Download The Book of Hebrews - Evidence for Christianity

The Book of Hebrews
John Oakes,
APLA Manila
January, 2011
Introduction
• Audience: Christians in general, but especially
those who are of Jewish descent
• Second generation disciples who are tempted to
lose heart in light of coming persecutions.
– Remember those earlier days… Hebrews 10:32
– A hint: Those who are from Italy greet you. Hebrews 13:24
• Date of writing: AD 60-70, probably closer to
AD 70.
Roman Emperor Nero
AD 54-68
Christian Persecutions AD 64
Roman Emperor Titus
AD 79-81
Destroyed Jerusalem
AD 70
The Roman Empire at the time of Hebrews ca. AD 68
By calling this covenant “new,” he
has made the first one obsolete;
and what is obsolete and aging will
soon disappear. Hebrews 8:13
Introduction cont.
• Author of Hebrews
– Paul? Barnabus? Apollos? Aquila? Origen: Only God knows…
• Style of Hebrews
–
–
–
–
–
Not a letter
Transcript of a sermon?
Very elegant Greek
30 direct quotes from OT. At least 70 other references to OT.
Oscillates between theology and exhortation
• History of the text
– Not in the earliest canonical lists
– First quoted by Clement of Rome AD 96
– Origen and Clement of Alexandria: inspired but controversial
Ancient Ephesus
Introduction cont.
• Purpose: To give heart to Christians who have endured
but are being tempted to waver in their faith.
– Warnings against “falling away.”
• Theme: The preeminence of Jesus Christ!!!
–
–
–
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His deity
The greatness of his ministry
The greatness of his sacrifice
The greatness of his covenant
Outline of Hebrews
• 1:1-2:18 Jesus is greater than the angels: Therefore let us pay
attention.
• 3:1-4:13 Jesus is greater than Moses: Therefore let us persevere.
• 4:14-6:12 The priesthood of Jesus is greater than the priesthood
of Aaron: Therefore let us move on to maturity.
• 6:13-7:28 Jesus is the Great High Priest “in the order of
Melchizedek.”
• 8:1-10:39 Jesus is the author of a better covenant than that of
Moses: Therefore let us persevere to the end.
• 11:1-12:29 A practical example of endurance: The faithful cloud
of witnesses: Therefore accept God’s discipline in your life.
• 13:1-25 Summary and final advice.
Things to look for in Hebrews
(Think about the purpose and the theme)
• Things about Jesus which make him awesome.
– “better” 13 times, “perfect” (teleon)15 times.
• “Let us” exhortations.
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–
–
–
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Hebrews 4:1 let us be careful
Hebrews 4:11 let us, therefore, make every effort
Hebrews 4:14 let us hold firmly to the faith we profess
Etc. Hebrews 4:16, 6:1, 10:22,23,24,25 12:1,2 12:28
13:13, 15
Things to look for in Hebrews cont.
• The use of types, foreshadows and prefigures.
– Virtually everything familiar to the Jews (laws, priests, festivals,
tabernacle, covenant) is a foreshadow/prophecy of what we have in
Jesus Christ.
– Examples: Hebrews 9:6-10 Hebrews 9:23-26
• Warnings about losing our salvation
– Hebrews 3:12-14, 6:4-12, 10:26-31, 35-39 and many more.
• Eschatology: In these last days… Heb 1:2
• Assurance of salvation Heb 6:9-20, etc.
Be prepared.
Let’s Start!
• Prologue: Hebrews 1:1-4
• In the past, God spoke through the prophets…
• But now, he speaks to us by his son!!!
• Jesus is greater than the prophets.
• The last days…
– Acts 2:15, 1 Pet 1:20, 1 Cor 10:11, 2 Tim 3:1
– Eschatology: The branch of theology which deals with end times,
resurrection, judgment, etc.
Heb 1:2,3 The Greatness of God’s Son
great, amazing, excellent, unique, overpowering, beautiful, impressive,
beyond imagination, mind-blowing, jaw-dropping, spectacular,……
• He will inherit everything (Col 1:15, Romans 8:17)
– Our inheritance is through his inheritance.
• The universe was made through (and for) Him. (John 1:3)
• He is the radiance of the glory of God. (John 8:12)
– Apaugasma = effulgence, shining forth
• He is the image of God (John 1:18)
– Character = wax seal, exact representation. God revealed himself.
• He sustains all things
– beginning (Creator) middle (Sustainer) end (Inheritor) of all.
• He provided purification for sin
• He mediates for us at God’s right hand
1:4-14 Jesus is greater than the angels
• Angel = messenger, mediator Greek aggeloi Hebrew
malakim
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–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Archangels Michael (Daniel 10:21) Gabriel (Daniel 8:16, Luke 1:19)
Evil angels who controlled Greece and Persia (Daniel 10:20)
An angel destroys Jerusalem (2 Sam 24)
Cherubim (Ezekiel 10, Genesis 3:24)
Seraphim (Isaiah 6:6)
Guardian angels (Matthew 18:10)
Satan is a “fallen angel”?
