1. Probably Before Jerusalem Was

INTRODUCTION TO HEBREWS

DATE OF THE BOOK

1. Probably before Jerusalem was

destroyed in 70 A. D..

2. Some scholars feel that 8:13 is

saying the end of the temple

worship is near

3. Also, see Hebrews 8:4

4. The church has been in existence

for some time (5:12; 10:32)

5. Timothy is still alive (13:23)

6. Probably between 60 and 70 A.D.

TO WHOM WAS IT WRITTEN?

1. Hebrew Christians

2. Jewish Christians who were in

danger of “falling away” from

the Lord, to go into “apostasy”

Hebrews 2:1-4; 3:12-14

4:1, 11

6:4-6

10:26-31, etc.

3. The exhortations to be “faithful”

3:12, 13

10:22, 23

12:1, 28 etc.

4. The PLACE of writing

Uncertain!

“Those from Italy greet you.”

(13:24)

Is it written TO Italy, or FROM

Italy? Uncertain

5. It is a PART of Scripture

Accepted by Clement of Rome,

Justin Martyr, etc.

Harmonizes with Scripture

Found in earliest versions

(Syriac, etc.)

6. AUTHOR of Hebrews

“Only God Knows”

Some have said PAUL

(See research material)

Others have said Barnabas,

Luke, Aquila and Priscilla,

Apollos, etc.

Again, “Only God Knows”

7. Much ETHICAL TEACHING

Brotherly love (13:1)

Hospitality (13:2)

Sympathy (13:3)

Purity (13:4)

Contentment (13:5, 6)

Etc.

8. PURPOSE of the book of

Hebrews

To SHOW THAT CHRIST IS

SUPERIOR

9. Note the word “BETTER”

(1:4; 6:9; 7:7, 19, 22; 8:6; 9:23;

10:34; 11:16, 35, 40; 12:24)

A SHORT OUTLINE

1. The SON and REVELATION

(1:1-3)

2. Christ is SUPERIOR to ANGELS

(1:4-2:18)

3. Christ is SUPERIOR to MOSES

(3:1-4:13)

4. Christ is SUPERIOR to AARON

(4:14-7:28)

5. Christ’s COVENANT is

SUPERIOR (8:1-13)

6. Christ’s MINISTRY is SUPERIOR

(9:1-10:18)

7. EXHORTATIONS

(10:19-13:25)

CHRIST AND GOD’S REVELATION

(Hebrews 1:1-3)

1. Rest of the book an expansion on

these verses. Jesus is

SUPREME!

2. The words of Jesus --God’s

FINAL WORDS! (1:1-3)

Nothing can be added

Jesus has complete authority

3. What Jesus gave is sufficient

(II Peter 1:3)

4. To ADD is blasphemy!

5. In the past, God spoke in various

ways

2 angels spoke for God

(Genesis 18)

God spoke from the burning

bush (Exodus 3)

God spoke through VISIONS

(Ezekiel 1:1)

Handwriting on the wall

(Daniel 5) Etc.

6. God DID SPEAK in the Old

Testament! (See II Peter 1:21)

7. He gave statutes to Israel — no

other nation was like Israel

(Psalm 147:19, 20)

8. “The last days” are the period of

the Messiah. See Acts 2:17

9. The last way God will deal with

man is through CHRIST!

10. The objective “faith” has been

once “delivered” (Jude 3)

11. A DESCRIPTION OF JESUS

--- He is “heir of all things”

(Psalm 2:8). “Lord of all”

--- He is God’s agent of

creation

(See John 1:1-3; I Cor. 8:6;

Colossians 1:15-18)

See also Hebrews 10:31

5. The “Greatness” of our salvation

is discussed in chapter TWO

6. The message is “attested” or

declared trustworthy

--- The Lord spoke it first

--- Attested by those who heard

--- Proven by the MIRACLES

7. Christ’s humiliation and GLORY

(2:5-9)

--- Man lower than angels

(Psalm 8:4), and not all is yet subject to him. Man sinned and fell (2:5-8)

--- Jesus made lower than

angels (2:9)

--- Because of His suffering,

GLORY and HONOR

(Philippians 2:8-11)

--- DID JESUS NEED A BODY?

8. He is the SAVIOR OF MAN

(2:10-18)

--- The CROSS is appropriate

(See I Cor. 1:23)

--- Jesus perfectly qualified as

“Leader” through

suffering (2:10)

--- The way is open to bring

“many sons to glory”

--- The “Leader” and the ones

who follow are “Brothers”

(2:11). Psa. 22:22 quoted

--- He partook of flesh and

blood like us (2:14)

--- He did this to destroy Satan

“Render powerless”

(See I John 3:8)

--- Those who were “slaves of

death” are set free (2:15)

--- He came to help men, NOT

ANGELS! (2:16)

--- He became human in every

respect, except sin, so

that He might be a fully

qualified HIGH PRIEST!

