Hebrews: God´s Last Word
Hebrew,
Hebrews covers more themes related to Judaism than any other book of its time. Among topics covered are angels, Moses, another exodus, the Jewish priesthood, animal sacrifice, and how they could manage to have a relationship with the Creator. Hebrews presents an argument for the superiority of Christ over all other possible means of access to God.
According to the book of Hebrews the Old Covenant had been done away with. It was not possible to be Jewish and be a saved Christian. The sacrifice "once and forever speaking of the sacrifice of Jesus, made Judaism or any other religious sacrifice obsolete. Any repetitious return to this system was an open rejection of the Messiah who gave his life once and for all to save his people. The priesthood of any human other than Jesus is a rejection of his intercession with God for us.
One author says that Hebrews was written to become a Pentecost sermon saying that the promises are fulfilled: the Messiah has come. (See FF Bruce. Hebrews)
written before the fall of Jerusalem in the midst of a passionate debate between Christianity and Judaism when both religions were competing with each other, presents the case for Christ. The discussion between two interpretations of the Old Testament was very fierce and many Christians lost their property, houses, and, in some cases, even their lives. Preface (Hebrews 1:1-4)
Hebrews begins with the claim that God speaks to men. When God spoke to men in the past He had done it through the prophets and angels, but now the mediator has changed; his Son, Jesus Christ, has spoken to us in these last days. The other ways in which God communicated in the past are less important than Jesus, the supreme revelation and ultimate end. The use of the aorist tense in the Greek means a completed action in the past that is not repeated and that has continued results in the future. That is, Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God. Christ is superior to all the means that God used to reveal his word, be it in the Old Testament or after Jesus.
Another way of saying this is Jesus is God´s last and final word to mankind.
This also means that the gospel message has not changed in the history of the church. The gospel is given once and forever (Galatians 1:8-9). You cannot add more "revelations" of Jesus, as this would be a change in the message (Revelation 22:18-19).
What did it mean that Jesus spoke the ultimate revelation of God?
It means that the Messiah had come. The Old Testament promise was fulfilled. Salvation was available to all those who call on the Lord.
Statements of the Word about Christ
(Heb. 1:5-14) The fact that God has spoken through his Son means that His Son, Jesus Christ, is superior to the angels. A child is of the same "substance" as the parent, i.e. having their genetics or nature. Angels are simply messengers but the Son is of the same essence as God Himself, the Son is God himself.
(Heb. 2:5-18) Jesus is also truly man as well as God. He is flesh and blood like us. One result of this is so that He can have compassion on us because He has experienced the struggle with the flesh.
(Heb. 3:1-6) Jesus is superior to Moses. Note the comparisons: Moses was part of the house, Jesus the architect; Moses was a servant, Jesus the Son; Moses spoke of things in the future, Jesus speaks of things TODAY (3:5, 7); Moses had flaws, Jesus is without blemish; Moses is dead, Jesus is living; Moses was incomplete without Aaron, Jesus fulfills the ministry of all (prophet, priest and king).
(Heb. 4:1-13) The rest that Jesus gives is superior to the "Sabbath," and to the promised land (Joshua) of the old covenant. It is a relationship with God where we don’t have to do "works" for approval, but believe in Him. When “today” or this dispensation, is finished, salvation will be available to no one neither Jew or Gentile. Today is the day of salvation. This is clear in the text because it is aimed at Jews. One has to heed the voice of Christ to be saved today.
Hebrew,
Hebrews covers more themes related to Judaism than any other book of its time. Among topics covered are angels, Moses, another exodus, the Jewish priesthood, animal sacrifice, and how they could manage to have a relationship with the Creator. Hebrews presents an argument for the superiority of Christ over all other possible means of access to God.
According to the book of Hebrews the Old Covenant had been done away with. It was not possible to be Jewish and be a saved Christian. The sacrifice "once and forever speaking of the sacrifice of Jesus, made Judaism or any other religious sacrifice obsolete. Any repetitious return to this system was an open rejection of the Messiah who gave his life once and for all to save his people. The priesthood of any human other than Jesus is a rejection of his intercession with God for us.
