Survey of the New Testament Writings Lesson Number 19 The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews Name of Bible Student. Date of Completion.. Background Although some late manuscripts entitle this book The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews, and though many Christians believe Paul wrote it, the name of Paul does not appear in the epistle itself. Alfred Martin, Th.D., Survey of the Scriptures, Moody Bible Institute, believes it is unlikely that Paul wrote the book of Hebrews, especially in view of the statement of the writer in Hebrews 2:3. This verse seems to be quite contrary to Paul s statement about himself in Galatians 1:11, 12. Dr. James M. Gray s comment is helpful: Hebrews may have been written by Paul, or Apollos, or someone else; we cannot tell absolutely But while uncertainty exists as to the authorship of Hebrews, and also as to the location of the address, there can be no uncertainty as to the reason for writing the epistle. Outline The book shows to Hebrew Christians and to all of us the superiority of the Lord Jesus Christ over Judaism. The introduction declares this (1:1-3). The Old Testament was given in many parts and many ways through prophets. The New Testament has been given through One who is the Son of God. The epistle contains numerous quotations from the Old Testament and many allusions to the Mosaic system, including priesthood and rituals. It seems certain that the epistle was written before the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Two quotations from the Old Testament serve as the leading texts for the epistle. These are Thou art my Son (Psalm 2:7) and Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek (Psalm 110:4). Keeping this in mind, we may outline the epistle in the following manner: Introduction: The Superiority of Christ (1:1-3). I. The Superiority of the Person of Christ (1:4 4:13). II. The Superiority of the Priesthood of Christ (4:14 10:18). III. Exhortation of Faith, Hope and Love (10:19 13:19). Conclusion: (13:20-25). The Superiority Of The Person Of Christ (1:4 4:13). In this section the Lord Jesus is seen to be better than angels, better than Moses. The Old Testament law had been given through the ministration of angels (2:2; compare Acts 7:53; Galatians 3:19). Christ s superiority to angels is seen first of all in the fact that He is the Son of God. The quotation from the Old Testament brings out the contrast between Him and the angels. They are ministering spirits (1:14) who worship Him. He is the Son of God, the Lord. At the beginning of chapter 2 we find the first of five warnings in the epistle. The first one warns against neglect of the things which we have heard. The second in chapters 3 and 4, warns against unbelief; the third, is chapter 6, warns against apostasy; the fourth in chapter 10, warns against willful sin; the fifth, in chapter 12, warns against indifference. There is an urgency in all of these warnings, with a reminder of the certainty of judgment. Following the first warning, we see the superiority of the Lord Jesus Christ to angels in that He is Son of Man, as well as Son of God. It is man to whom God has given the control of the earth. The Lord Jesus is the Son of Man, as prophesized in Psalm 8 (which is quoted here) and in other Old Testament passages. The Lord Jesus Christ became for a little while lower than the angels that He might bring those who have faith in Him to a position above the angels. There is in this section an intimation of His high priesthood, a thought which is developed later in the epistle. 1
Not only is the Lord Jesus Christ superior to angels, but He is superior to Moses, who was the mediator of the Old Covenant (3:1-3). No man was of greater importance to the people of Israel than Moses, the lawgiver. But Moses was a servant; Christ is the Son (verses 5, 6). The second warning is given against the sad background of Israel s unbelief in the wilderness, with extensive use of Psalm 95. The Superior Of The Priesthood of Christ (4:14 10:18). Having shown that Christ is greater and better in His Person than the angels and Moses, the writer makes the transition to the work of Christ, particularly to His high priesthood (4:14-16). In His priestly work the Lord Jesus Christ is compared to Aaron, the first high priest of Israel, but is shown to be greater than Aaron because He belongs to a different order of priests, the order of Melchizedek (5:6, A.V.S.). Melchizedek is mentioned in only two other places in the Bible. The historical account of the man is given in Genesis 14; the prophetic reference to Christ quoted in this passage in Hebrews is taken from Psalm 110. Before the priesthood of Christ is developed, the third warning is given (chapter 6). The writer indicates that Melchizedek is a type, or divinely appointed prophetic symbol, of the Lord Jesus Christ. The typical teaching concerns, not only what is said