Hebrews

Security while everything else is falling apart

Of all the books of the Bible, this Book of Hebrews is set apart from the rest in how it was written, by whom it was written, and to whom it was written.  The author is unknown.  Many claim it is the work of the apostle Paul, but it lacks some of the language and personal touches used by him.  It may have been one of his disciples, all of them were well versed in Paul’s doctrine and many were qualified teachers of the Word.

The Book places an emphasis on the understanding of the Levitical priesthood and on sacrifices, as well as the absence of any reference to the Gentiles, supporting the views that it was written to a community of Hebrews, believers and unbelievers alike, who faced an intensified persecution.  When facing this possibility, the Hebrews were tempted to throw aside all identification with Christ.  They might have considered demoting Christ from God’s Son to a mere angel.  These Hebrews had practiced the Levitical sacrifices in the Temple at Jerusalem and now, because of their exile, substituted synagogues for the Temple.  The author emphasized the superiority of Christianity over Judaism, Christ over angel worship, and the superiority of Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice over the repeated and imperfect Levitical sacrifices observed in the Temple.

In the past God graciously established a system of sacrifices that symbolically represented the inner repentance of sinners and His divine forgiveness.  However, because sin continued, the need for sacrifices never ended.  The need for all mankind was a perfect priest and a perfect sacrifice that would finally actually remove sin.  God’s provision for that perfect priest and sacrifice in Christ is the central message of Hebrews.

The Book is a study in contrasts, between the imperfect and incomplete provisions of the Old Covenant, given under Moses, and the infinitely better provisions of the New Covenant offered by the perfect High Priest, God’s only Son and the Messiah, Jesus Christ.  One of the key themes in Hebrews is that all believers now have direct access to God under the New Covenant, therefore, may approach the throne of God boldly.  The primary teaching of the tabernacle system was that believers under the Old Covenant of Law did not have direct access to God, but were shut out of the Holy of Holies.  A brief summary of this Book may be summarized; Believers in Jesus Christ, as God’s perfect sacrifice for sin, have the perfect High Priest through whose ministry everything is new and better than under the covenant of law.

Chapter 1 – Jesus Christ is God’s Son

This community of Hebrews had a difficult time fully accepting that Jesus was indeed the Son of God, meaning that He was fully God yet fully man.  Their fascination with angels caused them to compare Jesus with them and sometimes worship them rather than the Lord God.  The writer is establishing that Jesus is above all things, in heaven as well as on earth.  He uses seven quotes from the OT in chapter one alone to establish His Lordship and superiority.  Here he says that God in the past spoke through prophets and now, in these last days, speaks through His Son.

1. In what ways is Jesus superior to the prophets?  (A) Their revelation came from God and is limited to what He says.  Christ is God and when He speaks, He reveals all that God is.
2. What is the difference between “the past” and “the final days?”  (A) The past was all the time between the creation and the first coming of Christ.  To the Jews the final days meant the time when the Messiah would come.  The fulfillment of the Messianic prophecies began with the first coming of Jesus as Messiah.  Since He came, it has been “the final days.”
3. How does Jesus compare with God The Father in terms of activity, authority, and relationship (vv.1-3)?  (A) In terms of activity: Jesus prophesied; created the universe and everything in it; He sustains the universe, He cleansed us from sin.  In terms of authority: He speaks as God; He was the Creator and Sustainer of the universe by His power and command; He sat at God’s right hand as ruler over everything; as the inheritor, He inherits all the authority of God.  In terms of relationship: He was and is, God’s Son and inherited everything; He reflects God’s image and because He is God, radiates His own glory.  He is the perfect, exact representation of the nature and essence of God in time and space.
4. In vv.5-14, what new facts does the writer add to this portrait of Jesus?  Which of these seven OT quotes, first said of the Lord God, is now applied to the Son Jesus?  What does that imply?  (A) Jesus is far greater than the angels because of what He had accomplished by His redemptive work. V. 8 places Jesus on the throne of heaven, once the realm of God alone.  It implies that Jesus is God!  The angels of God must worship Jesus, making Him superior to all the angels v.6).  The Mormons regard Jesus as the brother of Michael, the archangel. God has said to no angel, “Sit in honor at my right hand…”  (V.13).

