Introduction To The Book Of Hebrews Message by Michael J. Barnard January 15, 2017 Teaching Aim: To explore the background surrounding the writing of the Book of Hebrews. To understand Jesus is not only greater than the Old Testament prophets, He is greater than the angels too. To examine several Old Testament Scriptures addressed to Yahweh and see how the same Scriptures are applied to Jesus in the Book of Hebrews. To realize Jesus truly is Emmanuel, God with us! DIGGING DEEPER INTO GOD S WORD (BIBLE STUDY) Part I: The Son is the radiance of God s glory and the exact representation of His being (Heb. 1:1-4) 1. What group of Christians was the Book of Hebrews originally written to? When was this book written? What temptation were many Jewish Christians facing at the writing of this book? 2. Who was the author of the Book of Hebrew? What names have been suggested over the years? Even though authorship was attributed to Paul for 1,200 years, why could Paul not have written this book? (See Heb. 2:3; Acts 9:1-5) What can we determine about the author from Heb. 13:22-23? When was this epistle most likely written? (Hint: See the Introduction to Hebrews in your study Bible.) 3. According to verse 1, how had God previously spoken to the people prior to the coming of Jesus Christ? What are some of the various ways God has communicated His Word in the past? 4. The last days usually refers to the time following the incarnation of Jesus Christ (vs. 2). What significant event took place at the incarnation? (See Dictionary) Who has God finally spoken through in these last days? What makes Jesus greater than the Old Testament prophets? (See John 1:1-3; Col. 1:15-17; Col. 2:9) 1
5. According to verse 2, what did God the Father appoint Jesus Christ to be? What else can we learn about Jesus from verse 2? What other English word can be used from the Greek word for worlds? (See Commentaries) What can we learn about the greatness and majesty of Christ from John 1:1-3 & Heb. 1:2? 6. Can you think of any father and son combinations that are the spitting image of each other? If so who? In what way is Jesus the image of His Father (vs. 3)? In what way is Jesus the brightness of His [Father s] glory and the express image of His person? What additional information can we learn about Jesus from verse 3? 7. Jesus is greater than the Old Testament prophets, but what other kind of being is Jesus also greater than (vs. 4)? How much greater is the inheritance of Jesus than that of the angels? Part II: The Son is exalted above the angels of God (Heb. 1:5-7) 1. Verse 5 quotes from the Messianic Psalm 2:7. What question did the writer of Hebrews ask? Why do you think the author makes this an issue? (See Commentaries) According to the Apostle Paul, were angels being worshiped in his day? (See Col. 2:18) Who alone is worthy of worship? (See Rev. 19:9-10) 2. According to verse 5b, what did the Father declare of the Davidic Messiah? Do we find angels ever called the Son of God? (See Job 38:7) What is the difference between being the Son of God and being called sons of God? Does the title have anything to do with obedience? 3. In verse 6, Jesus is called the firstborn. Some cults have used this verse and Col. 1:15 to push their belief that Jesus is a created being, is He? What does the concept of firstborn mean in the Hebrew mindset? How does this title speak of the superiority of Jesus Christ? 2
4. What does the word deity mean? (See Dictionary) What command do we find in verse 6b that points to the deity of Jesus Christ? What can we learn about Jesus from this? 5. The Son is to be worshiped by the angels (vs. 6), but what is the role of angels (vs. 7)? (See Psa. 104:3-4) It is important to note, like storm clouds and lightening, angels are to be subservient to the Son (or Jesus Christ). What are some ways we see angels ministering to and on behalf of Jesus in the Bible? (See Matt. 4:11; 28:1-7) 6. Many people believe that when human beings die they will become angels. Is this true? Is there a specific number of angels that were created, or is the number ever growing? What are the only kinds of angels in the Bible that have wings? (See Exod. 25:20; Isa. 6:2-3; Rev. 4:6-8) Are there any female angels in the Bible? What do we normally see presented as angels today? Part III: The Son is God and is to be worshiped by the angels (Heb. 1:8-12) 1. What major difference do you see between angels and the Son of God in verses 7 & 8? What does God the Father call His Son in verse 8? How long did God say the Son s throne would last? A scepter is a ruler s staff. What will the Messiah s rule be like according to verse 8? 2. According to verse 9, is the Son of God all love, or is there something He hates? What do we find the Son loving? What did God do for Christ as a result? What two groups are most likely referred to in verse 9b as the companions of Christ? 3. Verses 10-12 are a summary of Psa. 102:25-27 from the Greek version of the Old Testament (the LXX or Septuagint). Who is Psa. 102:25-27 referring to with the word LORD? What remarkable facts can we learn about Jesus Christ from Heb. 1:10? 3
4. According to verse 11, how permanent will the current heavens and earth be? How did God destroy life on earth in Gen. 6-7? How will the Lord destroy the heavens and the earth during the end times? (See 2 Pet. 3:10-12) What will come afterwards? (See 2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21) 5. What can we learn about the Son in verse 12? (See Heb. 13:8) Why should this truth be an encouragement to every believer? What major problems are you struggling with today? Is there any problem too great for the Creator of heaven and earth to overcome? 6. Psa. 110 is quoted more often in the New Testament than any other Old Testament verse. How do we see both God the Father and God the Son described in Psa. 110:1? What unique privilege did God give to His only begotten Son in Psa. 110:1 (vs. 13)? Has this privilege ever been given to anyone but Jesus? Why or why not? 7. What role are angels fulfilling according to verse 14? Besides serving Jesus, who else are the holy angels serving? Does this mean you have angels watching over you? According to Matt. 18:10, should we believe in guardian angels? What is a guardian angel? 8. In what way is Jesus superior to the prophets? What are some ways that Jesus is superior to the angels? Will we one day in Christ be greater than the angels? (See 1 Cor. 6:3) Name 5 things that you learned about Jesus in Hebrews chapter 1? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 9. Name several ways that our teaching in Hebrews chapter 1 applies to your life! 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 4
MINER S CORNER ~ Manna to live by! The Book of Hebrews was written to demonstrate the superiority of Jesus Christ over all creation and to demonstrate His superiority over the Jewish religious system! The writer of Hebrews tells us Jesus is greater than the Old Testament prophets! Jesus is the radiance of God s glory and the exact representation of His being! Jesus is the Creator of heaven and earth and has been appointed Heir of all things! Jesus has purged our sins, redeeming those who by grace through faith trust in Him! Jesus is greater than the angels, so much so God s angels are commanded to worship Him! God the Father calls Jesus God and declares that the scepter of His Kingdom is righteousness! In Jesus, all the fullness of the Godhead dwells in bodily form - He is Immanuel (God with us)! 5