Studies In The Book Of Hebrews

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Studies In The Book OfHebrews
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Studies In The Book OfHebrews

• When and to whom was it written?
• No mention of the destruction of Jerusalem and
  the end of the sacrificial system in 70 AD.
• Persecution had broken out, probably as a result
  of the burning of Rome in 64.
• Probably written to Jewish Christians in Rome
  around 68 AD.
• Paul was a prisoner there at that time. He was
  most likely martyred there during the winter of
  68 69.

• Who wrote it?
• Greek style is very polished, unlike Pauls
  writing. More like Apollos.
• 23 refers to those who heard Him. Certainly
  not Paul
• No Pauline salutation
• Paul uses both Hebrew LXX, writer uses only
  LXX, apparently doesnt know ancient Hebrew.
• Paul uses compound titles, ie Our Lord Jesus,
  for Christ. This writer uses a simplex title
  only.
• Tertullian ? Barnabus, but he lived in Jerusalem,
  and was an eyewitness of Jesus ministry (23)
• Other possibilities Luke, Clement of Rome,
  Apollos, Silvanus (Silas), Philip, Priscilla.
• Origen (3rd century) God only knows.

Overall Purpose Many Jewish believers, having
stepped out of Judaism into Christianity, now
want to reverse their course in order to escape
persecution. The letter is written to encourage
them to go on to maturity. (61)

• Introduction
• About The Book
• Who Wrote It?
• When Was It Written?
• Who Were The Readers?
• What Is The Overall Purpose?

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Studies In The Book OfHebrews

• When a Jew left the faith of his forefathers,
  he was looked on as a turncoat and an apostate
  (meshummed), and was often punished with one or
  more of the following
• Disinheritance by his family.
• Excommunication from the congregation of Israel.
  
• Loss of employment.
• Dispossession.
• Mental harassment and physical torture.
• Public mockery.
• Imprisonment.
• Martyrdom.

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Studies In The Book OfHebrews
Of course, there was always the escape route. If
he would renounce Christ and return to Judaism,
he would be spared from further persecution. As
we read between the lines of this Letter, we can
detect some of the strong arguments used to
persuade him to return to Judaism

• The rich heritage of the prophets.
• The prominent ministry of angels in the history
  of Gods ancient people.
• Association with the illustrious lawgiver Moses.
  
• National ties with the brilliant military
  commander Joshua.
• The glory of the Aaronic priesthood.
• The sacred sanctuary where God chose to dwell
  among His people.
• The covenant of the law given by God through
  Moses.
• The divinely appointed furniture in the
  sanctuary, and the magnificent veil.
• The services in the sanctuary, and especially
  the ritual on the great Day of Atonement (Yom
  Kippur, the most important day in the Jewish
  calendar).

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Studies In The Book OfHebrews

• We can almost hear the first-century Jews
  presenting all these glories of their ancient,
  ritualistic religion, then asking with a sneer,
  And what do you Christians have? We have all
  this. What do you have? Nothing but a simple
  upper room, a table, and some bread and wine on
  the table! Do you mean to say that you have left
  all this for that?

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Studies In The Book OfHebrews

• The Epistle to the Hebrews is really an answer to
  the question, What do you have? In a word the
  answer is Christ. In Him we have
• One who is greater than the prophets.
• One who is greater than the angels.
• One who is greater than Moses.
• One who is greater than Joshua.
• One whose priesthood is superior to that of
  Aaron.
• One who serves in a better sanctuary.
• One who has introduced a better covenant.
• One who is the antitype of the typical furniture
  and veil.
• One whose once-for-all offering of Himself for
  sin is superior to the repeated sacrifices of
  bulls and goats.

Just as the stars fade from view in the greater
glory of the sun, so the types and shadows of
Judaism pale into insignificance before the
greater glory of the Person and work of the Lord
Jesus.
6/7/09
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Studies In The Book OfHebrews

• 11 In the past God spoke to our forefathers
  through the prophets at many times and in various
  ways,
• 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by
  his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things,
  and through whom he made the universe.

June 14
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Studies In The Book OfHebrews
In these last days . . . (literally) At
the end of these days The period of partial
revelation is passed and we have now entered the
time of the full and final revelation of Gods
Word, His Will and His Character.
A Period of Over 2000 Years An Unbroken
Succession of Prophets Foretelling Events to
Establish Credibility Telling Forth
Gods Will, Word Character He is There and
He Is Not Silent Francis Schaeffer In the
past God spoke . . . but now He has spoken . .
. (does He still speak?)

• 11 In the past God spoke to our forefathers
  through the prophets at many times and in various
  ways,
• 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by
  his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things,
  and through whom he made the universe.