Chapter 2 – Do Not Neglect Salvation

The author establishes the fact that “we” that is, all the Hebrews, “must listen carefully to the truth… or we may drift away (v.1).”

1. To what truth does the author refer?  (A) Some of the Hebrews had given intellectual assent to the doctrine of Messiah’s superiority to the angels, but had not yet committed themselves to Him as God and Lord.  The truth is the truth of the gospel message as the only means of salvation. Those who pay no attention to the truth easily drift away and are lost.
2. What was one of the roles of the angels and how does the author drive home the need for salvation?  (A) The angels were messengers of God and assisted Him at Mt. Sinai with the giving of the Law (Deut. 33:2).  Those who ignored His Law were subject to judgment and punishment.  If disobedience to the Old Covenant Law brought judgment, how much more severe will be the judgment of disobedience to the New Covenant gospel of Salvation (v.3)? 
3. What is the significance of the phrase in v.3b?  (A) “It was passed on to us by those who heard…”  This refers to the succession of evangelism and implies that these Hebrews (and all succeeding “Hearers of the Word”) would not have heard the salvation message if the previous generation of witnesses had not passed the message along (1 Tim. 2:5-7).
4. In contrast to the popular thinking of that day (v.5), to whom does the Father subject the world (vv.6-8a)?  (A) It was popular to believe that angels would someday rule the world, but the Father gave authority over all things on earth to man.  Because of sin, man cannot fulfill that role, but in the end times he will rule together with Christ.  For a time (the 33 years of His earthly life) Christ as man was made a little lower than the angels, but now He is “crowned with glory and honor.”  He now reigns in heaven because He “became obedient to the point of death” (Phil. 2:8-9).  As our representative, He fulfilled all that is required for man’s redemption.  In His sacrificial work, He fulfilled man’s original purpose (as rulers of the earth).
5. What does the phrase, “Jesus tasted death for everyone in all the world” mean (v.9)?  (A) Yes, Jesus died for everyone, but His substitutionary death is effective only for those who come to God repentantly in faith, asking for saving grace and forgiveness of sin. 
6. If Jesus is God, how can v.10 say, “God made Him a perfect leader.”  Without Christ’s humiliation and suffering, there could be no redemption.  Without redemption, there could be no glorification (Rom. 8:18,29,30).  The Father, as part of His perfect plan from the very beginning, required a perfect sacrifice for sin, which only Jesus could fulfill.  In His divine nature, He was already perfect.  However, His human nature was perfected in obedience, including suffering in order that He might be an understanding High-Priest, and establish the perfect righteousness to be imputed (credited) to believers.
7. Many do not believe that Jesus came to earth and lived a life as man.  However, verses 13-18 show that He did indeed come to help man, not angels, in order to offer Himself up as  the supreme sacrifice for sin as God required.

Chapter 3 –Jesus Is Greater Than Moses

The NKJV interprets v.1 as “Therefore, holy brothers, partakers of the heavenly calling.”

