HEBREWS---BETTER BLESSINGS

INTRODUCTION

1.    Hebrews is one of the “general” epistles.

A.   Not written to a specific person

B.   Not written to a specific congregation

C.   But written to believers at large

2.    It is known as a Hebrew-Christian epistle.

A.   Directed to Jewish believers everywhere

B.   Included with other books of the same nature: James, I and II Peter, I, II, III John, Jude and Revelation

AUTHORSHIP

1.    Controversy over the authorship

A.   Most feel that the writer is unidentifiable.

B.   Others are divided on the subject of authorship between Luke, Barnabas, Clement of Rome, Apollos and the Apostle Paul.

2.    Arguments against Pauline authorship

A.   The language (Greek original) is different than that used by Paul in his other epistles.

B.   The style and arguments are unlike his other writings.

3.    Arguments in favor of Pauline authorship

A.   The basic reason for the difference in style and use of language is due to the fact that Paul was writing to a different class of people.

1)    His other epistles were written to Gentiles, thus he would use such style and language by which to communicate truth to them.

2)    Hebrews was written for Jews, therefore it uses language suitable to them and is also full of Jewish terminology which would mean very little to Gentiles.

B.   Paul describes himself as “a Hebrew of the Hebrews”. (Phil. 3:5)

C.   Reference to “my bonds” is definitely Pauline. (10:34)

D.   Reference to Timothy, Paul’s closest associate, is made. (13:23)

E.   The benediction “Grace be with you all” is characteristic of Paul. cf. Rom. 16:24; I Cor. 16:23; II Cor. 13:14; Gal. 6:18; Eph. 6:24; Phil. 4:23; Col. 4:18; I Thess. 5:28; II Thess. 3:18; I Tim. 6:21; II Tim. 4:22; Titus 3:15; Philemon 25). In short, EVERY epistle Paul penned closed with almost identical words!

F.    Peter, the apostle, seems to indicate that Paul was the author. (II Peter 3:15, 16)

G.   Finally, with regard to Jewish rites and symbolisms and their relation to New Testament truth, who better than Paul could adequately expound them?

OCCASION OF THE EPISTLE

1.    This book was written to Jewish Christians who were faltering in their faith.

2.    Because of the taunts and jeers of their persecutors, these Jewish Christians were beginning to think they had lost everything - altar, priests, sacrifices - by accepting Christianity.

3.    There was a very real danger that these people would renounce their faith in Christ and revert back to the laws and ceremonies of Judaism. The sources of such problems stemmed from

A.   A tendency to disbelieve Christ and His claims (3:12)

B.   The elaborate worship of the temple compared to the simple worship of the Christian church was a constant temptation. They were enamored by ritualism.

C.   The non-believing Jews branded them as traitors and taunted them for turning against the law which was given by prophets, angels and Moses and from the sanctuary ministered to by the priests of God.

D.   They were suffering persecution. (10:34)

E.   They were generally in a backslidden condition. (5:12-6:12)

F.    Family ties were threatened by their conversion to Christ.

PURPOSE OF THE EPISTLE

1.    The new convert from Judaism had many problems to face, all of which the epistle to the Hebrews was designed to answer.

2.    To prevent the reversion of these believers from Christianity back into Judaism

3.    Incidentally, to comfort them in their persecution

4.    To draw a comparison between the superiority of life in Christ as opposed to the laws of Judaism.

A.   The apostle proves that they had only lost the shadow to be given the substance - Jesus Christ. (8:5; 9:23)

B.   Christ is proven to be better in His person, in His performance, and in His provision.

THE COMPARISONS DRAWN

1.    Christ is superior to the prophets. (1:1-3)

2.    Christ is superior to the angels. (1:4-2:18)

3.    Christ is superior to Moses. (ch. 3)

4.    Christ is superior to Joshua. (4:1-13)

5.    Christ is superior to Aaron. (4:14-10:18)

KEY WORDS

1.    Better

A.   Found 13 times (1:4; 7:19; 11:16, etc.)

B.   In Christ we have

  1)    One who is better than the angels (1:4)

  2)    A better purpose in life (6:9)

  3)    A better priest (7:7)

  4)    A better hope (7:19)

  5)    A better covenant (7:22; 8:6)

  6)    A better promise (8:6)

  7)    A better sacrifice (9:23)

  8)    A better substance (10:34)

  9)    A better country (11:16)

10)   A better resurrection (11:35)

11)   A better thing (11:40; 12:24)

2.    Heavens or heavenly

A.   Found 15 times (3:1; 9:24; 10:34; etc.)

B.   The reason for the repeated use of this word was to show that, in comparison with Judaism which is earthly and concerned with physical ceremonies, Christianity is heavenly and spiritual.

KEY PHRASE

1.    Once for all (6:4; 7:27; 9:12, 26, 28; 10:2, 10; 12:26, 27)

2.    Intended to convey the truth of the finality of the ministry of Christ on the believer’s behalf

DATE

1.    Written from Jerusalem or Rome

2.    Written before 70 A.D., since the Temple was still standing (9:6-8; 10:1)

THEME: Christianity is superior to Judaism.

OUTLINE OF BOOK

Following point ‘5’ of “The Comparisons Drawn”, add this sixth point to round out the general outline of the book.

VI.   THE APPLICATION (10:19-13:25)

The life we should live because of His life and work