Introduction to Hebrews (Part 1)

 

Lesson One

Introduction to Hebrews

Hebrews 1:1-3

 

 

 

Introduction

 

 At first Christianity was Jewish. Jesus was a Jew, His disciples were Jews, and the first converts were Jews. Their first meetings took place in synagogues, and their first controversies concerned adherence to Jewish laws. Christianity’s first critics knew it as a Jewish sect.

But for the first Jewish believers, believing in Christ raised many questions. What about the temple and animal sacrifices? What about the Law of Moses? Did believing in Christ negate so much that they had grown up believing? Was it really enough to trust in Christ? The Old Testament did not answer these questions.

Answers were needed right away for those who lived in the time of this book’s writing. Tolerance would soon give way to torture and executions. Nero would not leave this odd group alone forever. Believing in Christ would be a life-or-death proposition, and the temptation for Jewish believers to go back to their old ways would be irresistible—unless they could know for sure they had made the right choice. –Nelson Study Bible

Does God offer His people Security?

 

 

An Overview of Hebrews

 

Who wrote Hebrews and when was it written?

Hebrews is anonymous, even though some of the early Eastern Church (Dionysius and Clement, both of Alexandria) suggested Paul is the author. Actually Hebrews was viewed rather widely as Paul’s in A.D. 150 by Pantaenus, a leading teacher in Alexandra. For some reason the Lord has seen fit to keep the author unknown. One suggestion is that Paul did write it but purposely veiled his authorship due to Jewish prejudice against him.

When we examine the book it seems the writer is addressing second generation Christians (2:3; 13:7), so it would not be very early in the 50’s (10:32). Since there is no mention of the Jewish Wars (starting in a.d. 66), and the temple sacrifices were still apparently going on (8:4; 9:6; 12:27; 13:10), a date perhaps around 66 and certainly before the destruction of Jerusalem (70) is called for. Persecutions are mentioned (12:4) but the believers had “not yet resisted unto blood [bloodshed].” If Italy is the destination of the Letter, Nero’s bloody persecution there (a.d. 64) would move the Letter back to mid-64 at the latest. If the letter was written in Rome from a Maritime prison by Paul this would require a date around A.D. 67. A date of 64–67 is very likely.

Why was Hebrews written and what is its theme and subject?

The relationship between Christianity and Judaism became a critical issue in the early church. Heb 1:1-10:18, presents a series of sections showing how Christ is superior to key aspects of Judaism. The book of Hebrews carefully explains how Christ is superior to angels (who gave the Old Testament law), Moses, and high priests. The new covenant is shown to be far superior to the old.

In a general way, Hebrews deals with the tremendous struggle involved in leaving one religious system for another. There is the violent wrenching of old ties, the stresses and tensions of alienation, and the formidable pressures exerted on the renegade to return.

But in this Epistle the problem was not just a question of leaving an old system for a new one of equal value. Rather it was a matter of leaving Judaism for Christ, and as the writer shows, this involved leaving shadows for the substance, ritual for reality, the prior for the ultimate, the temporary for the permanent—in short, the good for the best.

The problem also involved leaving the popular for the unpopular, the majority for the minority, and the oppressors for the oppressed. And this precipitated many serious problems.

Who was the letter of Hebrews written to?

The letter is clearly addressed either to or from Italy (Heb. 13:24), to Hebrew Christians—people of Jewish background. Perhaps even to the churches throughout Judea. These Hebrews had heard the gospel preached by the apostles and others during the early days of the church, and had seen the mighty miracles of the Holy Spirit which confirmed the message. They had responded to the good news in one of three ways:

Some believed on the Lord Jesus Christ and were genuinely converted. A few professed to become Christians, were baptized, and took their place in the local assemblies. However, they had never been born again by the Holy Spirit of God. Others flatly rejected the message of salvation.

Hebrews deals with the first two classes—truly saved Hebrews and those who had nothing but an outward veneer of Christianity.

 

What is the purpose of this book of the Bible?

The letter to the Hebrews in a unique way exalts the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. It tells us more about His Incarnation, His substitutionary death, and His priesthood. It effectively contributes to our grasp of the relationship between the New Covenant and the Old, the interpretation of the Old Testament, and the life of faith. Christians would be incalculably poorer without the teaching of this inspired book.

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. –MacDonald, William: Believer's Bible Commentary

 

Outstanding Thoughts in Hebrews

Perhaps the best way to begin our study is to notice five characteristics of the Epistle to the Hebrews.

