Introduction
to Hebrews
Background from the NT: Hebrews
A.
Key to Understanding
1.
Authorship
a)
No one actually knows for sure who wrote
this epistle. The King James
Version gives us the title "The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the
Hebrews", however, documents uncovered after that version was published
(which are older than the original manuscript) do not give the author.
Because of questions relating to the authenticity of this book, its
inclusion in the canon of scripture was resisted for some time.
b)
It may be that Paul wrote it to the Jews in
Jerusalem before its destruction in AD 70, but chose to remain anonymous
because many of them did not respect his credentials as an apostle.
c)
Another theory is that Paul wrote this upon
hearing of the death of James (they were good friends), to help comfort them
and prepare them for the tribulations to come.
James was killed in AD 62.
2.
Theme
a)
Compare this to the book of Romans:
Romans spoke to the Gentiles and to their culture, Jesus as God/Man
and King of all creation. Hebrews
speaks to the Jews of Jerusalem, familiar with the God of Abraham, priestly
sacrifice, atonement and reconciliation.
b)
The theme of Hebrews is Christ, the one
sacrifice for all time. It
compares the Judaic practices of old to their fulfillment through Jesus.
It does this to admonish and warn the readers who risk slipping back
in to formal Judaism, thus rejecting the priesthood of Christ.
3.
Words and phrases to watch for
a)
This epistle builds argument upon argument
and leads to a conclusion that Jesus, as the fulfillment of the law, is
"better" than the old
ways. Also the use of "perfect"
is common, as is "let us"
b)
Look for five specific warnings given
throughout the text:
(1)
The danger of neglect
(2:1-4)
(2)
The danger of unbelief (3:7 - 4:13)
(3)
The danger of not maturing (5:11 - 6:20)
(4)
The danger of drawing back (10:26 - 39)
(5)
The danger of refusing God (12:25 - 29)
B.
Major Divisions
1.
Doctrinal (chapters 1 - 10)
a)
The superiority of Christ
b)
The priesthood of Christ
c)
Description of the New Covenant
2.
Practical (chapters 11 - 13)
a)
Examples of Faith
b)
Endurance and Faith
c)
Exhortation to Love
Doctrinal
Statements
Background from the NT: Hebrews 1:2 - 4:16
A.
Christ's Position (ch 1)
1.
Heir of all things (v 2)
2.
Current location at the right hand of God (v 3)
a)
Compare to Acts 7:55-56
3.
Compared to the angels (v 4-14)
B.
Christ's Preeminence (ch 2)
1.
The strength of His Word (v 1 - 4)
a)
Note the danger of neglecting His salvation
2.
Compared to the preeminence of man (v 5 - 9)
a)
See also Psalm 8:4
b)
Christ suffers as a man
3.
He that sanctifies and He that receives
sanctification are One (v 11a)
a)
This is the idea that forms the basis for
the next concept
C.
Christ's Priesthood ( Ch 2 - 4 )
1.
Verse 11b - "for which cause he is not
ashamed to call them brethren" is the bond that unites us with Christ
a)
Supported by a quote from Psalm 22:22
2.
Through death then resurrection He destroyed the
bonds of death (v 14)
3.
Being a partaker of human versus angelic qualities
makes Him qualified to "make reconciliation for the sins of the
people." (v 17)
4.
Our High Priest ( 3:1)
a)
Faithful to His calling, like Moses (3:2 -
3:11)
b)
Note the danger of unbelief (3:12 … )
5.
Parenthetical discussion ( Ch 4)
a)
The mixing of faith with the Word of God ( v
2)
b)
The urgency of the message (v 7)
c)
The Rest of Belief (v 8 - 11)
d)
The power of the Gospel (v 12 - 13)
6.
What does His Priesthood mean to us?
We should…
a)
Hang on to what we've got (v14)
b)
Avoid sin (v15)
c)
Obtain mercy (v16a)
d)
Find grace (v16b)
D.
Priesthood Ordained by God (ch 5)
Background from the NT: Hebrews 5:1 - 7:11
Background from the OT: Gen 14:18-20, Psa 110:4
1.
It's for men, for things pertaining to God (v 1 -
4)
a)
For the benefit of our suffering
b)
Through the benefit of experience
c)
Explicitly called by God, not for self-honor
2.
Christ's Priesthood is God-ordained (v 5 - 10)
a)
"glorified not himself"
b)
a reference to Gethsemane (v 7 - 8)
c)
His perfection guaranteed eternal benefit
E.
Another parenthetical side-trip:
Immature Believers (Ch 6)
He
begins to introduce the concept of Christ compared to
Melchisedec here, but is concerned his readers are too immature,
spiritually speaking, to understand all the implications.
Instead he chastises their
continued need for milk, when they should be eating meat.
This is the 3rd warning of danger (v 5:11 - 14)
1.
Moving beyond the simple things
(6:1 - 2)
2.