One author says that Hebrews was written to become a Pentecost sermon saying that the promises are fulfilled: the Messiah has come. (See FF Bruce. Hebrews)
written before the fall of Jerusalem in the midst of a passionate debate between Christianity and Judaism when both religions were competing with each other, presents the case for Christ. The discussion between two interpretations of the Old Testament was very fierce and many Christians lost their property, houses, and, in some cases, even their lives. Preface (Hebrews 1:1-4)
Hebrews begins with the claim that God speaks to men. When God spoke to men in the past He had done it through the prophets and angels, but now the mediator has changed; his Son, Jesus Christ, has spoken to us in these last days. The other ways in which God communicated in the past are less important than Jesus, the supreme revelation and ultimate end. The use of the aorist tense in the Greek means a completed action in the past that is not repeated and that has continued results in the future. That is, Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God. Christ is superior to all the means that God used to reveal his word, be it in the Old Testament or after Jesus.
Another way of saying this is Jesus is God´s last and final word to mankind.
This also means that the gospel message has not changed in the history of the church. The gospel is given once and forever (Galatians 1:8-9). You cannot add more "revelations" of Jesus, as this would be a change in the message (Revelation 22:18-19).
What did it mean that Jesus spoke the ultimate revelation of God?
It means that the Messiah had come. The Old Testament promise was fulfilled. Salvation was available to all those who call on the Lord.
Statements of the Word about Christ
(Heb. 1:5-14) The fact that God has spoken through his Son means that His Son, Jesus Christ, is superior to the angels. A child is of the same "substance" as the parent, i.e. having their genetics or nature. Angels are simply messengers but the Son is of the same essence as God Himself, the Son is God himself.
(Heb. 2:5-18) Jesus is also truly man as well as God. He is flesh and blood like us. One result of this is so that He can have compassion on us because He has experienced the struggle with the flesh.
(Heb. 3:1-6) Jesus is superior to Moses. Note the comparisons: Moses was part of the house, Jesus the architect; Moses was a servant, Jesus the Son; Moses spoke of things in the future, Jesus speaks of things TODAY (3:5, 7); Moses had flaws, Jesus is without blemish; Moses is dead, Jesus is living; Moses was incomplete without Aaron, Jesus fulfills the ministry of all (prophet, priest and king).
(Heb. 4:1-13) The rest that Jesus gives is superior to the "Sabbath," and to the promised land (Joshua) of the old covenant. It is a relationship with God where we don’t have to do "works" for approval, but believe in Him. When “today” or this dispensation, is finished, salvation will be available to no one neither Jew or Gentile. Today is the day of salvation. This is clear in the text because it is aimed at Jews. One has to heed the voice of Christ to be saved today.
(Heb. 4:14-5:8) Jesus is the high priest of high priests of
the old covenant. He is not a fallible and sinful man, but
the servant who became obedient unto death and can be compassionate toward us
as He has been tempted in the flesh as we are.
Some questions:
How many sermons have you heard about Jesus our High
Priest? Why is the quote about
Melchizedek from Psalm 110 the most often quoted in the New Testament? Why is this text key to
understanding the transition from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant?
(Heb. 6:13 to 7:28) The promise of God is sure because it is the word of God himself and He cannot lie. This gives us security in the hope we have of being part of a new heaven and a new earth. This promise is made certain by our high priest Jesus after the order of Melchizedek. This priesthood is superior to that of Aaron because we have a superior mediator to intercede for us. How do you understand the role of Jesus as our High Priest? Why is this section of Hebrews so long?
(Heb. 6:13 to 7:28) The promise of God is sure because it is the word of God himself and He cannot lie. This gives us security in the hope we have of being part of a new heaven and a new earth. This promise is made certain by our high priest Jesus after the order of Melchizedek. This priesthood is superior to that of Aaron because we have a superior mediator to intercede for us. How do you understand the role of Jesus as our High Priest? Why is this section of Hebrews so long?