(2:17)

--- He was TEMPTED, so He can

help all who are tempted

(2:18). See Hebrews 4:15.

CHRIST IS SUPERIOR TO MOSES

(Hebrews 3:1-4:13)

1. Moses was a mighty man. He

was “faithful” to God (3:2)

See Numbers 12:7

2. But, Jesus is the High Priest and

“Apostle” of our “confession”

(3:1). What does “apostle”

mean?

3. Note: “Holy brethren.” See

I Peter 1:14-16

4. Moses and Jesus are SIMILAR in

that BOTH were faithful (3:2)

5. But, see the CONTRAST (3:3-6)

--- Moses was a “servant,” a

willing, free, personal

servant (“therapon”)

--- But, Jesus is the SON in

God’s “household”

--- Jesus is the “builder” of

God’s house. Is Jesus’

DEITY found here? (3:3, 4)

--- God has always had His

Household! (Num. 12:7)

--- Today, we are God’s

“house” (I Peter 2:4-9;

Eph. 2:19-22, etc.)

6. Israel could NOT enter God’s

“REST” (Psalm 95:7-11). Here

is great EXHORTATION

(Hebrews 3:7-4:13)

--- They could not enter Canaan

(Deuteronomy 12:9)

(Numbers 14:28-32)

--- Their failure was a “hard

heart” and “unbelief”

7. Christians can “depart” from

God! (Hebrews 3:12-14)

--- The need to “exhort” (3:13)

--- We “partner” with Christ IF

we remain “faithful” (3:14)

8. NOTE: “UNBELIEF” and

“DISOBEDIENCE” are used

interchangeably (3:15-19)

9. Christians can FALL SHORT of

God’s Rest! (Heb. 4:1)

--- “REST” begins NOW, but

extends into ETERNITY

(Matthew 11:28-30)

--- Our “rest” is heaven!

(See Revelation 14:13)

10. God rested from His labor

(Hebrews 4:4; Genesis 2:2)

11. But, after Canaan, there was

still God’s REST! David spoke

many years after Canaan rest.

THERE IS STILL A REST!

(Psalm 95:11)

12. So, Joshua’s rest was NOT

enough (Hebrews 4:8)

13. There is still a REST for us

(4:9)

14. “Strive” (“spoudadzo”) to enter

God’s rest (4:11). See this

word II Timothy 2:15, 4:9, 21;

Ephesians 4:1-3

15. God’s “sharp” word should

“Prompt” men into action

(4:12). See I Chron. 28:9

16. There is One with whom “we

have to reckon” (4:13)

CHRIST GREATER THAN AARON

(Hebrews 4:14 - 7:28)

1. We have a “great” High Priest

(4:14). “Better” than the former

2. He “passed through the

heavens.” See II Cor. 12:2

3. He was tempted, but without sin

4. Grace is available. Thus,

“boldness” to approach God!

5. He is the “compassionate” Jesus

6. “Qualifications” of the High

Priest (5:1-4)

--- “Taken from men.” So was

JESUS! See 2:17.

--- Levitical Priest must offer

for his own sin. He must

deal GENTLY with the

weak!

(Leviticus 9:7; 16:6)

--- Became High Priest by

Divine appointment

(Psalm 110 is quoted)

Jesus is KING and PRIEST

7. Jesus’ Qualifications (5:5-9)

--- Did not glorify Himself, but

declared to be by God

--- Jesus was “faithful” and

obedient (5:7-9)

--- When was the “loud crying,”

and when were the

“tears?”

--- Jesus’ obedience led to

SUFFERING!

8. Jesus is LIKE MELCHIZEDEK

(5:10)

9. The Hebrew readers could NOT

understand (5:12 - 6:20)

--- Must go beyond the “first

principles” about Christ

(6:1-3). “Maturity” in

teaching

--- Go forward, or backward.

They could “fall away”

(6:4-6). See Gal. 5:1-4 and

(Hebrews 10:26-31.

--- Writer persuaded of “better”

things among them (6:9)

--- God made promise to

Abraham (6:13, 14). See

Genesis 22:16, 17. God’s

OATH!

--- The TWO “immutable”

things:

(1) God’s PROMISE

(2) God’s OATH!

--- This produces HOPE which

enters within the “veil.”

(6:17-20)

--- Where Jesus has entered as

a priest like Melchizedek

(6:20)

JESUS AND MELCHIZEDEK

(Hebrews 7:1-28)

1. Melchizedek mentioned in:

Genesis 14:18-20; Psalm 110:4

2. Abraham gave a tithe to him and

was blessed. The “less” is

blessed by the greater (7:7)

3. Melchizedek was both KING and

PRIEST (7:1). In “Salem,”

Jerusalem (Psalm 76:1, 2)

Note Jesus: (Zechariah 6:13)

3. Neither his birth, death, father, or

mother, are recorded (7:3).

