Hebrews 1-2

Theme: Perfection is obtained by complying with the requirements of the everlasting gospel as revealed by Jesus Christ! We do not know where it was written (Hebrews). One of the so far unsolved mysteries of sectarian scholarship is: Who wrote the Epistle, God only knows” (Dummelow,10-12). Martin Luther thought it was Apollos (New International Version, 2402).

Joseph Smith said it was written by Paul (Teachings, 59). Since the Reformation it has been widely recognized that Paul could not have been the writer (New International Version 2402). Do you remember why Hebrews is placed last of the Pauline Epistles? Hebrews is our finest scriptural commentary (aside from some key Book of Mormon passages) on the Old Testament and on the manner in which the doctrine of Christ’s atoning sacrifice was clearly signified in the Old Testament. Paul is at his theological best in Hebrews!

Hebrews 1:1-3 Hebrews 1:13-14 This is delicious! Doctrine & Covenants 107:43, John 14:9, Col. 1:16 God has a body of flesh and bones (Luke 24:39). The resurrected Christ is in the same express image of his Father’s person (Doctrine & Covenants 130:22). Hebrews 1:13-14 What is the difference between an Angel and a Ministering Spirit? Doctrine & Covenants 129

“He explained the difference between an angel and a ministering spirit; the one a resurrected or a translated body, with its spirit ministering to embodied spirits, the other a disembodied spirit, visiting and ministering to disembodied spirits, Jesus Christ became a ministering spirit (while His body was lying in a sepulcher) to the spirits in prison, to fulfill an important part of His mission, without which He could not have perfected His work, or entered into His rest. After His resurrection He appeared as an angel to His disciples” (Joseph Smith, Teachings, 191).

To most Jews, angels were exalted beings To most Jews, angels were exalted beings! (New International Version, 2405) Hebrews 2:6 Elder Packer said the answer to this question is the song, “I am a child of God!” Hebrews 2:6-9 Is the Savior really lower than angels?

“The marginal reading of this quotation from Psalms 8:4-6 recites that a man is made, not a little lower than the angels, but a little lower than Eloheim, which means that all God’s offspring, Jesus included, as children in His family, are created subject to Him, with the power to advance until all things are ‘in subjection’ to them. Of those who gain eternal life, it is written: ‘Then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them” (Doctrine & Covenants 132:20).

“The only true sense in which either men or Jesus are lower than the angels is in that mortal restrictions limit them for the moment; and for that matter, angels themselves become mortals and then in the resurrection attain again their angelic status” (Bruce R. McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3:143).