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Hebrews – Lesson 1

Hebrews – Lesson 1. Introduction. Format of the Study. 13-Week Study, based on the text of Hebrews Lesson sheet for each week for personal study Occasional outside resources Class format: DISCUSSION Your involvement will make the class Your personal study will lead to involvement.

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Hebrews – Lesson 1

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  1. Hebrews – Lesson 1 Introduction

  2. Format of the Study • 13-Week Study, based on the text of Hebrews • Lesson sheet for each week for personal study • Occasional outside resources • Class format: DISCUSSION • Your involvement will make the class • Your personal study will lead to involvement Hebrews - Lesson 1

  3. Suggested Resources • Hebrews – James • George Guthrie and Douglas Moo (Zondervan) • Hebrews: Christ – Perfect Sacrifice, Perfect Priest • John MacArthur (Nelson Impact) • Hebrews • Shepherd’s Notes (Holman Reference) • NICNT - The Epistle to the Hebrews • F. F. Bruce (Eerdman’s) Hebrews - Lesson 1

  4. Reading Someone Else’s Mail • What if you were to pick up someone else’s mail and try to understand it? • What would you need to know? • Who the writer was? • Who the recipient was? • Their common experiences? • History and relationship between them? • The cultural environment of the day? Hebrews - Lesson 1

  5. Understanding Scripture • Is it possible to really understand Scripture? • After all, it was written thousands of years ago • A few thoughts • Understand the historical context • Understand the author • Understand the recipients • Understand the relationship between them • Allow the Sprit to guide you Hebrews - Lesson 1

  6. Some Background • Known as the Letter to the Hebrews since the 2nd Century • It did not bear the name in the 1st Century • Probably received the name due to its heavy reference to Jewish systems and symbols in its arguments • Does not necessarily imply that the recipients were Jews, only that they were familiar with the OT Hebrews - Lesson 1

  7. Date of Writing • Obviously written after Jesus’ death • Quoted by Clement of Rome in 95 AD • Many references to Jewish sacrificial system • Ended in 70 AD with destruction of the Temple • Recipients under persecution (Heb 10:32-34), but not yet martyrdom (Heb 12:4) • Facts fit well within Nero’s reign • Therefore many fix the date at 67 AD Hebrews - Lesson 1

  8. The World of the Day • Romans Occupy the Known World • Glory Days of the Roman Empire • Nero is Emperor • Known for his Lunacy • Persecution of Christians is Heating Up • Jewish religion was “religio licita” • However, things in Judea are tense • Christians did not enjoy such protection Hebrews - Lesson 1

  9. Roman Empire – 1st Century Hebrews - Lesson 1

  10. Recipients • Were they Hebrews or Hellenists, or even Gentiles? • Possibly written to three distinct groups • Believers on the verge of apostasy • Unbelievers who were intellectually convinced, but yet to accept the Gospel • Unbelievers drawn to the message but had reached no conviction • Possibly to recipients at Rome (Heb 13:24) Hebrews - Lesson 1

  11. Style • Not so much a letter, as a sermon or essay • Written in an elegant form of Greek, using advanced forms of persuasive argument and rhetoric • Author very well versed in Old Testament scriptures, as well as Jewish verbal tradition • Extensive exposition of OT Writings • Similar in style to other writings from Alexandria, a major Jewish center in Egypt Hebrews - Lesson 1

  12. Persuasive Argument • Hebrews is the longest sustained argument in the NT • Uses a style from Greek rhetoric known as “a minore ad maius” – “from the lesser to the greater” • Basically: If such and such is the case with X, which is a small matter, then it is even more the case with Y, which is a greater matter • Relies on analogies, with similarities and dissimilarities Hebrews - Lesson 1

  13. Authorship • Author does not identify his/herself • Many possibilities have been suggested • Paul • Barnabas • Aquila and/or Priscilla • Luke • Clement of Rome • Apollos Hebrews - Lesson 1

  14. What About Paul? • For hundreds of years after the 1st Century, the writing was attributed to Paul • Arguments against Paul as author • He doesn’t identify himself • Writing style is radically different than Pauline writings • Arguments for Paul as author • Some content similar to Romans • Possibly written in a style for Hebrews, then translated into Greek by Luke Hebrews - Lesson 1

  15. Who Then was the Author? • Perhaps Apollos • “a native of Alexandria” - Acts 18:24 • “a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures” - Acts 18:24 • “he spoke with great fervor” - Acts 18:25 • Consistent with Alexandrian style of writing • Author quotes from Septuagint OT • “But as to who actually wrote the epistle, God knows the truth of the matter.” Origen Hebrews - Lesson 1

  16. Themes • The supremacy of Christ • A contrast of the imperfect and incomplete Old Covenant with the infinitely better New Covenant • Believers now have direct access to God through Christ • Terrible consequences for those who reject the Son Hebrews - Lesson 1

  17. Six Warnings • Warning against drifting from “the things we have heard” (Heb 2:1-4) • Warning against disbelieving the “voice” of God (Heb 3:7-14) • Warning against degenerating from “the elementary principles of Christ” (Heb 5:11-6:20) • Warning against despising “the knowledge of the truth” (Heb 10:26-39) • Warning against devaluing “the grace of God” (Heb 12:15-17) • Warning against departing from Him “who speaks” (Heb 12:25-29) Hebrews - Lesson 1

  18. To the Text • Read Hebrews 1:1-4 • How did God speak to His people in the past? • Through the Prophets • What sorts of messages did they bring? • Announcements • Judgments and condemnations • Exhortations and encouragement Hebrews - Lesson 1

  19. God Speaks • How does God speak to His children now? • Through the Son • What message does the Son bring? • SALVATION! • What is the distinction between the “past” and “these last days”? Hebrews - Lesson 1

  20. Jesus the Son • How does the author describe Jesus here? • The Son of God • The Heir of the Universe • The Creator of the Universe • The Radiance of Divine Glory • The Exact Representation of God • The Sustainer of the Universe • The Redeemer from sin • The Exalted One • Compare with John 1:3 and Col 1:13-20 Hebrews - Lesson 1

  21. For Discussion • What is the Hebrew writer’s primary message in the introductory passage? • God has spoken in the past via Prophets (mere men), but now speaks to us via His Son (superior to all) • LISTEN! Hebrews - Lesson 1

  22. Next Week’s Lesson • Lesson 2 – Jesus Better than the Angels • Hebrews 1:5-2:18 Questions? Hebrews - Lesson 1

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