Thus, a “perpetual” priesthood

4. Melchizedek’s priesthood is

superior to Aaron (7:4-10)

--- Abraham gave him 1/10

--- Thus, so did Levi, still in the

“Loins” of his father

--- Levites later received tithes

(Numbers 18:21-28)

5. The “order” of Melchizedek is

GREATER (7:11-19)

--- The Law of Moses imperfect

--- Why have ANOTHER

Priesthood, if perfection

were under that Law?

(Galatians 3:21, 24)

--- Both priesthood and law are

changed (7:11, 12)

--- The tribe of Judah can have

bother KING and PRIEST

(7:13, 14)

--- The priesthood of Christ is

ETERNAL (7:15-19)

“FOREVER!”

6. Jesus became PRIEST with

God’s OATH! (Psalm 110:4)

(7:21). “Greater!”

7. So, Jesus is the “guarantee” of a

BETTER COVENANT! (7:22)

8. Christ’s priesthood is UNIQUE

and PERMANENT (7:23-28)

--- Levitical priests DIE!

--- Christ REMAINS! (7:23, 24)

--- He “saves forever” and

“always lives” to make

INTERCESSION (7:25)

But, we must “draw near”

--- Such a HOLY, EXALTED

HIGH PRIEST! (7:26)

--- He OFFERED HIMSELF

“ONCE FOR ALL” (7:27).

The phrase “once for all,”

Or “once” is found 11

times in Hebrews.

--- He is made “perfect forever”

(7:28)

CHRIST’S COVENANT IS SUPERIOR

(Hebrews 8:1-13)

1. Hebrews 5 - 7 speaks of the

PERSON of the priesthood

2. Hebrews 9:1-10:18 speaks of the

MINISTRY (service) of the

priesthood

3. Main point: Our High Priest is on

the THRONE! (8:1)

4. He is “minister” in the TRUE

SANCTUARY “pitched” by the

Lord (8:2)

5. Our High Priest had something to

OFFER! His SACRIFICE! (8:3)

See Hebrews 9:1-10:18.

6. His ministry is in the TRUE

TABERNACLE — HEAVEN!

7. He could NOT do this on the

EARTH (8:4)

Jesus is PRIEST and KING at

the same time (Psalm 110:1-4)

See Zechariah 6:12, 13.

8. NOTE: Drawing on page 28 of

Research material

9. The physical sanctuary was a

“Copy” of what was to come, a

“Shadowy outline” (8:5)

NOTE: “Type” and “Anti-type”

10. The SUPERIOR COVENANT

(8:6-13)

--- Christ is “mediator” of a

“Better” covenant with

“Better” promises (See

8:10-12 for these promises

--- See also Hebrews 9:15.

What is a “mediator?”

--- The Law of Moses was

HOLY (Romans 7:12)

--- God found “FAULT” WITH:

(1) THE LAW, the Old

Covenant (8:7)

(2) THE PEOPLE

--- Jeremiah 31:31-34 is quoted

--- New Covenant NOT like the

Old

--- THREE SPECIAL QUALITIES

OF THE NEW COVENANT

(1) Inward and spiritual ---

External commands

Lacked spiritual power

and depth

(2) Individual — Each one

to KNOW LORD

(John 6:44, 45)

(3) Wonderful provision for

SIN! “Remember sins

No more”

--- God’s forgiveness is FINAL!

--- The OLD WAS VANISHING

AWAY (8:13)

Even when the prophecy

of Jeremiah was given, it

was “OLD.”

CHRIST IS SUPERIOR IN MINISTRY

(Hebrews 9:1 - 10:18)

1. See tabernacle description in

research material

2. Note: Contrast in “worldly”

(“kosmikon”) and “heavenly”

“santuary”

3. The “earthly” TABERNACLE:

(9:1-10)

--- “HAD” (9:1) Past Tense!

--- The “Holy Place” (9:2)

--- The “Most Holy Place” (9:3)

--- Contents of Most Holy (9:4,5)

--- Priests and High Priest

(9:6, 7). Daily, and Day of

Atonement (Leviticus 16)

--- Today, we have a High Priest

(Jesus), and we are a holy

“Priesthood”

(I Peter 2:5-9)

--- “Signifying” suggest that

something is “better”

(9:8)

--- This is a “symbol” pointing

out that the old sacrifices

could not take away sin

(9:9)

4. “BUT....” A Great CONTRAST IN

the MINISTRY OF CHRIST

(9:11, 12)

--- He entered the “true” HOLY

PLACE (Heaven) through

His blood. See 9:24.

--- Christ’s ministry superior in

4 ways:

(1) Christ entered a more

Perfect “tent” (9:24)

(2) Offered His own blood,

NOT animals!

(3) Not “annual,” BUT rather

“ETERNAL” redemption

(4) It was a “once for all”

OFFERING (9:25-28)

5. Outward cleansing contrasted

with the blood of Christ which

cleanses the CONSCIENCE

(9:13, 14). This is a CLIMAX in