Class 11: The Non-Pauline Epistles; Hebrews By: Marina K. Lam 6/25/2018

Reference Talk thru the Bible, by Bruce Wilkinson, Kenneth Boa, Chapter xxiii. 6/25/2018

Introduction (8 epistles were written by 5 authors) These eight epistles exert an influence out of proportion to their length (less than 10 percent of the New Testament). They supplement richness of Christian truth. Each of the five authors—James, Peter, John, Jude, and the author of Hebrews—has a distinctive contribution to make from his own point of view. 6/25/2018

The Structure of the New Testament (27) Historical Books (5) Pauline Epistles: Churches (9) Pauline Epistles: Individuals (4) Non-Pauline Epistles and Revelation (9) Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts Roman, First and Second Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, First and Second Thessalonians, First, Second Timothy, Titus, Philemon Hebrews, James, First, Second Peter, First/Second/Third John, Jude, Revelation 6/25/2018

Introduction (cont.) Like the four complementary approaches to the life of Christ in the Gospels, these writers provide a sweeping portrait of the Christian life in which the total is greater than the sum of the parts. Great as Paul’s epistles are, the New Testament revelation after Acts would be severely limited by one apostolic perspective if the writings of these five men were not included. 6/25/2018

Background With the exception of James, these letters were written near the end of Paul’s life or after his time. As Paul anticipated in Acts 20:29-30; First Timothy 4:1-3; and Second Timothy 4:3-4, the problem of heretical teachings would reach alarming proportions in the church. It is significant that most of the non-Pauline Epistles deal rather firmly with these dangerous doctrines. The churches of this time were threatened not only by external opposition and persecution, but also by internal attacks from false prophets. 6/25/2018

General epistles The term “general epistles” appears in the King James Version titles of James, First and Second Peter, First John, and Jude, but it was not used in the oldest manuscripts. These epistles were not addressed to specific churches or individuals, and they came to be known as the general or “catholic” (universal) Epistles. 6/25/2018

General epistles (cont.) The epistles of Second and Third John are also included in this group even though they are addressed to specific people. Because of this problem, and because Hebrews is not regarded as a general epistle, it would be safer to designate Hebrews, James, First and second Peter, First, second, and third John, and Jude as the non-Pauline Epistles (assuming that Paul did not write Hebrews.) The Pauline Epistles are titled by their addresses, but the non-Pauline Epistles (except Hebrews) are titled by their authors. 6/25/2018

Hebrews By: Marina K. Lam 6/25/2018

Introduction and Title Many Jewish belivers, having stepped out of Judaism into Christianity, want to reverse their course in order to escape persecution by their countrymen. The writer of Hebrews exhorts them to “go on to perfection”(6:1). His appeal is based on the superiority of Christ over the Judaic system. Christ is better than the angels, for they worship Him. He is better than Moses, for He created him. He is better than the Aaronic priesthood, for His sacrifice was once for all time. He is better than the Law, for He mediates a better covenant. In short, there is more to be gained in Christ than to be lost in Judaism. Pressing on in Christ produces tested faith, self-discipline, and a visible love seen in good works. 6/25/2018

Christ is better than… Christ is better than the angels, for they worship Him. Christ is better than Moses, for He created him. Christ is better than the Aaronic priesthood, for His sacrifice was once for all time. Christ is better than the Law, for He mediates a better covenant. Mediate: 1. to settle (disputes, strikes, etc.) as an intermediary between parties; reconcile.  6/25/2018

Author Like the ancestry of Melchizedek, the origin of Hebrews is unknown. Uncertainty plagues not only its authorship, but also where it was written, its date, and its readership. Chapter 13, verses 18-24, tell us that this book was not anonymous to the original readers; they evidently knew the author. 6/25/2018

Author [cont.] For some reason, however, early church tradition is divided over the identity of the author. Part of the church attributed it to Paul; others preferred Barnabas, Luke, or Clement; and some chose anonymity. Thus, external evidence will not help determine the author. 6/25/2018