Myriads upon myriads… (Daniel 7:10)
Jewish ideas…
Why is Jesus greater than the angels?
• v. 5,6 A greater name (position, rank): God’s SON
• v. 7-11 Angels are temporary, changing (winds and fires),
but Jesus is unchanging and eternal.
• v. 12,13 Angels are ministering spirits. Jesus is the one
ministered to. Why worship a worshipper?
• Application: Do not admire the messenger, admire the
sender of the message; Jesus Christ.
2:1-18 Exhortation #1 Pay careful attention!
• “pay attention” = prosechein = to fix, moor a ship.
• “drift away” = pararrein = to slip away, as with the tides, by
careless inattention.
• violation = parabasis = outright rebellion
• disobedience = parakoe = careless hearing or
unwillingness to hear
• The point: If the Jews had to pay attention to a Law
delivered by angels, and if they faced capital punishment
for not listening, how much more ought we to pay attention
to Jesus, and how much more great a punishment if we do
not.
• LISTEN UP!!!
Question:
• How might we “ignore (neglect) such a
great salvation?”
Hebrews 2:5-19 A difficult little passage.
• v. 7 God made us humans a little lower than himself
elohim
– God’s intent was that we have greatness and dominion!
– “him” throughout this section is us.
• v. 8,9 But unfortunately, that is not the case right now.
Our sin messed up everything.
• v. 9,10 Jesus came so that, through his death, we can be
restored to the glory God had in mind in the first place.
Because Jesus Became Like Us…
• v.10 Because he suffered like us we are saved
• v. 11 Because he came here, we are “of the same family.”
• v. 14 Because he shared our humanity, we are no longer
slaves
• v. 16 Because he is like us, he is a merciful high priest.
• v. 17 Because he suffered, he can relate and help those who
are tempted.
2:10-18 The importance of Jesus’ humanity
and his suffering.
• Archegos Jesus is author, founder, pioneer, source, origin;
the one who goes first both to make and to point the way
for us.
• Teleios Jesus is the perfecter, the completer. He is the one
who points the way, but he is also the one who completes
the journey toward perfection. He is our perfecter through
suffering.
• In becoming human, Jesus forged a way for us into the
presence of God.
• The Point: Jesus is both the initiator and the completer of
our salvation. Everything depends on Jesus, not us.
Jesus is Greater Than Moses
• Hebrews 1:1-3 Jesus greater than all the
prophets before him.
• Hebrews 1:4-14 Jesus is greater than the
angels.
• Hebrews 3:1-5 Jesus is greater than Moses.
Parallels Between Moses and Jesus
Moses
Jesus
Pharaoh tried to kill him
Herod tried to kill him
Called by God to leave Egypt
Carried out of Egypt
Forty years in the wilderness to
prepare por his ministry
Forty days in the wilderness
to prepare for his ministry
Left his position with the king
of Egypt to dwell with the Jews
Left the right hand of the
Father to life with the Jews
Led Israel out of slavery in Egypt
Leads Spiritual Israel out of sin
Aaron prepared the way
John the Baptist prepared the
way
Baptized Israel in the Red Sea
in order to free them
Commands baptism in water
for freedom from sin
Gave manna in the wilderness
(sort of)
Gives spiritual bread to all who
hunger
Gave water to the people in the
desert
Spoke to God on Mt. Sinai
Gives spiritual water: the
Holy Spirit
Spoke to God on Mt. Hermon
Jesus: a new and better Moses
• Moses a household servant (v.5) Jesus owns the house (v. 6)
• Moses faithful in God’s house
Jesus faithful over God’s house
• Moses received the Law
Jesus is the Law
• Moses gave them bread
Jesus is the bread
Exhortation #2
• Do not harden your hearts. (Hebrews 3:8)
• Do not turn away.
(Hebrews 3:12)
• Do not let your bodies fall in the desert. (Hebrews
3:17)
• Do not fall short.
(Hebrews 4:1)
• Make every effort to enter (do not rest). (Hebrews
4:11)
Historical type/antitype in the Exodus
OLD TESTAMENT
TYPE
NEW TESTAMENT
ANTITYPE
SLAVERY IN
EGYPT
LOST, SLAVE TO
SIN
WANDERING IN
THE WILDERNESS
SAVED, BUT
LIVING THE LIFE
OF A DISCIPLE
ENTERING THE
PROMISED LAND
ENTERING
HEAVEN
Our Goal:
• A Sabbath rest with God. katapausis
• Sabbath-rest = with God in heaven
• The point: You will rest in heaven. Do not
start resting now!