in Genesis 14, but also what is left unsaid. The name Melchizedek means King of Righteousness, and this is indeed the character of the Lord Jesus Christ. Melchizedek was king of Salem. The word Salem means peace. The reference to Melchizedek here does not mean that the literal man was without father and mother, but that, so far as the record goes, we know nothing of his ancestry or antecedents. He suddenly appeared on the scene of history, and we are given no other information about him. Hence, he can be a suitable and fitting type of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the eternal royal Priest. Christ s priesthood in contrast to the Levitical priesthood of Aaron is an eternal priesthood and He is both King and Priest, as Melchizedek was. This priesthood was confirmed with an oath. It is eternal, and the priest is not subject to death (7:24, 25). This priesthood is superior in its place. This is a better ministry because it is heavenly; a better covenant, because it is eternal. There are better promises because they are spiritual. One can see in reading the epistle the prominence of the word better. The better covenant (8:6) is the New Covenant, prophesied in the book of Jeremiah (31:33). The covenant of the law, given through Moses, was intended to be temporary and preparatory to the Lord Jesus Christ. It contains external regulations and a ritualistic service. The New Covenant of the Lord Jesus Christ affects the individual internally: I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts (8:10). While the nation of Israel, as such, will not enter into the New Covenant until the return of Christ, the believer in Christ receives the blessing of the New Covenant now. The ritual and sacrifices of the Old Testament were temporary and inadequate (9:8). Christ s sacrifice is better. It is complete and final. His death has confirmed the New Covenant (9:15). His work has been completed. He stands before God now, representing us as our Intercessor, our Advocate and our Forerunner. The Lord Jesus Christ is seen to be the Fulfiller of the typical teaching of all of the major offerings of the book of Leviticus. The believer in Christ can now draw near to God. He does not have to come through human mediation, as the people of Israel did with the Levitical priesthood. The Israelite of old could not even enter the tabernacle. The believer in Chris t has now entered into the holiest of all. The fourth warning against willful sin (10:26-31) shows the impossibility of being saved in any other way than through the one complete, final sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. Exhortation To Faith, Hope and Love (10:10 13:19). The exhortation based upon Christ s Person and Christ s priesthood actually begins at 10:19. Chapter 11, the great faith chapter, gives the roster of the heroes of faith in Old Testament times as a pattern and encouragement to us. The practical application of this is seen at the beginning of chapter 12. In the lives of these Old Testament people we see faith in action, faith which obeys God, faith which endures and does exploits. 2
The final warning in the epistle concerns indifference. Esau is seen as an example of this. The writer not only encourages us to faith and hope, but also commands us to have love for our brethren (13:1). The exercise of love is seen in the practical relationships of life. Conclusion (13:20-25). This glorious epistle, which presents our Lord Jesus Christ as our Great High Priest, needs to be applied to our own lives, that the benediction toward its close may be true to us: Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen (13:20, 21). Key Verse: Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. Key Words: Better = found 13 times; Perfect = found 14 times; and Heaven = found 17 t imes. Theme : The Priesthood of Christ, and the Maturity of Believers. Date of Writing: Between A.D. 64 and A.D. 67. The Book of Hebrews occupies the 58 th place in the Bible, 19 th in the New Testament, contains 13 chapters, and 303 verses. Assignment Please read the 13 chapters of Paul s Epistle to the Hebrews, and circle the chapter numbers below for your records. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 Application After finished reading Paul s Epistle to the Hebrews, prayerfully consider the passages you have read. Evaluate and note key events. Make a mental note for yourself, or use a notebook, and write down the things which most impressed you. Ask yourself the questions: What is this epistle trying to teach me? What could be the practical application of the things I have learned from this book, which maybe able to help me in my daily walk with the Lord? And when the Holy Spirit illuminates those areas, then prayerfully allow His leading into the part where you will implement them into your daily life. Now, go ahead and take the test. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Test #19 to the Survey of the New Testament Writings The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews Did you read Paul s Epistle to the Hebrews? YES NO (If your answer is NO, please do not continue with the test. Take out your Bible and read Paul s Epistle to the Hebrews as your home assignment. Thank you!) 3