Discussion on Apostasy: note the stark but
carefully worded concern in verses 4 - 6, which is one complete sentence.
a)
It is impossible…for believers…if they
shall fall away…to renew them to repentance.
b)
Because they're shaming Christ.
c)
He compares this to God bringing nourishment
to the earth, then burning the thorns that grow out of it (v 7 - 8)
3.
BUT -- we have better hope for you ( v 9 - 20)
a)
Because God will reward your love
b)
Inherit the promise, as did Abraham
c)
God's promise is stedfast
d)
His Son is the proof, just as was
Melchisedec
F.
So who was this Melchisedec ? (ch 7)
1.
A Type -- a foreshadowing --
of Christ
2.
"King of Peace" and priest to Abraham (v
1 -2)
3.
His preeminence discussed (v 3 - 10)
a)
His lineage was not that of the Levites,
obviously
b)
Even Abraham gave tithes to him, so by
extension he was greater than the order of Aaron, the Levites
c)
Melchisedec blessed Abraham -- he was the
greater
4.
So if the Levites had been able to save us, why
would God send someone (Christ) with the "rank" of Melchisedec,
instead of someone with the "rank" of Aaron? (v 11)
G.
Christ as the successor to Human Priesthood (Ch
7-8)
Background from the NT: Hebrews 7:12 - 10:39
1.
A new kind of Priest, a new kind of Law (v 12 -
25)
2.
Restating the Preeminence of Christ's priesthood
(v 26 - 28)
a)
The Law made human priests
b)
God's oath consecrated Christ as priest
forevermore
3.
Introduction to a New Covenant (8:1 - 13)
a)
A better covenant, established on better
promises
b)
Written in our hearts, not on tablets of
stone
c)
Men will know Him without having to be
taught (v 11)
4.
The Tabernacle of the Old Covenant (9:1 - 10)
a)
A worldly sanctuary
b)
The Holy of Holies
c)
Annual blood sacrifice for the sins of the
people
d)
Carnal Ordinances
5.
Christ, the High Priest (9:11 - 10:18)
a)
Mediator of the new testament
b)
One sacrifice for all time
c)
Animal sacrifice was a shadow of things to
come
d)
The completeness of Christ's work
e)
The New Covenant established (10:16 - 18)
H.
Putting it Into Practice (10:19 - 39)
The
writer now begins a transition from doctrinal teaching to practical application.
Having laid the groundwork of the old and new covenant, and the role of
Christ as our ultimate High Priest, he begins a series of statements designed to
alter how we think about our relationship to God and man.
1.
Draw near with a true heart, approach the throne,
enter the Holy of Holies
2.
Hold fast to your faith
3.
Consider one another
4.
Note the 5th warning -- the danger of
willful sin (10:26 - 29)
5.
Remember how dedicated you were after your
conversion
6.
Have patience
7.
Live by faith -- don't draw back
The
Practical Application of Faith
Background from the NT: Hebrews 11 - 13
Background from the OT: Genesis, Exodus, Joshua, Judges
A.
Faith's Hall of Fame (ch 11)
1.
Abel's sacrifice before God (v 4)
-- reference
Gen 4:1-16
2.
Enoch's walk with God (v 5-6)
-- reference
Gen 5:18-21
a)
Point of Doctrine:
It's impossible to please God without faith
b)
Point of Doctrine: God rewards those who
seek Him
3.
Noah acting on the Unseen (v 7)
-- reference Gen 6:9-22
4.
Abraham's step of faith (v 8 - 10)
-- reference Gen 12:1-4
5.
Sarah's miracle pregnancy (v 11 - 12)
-- reference Gen 17:15 - 18:15
6.
Abraham offers up Isaac (v 17 - 19)
-- reference Gen 22:1-18
7.
Isaac blesses his sons (v 20)
-- reference Gen 27
8.
Jacob blesses his grandsons (v 21)
-- reference
Gen 48
9.
Joseph's burial wish (v 22)
-- reference Gen 50:24-26
10.
The story of Moses (v 23 - 29)
-- reference Exodus
11.
Rahab helps the Israelites (v 31)
-- reference
Joshua 2
12.
Gideon (Jdg 6 -
8); Barak (Jdg 4 - 5);
Samson (Jdg 13 - 15); Jephthah (Jdg
11 - 12); David, Samuel, the Prophets…
13.
Summary thoughts on the Heroes of Faith:
(v 33 - 40)
a)
They did those things through faith
b)
They waited for something better
c)
They were often persecuted terribly because
of it
d)
Their blessings were often delayed, for the
benefit of those who followed
B.
He said all that to say this (ch 12 - 13)
1.
Having for our example the Heroes, AND Christ,
we should run the race with patience (v 1 - 4)
2.
Embrace the trials and chastening (v 5 - 13)
3.
Be peaceable, avoid bitterness (v 14 - 17)
4.
We no longer stand in the shadow of Sinai, but in
the Grace of Jesus (v 18 - 24)
5.
Note the 6th Warning of danger: Refuse
not the Word of God (25 - 29)
6.
Various other exhortations (13:1 - 17)
7.
Benediction (13:18 - 25)
Copyright 2004 Leon V. Smith. All rights
reserved.
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