Question: In what ways are you tempted to
rest now, rather than in heaven?
What is at stake? Everything!
• They shall never enter my rest 3:11, 4:5
• We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly to the end
the confidence we had at first. 3:14
• They were not able to enter because of their unbelief 3:19
• Some… did not go in because of their obedience 4:6
• So that no one will fall by following their example of
disobedience 4:11
• Do you get the point?
How can we make our entrance more sure?
• Give and receive encouragement (Heb 3:12-14)
• Give yourself “no rest.” (Isaiah 62:1,6-7)
• Fear this! Fear of falling short (Heb 4:1)
• Let the Word of God do its work (Heb 4:12-13)
IV Jesus the Great High Priest
• Like a High priest:
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–
–
–
Can relate to us (Heb 4:15)
Makes intercession before God for us (Heb 4:16)
Offer gifts (fragrant offerings) and sacrifices (sin, guilt offering) (Heb 5:1)
Selected by God from men (Heb 5:1,4-5)
Represents man to God (Heb 5:1)
• Greater than any High Priest
–
–
–
–
–
–
Serves in the Heavenly Tabernacle, not the earthly one. (Heb 4:14)
Tempted, yet was without sin. (Heb 4:15)
Did not need to offer sacrifices for his own sin. (Heb 5:3)
A priest forever (Heb 5:6)
A priest from the order of Melchizedek (Heb 5:6)
Brings us into the real inner sanctuary. (Heb 4:16)
A wonderful word…
• metriopatheia Heb 5:2
•
•
•
•
Empathy, Sympathetic feeling,
Bear with people without becoming angry
Completely unlike the Greek concept of God
God cannot possibly feel anything or he is weak.
Exhortation #3
• Grow up!
• Move on to maturity.
• Mature in life and docrine (1 Timothy 4:16)
• Do not be nothros (slow-moving in mind, torpid, witlessly
forgetful, dull of hearing)
• Are you on a diet of milk?
• Grow up both in the knowledge (v. 12) and the practice (v. 14)
of holiness.
The Basics
•
•
•
•
•
•
a. repentance
b. faith
c. baptism
d. the Holy Spirit
e. Resurrection
f. Judgment
Hebrews 6:4-6 Who is he talking to?
• a. been enlightened (NT church “enlightened” =
baptized)
• b. tasted the heavenly gift (salvation?)
• c. shared in the Holy Spirit
• d. tasted the goodness of the word
• e. tasted the coming age (saved)
• Yes, you can fall away! Conclusion: You had better
move on toward maturity in Christ.
Hebrews 6:4-8
• It is impossible… if they fall away, to be brought back to
repentance.
• They are crucifying the Son of God all over again.
• Land that produces thorns… will be burned.
Falling Away
•
•
•
•
•
•
Crucifying the Son of God all over again.
Subjecting Jesus to public disgrace
Trampling the Son of God under foot. (Heb 10:29)
Insulted the Holy Spirit (Heb 10:29)
Blasphemed (spoken against) the Holy Spirit (Matt 12:32)
Committed the unforgivable sin (1 John 5:16)
• What is the “unforgivable sin?” To willfully, deliberately
continue in sin. (Hebrews 10:26)
Q: What are “the things which accompany
salvation?” (Heb 6:9)
The solution
• Grow. Move on to maturity. (5:11-6:4)
• Persevere in your faith. (6:9-6:20)
Hebrews 6:9-20 God’s Assurance
Two unchangeable things:
God’s Word
God’s Oath (Genesis 22:16-18)
Jesus, your anchor, is behind the veil with
the Father
Four things which are impossible for God to do
• Bring us to renewed repentance once we have fallen
away. (Hebrews 6:4)
• For him to lie. (Hebrews 6:18)
• For the blood of bulls and goats to forgive sins
(Hebrews 10:4)
• For us to please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6)
V. The Priesthood of Jesus is greater than
the Levitical/Aaronic Priesthood.
I Jesus is greater than all the prophets
II Jesus is greater than the angels
III Jesus is greater than Moses
IV Jesus the great High Priest
V The Priesthood of Melchizedek is greater than the
Priesthood of Aaron
VI (and Jesus is greater than Abraham)
Melchizedek: An interesting guy!
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Without genealogy, without descendents. (Hebrews 7:3)
“Without beginning of days or end of life” (Hebrews 7:3)
A priest forever. (Hebrews 7:3, Psalm 110:4)
The King of Salem (Jerusalem) (Genesis 14:18)
A priest, but not of the family of Levi. (Heb 7:6)
He blessed Abraham. (Genesis 14:19)
Abraham offered him a tithe/sacrifice (Genesis 14:20).
