Invitation to the New Testament 12: Hebrews

HEBREWS: 

Better HEBREWS

The Mystery Surrounding Hebrews: 

Better The Mystery Surrounding Hebrews A. The writer of Hebrews is a mystery. 1. Factors attesting Pauline authorship a. Jewish Identity ~ The writer identifies with his Jewish audience (1:2 - "us") and Paul was Jewish (Philip. 3:4, 5) b. Imprisonment of the author ~ The writer speaks of his bonds in 10:34, and Paul was a prisoner at Philippi, Caesarea, and Rome.

The Mystery Surrounding Hebrews: 

Better The Mystery Surrounding Hebrews c. Doctrinal Parallels 1) preexistence and creatorship of Christ (1:1-4; Col. 1:15-17) 2) humiliation of Christ (2:14-17; Philip. 2:5-8) 3) new covenant (8:6; 2 Cor. 3:4-11) 4) distribution of gifts (2:4; 1 Cor. 12:11) 5) "the just" (Romans); "shall live" (Galatians); "by faith" (Hebrews)

The Mystery Surrounding Hebrews: 

Better The Mystery Surrounding Hebrews d. Reference to Timothy (13:23) e. Style of Closing (13:25; Rom. 16:24; Gal. 6:18; Col. 4:18) f. Peter's Reference - 2 Peter 3:15-16 ~ Peter wrote his second letter to Jewish believers and refers them back to what Paul had written. Since there is no record of any other Pauline epistle written specifically to Jewish believers, Hebrews is believed to be it.

The Mystery Surrounding Hebrews: 

Better The Mystery Surrounding Hebrews 2. Factors contesting Pauline authorship a. Unusual opening ~ Paul always opened his letters with his name. b. Denial of Apostleship ~ The writer implies that he has no firsthand knowledge of the Lord (2:3, 4), but Paul had seen the Lord and often defended his apostleship (Gal. 1). c. Paul's Mission to the Gentiles ~ Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15; Gal. 2:7). Would God have moved the "Gentile apostle" to write to Jews?

The Mystery Surrounding Hebrews: 

Better The Mystery Surrounding Hebrews d. Reference to Timothy ~ Timothy is called "our brother" in 13:23. Paul referred to Timothy as "my son" in 1 Tim. 1:2 and as "our brother" in Col. 1:1. The fact that the writer of Hebrews refers to Timothy doesn't prove anything about his identity. e. Different Style ~ Hebrews is written in a polished Greek style, different from what Paul normally used. f. Early Church Traditions ~ Early church writers ascribed the authorship of Hebrews to people other than Paul.

The Mystery Surrounding Hebrews: 

Better The Mystery Surrounding Hebrews 3. Other possibilities a. Luke ~ Luke was proficient in Greek and could've written in the style of Hebrews; but like Paul, his ministry was primarily to the Gentiles, not the Jews. b. Barnabas ~ The Epistle of Barnabas, whose author claimed to be the Barnabas mentioned in Acts, isn't written in the same style as Hebrews. c. Silas d. Aquila and Priscilla e. Apollos ~ Apollos was proficient in Greek and well acquainted with the Old Testament and all its rituals, however, it wasn't until the 1500s that he was first mentioned as the possible author.

The Mystery Surrounding Hebrews: 

Better The Mystery Surrounding Hebrews B. The audience of the book is a mystery. ~ "The title 'to the Hebrews' was not given to the book until late in the second century..." ( Journey Through the Bible ) While we remain convinced that the audience was Jewish, where they lived is still a mystery. The book provides a few clues about these people. 1. They were regarded by the writer as being saved (3:1, 12: 6:1-9). 2. The were immature (5:11-14).

The Mystery Surrounding Hebrews: 

Better The Mystery Surrounding Hebrews 3. They were wavering in their faith (10:32-38). 4. They were apparently known to the writer. He at least knew of their needs/situation. (5:11-12; 6:9-10; 10:32-34; 12:4) 5. They may have been living in Rome or Palestine. 6. They hadn't yet been called upon to shed their blood for the cause of Christ (12:3-4). This would indicate that Hebrews was written to them before 70 A.D. when Rome destroyed Jerusalem. (64-70 A.D. is a suggested date for the book's composition).

The Mystery Surrounding Hebrews: 

Better The Mystery Surrounding Hebrews Numerous passages within the book are mysterious. 1. Such warnings as Hebrews 6:1-6 pose a real mystery for many believers. 2. The identity of Melchisedek in Hebrews 7 is uncertain. Does it refer to a man like us or to the preincarnate Christ?

Purpose: 

Better Purpose Hebrews was written... to give instruction concerning Christ (1:1 – 10:18) B. to give warnings 1. against drifting (2:1-4) 2. against disbelieving (3:7-14) 3. against degenerating (5:11 - 6:20) 4. against despising (10:26-39) 5. against departing (12:25-29) to give encouragement for a renewed effort in the Christian life (6:1, 9-12; 10:19-39; 12:12-17)

Theme, Key Word, Outline: 

Better Theme, Key Word, Outline Theme – Superiority of Christ (If many in Israel with a lesser covenant were killed for their disobedience, how much more will God hold you responsible who have the privilege of a greater covenant?) B. Key Word – “better” (used 13 times in the book) C. Outline 1. The Superior Person of Christ (1:1 - 4:13) a. Christ "better than" the prophets (1:1-3) b. Christ "better than" the angels (1:4 - 2:18) * First WARNING: Neglect of the Word of God (2:1-4) c. Christ "better than" Moses (3:1-16) * Second WARNING: Hardening the heart (3:7-15) d. Christ "better than" Joshua (3:17 - 4:13)

Theme, Key Word, Outline: 

Better Theme, Key Word, Outline 2. The Superior Priesthood of Christ (4:14 - 10:39) a. A "better" order: Melchisedek not Aaron (4:14 - 7:28) * Third WARNING: Falling away from Christ (5:11 - 6:8) b. A "better" covenant: The New Covenant not the Old (8:1-13) c. A "better" sanctuary: The heavenly one not the earthly one (9:1-28) d. A "better" sacrifice: God's Son not animals (10:1-39) * Fourth WARNING: Willful sin after knowing the truth (10:26-39) 3. The Superior Principle of Faith (11:1 - 13:17) a. The Examples of Faith (11:1-40) b. The Endurance of Faith (12:1-29) * Fifth WARNING: Fainting from the race (12:3-13) c. Exhortations for Faith (13:1-17) Conclusion (13:18-25)

Explanations, Insights, Applications: 

Better Explanations, Insights , Applications With all of the emphasis the New Age movement and popular culture is placing on angels, we need to witness to the superiority of Jesus. Jesus is better than the angels in 4 ways: 1. 1:4 - He has a more excellent name > “Son” 2. 1:5 - He is the Son of God 3. 1:6 - The angels worship Him 4 . 1:13 - He sits on God’s right hand

Explanations, Insights, Applications: 

Better Explanations, Insights , Applications Christ's sacrifice was better than the sacrifices of the old covenant for 3 reasons. 1. 10:1-4 – OT sacrifices couldn’t remove sin or guilt thereof. 2. 10:5-10 – OT sacrifices were annual. Jesus’ sacrifice was eternal. 3. 10:11-18 – OT sacrifices couldn’t change the person. Jesus can. C. An Explanation of Apostasy