moses on Sinai (Acts 7:53; Gal. 3:19). As a climax to this point, he argues that Jesus Christ is superior even to Moses (3:1-4:13), seeing that He “was faithful over God’s house as a son,” while Moses was but a servant within it (3:1-6). This section concludes with a warning against losing the promised rest of God through apostasy, as Israel did under Moses (3:7-4:13).
In the second argument the author discusses the value of Christ’s high-priestly office (4:14-7:28). Jesus possessed the qualifications for serving as a high priest: compassionate sympathy for the ignorant and wayward, and a divine call appointing him as high priest (4:14-5:10). Once again the readers are rebuked for their shortcomings and warned against falling away (5:11-6:20).
TUESDAY
At this point the author launches into the strange story recorded in Genesis 14:18-20 of the encounter between Abraham and Melchizedek. This was obviously of great importance to the Hebrew author as he compared the priesthood of Christ with that of Melchizedek. Unlike the Levitical priests, who were legitimized by their genealogy, Melchizedek had neither predecessor nor successor. Yet his supremacy was acknowledged by Abraham, who paid his tithes and received from him a blessing.
The entire seventh chapter is dedicated to emphasizing Christ priesthood being superior to the Levitical priesthood.
In the third argument the author proves the superiority of Christ’s sacrifice over the Levitical sacrifices offered in accord with the Mosaic law (8:1-10:18). Among his points, the author declares that Jesus’ sacrifice was not offered in an earthly tabernacle, but in heaven itself (9:5-24), nor does it need to be repeated ((9:27-28), as do the Levitical sacrifices, which are not really effective (10:1-4). The crowning superiority is Christ’s willingness to offer himself as a single sacrifice “once and for all” (10:9-10).
In the final section of the treatise the readers are urged to be loyal to the Christian faith, declaring that those who deliberately renounce their faith in Christ have a fearful prospect of divine judgment (10:26-31). To encourage them to hold to their faith, he traces back through the Old Testament and enumerates a stirring roll call of heroes of faith (11:1-40).
In a last word of admonition, the author contrasts the gloom and terror of life under the Mosaic law, with the exhilaration of being caught up in the great company of saints of old and new Israel whose names are enrolled in heaven (12:12-29). The writer concludes with injunctions concerning the practice of brotherly love, purity of life, freedom from greed, respect for good leaders, and above all loyalty to Jesus Christ (13:1-19). He closes his letter with personal greetings and a prayer which reflect his confidence that his readers will heed what he has written (13:20-25).
WEDNESDAY
Christianity was not born in a religious vacuum. From its inception, it faced the challenge of opposing religious systems and particularly the danger of many of its Jewish converts lapsing back into the ways of the past.
Hebrews presents the fact that Christianity is not to be set aside. There is no system to supersede it. In light of this reality, the Book of Hebrews provides great exhortation to faithfulness (3:13; 10:25; 12:1).
The book is replete with warnings in the form of exhortations. In fact, it is summed up as a “word of exhortation” (13:22). As an admonition for improvement in the readers, the writer used the expression “let us” some thirteen times (4:1; 11, 14; 16; 6:1; 10:22, 23, 24; 12:1, 28; 13:13, 15).
As in Romans 9-11, the history of God’s people is reread from the perspective of faith, though here it is not the faith that justifies but the one that endures. As in Romans 4:1-25, the Hebrew writer portrays Abraham as the supreme example of faith among the patriarchs. But the aspect of his faith that is stressed in Hebrews is its endurance even through testing (6:13-20; 11:8-19).
Hebrews is unusually full in its use of titles for Jesus. Many of them are traditional:
* Jesus
* Jesus Christ
* Son
* Son of God
* Lord
* Son of Man
Other titles for Jesus used in Hebrews that are unique or rare:
* Heir
* Firstborn
* Great Shepherd of the Sheep
* Pioneer
* Perfector
* Sanctifier
* Apostle
* Builder of the House
* Forerunner
* Guarantor
* Mediator
* Priest
THURSDAY
Hebrews 9:11-12 are key verses -
“When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.”
Priesthood and kingship are both culminated by resurrection.
“But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool” (10:12-13).
Death and resurrection together form the movement of Jesus to the Holy Place that is God’s Presence.
“For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence” (9:24).
The earliest Christians proclaimed that the risen Jesus was seated at the right hand of God having completed his historic saving work. The imagery of Christ taking his place in heaven comes straight from Psalm 110.
The Hebrew author bears out that Jesus’ humiliation in his life and death were essential to fulfill his priesthood and his exaltation.
“He had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people” (2:10-18; 4:14-15; 5:8).
“Fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. He was faithful to the one who appointed him” (3:1-2) .
“And once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him” (5:9).
FRIDAY
How should Christians “run the race” (12:1-3)? What have you discovered thus far that helps you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus?
There are some key words that become important words in the treatise, and they contribute significantly to the overall purpose of this letter. In preparation for class on Sunday, one would do well to conduct a word study on each of these words and then research their every usage in this letter. Here are these key words and a sample of verses where they are used.
* Salvation (2:3, 10; 5:9;10:39)
* Atonement (2:17)
* Faithful (3:2, 5)
* Unbelief (3:19)
* Faith (4:2, 14; 10:38; chapter 11, 12:2)
* Better (1:4; 7:19; 7:22; 8:6; 9:23; 10:34; 11:16; 11:35; 6:9; 12:24);
* Covenant (8:6-13; 9:15-18)
* Rest (4:1, 3, 5, 9-10)
* Heavenly (3:1; 8:5; 9:23;11:16)
* True (8:2; 9:24)
* Eternal (5:9; 6:2; 9:12-15)
Considering all you have seen about Jesus in this book, write out a “sacrifice of praise” to him reflecting all he has done in your life.
© 2006, Pleasant Valley Church of Christ
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