How do some late manuscripts entitle the book of Hebrews? Does the name of Paul appear anywhere in the book of Hebrews? No Yes What is the argument against a Pauline authorship, as presented by Alfred Martin, Th.D., Survey of the Scriptures, Moody Bible Institute? [4] Write down Dr. James M. Gray s comment about the book of Hebrews. [7] What does the book of Hebrews show us? Referring to the Bible, what was given through the prophets? Referring to the Bible, what was given through the Son of God? What does the epistle of Hebrews contain and alluding to? Was the epistle written before or after the destruction of Jerusalem? After Before List the two Old Testament quotations which serve as the leading text for the epistle (also give Bible references): [4] Give the outline of the epistle to the Hebrews. [5] What do we see in the section of Hebrews 1:4 4:13? How was the Old Testament law given? 4
How can we see Christ s superiority to angels? What brings out the contrast between Jesus and the angels? What is the real difference between the angels and Jesus Christ (also give Bible reference)? What do we find at the beginning of chapter two? List the five warnings of the epistle (also include the chapter references). [10] Following the first warning, what do we see in this epistle? To whom gave God control of the earth? What title does Psalm 8 gives to the Lord Jesus Christ? Who became a little lower than the angels? Why did Jesus became, for a little while, lower than the angles? What is intimated in this section of the epistle? To whom else is the Lord Jesus Christ superior to (also give Bible reference)? What is the difference between Moses, the lawgiver, and the Lord Jesus Christ? The second warning is given against the sad B of Israel s unbelief in the W, with extensive use of Psalm 95. [2] After establishing that Christ is greater than the angels and Moses, in what direction does the writer of the epistle takes us (also give Scripture reference)? To whom is the Lord Jesus Christ compared with in His priestly work? How does Jesus differ from the priesthood of Aaron (also give Scripture reference)? The prophetic reference to Christ as priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek was quoted from what Psalm? 5
The writer (of Hebrews) indicates that M is a type, or divinely appointed P S, of the Lord Jesus Christ. [3] What does Melchizedek s name mean? What does the word Salem mean? Why is Melchizedek a suitable type of the Lord Jesus Christ? [5] What was the contrast between Aaron s priesthood and the priesthood of the Lord Jesus Christ? What was Christ s priesthood confirmed with? What is the time limit of Christ s priesthood? Is Christ s priesthood subject to death (also give Scripture reference)? In what way is the priesthood of Christ superior in its place, in ministry, in covenant, and in promises? What word takes prominence in the epistle? What did Jeremiah (31:33) prophesized about which was also confirmed in Hebrews 8:6? What did the covenant of the law, given through Moses, contain? How does the New Covenant of the Lord Jesus Christ affect the individual? Write down part of Hebrews 8:10. Concerning the New Covenant, write down the difference between the nation of Israel and the believer in Christ. What does Hebrews 9:8 tells us concerning the ritual and sacrifices of the Old Testament compared to Christ? Christ s sacrifice is C and F. [2] 6
His death C the N C (9:15) [3] His work has been C. He stands before G now, representing us as our I, our A and our Forerunner. [4] The Lord Jesus Christ is seen to be the Fulfiller of the. (complete the rest of the paragraph page 2) [5] What does the fourth warning (willful sin) show us? Which chapter gives the roster of the heroes of faith in Old Testament times? How did faith manifest itself in the lives of those Old Testament people? [4] What is the final warning of the epistle? Who was the classical example given to reflect indifference? In Chapter 13:1, the writer not only encourages us to faith and hope but commands us to have what? Write down Hebrews 13:20, 21. [8] Write down the key verse of the epistle (also give reference). What are the key words and how many times do they appear in the epistle? Date of writing. The Book of Hebrews occupies the th place in the Bible, th in the New Testament. Contains chapters, and verses. [4] ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 7
Personal Notes The above lesson can be downloaded from the following Web address: http://www.gbcwpny.org/ The completed test can be mailed to the following e-mail address: barnabasjh@yahoo.com 8