A priest “forever” (Heb 7:3, Psalm 110:4)
Melchizedek: Prefigure of Christ
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Melchizedek means King of Righteousness.
King of Salem means King (prince?) of Peace.
The King of physical Jerusalem.
Without beginning or end of days.
Without descendants.
High Priest because of his character, not by descent.
Greater than Abraham (Heb 7:4, John 8:53-58).
Gave Abraham bread and wine (last supper, Lord’s Supper)
Not a Levite (not even a Jew!)
A priest for everyone; not just for the Jews.
A priest and a king.
What is a Priest?
• A Pontifex Literally, a bridge-builder. A mediator. An
advocate. A representative. One who give access.
• The bridge before Jesus:
– The Law
– The Priest and the Sacrificial System
– But they did not work, and that is the point of Hebrews 7-9
The Argument of the Hebrew Writer
• Abraham offered him a tithe/sacrifice The lesser
priesthood (Abraham, Levi) offers to the greater
(Melchizedek, Jesus). Hebrews 7:5-9.
• This prefigures the fact that a new priesthood and a new
law was required. Hebrews 7:11-16
• Why? The old priests died (v. 23-25), and they were not
perfect (v. 26-28).
• Melchizedek a priest forever by an oath from God
(remember Hebrews 6:17-18) Hebrews 7:21-22.
Conclusion:
• Hebrews 7:28 The law appoints as high priests
men who are weak, but the oath, which came
after the law, appointed the Son, who has been
made perfect forever.
• Hebrews 7:22 Jesus has become the guarantee
of a better covenant.
The Greatness of Jesus
I Jesus is greater than all the prophets
II Jesus is greater than the angels
III Jesus is greater than Moses
IV Jesus the great High Priest
V The Priesthood of Melchizedek (and therefore of Jesus) is
superior to the Priesthood of Aaron
VI Jesus is greater than Abraham
VII The New Covenant (in and through Jesus) is superior to the
Old Covenant (through Moses)
VIII The heavenly Tabernacle is greater than the earthly
Tabernacle.
IX The sacrifice of Jesus is of far greater worth than the OT
sacrifices
Exhortations In Hebrews
• Exhortation #1 Pay attention Heb 2:1-18
• Exhortation #2 Do not turn back. Persevere Heb 3:6-4:13
• Exhortation #3 Grow up. Become mature Heb 5:11-6:20
• Exhortation #4 Summary exhortation. Hebrews 10:19-12:29
Chapter 8 & 9 From Shadow to Reality
Hebrews 10:1
• We have already seen that the Aaronic priesthood was a
foreshadow of Jesus’ priesthood.
Therefore;
• The First Covenant was a foreshadow of the New
Covenant (ch 8).
• The Jewish Tabernacle was a foreshadow of the
Heavenly Tabernacle (Hebrews 9:1-11).
• Old Covenant sacrifices were a foreshadow of New
Covenant sacrifice: The blood of Jesus. (Hebrews 9:1210:18)
Type and Antitype in the First and Second Covenants
Prefigure in the Law of Moses
Realization in the Law of Christ
Obedience to physically defined
rules required.
Physical blessings promised.
Obedience to spiritual
principles required.
Spiritual blessings promised.
Ceremonial uncleanness.
Sin and separation from God.
Sacrifice bridges the chasm
between law and effort.
Sealed with the blood of bulls
and goats.
Mediated by a High Priest.
Sacrifice bridges the
between law and effort.
Laws, rules and regulations for
behavior.
Tithing.
Sabbath.
Death.
chasm
Sealed with the blood of Jesus
Christ.
Mediated by THE High Priest,
Jesus Christ.
Behavior based on spiritual
principle and love.
Sacrifice and giving from the
heart.
Come…. I will give you rest.
Relying on Jesus.
Life.
Hebrews 8 A Better Covenant
• 8:5 A copy (hupodeigma sketch-plan, diorama) and a
shadow (skia shadow, reflection silhouette)
• 8:3 Better gifts and better sacrifices
• 8:5 Follow the exact pattern.
• 8:6-12 A better covenant
• 8:13 The old covenant is about to disapear (AD 70)
Type/Antitype Relationships in the Tabernacle
ITEM IN TABERNACLE
OR TEMPLE
ANTITYPE IN THE NEW
COVENANT
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE
The tabernacle itself
God dwelling with his
people
The sacrifice of Jesus for
sins
John 14:1-3, John 1:14J. Rev
1:13
The bronze altar
sacrifice
The basin/laver
of
Hebrews 9:14
Baptism
Titus 3:5
The show bread
The bread of life, Jesus
Christ
John 6:48-51
The lampstand
The Holy Spirit
Zechariah 4:1-6
The altar of incense
The prayers of the saints
Revelation 5:8
The blue,
scarlet yarn
purple
and
The heavens, the kingship
of God, the blood of Jesus
The curtain
Separation from God
Matthew 27:51
The ark of the covenant
The presence of God
Psalm 132:7,8
The Mercy Seat
The grace of God
The Cherubim
The angels in heaven
Ezekiel 10:15-22
Model of The Jewish Tabernacle
Hebrews 9:1-11 A Better Tabernacle
• Holy Place, table, menorah, incense altar, curtain, ark,
mercy seat, cherubim, etc…
• These are only physical things.