I.                It Is a Book of Evaluation

A.    The word better is used thirteen times in this book as the writer shows the superiority of Jesus Christ and His salvation over the Hebrew system of religion. Christ is “better than the angels” (Heb. 1:4). He brought in “a better hope” (Heb. 7:19) because He is the Mediator of “a better covenant, which was established on better promises” (Heb. 8:6).

B.     Another word that is repeated in this book is perfect; in the original Greek it is used fourteen times. It means a perfect standing before God. This perfection could never be accomplished by the Levitical priesthood (Heb. 7:11) or by the Law (Heb. 7:19), nor could the blood of animal sacrifices achieve it (Heb. 10:1). Jesus Christ gave Himself as one offering for sin, and by this He has “perfected forever them that are sanctified” (Heb. 10:14).

So the writer is contrasting the Old Testament system of Law with the New Testament ministry of grace. He is making it clear that the Jewish religious system was temporary and that it could not bring in the eternal “better things” that are found in Jesus Christ.

C.     Eternal is a third word that is important to the message of Hebrews. Christ is the “author of eternal salvation” (Heb. 5:9). Through His death, He “obtained eternal redemption” (Heb. 9:12) and He shares with believers “the promise of eternal inheritance” (Heb. 9:15). His throne is forever (Heb. 1:8) and He is a priest forever (Heb. 5:6; 6:20; 7:17, 21). “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8).

When you combine these three important words, you discover that Jesus Christ and the Christian life He gives us are better because these blessings are eternal and they give us a perfect standing before God. The religious system under the Mosaic Law was imperfect because it could not accomplish a once-for-all redemption that was eternal.

D.    But why did the writer ask his readers to evaluate their faith and what Jesus Christ had to offer them?

1.      Because they were going through difficult times and were being tempted to go back to the Jewish religion. The temple was still standing when this book was written, and all the priestly ceremonies were still being carried on daily. How easy it would have been for these Jewish believers to escape persecution by going back into the old Mosaic system which they had known before.

2.      These people were “second generation believers,” having been won to Christ by those who had known Jesus Christ during His ministry on earth (Heb. 2:3). Most were true believers (Heb. 3:1) and not mere professors. They had been persecuted because of their faith (Heb. 10:32–34; 12:4; 13:13–14), and yet they had faithfully ministered to the needs of others who had suffered (Heb. 6:10). But they were being seduced by teachers of false doctrine (Heb. 13:9), and they were in danger of forgetting the true Word that their first leaders, now dead, had taught them (Heb. 13:7).

3.      The tragic thing about these believers is that they were at a standstill spiritually and in danger of going backward (Heb. 5:12ff). Some of them had even forsaken the regular worship services (Heb. 10:25) and were not making spiritual progress (Heb. 6:1). In the Christian life, if you do not go forward, you go backward; there is no permanent standing still.

“How can you go back into your former religion?” the writer asked them. “Just take time to evaluate what you have in Jesus Christ. He is better than anything you ever had under the Law.”

The Book of Hebrews exalts the person and the work of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. When you realize all that you have in and through Him, you have no desire for anyone else or anything else!

II.              It Is a Book of Exhortation

A.    The writer calls this epistle “the word of exhortation” (Heb. 13:22).

1.      The word “exhortation” simply means “encouragement,” “comfort” as in Romans 15:4, and “consolation” in 2 Corinthians 1:5–7; 7:7. This word is related to “Comforter” in John 14:16, referring to the Holy Spirit. The Epistle to the Hebrews was not written to frighten people, but to encourage people. We are commanded to “exhort [encourage] one another daily” (Heb. 3:13). It reminds us that we have “strong consolation [encouragement]” in Jesus Christ (Heb. 6:18).

2.      At this point we must answer the usual question: “But what about those five terrible warnings found in Hebrews?”

                                                    i.     To begin with, these five passages are not really “warnings.” Three basic words are translated “warn” in the New Testament, and the only one used in Hebrews is translated “admonished” in Hebrews 8:5 (where it refers to Moses) and “spake” in Hebrews 12:25.

                                                  ii.     Only in Hebrews 11:7 is it translated “warned,” where it refers to Noah “being warned of God.” I think that the best description of the five so-called warning passages is the one given in Hebrews 13:22—“exhortation,” or encouragement. This does not minimize the seriousness of these five sections of the book, but it does help us grasp their purpose: to encourage us to trust God and heed His Word.

B.     The Epistle to the Hebrews opens with an important declaration: “God... hath… spoken unto us by His Son” (Heb. 1:1–2). Near the close of the book, the writer states: “See that ye refuse not Him that speaketh” (Heb. 12:25). In other words, the theme of Hebrews seems to be: “God has spoken; we have His Word. What are we doing about it?”

