1 / 40

New Testament Survey: The Book of Hebrews

New Testament Survey: The Book of Hebrews. “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (12:2). Background.

lucrece-amadeus
Download Presentation

New Testament Survey: The Book of Hebrews

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. New Testament Survey: The Book of Hebrews “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (12:2)

  2. Background • Hebrews is peculiar and distinct. It is not in the same class as the general epistles; rather, it summarizes the transition from the Old Testament to the New. • Its doctrinal contribution to the New Testament is unrivaled. • Explains the changes from the Old Covenant to the New • A new priesthood, sacrifice, and sanctuary are all part of theNEW COVENANT.

  3. Background • Nowhere in the other New Testament writings is the contrast between the Old and New Testaments made more vivid or marked out more definitely. • We are uncertain who wrote Hebrews, as well as to whom the book is written. • Those being addressed were familiar with the one who was doing the writing. (13:19)

  4. Background • Hebrews was written to second-generation Christians. • The close relationship these Jewish Christians had with the temple is evident. • They were encountering increasing difficulty with Rome. • Some were becoming weak in the faith. • Evidently, the temple had not yet been destroyed. Written around66 or 67 A.D.

  5. Some Thoughts About the Audience… • That they were disciples of Christ is indicated by a number of facts: • Heard the gospel from the disciples (2:3) • Witnessed the signs and wonders that accompanied divine revelation (2:4) • Had been made “partakers of Christ” and needed to hold fast their confidence till the end (3:14) • Engaged in the ministry of the saints (6:10)

  6. Some Thoughts About the Audience… • That they were disciples of Christ is indicated by a number of facts: • Had endured persecution and suffering in the past (10:32-34) • Believers for some time; leaders had died (13:7) • Should have become teachers by the time of the writing (5:12-14) • Good understanding of the first principles (6:1) • Some were in danger of apostasy (6:4-8)

  7. Purpose and Plan • Principal aim was to establish Christ’s supremacy in the New Testament • The truth’s demands required faithfulness on their part. • They must refuse to go back to the Old Covenant. • Doing so would make them guilty of apostasy. • They needed to make a complete break with Judaism.(12:18; 13:17)

  8. Purpose and Plan • The Hebrews writer argues for Christ’s superiority as heaven’s messenger. • Today, God speaks through His Son. (1:1,2) • He is the greatest messenger heaven could send! • His message is superior to any other that has been given. • It is to have priority and preeminence in the minds and hearts of believers.

  9. Keys to Hebrews • Key word • Better • Key phrase • “By faith…” • Key chapter • Chapter 11 • Key verses • 1:1,2 “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds.”

  10. Keys to Hebrews “Who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.” • Key word • Better • Key phrase • “By faith…” • Key chapter • Chapter 11 • Key verses • 1:3, 4

  11. Keys to Hebrews “But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second.” • Key word • Better • Key phrase • “By faith…” • Key chapter • Chapter 11 • Key verses • 8:6,7

  12. Keys to Hebrews “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” • Key word • Better • Key phrase • “By faith…” • Key chapter • Chapter 11 • Key verses • 11:6

  13. Christ in Hebrews • Chapter 1—Supremacy of Christ • Chapter 2—Christ the captain of our salvation • Chapter 3—Christ the Apostle and High Priest of our profession • Chapter 4—Christ our comfort and example • Chapter 5—Christ, a High Priest after the order of Melchizedek

  14. Christ in Hebrews • Chapter 6—Exhortation to grow and warning about falling away • Chapter 7—Contrast between Melchizedek and the Levitical priesthood • Chapter 8—Christ the mediator of a new and better covenant • Chapter 9—Christ’s covenant in force after His death • Chapter 10—Old Law done away with

  15. Christ in Hebrews • Chapter 11—Heros of faith from the past; definition and necessity of faith under Christ • Chapter 12—Christ the author and finisher of our faith; purpose of discipline • Chapter 13—Practical admonitions concerning brotherly love, manner of life, teaching, worship and respect for elders

  16. Christ’s Superiority in Hebrews • Superior to the prophets (1:1-4) • Superior to the angels (1:4—2:18) • Superior to Moses (3:1-9) • Superior to Joshua (4:1-8) • Offers a superior rest (4:9-13) • Superior to Aaron (4:14-5:10) • Superior priesthood (6:13—10:18)

  17. Christ’s Superiority in Hebrews • Superior covenant (8:6—10:18) • Superior atonement (9:1—10:18) • Superior sanctuary (9:1—10:18) • Superior way (10:19—11:40) • Superior relationship to God (12:1-29) • Superior work and worship (13:1-21)

  18. Better Things in Hebrews • Better revelation (1:1-4) • Better expectation (6:9) • Better priesthood (7:7-11, 20-28) • Better hope (7:19) • Better testament, covenant (7:22; 8:6) • Better promises (8:6) • Better sacrifice (9:23,26)

