Explore the Bible Lesson Preview September 7, 2014 Who is Jesus? Background: Hebrews 1:1-14 Lesson: Hebrews 1:1-4 Motivation: As we begin this study of Hebrews, some introductory material might be helpful: Author: Although the author is not named, this has not kept Bible Scholars from speculating through the centuries. Clement of Alexandria (AD 150-215) referred to Paul as the author and Luke as the translator. If this is accurate, the contents may be based on Paul s address to the Jewish elders in Rome (Acts 28:23). However, skeptics have pointed to the author as referring to those who heard Him (Jesus) (2:3); Whereas, Paul claimed to be a first hand witness (1 Cor 15:8; Gal 1:12). The author also refers to Timothy as brother (13:23) while Paul referred to him as my son in the faith (1 Tim 1:2). Other proposed authors include Luke, Clement of Rome, Barnabas, Apollos, Timothy, Philip, Peter, Silas, Jude, and Aristion. Date: AD 64-69, After widespread persecution began (AD 64), but prior to the destruction of the Temple (AD 70). Audience: Because of the extensive use of OT references, especially to the sacrificial system, most assume an audience of Jewish converts to Christianity, especially former priests and rabbis. Theme: The author of Hebrews wanted to exalt Jesus Christ. A verbal indication of this desire is the consistent and repetitive usage of the Greek word kreitton, which means more excellent, superior, or better. This word is the common thread that binds together the complex and subtle theological argumentation of the book. In comparison to everything else in the divine plan for creation and redemption, Jesus Christ is superior. The author described the 1 / 8
superiority of the new covenant to the old covenant because he wanted his readers to remember that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the law and God s promises in the OT. In this light, readers should be careful about recrucifying the Son of God and holding Him up to contempt (6:6). The author wanted to move these believers from their arrested state of development into a pattern of growth in their relationship with Jesus Christ. ( HCSB, p. 2113). Structure: Hebrews is less a letter and more a sermon. It is an exhortation to follow Christ above all and to persevere. It contains five warning passages that begin mildly so that we will not drift away, and increase in severity until the final passage warns How much worse punishment to you think one will deserve who has trampled on the Son of God, regarded as profane the blood of the covenant by which He was sanctified, and insulted the Spirit of grace? (10:29). Taken together, Hebrews is a warning against what Dietrich Bonhoeffer termed cheap grace. It is a call to faithfulness and concludes with Brothers, I urge you to receive this message of exhortation. (11:32). Examination: I. God Speaks Long ago God spoke to the fathers by the prophets at different times and in different ways. In these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son. (1:1-2a) A. Progressive Revelation Spoke to the fathers by the prophets HCSB, p. 2115: 1:1-2a These verses relate the revelation of Jesus Christ to God s previous revelation to the OT prophets. God spoke in past ages by the prophets in a variety of ways and times, but He has now progressed past this former revelation and spoken directly to mankind by His Son. The doctrine of progressive revelation recognizes the prophets words as divine revelation, but their words pointed ahead to the promise of a Messiah. This Messiah has now come Jesus 2 / 8
Christ. B. Prophetic Timeline in these last days. Having just concluded a study of Daniel wit h its prophetic timeline, we realize that the church age is an indefinite span of time during which each generation is to consider the time short and to be the last days. Our Lord taught that we are to be prepared to meet Him, engaged in His mission, and expectant of His return. C. Praiseworthy Messiah He has spoken to us by His Son. HCSB, p. 2115: 1:1-2:18 Everything in creation and everything in redemption history is centered in Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the Son of Man. The author was convinced that Jesus was the focal point of all that God had done and, therefore, that He was the focal point of the faith of the church. Jesus Christ is the agent of creation, the height of revelation, the mediator of redemption, and the judge of history. II. God Revealed God has appointed Him heir of all things and made the universe through Him. The Son is the radiance of God s glory and the exact expression of His nature, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. So He became higher in rank than the angels, just as the name He inherited is superior to their. (1:2b-4) A. God s Son Is His Incarnation (1:2b-3) Seven facts are revealed concerning Jesus that show His high state and illustrate why His revelation is the highest that God can give. 1. Heir of all things Christ has both the heavens and the earth for an inheritance. (Rom. 8:17) 2. Through Him God made the universe This role of Christ as the agent of creation may be traced to the earliest Christian hymns or confessions of faith linking Christ with Divine Wisdom. (Col. 1:13-19) 3 / 8