The New Covenant is superior because: He is the eternal Son of God (7:3), He is
greater than Abraham (7:4), He lives by the power of an endless life (7:16 ),
He was made high priest by the oath of God himself (7:21), He is a permanent
priest, and so we trust in Him who will not have to undergo another priestly
order change (7:24). He saves to the end
(7:25), is exalted above the heavens (7:26), is without sin (7:27) and is
perfect forever (7:28). This High Priest
makes us perfect in the eyes of God (7:19) and gives us personal access to God
(7:19) that the ancient priesthood did not.
(Heb. 8:1-13) We have a New Covenant or a new relationship with God through Jesus Christ. The Old Covenant was written in stone, but the New Covenant is written in our hearts, and as such we can know God intimately for ourselves. The word of God was on stone and the priests mediated this old covenant. Jesus, as high priest, changes this and the word of God becomes written on our hearts. The New Covenant also brings forgiveness of our sins.
The priesthood of Jesus is superior to that of Aaron:
(Heb. 9:1-10:18) The sacrifice of Jesus is superior to animal sacrifices to wash away our sins. The reasons for the superiority of Jesus’ sacrifice are: 1) This Sacrifice was made in a heavenly tabernacle, not a physical one. The law and the tabernacle or temple, were only shadows representing what Jesus did. 2) The quality of the sacrifice is superior to the regular sacrifice as Jesus was a divine man and thus perfect. 3) Because it is a sacrifice "once and forever," it did not need to be repeated continuously to ensure the validity of the priest and the sacrifice.
Warnings about not listening to the Word (Christ)
(Heb. 8:1-13) We have a New Covenant or a new relationship with God through Jesus Christ. The Old Covenant was written in stone, but the New Covenant is written in our hearts, and as such we can know God intimately for ourselves. The word of God was on stone and the priests mediated this old covenant. Jesus, as high priest, changes this and the word of God becomes written on our hearts. The New Covenant also brings forgiveness of our sins.
The priesthood of Jesus is superior to that of Aaron:
(Heb. 9:1-10:18) The sacrifice of Jesus is superior to animal sacrifices to wash away our sins. The reasons for the superiority of Jesus’ sacrifice are: 1) This Sacrifice was made in a heavenly tabernacle, not a physical one. The law and the tabernacle or temple, were only shadows representing what Jesus did. 2) The quality of the sacrifice is superior to the regular sacrifice as Jesus was a divine man and thus perfect. 3) Because it is a sacrifice "once and forever," it did not need to be repeated continuously to ensure the validity of the priest and the sacrifice.
Warnings about not listening to the Word (Christ)
The warnings are found in 2:1-4; 3:7-19; 4:11-13;
5:1-6:12; 10:19-31 and 12:25-29. Each warning deals with progressively with a
more radical rejection of belief in Jesus.
The warnings in the book of Hebrews are referring to the acceptance or rejection of salvation offered by Jesus. They are not referring to our "mistakes" or sins that we all do; these are sins such as violating one of the commandments of the law. The warnings are not referring to our sinful behavior, but to the unbelief that prevents our trusting in Jesus. The question is have we have put our trust (faith) in Jesus to be saved or not? The sin Hebrews speaks of is to reject Jesus. The author of Hebrews does not present us with another context. The author does not talk about other sins, such as adultery, drunkenness, lying, cheating. He only talks about faith to receive or reject Jesus. The great sin here is to deliberately, knowingly reject Jesus (Heb. 2:10:26).
We cannot "neglect" or ignore the salvation that Jesus offers us (Heb. 2:1-4) because the consequences are permanent. We cannot re-start the Christian life a second time (Heb. 6:4-6) because Christ died once for all.
We can summarize the warnings of Hebrews into one: Do not close your ears to what God said through His Son Jesus. Do not let the temporary things of this world (Genesis 25:25-34 is a good case in point) blind you to things concerning eternal salvation.