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Studies In The Book OfHebrews

• He is There and He Is Not Silent
• Contradicts Pantheism
• Contradicts Deism
• God is Personal and Active
• 1500 years 3 Continents 3 Languages 40
  Authors
• 1 United Message
• Personhood
• Has God spoken?
• Prophecy
• Correspondence
• Encounter

• 11 In the past God spoke to our forefathers
  through the prophets at many times and in various
  ways,
• 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by
  his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things,
  and through whom he made the universe.

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Studies In The Book OfHebrews
Christians Believe In Universal Truth. Whats
wrong with this statement? I dont think its
right to say other religions are wrong This
is the post-modern ethos. Jesus I am the way,
the truth, and the life. No one comes to the
Father but by me. This is the Biblical ethos.

• 11 In the past God spoke to our forefathers
  through the prophets at many times and in various
  ways,
• 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by
  his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things,
  and through whom he made the universe.

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Studies In The Book OfHebrews

• 1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers
  through the prophets at many times and in various
  ways,
• 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by
  his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things,
  and through whom he made the universe.

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Studies In The Book OfHebrews

• Christs Superiority in Hebrews 1
• Jesus Is Greater Than the Prophets 113
• A. Seven character affirmations
• Heir of all things (v. 2)
• Creator (v. 2)
• Manifestation of Gods Being (v. 3)
• Perfect representation of God (v. 3)
• Sustainer of all things (v. 3)
• Savior (v. 3)
• Exalted Lord (v. 3)

• 3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the
  exact representation of his being, sustaining all
  things by his powerful word. After he had
  provided purification for sins, he sat down at
  the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
• 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as
  the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

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Studies In The Book OfHebrews

• 3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the
  exact representation of his being, sustaining all
  things by his powerful word. After he had
  provided purification for sins, he sat down at
  the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
• 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as
  the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

Its easy to underestimate who Jesus is
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Studies In The Book OfHebrews
plhrwma Pleroma
. . . For in Him dwells all the fullness of the
Godhead bodily. . . Colossians 29
You gave me authority over all flesh, that to
all whom You have given me, I may give eternal
life. Now, Father, glorify Me together with
Yourself, with the glory I had with You before
the world was. John 172
Strongs Hebrew Greek Lexicon plhvrwma plerouma,
play-ro-mah repletion or completion, i.e.
(subj.) what fills (as contents, supplement,
copiousness, multitude), or (obj.) what is filled
(as container, performance, period) which is
put in to fill up, piece that filled up,
fulfilling, full, fulness. Hayfords Bible
Handbook FULLNESS. (Eph. 319) pleroma
(play-row-mah) Full number, full complement,
full measure, copiousness, plenitude, that which
has been completed. The word describes a ship
with a full cargo and crew, and a town with no
empty houses. Plerouma strongly emphasizes
fullness and completion.
No one has ever seen God. The only Son, who is
the same as God and is at the Fathers side, he
has made him known. John 118 TEV

• 3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the
  exact representation of his being, sustaining all
  things by his powerful word. After he had
  provided purification for sins, he sat down at
  the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
• 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as
  the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

God incarnate (Dios con carne?)
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Studies In The Book OfHebrews
Although Jesus existed in the form of God, He
1did not regard equality with God a thing to be
grasped, but 2emptied Himself, taking the 3form
of a bond-servant, and being made in the
4likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a
man, He 5humbled Himself by becoming 6obedient to
the point of death, even 7death on a
cross. Philippians 26

• 3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the
  exact representation of his being, sustaining all
  things by his powerful word. After he had
  provided purification for sins, he sat down at
  the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
• 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as
  the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

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Studies In The Book OfHebrews
Although Jesus existed in the form of God, He did
not regard equality with God a thing to be
grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of
a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of
men. Being found in appearance as a man, He
humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point
of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 26

• 3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the
  exact representation of his being, sustaining all
  things by his powerful word. After he had
  provided purification for sins, he sat down at
  the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
• 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as
  the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

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Studies In The Book OfHebrews

• 3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the
  exact representation of his being, sustaining all
  things by his powerful word. After he had
  provided purification for sins, he sat down at
  the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
• 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as
  the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

becoming obedient to the point of death, even
death on a cross.
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Studies In The Book OfHebrews

• Christs Superiority in Hebrews 1
• Jesus Is Greater Than the Prophets 113
• A. Seven character affirmations
• Heir of all things (v. 2)
• Creator (v. 2)
• Manifestation of Gods Being (v. 3)
• Perfect representation of God (v. 3)
• Sustainer of all things (v. 3)
• Savior (v. 3)
• Exalted Lord (v. 3)
• Jesus Is Greater Than the Angels 1414
• A. Seven Scripture quotations
• Psalm 27 (v. 5)
• 2 Samuel 714 (v. 3)
• Deuteronomy 3243 or Psalm 977 (v. 6)
• Psalm 1044 (v. 7)
• Psalm 456, 7 (vv. 8, 9)
• Psalm 1022527 (vv. 1012)