1.      With this truth in mind, we can now better understand the significance of those five “problem passages” in Hebrews. Each of these passages encourages us to heed God’s Word (“God... hath spoken”) by pointing out the sad spiritual consequences that result if we do not. Let me list these passages for you and explain their sequence in the Book of Hebrews. I think you will see how they all hang together and present one message: heed God’s word.

                                                    i.     Drifting from the Word—2:1–4 (neglect)

                                                  ii.     Doubting the Word—3:7–4:13 (hard heart)

                                                 iii.     Dullness toward the Word—5:11–6:20 (sluggishness)

                                                 iv.     Despising the Word—10:26–39 (willfulness)

                                                   v.     Defying the Word—12:14–29 (refusing to hear)

2.      If we do not listen to God’s Word and really hear it, we will start to drift. Neglect always leads to drifting, in things material and physical as well as spiritual. As we drift from the Word, we start to doubt the Word; because faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Rom. 10:17). We start to get hard hearts, and this leads to spiritual sluggishness which produces dullness toward the Word. We become “dull of hearing”—lazy listeners! This leads to a despiteful attitude toward the Word to the extent that we willfully disobey God; and this gradually develops into a defiant attitude—we almost “dare” God to do anything!

3.      Now what does God do while this spiritual regression is going on? He keeps speaking to us, encouraging us to get back to the Word. If we fail to listen and obey, then He begins to chasten us. This chastening process is the theme of Hebrews 12, the climactic chapter in the epistle. “The Lord shall judge His people” (Heb. 10:30, italics mine). God does not allow His children to become “spoiled brats” by permitting them to willfully defy His Word. He always chastens in love.

4.      These five exhortations are addressed to people who are truly born again. Their purpose is to get the readers to pay close attention to God’s Word. While there is some stern language in some of these passages, it is my understanding that none of these exhortations “threatens” the reader by suggesting that he may “lose his salvation.” If he persists in defying God’s Word, he may lose his life (“Shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?”—Heb. 12:9). The inference is that if we do not submit, we might die. “There is a sin unto death” (1 John 5:16). But if the Epistle to the Hebrews teaches anything, it teaches the assurance of eternal life in a living High Priest who can never die (Heb. 7:22–28).

                                                    i.     Some students try to explain away the “problem” of “losing your salvation” or “apostasy” by claiming that the readers were not truly born again, but were only “professors” of Christian faith. However, the way the writer addresses them would eliminate that approach; for he called them “holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling” (Heb. 3:1). He told them that they had a High Priest in heaven (Heb. 4:14), which he would not have written if they were lost. They had been “made partakers of the Holy Ghost” (Heb. 6:4). The admonitions in Hebrews 10:19–25 would be meaningless if addressed to unsaved people.

                                                  ii.     The Epistle to the Hebrews is a book of evaluation, proving that Jesus Christ is better than anything the Law of Moses has to offer. The epistle is also a book of exhortation, urging its readers to hear and heed the Word of God, lest they regress spiritually and experience the chastening hand of God. 

III.            It Is a Book of Examination

A.    As you study this book, you will find yourself asking: “What am I really trusting? Am I trusting the Word of God, or am I trusting the things of this world that are shaking and ready to fall away?”

1.      This letter was written to believers at a strategic time in history. The temple was still standing and the sacrifices were still being offered. But in a few years, both the city and the temple would be destroyed. The Jewish nation would be scattered, and this would include Jewish believers in Jesus Christ. The ages were colliding! God was “shaking” the order of things (Heb. 12:25–29). He wanted His people to have their feet on the solid foundation of faith; He did not want them to trust in things that would vanish.

2.      I believe that Christians and churches today are living in similar circumstances. Everything around us is shaking and changing. People are discovering that they have been depending on the “scaffolding” and not on the solid foundation. Even God’s people have gotten so caught up in this world’s system that their confidence is not in the Lord, but in money, buildings, programs, and other passing material things. As God continues to “shake” society, the scaffolding will fall away; and God’s people will discover that their only confidence must be in the Lord and the Word of God.

B.     God wants our hearts to be “established with grace” (Heb. 13:9).

1.      That word “established” is used, in one form or another, eight times in Hebrews. It means: “to be solidly grounded, to stand firm on your feet.” It carries the idea of strength, reliability, confirmation, permanence.

2.      This, I think, is the key message of Hebrews: “You can be secure while everything around you is falling apart!” We have a “kingdom which cannot be moved” (Heb. 12:28). God’s Word is steadfast (Heb. 2:2) and so is the hope we have in Him (Heb. 6:19).

C.     Of course, there is no security for a person who has never trusted Jesus Christ as his own Savior from sin. Nor is there security to those who have made a “lip profession” but whose lives do not give evidence of true salvation (Matt. 7:21–27; Titus 1:16).