• 9:7 Only for sins committed “in ignorance.”
• 9:11 Jesus Christ is in a much better tabernacle—one in
heaven!
Coming Into the Presence of God
• The Jewish men could only come up to the gate.
• The Levites could only come into the courtyard.
• The Priests could enter the Holy Place.
• The High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies one day a
year, for just a few minutes, after sprinkling blood all over
the Holy Place and into the Holy of Holies for his own sin.
• Us: Hebrews 10:19
First Covenant Festivals as Types
Jewish Festival
Antitype in the Christian Life
Passover (pesach)
The Sacrificial Death of Jesus Christ
Feast of Firstfruits
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
Feast of Unleavened Bread
Celebrating Being Free of Sin in
Our Lives
Feast of Weeks/Pentecost
(shavoat)
Feast
of
hashanah)
Trumpets
(rosh
Day of Atonement (yom kippur)
Feast of Booths
(Tabernacles)
The Giving of the Holy Spirit
and the Initiation of the Church
Judgement Day, Jesus Coming
Back
The Day We Were Saved—
Spiritual Birthday
Celebrating Life in Fellowship
with God
Passover/Pesach (Exodus 12:24-28)
• Under a death sentence
• Pure, undefiled Passover lamb (1 Cor 5:7-8)
• Blood sprinkled on the wooden beam above the door.
• A remembrance of salvation from death
• A remembrance of salvation from slavery
• No bone broken
• Remove all the leaven (1 Cor 5:7)
Feast of Trumpets Rosh Hashanah/Yom Teruah
• A foreshadow of the Return of Jesus.
– Matt 25:30-31, I Thess 4:13-14 Trumpet call.
• A foreshadow of Judgment Day
• Rabbis: Stay awake all night so you will be prepared.
The Day of Atonement Yom Kippur
Sacrificial goat and scape goat.
Sins laid on sacrificial goat, killed
outside the camp.
Prefigure of the salvation of
Jesus.
Feast of Firstfruits
• A harvest festival when there was no harvest.
• A promise of a future harvest.
• A foreshadow of the final resurrection.
• A prefigure of the resurrection of Jesus.
• Coll 1:18
The first born from among the dead.
Q: Were the Jews saved by observing the commands
given to Moses?
• Hebrews 10:4 It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats
to take away sins.
• Hebrews 10:11 …the same sacrifices which can never take
away sins…
• Rev 13:8 From God’s perspective, Jesus was slain from the
creation of the world.
• Answer: yes…. and no…..
Sacrificial Type and Antitype
Old Testament
Sacrifice
Sweet Savor
Offerings
(gifts)
Blood
Sacrifices
New Testament
fulfillment
Scriptures
The Burnt
Offering
Jesus’ and our
devotion to God
Ephesians 5:1,2
Romans 12:1,2
The Grain Offering
Giving back a
contribution to God
Matthew 6:19-21
Romans 8,9
The Drink Offering
Pouring out our life for
God
Luke 22:20
Philippians 2:16
The Fellowship
Offering
Celebrating our
blessings from God
John 10:10
1 Thess 5:16
The Sin Offering
Jesus’ sacrifice for
our sins
1 Peter 1:18,19
2 Corinthians 5:21
The Guilt
Offering
Maintaining a
relationship with
one another
Matthew 5:23,24
Hebrews 9:12-10:18 A better sacrifice
• 9:12 “The blood of bulls and goats” Yom Kippur
• 9:12 “ashes of a heifer” The Red Heifer Sacrifice
• These things never worked to remove sin. They were only a
matter of ceremonial cleanness.
• The Day of Atonement was only a shadow. The real Day of
Atonement was when Jesus died on the cross and when we
accept that sacrifice by being baptized.
• 9:16 diatheke (will) vs suntheke contract
• 9:22 Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness
• 9:25 An eternal sacrifice. It does not need to be repeated.
The Red Heifer Sacrifice as a Prefigure
The Red Heifer Sacrifice
The Sacrifice of Jesus
A very rare red heifer
A unique son
Sacrificed outside the camp
(on the Mount of Olives)
Sacrificed outside the camp
(on the Mount of Olives)
To purify both Jews and Gentiles
To purify both Jews and Gentiles
A sacrifice without blemish (not even
one black hair!)