1. How are these Hebrews (and all believers also) holy brothers?  (A) Through the substitutionary death of Christ, we have been justified ( declared holy) and through the continuous work of sanctification by the HS, we are daily made more and more into the image of Christ.
2. Why does the author specify the “heavenly calling?”  (A) In contrast to the OT where the saints were called to material blessings in the land of promise, believers are called to spiritual blessings in the heavenlies now and to a heavenly inheritance in the future.
3. In what ways are Jesus and Moses similar?  In what ways is Jesus greater?  Why is that important?  (A) Both Jesus and Moses served God faithfully, God appointed both to a specific task, and both were entrusted with God’s entire house (God’s chosen people).  Jesus was greater than Moses in that Moses was responsible for only part (OT) of God’s household of faith, but Jesus was the Creator of that household.  Moses was faithful in God’s house only as a servant, while Jesus was in charge of the entire household (all that believe in God, OT & NT alike).  Moses was faithful primarily as a testimony to that which was to come in Christ (v.5).
4. V.6, in the NKJV, reads, “whose house we are if we hold fast…”  Again, the subject of the possibility of losing one’s salvation comes up.  (A) This does not speak of how to be saved or remain saved.  It means rather that perseverance in faithfulness is proof of real faith.  In regard to the Hebrews, the one who returns to the rituals of the Levitical system to contribute to his own salvation proves he was never truly part of God’s household.
5. What new warning is given (vv.8-12)?  (A) The people(the unbelievers) are warned not to harden their hearts against God.  They are warned to “make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning away from the living God (v.12).” 
6. What role does the Christian community play in keeping each other true to God (v.13)?  (A) The believing community is responsible to encourage one another to completely identify with Jesus Christ.  Those who repeatedly reject Him will have their hearts hardened and will not be allowed to “enter His rest” (v.19).  How are you going to encourage someone to identify with Christ?

Chapter 4- Promised Rest For God’s People

1.      What is the writer warning his readers about from the story of Israel’s rebellion?  What “message” (v.2) was given each community (see Ex. 3:7-8; Num. 14:7-9)?  In the OT verses, we see God’s compassion on His people and His promise that He would deliver them.  As we remember the history of their flight from Egypt, we remember their rebellion against God so that God caused them to wander 40 years in the desert and the whole generation to die before entering the Promised Land.  The warning is to not harden their hearts to cause God to take away their promised rest.  The message is the same for both communities – to put their complete faith in the Lord.

2.      What is “the rest” God promised?  (A) For believers rest includes His peace, the confidence of salvation, reliance on His strength, and assurance of a heavenly home.

3.      Why is “hearing” not enough (v.2).  (A) They heard but they did not believe.  Only believers enter His rest and that by faith alone..

4.      V.9 - All of the verses up until now lead up to this conclusion “So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God.”  The true impact of this special rest is seen in the original Greek word used, which is related to the word for Sabbath.  It refers to the eternal rest that will be enjoyed by all who have been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ.

5.      V.12 – How is the “Word of God full of living power.  It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires?”  (A) In the Greek, the word for “sword” (hear translated knife) means “a short sword or dagger.”  The emphasis is on the power of the Word to penetrate and expose the inner heart of man.  God uses the Word to enable us to see the sin and unbelief in our own hearts.  The word exposes our hearts; and then, if we trust God, enables our hearts to obey God and claim His promises.  In the Word, we see God and we see how God sees us.  Know His word, study it and live it.

6.      The author calls Jesus “a great High Priest (v.14).”  What makes Him a great High Priest?  (A) Jesus is both God and man; He is Jesus, the Son of God.  The name Jesus means “Savior” and identifies His humanity and His ministry on earth.  “Son of God” affirms His deity and the fact that He is God.  Because of His dual role as man and God, Christ can bring people to God and bring to people all that God has for them. The High Priest entered the Holy of Holies in the Temple only once each year, on the Day of Atonement.  To do so He had to pass through the three areas of the Temple.  Christ also passed through the three heavens (atmospheric, stellar, and the third heaven, the dwelling place of God (2 Cor. 12:2).  He now ministers in a heavenly Tabernacle and is enthroned on “the throne of grace.”  In the earthly Tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant was called the “mercy seat” and the High Priest could not even touch it.  It was where God lived.  The significance?  Mercy means that God does not give us what we do deserve.  Grace means that He does give us what we do not deserve.  The earthly High Priest could do neither.

7.      Now we read one of the most important verses in all of Scripture, v.16; “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God.  There we will receive His mercy and we will find grace to help us when we need it. (A) The people in the OT could not draw near to Him.  Only the High Priest could approach Him, and then only one day of the year.  We can enter into His presence at any time of the day or night and obtain mercy which covers the things we should not have done, and find His grace which empowers us to do what we should do but do not have the power to do.

