LESSON 10

THE STORY OF HEBREWS


Introduction:
  • Hebrews is listed among the epistles of the New Testament, but it is distinct from Pauline Epistles such as Romans and Corinthians:
    • It is not addressed to any church, churches, or persons.
    • It does not include the normal epistolary (letter) characteristics such as a greeting, etc.
    • The only personal reference is to Timothy and a reference to the saints in Italy.
    • It does not indicate that it is from the Apostle Paul as do the other Pauline epistles.
  • For some reasons Hebrews may resemble an epistle (letter), but it is distinct from the traditional New Testament epistles.
  • Scholars have identified Hebrews as a Homily, or a written sermon with an emphasis on Christian exhortation.

    • First, although it has at times been considered Pauline, Hebrews does not manifest normal Pauline characteristics, and even makes a statement that Paul would not have made!

    • The writer states in Heb 2:3, 4 that the message was taught to "us" by those who heard Jesus, Paul would never had made that statement. Notice Gal 1:12.
    • The writer must have been an apostolic "second generation disciple" like Timothy or Luke.
  • Throughout the centuries of Christianity many guesses have been made regarding the writer of Hebrews, none of them being convincing.
    Those proposed are:
    • Barnabas, Luke, Apollos, Silas, Clement of Rome.
    • Origin (2nd cent AD) was most likely closest, "Only god Knows who wrote it!"
  • Not knowing who the writer was should be no problem, for several of the New Testament books do not indicate who wrote them (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, et al),
  • The important thing about Hebrew is that it early was recognized by Christians to be canonical (to be listed among the authoritative books of Christianity).
     

Important things to see in Hebrews:
  • It claims to be a word of exhortation (Heb 13:22).
  • It lists at least twelve (12) major exhortations beginning with "let us…":
    Heb 4:1; 4:11; 4:14; 4:16; 6:1; 10:23; 10:24; 12:1; 13:13; 13:15
  • Furthermore, there are several other exhortations such as Heb 2:1; 3:1.
  • It is loaded with Old Testament references and figures.
  • It claims that Christianity’s divine message comes from God through Jesus Christ and that it replaces the Old Testament message as the authoritative word of God.
    Heb 1:1-3 Teacher, read this passage to the class for it sets the tone for the book of Hebrews.
     
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    The central message of Hebrews is:
  • Jesus surpasses (is better than) the Old Testament message, Moses, Joshua, the Aaronic Priesthood, Melchizedek, and the Old Law.
  • Do not fall back to your former ways, even if they were based on Moses and the Old Testament.
     
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    Key Terms and Thoughts in Hebrews:
    Teacher: Do not read all of these Scriptures, merely refer to them for emphasis.

  • Christ is better than the Old Covenant of Moses, or anything else!
  • Hold fast to your confidence and faith in Jesus:
    Heb 3:6, 3:14; 4:14; 6:12; 6:18; 10:23
  • Christianity is a faith once and for all (finality) given to the saints:
    Heb 6:4; 7:27; 9:7; 9:12; 9:26; 9:26; 9:27; 10:2; 10:10; 12:26; 12:27. (See also Jude 3 on the finality of the Christian message.)
    Teacher, merely refer to Jude 3 but do not linger and chase or develop this doctrine    !
  • The salvation realized in Jesus Christ is eternal, it lasts forever, and need not be updated! |Heb 5:9; 6:2; 9:12; 8:14; 9:15; 13:20.
  • Christianity in Christ is better:
    Heb 1:4; 6:9; 7:7; 7:19; 7:22; 8:6; 9:23; 10:34; 11:14; 11:16; 11:35; 12:24.
  • Christianity is a matter of the heart - the deep sense of faith and obedience, the inward spiritual nature of Christianity:
    Heb 3:8; 3:10; 3:12; 3:15; 4:7; 4:12; 8:10; 10:16; 10:22; 13:8.
     
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    Outline of Hebrews:
  • Introduction and theme – Christ, the final revelation of God: Heb 1:1-3.
  • Christ – Better than the Angels 1:4-2:18
  • Christ – Better than Moses and Joshua 3:1-4:13
  • Christ – Better than the Aaronic Priesthood 4:14-7:28
  • Christ – Better than the Old Covenant 8:1-10;18
  • Faith – The better was 10:19-12:29
  • Conclusion – 13:1-25.
     
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    Notable Texts:

    • Heb 1:1-3 Heb 4:14-16 Heb 9:15 Heb 11:1-3
    • Heb 2:1-3 Heb 6:1-2 Heb 10::1-4 Heb 11:6
    • Heb 2:14-18 Heb 6:4-6 Heb 10:19-25 Heb 12:1-3
    • Heb 3:1-2 Heb 8:8-13 Heb 10;26 Heb 13:1-5