A sacrifice without blemish
Never been yoked (voluntary, not
sinned)
A voluntary sacrifice, without sin
Scarlet wool and wood
Blood on wood
Hyssop (purification from infection)
Purifies from the infection of sin
Combines ashes from sacrifice with
water for purification.
Combine the blood of Jesus with
baptism for purification
A Better Sacrifice
Hebrews 9:23 It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things
to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things with better
sacrifices than these
The lesser sacrifice (bulls,
goats, ashes of heifer)
The better sacrifice (Jesus)
Outward (appearance)
Inward (spiritual)
Temporary (repeated many
times)
Eternal (only done once)
Ceremonial
Real
Not voluntary
Voluntary
Mechanical
Spontaneous
Unaware
Rational, aware
The Greatness of Jesus
I Jesus is greater than all the prophets
II Jesus is greater than the angels
III Jesus is greater than Moses
IV Jesus the great High Priest
V The Priesthood of Melchizedek is superior to the Priesthood of
Aaron
VI Jesus is greater than Abraham
VII The New Covenant (in and through Jesus) is superior to the
Old Covenant (through Moses)
VIII The heavenly Tabernacle is greater than the earthly
Tabernacle.
IX The sacrifice of Jesus is of far greater worth than the OT
sacrifices
Exhortation #4 A Summary Exhortation
• Exhortation #1 Pay attention Heb 2:1-18
• Exhortation #2 Do not turn back. Persevere Heb 3:6-4:13
• Exhortation #3 Grow up. Become mature Heb 5:11-6:20
• Exhortation #4 Summary exhortation. Hebrews 10:19-12:29
Salad time!
• 10:22 Let us draw near [to God]
• 10:23 Let us hold to our confession of hope
without wavering
• 10:24 Let us be concerned about one another
and encourage one another toward love and
good deeds
• 10:25 Let us not stop meeting together.
• 10:25 Let us encourage one another.
Hebrews 10:26-31 The Horror of Sin
• hekousis
deliberate, habitual, willful
• Deuteronomy 17:2-7 How much more we….
• Deuteronomy 32:35 Vengeance of God
• Romans 12:19 Vengeance on our part?
Falling Away Hebrews 10:26-31
•
•
•
•
•
•
Crucifying the Son of God all over again.
Subjecting Jesus to public disgrace
Trampling the Son of God under foot. (Heb 10:29)
Insulted the Holy Spirit (Heb 10:29)
Blasphemed (spoken against) the Holy Spirit (Matt 12:32)
Committed the unforgivable sin (1 John 5:16 )
• What is the “unforgivable sin?” To willfully, deliberately
continue in sin. (Hebrews 10:26)
Hebrews 11 Heroes of the Faith
The key to perseverence is faith
• Hebrews 11:1, 11:6 Definition of faith
• Faith is believing the facts of the Bible.
• Faith is trusting the promises of the Bible.
• Faith is obeying the commands in the Bible.
• Heb 11:1 Faith is being certain of what we do not see.
It requires that we deny our senses.
Why were these men and women commended by
God?
• They refused what the world calls greatness and staked
everything on God.
• They chose what is unseen rather than what is seen.
Lesson: In many ways, our worst enemy is success and
prosperity. What the world seeks is what will destroy
everything that is important.
Example: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego Daniel Ch. 3
By Faith….
• By faith Abel gave a better sacrifice.
• By faith Enoch pleased God.
• By faith Noah built the ark, condemned the world and saved his
family.
• By faith Abraham left everything behind….
• By faith Abraham became the father of many nations.
• By faith Abraham offered up his one and only son.
• By faith Moses gave up worldly success and fortune.
• By faith Moses saved Israel.
• By faith the walls of Jericho fell.
• By faith ordinary people did great things for God.
Those of whom the world was not worthy
• Hebrews 11:13 Still living by faith (not by sight) when they
died.
• xenoi foriegners, aliens, strangers, refugees in this world.
• parepidemos sojourners, temporary residents, green card
holders, people who do not put down roots.
• Lived by faith despite never seeing the promise fulfilled.
• Therefore, God is not ashamed to call them his.
More Men and Women of Faith
• Shut the mouths of lions: Daniel.
• Quenched the fury of the flames: Shadrach, Meshach and
Abednego
• Escaped the edge of the sword: Elijah
• Women received back their dead: Elijah (1 Kings 17:17) and
Elisha (2 Kings 4:8
• Stoned: Zechariah (2 Chron 24:20-22)
• Sawn in two: Isaiah (Jewish legend)
• Put to death by the sword: (1 and 2 Maccabees)
• None of them received what was promised in their
lifetimes. None!!!
Hebrews Ch. 12 If They Can Do It, So Can We
• Throw off what hinders: sin! (v. 1)
– What are you unwilling ot throw off?