The warnings in the book of Hebrews are referring to the acceptance or rejection of salvation offered by Jesus. They are not referring to our "mistakes" or sins that we all do; these are sins such as violating one of the commandments of the law. The warnings are not referring to our sinful behavior, but to the unbelief that prevents our trusting in Jesus. The question is have we have put our trust (faith) in Jesus to be saved or not? The sin Hebrews speaks of is to reject Jesus. The author of Hebrews does not present us with another context. The author does not talk about other sins, such as adultery, drunkenness, lying, cheating. He only talks about faith to receive or reject Jesus. The great sin here is to deliberately, knowingly reject Jesus (Heb. 2:10:26).
We cannot "neglect" or ignore the salvation that Jesus offers us (Heb. 2:1-4) because the consequences are permanent. We cannot re-start the Christian life a second time (Heb. 6:4-6) because Christ died once for all.
We can summarize the warnings of Hebrews into one: Do not close your ears to what God said through His Son Jesus. Do not let the temporary things of this world (Genesis 25:25-34 is a good case in point) blind you to things concerning eternal salvation.
Hebrews is not only a book of warning, but of
encouragement and exhortation to spiritual perfection. These exhortations “Let
us… “ are found in 4:1; 4:11; 4:14; 4:16; and 6:1. These first 5 are related to
the warnings. The next 8 occur in the last 3 chapters: 10:22,23 and 24; 12:1
(2x); 12:28; 13:13 and 13:15.
Examples clarify teaching
The final part of Hebrews indicates the status of the recipients (Hebrews 10:26 to 12:29) and includes an exhortation to remain faithful to Jesus in the midst of persecution. Herein are three types of examples of the recipients’ status:
Examples clarify teaching
The final part of Hebrews indicates the status of the recipients (Hebrews 10:26 to 12:29) and includes an exhortation to remain faithful to Jesus in the midst of persecution. Herein are three types of examples of the recipients’ status:
1. The faithful of the Old
Testament (Heb. 11),
2. Jesus (Heb. 12:1-13), and
3. A negative example, Esau
(Heb. 12:14-17).
The
Hebrew Christians were experiencing persecution for following Jesus and rejecting
their old religion. the
spoiling of their goods and being threatened. We need to follow Christ wherever He leads, not follow
after what we will receive or have in this life. Our faith needs to be
modeled after the examples of the Old Testament characters (Heb. 11), who never
received in this life what was promised. They died for their faith with hope in the promised Messiah
(Christ) who did not come while they were living.
The second example is Jesus himself, "who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame" (Heb. 12:2). He presents us the model to follow in this Christian life.
Then there is a negative example of Esau who "neglected" (Heb. 2:1-4) the promise. God did not allow him to repent even though he sought it with tears (Heb. 12:17) thus setting an example of "those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift ... but then fall away, to renew them again to repentance ... "(Heb. 6:1-8). This example verifies warnings not to neglect the salvation Hebrews presents.
The last chapter presents practical instructions on how to be a Christian. The doctrine of the church is very important. If we neglect the doctrine we risk just living for today and not for God's plan. We should pay attention to Scriptural guidelines in this way and leave the false guides which focus on the things of this world (1 John 4:1-7).
The letter ends with a final exhortation. It is very possible, Hebrews 12:24, indicates that the letter was written from Italy. There was a price for following Christ:
The second example is Jesus himself, "who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame" (Heb. 12:2). He presents us the model to follow in this Christian life.
Then there is a negative example of Esau who "neglected" (Heb. 2:1-4) the promise. God did not allow him to repent even though he sought it with tears (Heb. 12:17) thus setting an example of "those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift ... but then fall away, to renew them again to repentance ... "(Heb. 6:1-8). This example verifies warnings not to neglect the salvation Hebrews presents.
The last chapter presents practical instructions on how to be a Christian. The doctrine of the church is very important. If we neglect the doctrine we risk just living for today and not for God's plan. We should pay attention to Scriptural guidelines in this way and leave the false guides which focus on the things of this world (1 John 4:1-7).
The letter ends with a final exhortation. It is very possible, Hebrews 12:24, indicates that the letter was written from Italy. There was a price for following Christ:
Bibliography:
F.F. Bruce, Hebrews,
M. Tenney, New
Testament Survey, Eerdmans.
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