Date and Setting Because of the exclusive use of the Septuagint (Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament) and the elegant Greek style found in Hebrews, some recent scholars have argued that this book was written to a Gentile readership. However, the bulk of the evidence favors the traditional view that the original recipients of this letter were Jewish Christians. In addition to the ancient title “To Hebrews,” there is also the frequent use of the Old Testament as an unquestioned authority, the assumed knowledge of the sacrificial ritual, and the many contrasts between Christianity and Judaism, which are designed to prevent the readers from lapsing into Judaism. 6/25/2018

Date and Setting [cont.] The place of writing is unknown, but a reasonable estimate of the date can be made. Hebrews was quoted in A.D. 95 by Clement of Rome, but its failure to mention the ending of the Old Testament sacrificial system with the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 indicates that it was written prior to that date. Timothy was still alive (13:23), persecution was mounting, and the old Jewish system was about to be removed(12:26-27). All this suggests a date between A.D. 64 and 68. 6/25/2018

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Author (Read 13:18-24) Heb 13:18 Pray for us. t We are sure that we have a clear conscience u and desire to live honorably in every way. Heb 13:19 I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon. Heb 13:20 May the God of peace, w who through the blood of the eternal covenant x brought back from the dead y our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, z Heb 13:21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, a and may he work in us b what is pleasing to him, c through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. d Heb 13:22 Brothers, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written you only a short letter. e Heb 13:23 I want you to know that our brother Timothy f has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you. Heb 13:24 Greet all your leaders g and all God’s people. Those from Italy h send you their greetings. 6/25/2018

Key Word: Superiority of Christ Key Verses (4:14-16; 12:1-2) Jesus the Great High Priest Heb 4:14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest o who has gone through the heavens, 22 p Jesus the Son of God, q let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. r Heb 4:15 For we do not have a high priest s who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are t —yet was without sin. u Heb 4:16 Let us then approach v the throne of grace with confidence, w so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. 6/25/2018

Key Verses (Read 4:14-16; 12:1-2) Heb 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run g with perseverance h the race marked out for us. Heb 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, i the author j and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, k scorning its shame, l and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. m 6/25/2018

Book Basics Jewish believers were feeling the heat for following Christ. This letter affirmed to them (and to us) why Jesus offers the better way and is worth persecution. 6/25/2018

What is faith? Heb11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 6/25/2018

Key chapter (Read Ch.11) The Hall of Fame of the Scriptures is located in chapter 11 and records those who willingly took God at His word even when there was nothing to cling to but His promise. Inherent to all those listed is the recognition that “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” (Heb. 11:6) 6/25/2018

Heb 11:3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, l so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. 6/25/2018

Heb 11:4 By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did Heb 11:4 By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended m as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. n And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead. 6/25/2018

Gen 5:23 Altogether, Enoch lived 365 years Gen 5:23 Altogether, Enoch lived 365 years. Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away. Heb 11:5 By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. p For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. Heb 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. 6/25/2018

Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, r in holy fear built an ark s to save his family. t By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. u 6/25/2018

Heb 11:11-11:12 And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, g came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. h 6/25/2018

Heb 11:16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. m Therefore God is not ashamed n to be called their God, o for he has prepared a city p for them. 6/25/2018

Heb 11:17 By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. q He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, 6/25/2018

11:20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future (Ref: Gen27:27-39) 6/25/2018

11:22 By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bone. (Ref: Gen 50:22-26) 6/25/2018

11:28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel (Gen 12:1-14) 6/25/2018

Heb 11:29 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea 50 as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned. 6/25/2018

Heb 11:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days. h (Joshua 6:15-25) 6/25/2018

Key Verses (4:14-16; 12:1-2) Heb 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run g with perseverance h the race marked out for us. Heb 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, i the author j and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, k scorning its shame, l and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. m 6/25/2018

Heb 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, i the author j and perfector of our faith 6/25/2018

Class Closure Blessing (Read 13:18-21) Heb 13:20 May the God of peace, w who through the blood of the eternal covenant x brought back from the dead y our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, z Heb 13:21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, a and may he work in us b what is pleasing to him, c through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. d 6/25/2018