Chapter 5 – Qualification For High Priesthood

Only men with the weakness of humanity could serve as High Priest.  He was appointed to act for men in relation to God.  His main duty was to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.  Gifts referred to any offerings presented to God, while sacrifices referred to those special offerings in which blood was shed as atonement for sin.  

1.      In his dealings with men, the High Priest was to “deal gently with the people, though they are ignorant and wayward.”  Why are the people called ignorant and wayward?  (A) This is a reminder that the sacrifices in the OT were for sins not done willfully.  No provision was made in the law for deliberate sin.  He was to deal gently with those who were ignorant of their wrong doings, because he was as weak and sinful as they were.

2.      How does the role of Jewish High Priest compare to Jesus’ role in terms of; a) How each is chosen?  (5:1); b) How each relates to sinners?  (5:2);  c) How each relates to God?  (5:3)  (A) a) each was chosen (appointed) to act for men in relation to God.  b) In each case, their humanity enabled tem to relate to the needs and temptations of men.  c)  Each had to offer sacrifices for sin; the High Priest for the sins of others and for himself; Jesus for others –He had no sin.

3.      What qualities of Jesus allow the comparison to Melchizedek (5:6,10; see ch.7; Genesis 14:18; Ps 110:4)?  (A) It is a ministry far superior to any other, a priest forever.  Christ was fully man, but because of His resurrection lives forever.  There is no record of Melchizedek’s death.  Both were king-priests.

4.      vv.7-9 offers us a  portrait of the Life of Christ that few understand.  Why might this be significant to you?  (A) These verses show Jesus as a man who, when facing His cruel death, prayed and pleaded with God for another way.  Because Christ showed His reverence for the Father, God heard His prayers.  Like us, Jesus also learned obedience from the things He suffered.

5.      The writer reminds the Hebrews that they have been receiving instruction long enough now so that they should be teaching others..  The sad truth was that they still needed someone to teach them the ABCs of the Word of God.  Of course, not all Christians have the gift of teaching, but all can share what they learn from the Word.

6.      The author says that these people are “like babies who drink only milk and cannot eat solid food (v.12b).”  What differentiates the  “milk” of the Word from “solid food?”  (A) the “milk” of the Word refers to what Jesus did here on earth – His birth, life, teaching, death, burial, and resurrection.  The “meat” of the word refers to what Jesus Christ is doing now in heaven.  We begin the Christian life learning of His finished work on earth.  We grow in the Christian faith on the basis of His unfinished work in heaven.  This does not mean that we ever outgrow the need for the basics of the Word –we all learn much from the study of Christ’s work on earth.  However, we cannot stop there!  We must make spiritual progress, and we can do this only if we learn about Christ’s priestly ministry for us in heaven.  We will study this more carefully in a summary of Hebrews 13:20-21.  In a nut shell, it is ALL about Jesus – everything from Him, through Him and for Him!  Know how to do that and you will be a mature Christian.

Chapter 6 –Warning Against Falling Away

VV.1-3 – This is why you are in this study!  We examine the entire word of God to understand the principles that dictate how we live our lives, now and forever.  V.5:12 and these verses in chapter 6 refer to the OT teaching that prepared the way for the Messiah –the beginning teaching about Christ.  Remember this letter was written to Hebrews and they were to know and understand the OT teaching.

1.      what six OT principles are found in vv.1-2?  (A) 1)“go on and become mature (perfection)-carried there by God”; 2)“the importance of turning away from evil deeds (repentance) that bring death.”  The Jews often only repented by fulfilling the “letter of the law” which did not lead to salvation.  Under the New Covenant, repentance is coupled with “faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. 3) “placing our faith in God” – this is faith not only in the Father, but also in His Son Jesus.  4) “Baptisms” – not about Christian baptism.  This spoke of the many OT ceremonial washings required –an outward sign of heart cleansing.  5) “Laying on of hands” – Under the Old Covenant, a person bringing a sacrifice placed his hands on it to symbolize his identification with it as a substitute sacrifice for sin.  6) “the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgments” –The Pharisees believed in the resurrection from the dead, but were still spiritually dead.  They also believed in the judgment of God and were stubbornly headed for it.