• Run with perseverence (v. 1)
• Keep your eyes on the goal: in heaven with Jesus. (v. 2)
• Look at Jesus (and the cloud of faithful witnesses) (v. 2-3)
– The pioneer, trail blazer, archegos.
– The perfector, completer, race-finisher, teleios.
• Despise the shame of the cross (v. 4)
• Accept hardship as discipline from a loving father/God. (v. 5-11)
• Live at peace with all men, and do not let bitterness take root in
your life. (v. 14-17).
– Do not harbor any sin—even a “small” one. Be holy (v. 14)
Attitudes Toward Discipline are Important
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Accept it with resignation.
Accept it and get it over with as soon as possible.
Accept it with a “woe is me” attitude.
Accept it but think of it as punishment.
Accept it as it is; discipline given reluctantly by a loving
Father who cares about you.
Esau:
A prefigure of Those Who Sell Out to the World
• Genesis 25:27-33.
• Esau sold his birthright (as first son) for a bowl of lentil
stew.
• What will you sell your birthright for? Is it worth it?
• Later, Esau could not repent, even though he wanted to.
• A stern warning against falling away.
The Mountain of the Lord
A Summary of the Whole Argument
• Blazing fire, darkness, gloom, blast of a trumpet. Do not
touch the mountain. (Hebrews 12:18-21)
• Terror!
• Exodus 19. The giving of the Law to Moses at Mt. Sinai
• Not for us!
• For us: Mt. Zion. The heavenly Jerusalem. The assembly
of the first-born (Jacob, not Esau). God. Jesus. The New
Covenant. Heb 12:22-24)
• We have come to a kingdom which cannot be shaken
(12:25-27)
Heb 12:28 Summary of the summary.
• Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be
shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably
with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.
Hebrews 13: Final Exhortations
1. Brotherly love Heb 13:1
2. Hospitality Heb 13:2
3. Sympathy for those in trouble. Heb 13:3
4. Sexual purity Heb 13: 4
5. Christian contentment. Heb 13:5-6
6. Respect for spiritual leaders and the mature. Heb 13:7-8, 17
-Golden Rule Membership Judges 5:1
Julian “the apostate.” (332-363)
“Atheism (i.e. Christian faith) has been specially advanced
through the loving service rendered to strangers, and
through their care for the burial of the dead. It is a scandal
that there is not a single Jew who is a beggar, and that the
godless Galileans care not only for their own poor but for
ours as well; while those who belong to us look in vain for
the help that we should render them.”
Hebrews, Perseverence and Predestination
• Hebrews and Falling Away.
• Scriptures which point toward Perseverence/Once Saved
Always Saved.
• History of the doctrine of Predestination.
• Arguments for Predestination.
• The biblical doctrine of Predestination.
• Assurance of Salvation in Hebrews.
Hebrews and Falling Away
• They shall never enter my rest 3:11, 4:5
• We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly to the end
the confidence we had at first. 3:14
• They were not able to enter because of their unbelief 3:19
• Be careful not to be found to have fallen short of it. 4:1
• Some… did not go in because of their obedience 4:6
• Let us make every effort to enter that rest so that no one will
fall by following their example of disobedience 4:11
• Do you get the point?
Hebrews 6:4-6 Who is he talking to?
• a. been enlightened (NT church “enlightened” =
baptized)
• b. tasted the heavenly gift (salvation?)
• c. shared in the Holy Spirit
• d. tasted the goodness of the word
• e. tasted the coming age (saved)
• Yes, you can fall away! Conclusion: You had better
move on toward maturity in Christ.
Hebrews 6:4-8
• It is impossible… if they fall away, to be brought back to
repentance.
• They are crucifying the Son of God all over again.
• Land that produces thorns… will be burned.
Falling Away Hebrews 10:26-31
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Crucifying the Son of God all over again.
Subjecting Jesus to public disgrace
Trampling the Son of God under foot. (Heb 10:29)
Insulted the Holy Spirit (Heb 10:29)
Blasphemed (spoken against) the Holy Spirit (Matt 12:32)
Committed the unforgivable sin (1 John 5:16 )
• What is the “unforgivable sin?” To willfully, deliberately
continue in sin. (Hebrews 10:26)
Falling Away
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Crucifying the Son of God all over again.
Subjecting Jesus to public disgrace
Trampling the Son of God under foot. (Heb 10:29)
Insulted the Holy Spirit (Heb 10:29)
Blasphemed (spoken against) the Holy Spirit (Matt 12:32)
Committed the unforgivable sin (1 John 5:16)
• What is the “unforgivable sin?” To willfully, deliberately
continue in sin. (Hebrews 10:26)
Question:
Do you believe in Predestination?