1.      Christ saves “to the uttermost” (i.e., “eternally”) only those who have come to God through faith in Him (Heb. 7:25).

2.      May I tell you the story about the conductor who got on the train, began to take tickets, and told the first passenger whose ticket he took, “Sir, you’re on the wrong train.” When he looked at the next ticket, he told that passenger the same thing.

“But the brakeman told me to get on this train,” the passenger protested.

“I’ll double-check,” said the conductor. He did and discovered that he was on the wrong train!

3.      I fear there are many people who have a false faith, who have not really heard and heeded God’s Word. Sometimes they are so busy telling everybody else what to do that they fail to examine their own situations. The Epistle to the Hebrews is a book of examination: it helps you discover where your faith really is. 

IV.            It Is a Book of Expectation

A.    The focus in this book is on the future. The writer informs us that he is speaking about “the world to come” (Heb. 2:5), a time when believers will reign with Christ. Jesus Christ is “heir of all things” (Heb. 1:2) and we share the “promise of eternal inheritance” (Heb. 9:15). Like the patriarchs lauded in Hebrews 11, we are looking for that future city of God (Heb. 11:10–16, 26).

1.      Like these great men and women of faith, we today should be “strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (Heb. 11:13). This is one reason why God is shaking everything around us. He wants us to turn loose from the things of this world and stop depending on them. He wants us to center our attention on the world to come. This does not mean that we become so heavenly minded that we’re no earthly good. Rather it means that we “hang loose” as far as this world is concerned, and start living for the eternal values of the world to come.

2.      Abraham and Lot, his nephew, illustrate these two different attitudes (Gen. 13–14).

                                                    i.     Abraham was a wealthy man who could have lived in an expensive house in any location that he chose. But he was first of all God’s servant, a pilgrim and a stranger; and this meant living in tents. Lot chose to abandon the pilgrim life and move into the evil city of Sodom. Which of these two men had true security? It would appear that Lot was safer in the city than Abraham was in his tents on the plain. But Lot became a prisoner of war! And Abraham had to rescue him.

                                                  ii.     Instead of heeding God’s warning, Lot went back into the city; and when God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot lost everything (Gen. 19). Lot was a saved man (2 Peter 2:7), but he trusted in the things of this world instead of trusting the Word of the living God. Lot forfeited the permanent because he depended on and lived for the immediate.

3.      Martyred missionary Jim Elliot said it best: “He is no fool to give what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.”

B.     You and I as God’s children have been promised a future reward. As with Abraham and Moses of old, the decisions we make today will determine the rewards tomorrow.

1.      More than this, our decisions should be motivated by the expectation of receiving rewards. Abraham obeyed God because “he looked for a city” (Heb. 11:10). Moses forsook the treasures and the pleasures of Egypt because “he had respect unto the recompense of the reward” (Heb. 11:26). These great men and women (Heb. 11:31, 35) of faith “lived in the future tense” and thus were able to overcome the temptations of the world and the flesh.

2.      In fact, it was this same attitude of faith that carried our Lord Jesus Christ through the agony of the cross: “Jesus... for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame” (Heb. 12:2).

3.      The emphasis in the Epistle to the Hebrews is: “Don’t live for what the world will promise you today! Live for what God has promised you in the future! Be a stranger and a pilgrim on this earth! Walk by faith, not by sight!”

C.     This letter is not a diet for “spiritual babes” who want to be spoon-fed and coddled (Heb. 5:11–14). In this letter you will find “strong meat” that demands some “spiritual molars” for chewing and enjoying.

1.      The emphasis in Hebrews is not on what Christ did on the earth (the “milk”), but what He is now doing in heaven (the “meat” of the Word). He is the great High Priest who enables us by giving us grace (Heb. 4:14–16). He is also the Great Shepherd of the sheep who equips us to do His will (Heb. 13:20–21). He is working in us to accomplish His purposes. What a thrill it is for us to be a part of such a marvelous ministry!

2.      Dr. A.W. Tozer used to say, “Every man must choose his world.” True believers have “tasted the good Word of God, and the powers of the world [age] to come” (Heb. 6:5); this should mean we have no interest in or appetite for the present sinful world system.

3.      Abraham chose the right world and became the father of the faithful. Lot chose the wrong world and became the father of the enemies of God’s people (Gen. 19:30–38). Abraham became the friend of God (2 Chron. 20:7), but Lot became the friend of the world—and lost everything. Lot was “saved, yet so as by fire” (1 Cor. 3:15) and lost his reward.

 

Conclusion: Continued in the next post/article....