2.      Once again, we tackle an oft misunderstood sentence – V.V. 4-6.

1.      What does “restore to repentance those who were once enlightened mean?”  These people had received instruction in biblical truth and intellectually understood it.  Understanding the gospel and the way to salvation is not the same as being regenerated in Christ.

2.      “those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the Word of God and the power of the age to come” – They had tasted of the “heavenly gift” the Lord Jesus, but had never received Him by a definite act of faith.  One can taste without eating or drinking.  “They shared in the HS” – does not necessarily imply conversion.  The HS carries on a preconversion ministry in men’s lives.  He sanctifies unbelievers (see 1 Cor. 7:14);He convicts unbelievers of sin, of righteousness, of judgment (John 16:8); He leads men to repentance and points them to Christ.  All of this does not mean He indwells them.  They heard the gospel preached and experienced the miracles that were a foretaste of the signs and wonders, which will be performed in God’s Kingdom.

3.      V.6 – “And who then turn away from God.  It is impossible to bring such people to repentance again because they are nailing the Son of God to the cross again by rejecting Him.”  These people have experienced all of the wonder of a life with Christ, but refuse to accept Him as Lord and Savior.  They make the final rejection and can never again come to the altar.  We see in their behavior the desire to once again put Jesus on the cross, putting all He has accomplished to shame.  For these there is no second chance.

4.      V.7 – The writer turns to a nature comparison to depict a true believer and to the apostate (v.8).In both cases the person is seen as the land.  The privileges listed in vv.4,5 are compared to the revitalizing rain.  The crop of vegetation speaks of the ultimate response of the person to the privileges received.  This in turn determines whether the land is blessed or cursed.  The true believer is like the land that drinks in the rain, bears a good crop, and is blessed.  V.8 –the apostate (the unbeliever) is like land, which is also well watered, but it bears nothing but thorns and thistles, the fruit of sin.  This land is worthless and its destiny is to be burned.

5.      V. 10 – What are two things that accompany salvation and set believers apart?  (A)  The work they did for God and the labor of love caring for other Christians.

6.      VV.11,12 –Seem to be written to a different group of people; namely, to those of whom the writer was not sure.  These were the ones in danger of drifting back into Judaism.  First, he desires that they show the same earnestness as the true believers have shown in showing the full assurance of hope until the end.  Then they will not “become spiritually dull and indifferent”  They should press on, imitating all true believers who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

7.      To encourage the Hebrews to hold unto faith instead of returning to the old Levitical system of worship, the author uses the example of Abraham, who as the great model of faith, should be imitated.  God in the Abrahamic Covenant swore to fulfill His promises.  Abraham believed, waited patiently and the promises were fulfilled.

8.      As God gave Abraham a binding promise, so too does He give us His promise and His oath (v.18) to His believing people to be absolutely assured that what He promised would come to pass.  What is the promise?  (A) It is the promise of eternal salvation to all who believe in Him.  This is big.  God did not have to do this, but not only does He make the promise, but seals it with an oath.  The conclusion is inevitable; the believer is eternally secure.

9.      The author paints a beautiful word picture here of the promise God makes and its fruition in the believers life.  This confidence we have because of His promise and oath is like a strong anchor for our souls, keeping us from drifting away in doubt and despair.  He brings us into the heavenly kingdom, thru the curtain of heaven into our city of refuge where we can never lose our salvation.  Jesus is already there and has prepared a place for us.  This insures the ultimate entrances of all who belong to Him.  Jesus has become our eternal High Priest in the line of Mechizedek.  His eternal priesthood ensures our eternal  preservation.