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By calling this covenant “new, ” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.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!!! – – 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 theme) • Things about Jesus which make him awesome. – “better” 13 times, “perfect” (teleon)15 times. • “Let us” exhortations. – – – 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 – – – – – 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” = prosecheinto 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 SLAVERY IN EGYPT LOST, SLAVE TO SIN WANDERING IN THE WILDERNESS SAVED, BUT LIVING THE LIFE OF A DISCIPLE ENTERING THE PROMISED LAND NEW TESTAMENT ANTITYPE 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: – – – 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 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. Ceremonial uncleanness. Obedience to spiritual principles required. Spiritual blessings promised. 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. Laws, rules and regulations for behavior. Tithing. Sabbath. Death. Sacrifice bridges the chasm between law and effort. 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 God dwelling with his people The sacrifice of Jesus for sins John 14: 1 -3, John 1: 14 J. Rev 1: 13 Baptism Titus 3: 5 The bread of life, Jesus Christ The lampstand The Holy Spirit Zechariah 4: 1 -6 The prayers of the saints Revelation 5: 8 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 angels in heaven Ezekiel 10: 15 -22 The tabernacle itself The bronze altar sacrifice The basin/laver of The show bread Hebrews 9: 14 John 6: 48 -51 The altar of incense The blue, scarlet yarn purple and The Cherubim
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 Sweet Savor Offerings (gifts) New Testament fulfillment Old Testament Sacrifice The Burnt Offering Jesus’ and our devotion to God Scriptures 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 Blood Sacrifices Celebrating our blessings from God John 10: 10 1 Thess 5: 16 The Sin Offering Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins Maintaining a relationship with one another 1 Peter 1: 18, 19 2 Corinthians 5: 21 The Guilt Offering 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) 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
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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 • • • 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 example of disobedience 4: 11 their • 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 • • • 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 • • • 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. • • 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!!!!! – – – – – 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 6 th 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](https://present5.com/presentation/52bea6fe5dde4b03b81b07f205cc6ecd/image-94.jpg "Julian of Eclanum • “You [ie. Augustine] think that your Lord is capable of")
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 • • • 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”!!! – – – 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 enter the Most Holy Place to Let us draw near to God… in full assurance faith. of 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.
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