3. Radiance of God s glory This denotes the radiance of His glory. God s glory shines through Christ. (2 Thes. 2:8; Jas 1:17) 4. The exact expression of His nature Christ bears the stamp of God s being. To see God, one must see Christ. (Col. 1:15) This affirms Christ s full deity. (John 14:9; 1:14; 17:5, 24) 5. Sustaining all things by His powerful Word Christ controls and directs all things toward their appointed course (Col 1:17). 6. Purification for sins Christ s high priestly role is emphasized, Christ did something for us that no one else is capable of doing. 7. Sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on High This language denotes the exaltation of Christ above all else (Phil. 2:10-11; Acts 4:12). B. God s Son and Angels (1:4) So He became higher in rank than the angels, just as the name he inherited is superior to theirs. (4) Christ is pictured as more exalted than the angels by the fact that His name is above theirs. Son denotes the high place of exaltation of Christ. Christ s message is more important than that of the angels; Christ s order is more important than the old order represented by the angels. III. God s Nature Revealed in His Son (1:5-14) A. Sons vs. Son For to which of the angels did He ever say: You are My Son; today I have become your Father? (5) The quotation is taken from Ps. 2:7, the uniqueness of Jesus being called the Son of God is shown. Although angels may have been called the sons of God, they weren t called individually the Son of God. 4 / 8
B. The Father s Son Or again: I will be His Father, and He will be My Son (5b) The quotation is taken from 2 Samuel 7:14. Again the term Son is used, but here it is linked with the Davidic dynasty. (2 Cor. 13:14; Matt. 28:19; Gen. 1:26). C. Angel s Worship When He again brings His firstborn into the world, He says: And all God s angels must worship Him. (6) This is probably an allusion to Deut. 32:43 (Septuagint) in which the angels pay tribute to God. This verse may also be founded in the rabbinic tradition of the angels refusal to worship the first Adam. (Ps. 89:27; 1 Cor. 15:45). D. Angel s Place And about the angels He says: He makes His angels winds and His servants a fiery flame. (7) The quotation is from Ps. 104:4 and refers to the angel s place in the world order. Like the wind and fire, angels were created to do the bidding of God. E. The Son s Anointing But to the Son: Your throne, God, is forever and ever, and the scepter of Your kingdom is a scepter of justice. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; this is why God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of joy rather than Your companions (8-9) The quotation is from Ps. 45:6 ff and is a contrast to the preceding verse. The Messiah King is addressed as God showing Jesus full divinity. His primary characteristic is righteousness (Rev. 19:11; Gen 49:10; Jer. 23:5-6). F. The Son s Creative Work and Eternal Nature And: In the beginning, Lord, You established the earth, and the heavens are the works of Your hands; they will perish, but You remain. They will all wear out like clothing; You will roll them up like a cloak, and they will be changed like a robe. But You are the same, and Your years will never end. (10-12) The sixth quotation is from Ps. 102:25-27. The Psalmist addresses God; the Hebrew writer used this to address Christ. Jesus was the Creator, He is eternal and immutable. (Col. 1:16-17; Rev. 4:11; Heb. 13:8). G. The Son s Exaltation Now to which of the angels has He ever said: Sit at My right hand, until I make Your enemies Your footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve those who are going to inherit salvation? (13-14) The seventh quotation is from Ps. 110. The language is figurative; it speaks of the exaltation of Jesus sitting on the right hand of God. (Matt. 26:64; Mark 14:62) This clinching argument is given as the writer concludes that Christ is 5 / 8
superior to the angels. Angels may have been invited to stand in God s presence but never to sit in His presence as Christ is bade to do. This whole section is used to show that Christ is better than the angels. The word better is used 13 times in Hebrews. Christ has a unique relationship with the Father that the angels can t claim. The angels are pictured throughout this passage as changeable or discardable; Christ is eternal. Application: 1. God revealed Himself to us by His Word, His prophets and His Son. 2. Jesus is superior to both created things and heavenly angels. 3. Because of Who He is and What He did, Jesus is worthy of our loyalty, service and worship. Leader Pack Item 1: Map: First Century Roman World; Item 2: Outline: Hebrews; Item 3: Welcome Poster: Fall 2014 ; Item 4: Timeline: Hebrews ; Item 5: Bookmark: Memory Verses ; Item 6: Poster: Hebrews 1:3. Illustrator: p. 14: The Place and Purpose of the Book of Hebrews **You may access David s Lesson Preview in MP3 format and notes at: www.hfbcbiblestudy. 6 / 8
org Dates: 9/1 - Labor Day Offices closed; 9/3 Milestone Classes start; 9/7- Deacon s mtg./ Church conference; 9/12 Pastor s Anniversary Event; 9/12-14 Single Parent Family Camp; 9/13 Men: Serve; 9/14 LBS Leadership Luncheon; 9/17-19 Ed Staff @ D6 Conf; 9/21 MIYCO; 9/25 Summit Celebrates; 10/3-4 Women s Retreat; 10/5 Deacon s Mtg/Church Conf.; 10/11 Girl Meets World event; 10/19 Lord s Supper; 10/19 Parent Commitment; 10/23 Pathfinder Dinner at Hunt; 10/25 Summit Hoedown/ Men: Serve; 10/26 FBA Day; 10/31 First Fest/Light the Night; 11/2 Deacon s Mtg/Church Conference; 11/4 Election Day; 11/9 Mission Trip Reveal Lunch; 11/14 Truth @ Work Conference; 7 / 8
11/16 Make it Your Church Orientation; 11/19 Last Midlink; 11/23 Christmas Store Collection; 11/23 Preschool DTW Appreciation Lunch/AMP/Wired; 11/27-28 Thanksgiving Holiday, church offices closed; 11/30 No LBS; 12/6 Christmas Store; 12/6 ReCreate: Date Night; 12/13 Deacon Christmas Party; 12/14 HUB Christmas Event-Palooza; 12/24-25 Christmas Holiday, church offices closed; 12/28 No LBS; 12/31 Summit New Year s Eve Party. 8 / 8