• 3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the
  exact representation of his being, sustaining all
  things by his powerful word. After he had
  provided purification for sins, he sat down at
  the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
• 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as
  the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

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Studies In The Book OfHebrews
Angels In The New Testament Personality Angels
Action Biblical Reference Zacharias Revealed
to Zacharias the forthcoming birth of John the
Baptist Luke 11120 Joseph Assured Joseph of
Marys purity warned him of Herods plot
told Joseph about Herods dream Matt.
12025 Matt. 213 Matt. 219,
20 Shepherds Announced Jesus birth to
them Luke 2815 Jesus Ministered to Jesus
during His temptations strengthened Him in
the Garden of Gethsemane rolled away the
stone from the tomb and announced His
resurrection Matt. 411 Luke
2243 Matt. 2826
Angels In The Acts of the Apostles Personality A
ngels Action Reference Apostles Predicted
Jesus return Acts 110, 11 Released the
Apostles from prison Acts 51720 Philip Sent
Philip into the desert to meet the Eunuch Acts
826 Cornelius Instructed Cornelius to send for
Peter Acts 1038 Peter Released Peter from
prison Acts 127 Herod Judged Herod because of
his blasphemy Acts 1223 Paul Reassured Paul in
a storm at sea Acts 2723, 24

• 3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the
  exact representation of his being, sustaining all
  things by his powerful word. After he had
  provided purification for sins, he sat down at
  the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
• 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as
  the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

Whats the point?
Angels the agents of OT revelation
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Studies In The Book OfHebrews

• Start Here 6/28

• 5 For to which of the angels did God ever say,
  "You are my Son today I have become your Father
  " ? Or again, "I will be his Father, and he will
  be my Son"?
• 6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into
  the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship
  him."
• 7 In speaking of the angels he says, "He makes
  his angels winds, his servants flames of fire."

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Studies In The Book OfHebrews

• Jesus is greater than the angels because He is
  the eternal Son of God Whom the angels worship
  and serve.
• Angels serve Gods people (Heb. 114),
• even though we may not recognize them (Heb.
  132 Gen. 18).
• Angels give special care to children (Matt.
  1810)
• and intervene in the lives of Gods servants
  when they need special help (Acts 51721
  12110).
• When believers die, the angels escort them to
  glory (Luke 1622)
• and when Christ returns, angels will accompany
  Him (Matt. 2531).
• We must not worship angels (Rev. 229) or pray
  to them but we can trust God to send them when
  we need them most.

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Studies In The Book OfHebrews

• 5 For to which of the angels did God ever say,
  "You are my Son today I have become your Father
  " ? Or again, "I will be his Father, and he will
  be my Son"?
• 6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into
  the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship
  him."
• 7 In speaking of the angels he says, "He makes
  his angels winds, his servants flames of fire."

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Studies In The Book OfHebrews

• 8 But about the Son he says, "Your throne, O
  God, will last for ever and ever, and
  righteousness will be the scepter of your
  kingdom.
• 9 You have loved righteousness and hated
  wickedness therefore God, your God, has set you
  above your companions by anointing you with the
  oil of joy."

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Studies In The Book OfHebrews

• 10 He also says, "In the beginning, O Lord, you
  laid the foundations of the earth, and the
  heavens are the work of your hands.
• 11 They will perish, but you remain they will
  all wear out like a garment.
• 12 You will roll them up like a robe like a
  garment they will be changed. But you remain the
  same, and your years will never end."

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Studies In The Book OfHebrews

• 13 To which of the angels did God ever say, "Sit
  at my right hand until I make your enemies a
  footstool for your feet"?
• 14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent
  to serve those who will inherit salvation?

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Hebrews

• 21 We must pay more careful attention,
  therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do
  not drift away.
• 2 For if the message spoken by angels was
  binding, and every violation and disobedience
  received its just punishment,
• 3 how shall we escape if we ignore such a great
  salvation?

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Hebrews

• 21 We must pay more careful attention,
  therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do
  not drift away.
• 2 For if the message spoken by angels was
  binding, and every violation and disobedience
  received its just punishment,
• 3 how shall we escape if we ignore such a great
  salvation?

Continuing to live by the Old Testament is
failing to see the importance of the revelation
Jesus brought
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Hebrews

• The claims of the Bible are unambiguous
• That it comes directly from God
• That it is completely unique
• That Jesus is the creator of the world
• Are these claims true?

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Hebrews

• Not enough to realize the Bible is Gods
  revelation
• Also need to realize the proper relationship
  between Old and New Testaments
• Christians today still have this problem