  19. Better Things in Hebrews • Better possessions (10:34) (ASV) • A better country (11:16) • Better resurrection (11:35) • Better things (11:40; 12:24) • More excellent name, ministry, and sacrifice (1:4; 8:6; 11:4)

  20. Seven Warnings in Hebrews • Against neglecting the great salvation(2:1-4) • Against hardening one’s heart because of unbelief(3:7-19) • Against failing to enter rest (heaven) because of disobedience(4:11-13) • Against failure to go on to perfection (5:11-6:20)

  21. Seven Warnings in Hebrews • Against willful sin(10:26-31) • Against turning away from “Him that speaketh from heaven” (12:25-29) • Against “strange doctrines” (13:9-15)

  22. “Let Us” Statements in Hebrews • Let us FEAR (4:1) • Let us LABOR (4:11) • Let us COME BOLDLY TO THE THRONE OF GRACE(4:16) • Let us GO ON TO PERFECTION (6:1) • Let us DRAW NEAR (10:22) • Let us HOLD FAST (10:23) • Let us CONSIDER ONE ANOTHER (10:24)

  23. “Let Us” Statements in Hebrews • Let us LAY ASIDE EVERY WEIGHT AND RUN WITH PATIENCE(12:1) • Let us HAVE GRACE (12:28) • Let us GO FORTH (13:13) • Let us OFFER THE SACRICE OF PRAISE (13:15)

  24. “Made” Statements in Hebrews • “Made so much better than the angels”(1:4) • “Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels”(2:7) • “But we see Jesus who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death” (2:9) • “Made like unto his brethren” (2:17)

  25. “Made” Statements in Hebrews • “Being made perfect, he became the author of salvation to those who obey”(5:9) • “Made a high priest after the order of Melchizadek”(6:20) • “Made after the power of an endless life”(7:17) • “Made the surety of a better covenant” (7:22)

  26. Priesthood of Christ • To the Jew under the Law of Moses, the priest represented access to God. • Christ performs the priestly functions for today’s Christians. • Through Him, God approaches man, and by Him, every spiritual provision is made. • Only through Him, and Him alone, can man approach God and find grace. • John 14:6

  27. Priesthood of Christ • Under the New Covenant, Christ is a more perfect priest. • He came into the world to qualify Himself by being tempted in the same ways we are.(4:15) • He understands our needs, and He can offer mankind compassion and sympathy. • He offered the necessary sacrifice for our sins.(9:28) • He ever lives to intercede for us at God’s right hand!

  28. Heroes of Faith • Abel • 11:4 • Enoch • 11:5 • Noah • 11:7 • Abraham • 11:8-10, 17-19 • Moses • 11:24-27

  29. Heroes of Faith • Walls of Jericho • 11:30 • Rahab the Harlot • 11:31 • Joseph • 11:22 • Isaac • 11:20 • Jacob • 11:21

  30. “By Faith”…Implies • God has spoken! Nothing can be done by faithunless God says for it to be done. • Man must act. Implies action onman’s part. Faithis the motive, and obedienceis the action. • The thing that man does must bethe thing that God has said! No substitutes will be accepted or allowed!

  31. “By Faith”…Implies • The thing that man does in responseto that which God has saidmust be donelike God said to do it.(Noah and Jericho) • Must be done for the reasonGod assigned—must serve God’s purpose! • Principle—it must be done simply because God gave thecommand! • If one truly acts—BY FAITH—God’s will is all that matters.

  32. What Christ Did… • The requirements of the Old Covenant were “shadows and types” of what was coming. • The Old Testament temple worship and regulations were teaching us… • God’s dwelling place today—the church! • 9:23-28

  33. Great Messages in Hebrews • Finality of Christ’s word: • “Has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds.” (1:2) • “For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives.” (9:16,17)

  34. Great Messages in Hebrews • Great Salvation: • “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. • 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, • 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, • 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will.” (2:1-4)

  35. Great Messages in Hebrews • Falling Away because of Unbelief: • “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” (3:12,13)

  36. Great Messages in Hebrews • God’s Power: • “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” (4:12,13)

  37. Great Messages in Hebrews • The Danger of Willful Sin: • “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.” (10:26,27)

  38. Great Messages in Hebrews • Personal Guarantee of Blessings: • “By so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.” (7:22) • Mediator of a New Covenant: • “But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.” (8:6)

  39. Great Messages in Hebrews • The New and Living Way—Christ: • “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh.” (10:19,20) • He will never Forsake Us: • “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you. So we may boldly say: The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (13:5,6)

  40. Great Messages in Hebrews • Spiritual Athletics: • “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (12:1,2)

More Related