Introduction to Hebrews © John Stevenson, 2011

HebrewsHebrews JamesJames 1 st & 2 nd Peter1 st & 2 nd Peter 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd John1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd John JudeJude What is the “big idea” behind each book?

How does knowing the circumstances in which a book was written impact our understanding of that book?

What were the circumstances behind the writing of the Epistle to the Hebrews?

A Second Generation Faith “After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard” (2:3). “Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith” (13:7).

References to Past Persecution “Remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, 33 partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated” (10:32-33).

References to Past Persecution For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one” (10:34). “You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin” (12:4).

Who wrote the Epistle to the Hebrews?

Hebrews 13:23-24 Take notice that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom, if he comes soon, I shall see you. 24 Greet all of your leaders and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you.

“The epistle to the Hebrews he [Clement] attributes to Paul, and says that it was written to the Hebrews in the Hebrew language, and that Luke translated it carefully and gave it out to the Greeks. Hence the same style of expression is found in this epistle and in the Acts.” (Eusebius, History of the Church 6:14).

2 Timothy 4:9-11 Make every effort to come to me soon; 10 for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.

2 Timothy 4:13 When you come bring the cloak which I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments.

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GOD, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days HAS SPOKEN TO US IN HIS SON, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.

GOD… HAS SPOKEN TO US IN HIS SON, WHO He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He SAT DOWN at the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Than the angels Hebrews Than Moses or Joshua As a High Priest Offering a better sacrifice Jesus is Better… 5-7 Providing a better Covenant As a way of Living Hold to Jesus… How to live as a result of holding to Jesus

Than the angels Hebrews Than Moses or Joshua As a High Priest Offering a better sacrifice Jesus is Better… 5-7 Providing a better Covenant As a way of Living Beware of… Neglecting so great a Salvation Falling away from the Living God Not entering into his Rest

Than the angels Hebrews Than Moses or Joshua As a High Priest Offering a better sacrifice Jesus is Better… 5-7 Providing a better Covenant As a way of Living Beware of… Neglecting so great a Salvation Falling away from the Living God Not entering into his Rest Not going on to Maturity Those who fall away from Jesus cannot renew to repentance

Than the angels Hebrews Than Moses or Joshua As a High Priest Offering a better sacrifice Jesus is Better… 5-7 Providing a better Covenant As a way of Living Beware of… Neglecting so great a Salvation Falling away from the Living God Not entering into his Rest Not going on to Maturity Those who fall away from Jesus cannot renew to repentance There remains no more sacrifice for sins Coming short of the grace of God ─ that no root of bitterness cause trouble

Hebrews 1:3-4 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they.

Hebrews 1:5-7 For to which of the angels did He ever say, “You are My Son, today I have begotten You”? And again, “I will be a Father to Him and He shall be a Son to Me”? 6 And when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says, “And let all the angels of God worship Him.” 7 And of the angels He says, “Who makes his angels winds, and His ministers a flame of fire.”

Hebrews 1:8-9 But of the Son He says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore Your God has anointed You with the oil of gladness above Your companions.”

Hebrews 1:10-12 And, “You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heaves are the works of Your hands; 11 they will perish, but You remain; and they will become old like a garment, 12 and like a mantle You will roll them up; like a garment they will also be changed. But you are the same, and all your years will not come to an end.”

Hebrews 1:13-14 But to which of the angels has He ever said, “Sit at My right hand, until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet”? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?

Hebrews 2:1 For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.

Hebrews 2:2-3a For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, 3 how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?

The Law Brought through angels Salvation Brought through the Son of God Angels are great The Son is greater Neglect of the Law brought forth certain judgment Neglect of salvation is certain to bring greater judgment

Hebrews 2:3b-4 After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, 4 God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.

Hebrews 2:5-8a For He did not subject to angels the world to come, concerning which we are speaking. 6 But one has testified somewhere, saying, “What is man, that You remember him? Or the son of man, that You are concerned about him? 7 You have made him for a little while lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, and have appointed him over the works of your hands; 8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet.”

Hebrews 2:8b-9 For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him. 9 But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.

Hebrews 2:5 The Role of Angels The world is not subject to the angels as it is to Jesus Hebrews 2:6-8 The Role of Man Man has been elevated to a position just a little lower than the angels, but everything is not presently subject to him. Hebrews 2:9-10 The Role of Jesus Jesus was made a man, a little lower than the angels, that He might be exalted above all.

Hebrews 2:10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings.

Hebrews 2:11-13 For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 saying, “I will proclaim your name to my brethren, in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.” 13 and again, “I will put my trust in him.” and again, “Behold, I and the children whom God has given me.”

Hebrews 2:14-15 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.

Hebrews 2:16-17 For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham. 17 Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

Hebrews 2:18 For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.