History of the doctrine of predestination.
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Augustine of Hippo AD 354-430 “The City of God”
Martin Luther (1483-1546): an Augustinian monk.
Ulrich Zwingli (1484-1531) Reformed Churches.
John Calvin (1509-1564) “Institutes of the Christian
Religion”
• A profound belief in the sovereignty of God
• Double Predestination and TULIP
Sin, Redemption, Salvation
• Augustine!!!!!
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The City of God Soveriegnty
Total depravity
Monoergism (only God)
Predestination
Original Sin
Infant baptism required for
salvation
Sacramentalism
Transubstantiation
City and State
Opposed Donatists
Augustine of Hippo (from 6th century)
Augustine: Evil and Free Will
• About Augustine: “Evil arises from the corruption of a
nature which is essentially good. What is called evil is good
corrupted; if it were not corrupted it would be wholly good;
but even when it is corrupted, it is good in so far as it
remains a natural thing, and bad only in so far as it is
corrupted.”
• “A man’s free will avails for nothing except to sin.”
Pelagius AD c. 354-430
Works Salvation?
Affirmed the existence of free will.
“Evil is not born with us, and we are
procreated without fault.” Rejected
infant baptism. Taught that we
become holy through our own
effort?
More troubling:
“Since perfection is possible for
man, it is obligatory.”
Julian of Eclanum
• “You [ie. Augustine] think that your Lord is capable of
committing a crime against justice such as is hardly
conceivable even among the barbarians.
• Q: What is the nature of “the Fall” of mankind?
What happened in the garden?
• Puritans: “In Adam’s fall we sinned all.”
• Romans 5:12-19 What “death” is this in v. 12
Thomas Aquinas
1225-1274
Aristotle
Revelation by reason
Scholasticism
Arguments for existence of
God
Natural Theology
“Summa Theologica”
Thomas Aquinas:
“God, therefore, is the first cause, who moves causes both natural
and voluntary. And just as by moving natural causes He does not
prevent their actions from being natural, so by moving voluntary
causes He does not deprive their actions of being voluntary; but
rather is He the cause of this very thing in them, for He operates
in each thing according to his own nature.”
In other words, Aquinas believed in free will and not a strict
monergism.
Martin Luther 1483-1541
Augustinian Monk
Faith Alone
Grace Alone
Scripture Alone
Predestination
Martin Luther:
“Away with James… His authority is not great enough to
cause me to abandon the doctrine of faith [alone] and
to deviate from the authority of the other apostles and
the entire Scripture.” St. James’ epistle is really an
epistle of straw, compared to these others (Romans,
Galatians, John) for it has nothing of the nature of the
gospel about it.”
Ulrich Zwingli
1484-1531
Opposed baptismal
regeneration
Double Predestination
Reformed Theology
“Those individuals who
end up damned forever in
hell are also eternally
determined by God for
that fate.”
John Calvin
1509-1564
Institutes of Christian Religion
His emphasis: the sovereignty
of God
TULIP
TULIP
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Total depravity
Unconditional election
Limited atonement
Irresistable grace
Perseverence of the saint (once saved, always
saved)
Jacob Arminius
(1560-1609)
Opposed Reformed idea of
predestination.
Are we Arminians?
Jonathan Edwards
“A Sinner in the Hands of
an Angry God.”
How do we know we are
of the elect?
1800’s America: Predestination Light
Once Saved, Always Saved
• Preservation of the Saints
• Believer’s Prayer.
• Once God saves you, in is impossible to lose your salvation,
no matter what.
• Q: Scriptures which appear to support the
doctrine of predestination?
• Is a believer in this false doctrine lost?
• Q: Scriptures which prove free will and
refute predestination?
Predestination?
• Romans 8:28-30
• Romans 8:31-39 Nothing can separate us (except we
ourselves because we
•
have free will)
• John 10:27-29 No one can snatch them out of my hands…
• Romans 9:10-21
(read v. 14-18)
The Biblical Doctrine of Predestination
• First of all, man had “free will”!!!
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It is God’s sovereign will that we have free will because he loves us.
Deut 30:19-20
Joshua 24:15
Ezekiel 18:19-20
All of Hebrews.
• God predestined all of us to be saved (but he does not force
anyone)
• Very rarely, God intervenes in history to bring about his
will, but even then, he does not, ultimately steal anyone’s
free will.
God’s Assurance: Hebrews 6:9-20
Two unchangeable things:
God’s Word
God’s Oath (Genesis 22:16-18)
Jesus, your anchor, is behind the veil with the
Father
God’s Assurance: Hebrews 10:19-23
We have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place
Let us draw near to God… in full assurance of
faith.
For he who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:35-36 Do not throw away your
confidence; it will be richly rewarded…. You will
receive what he has promised.