Introduction to Hebrews

May 24, 2011 Hebrews is unique in style and content Hebrews is unique in style and content

May 24, 2011 As a piece of literature it is unlike any other Epistle As a piece of literature it is unlike any other Epistle

May 24, 2011 The word Hebrews is for the most part synonymous with Israelites The word Hebrews is for the most part synonymous with Israelites

May 24, 2011 It represents an ethnicity, and suggests a religion It represents an ethnicity, and suggests a religion

May 24, 2011 Hebrews is reflective of Exodus and Psalms where most New Testament writers are reflective of the prophets or Psalms Hebrews is reflective of Exodus and Psalms where most New Testament writers are reflective of the prophets or Psalms

May 24, 2011 This book assumes we have a grasp of the Hebrew story This book assumes we have a grasp of the Hebrew story

May 24, 2011 When jumping into Hebrews you must be patient When jumping into Hebrews you must be patient

May 24, 2011 Because we aren’t sure to whom the Epistle was written, we will refer to them as the audience Because we aren’t sure to whom the Epistle was written, we will refer to them as the audience

May 24, 2011 Author: Some possibilities Some possibilities Paul Paul Appolos Appolos Timothy Timothy Barnabas Barnabas Silas Silas Silvanus Silvanus Priscilla Priscilla

May 24, 2011 Author Authorship gives us background but isn’t necessary Authorship gives us background but isn’t necessary

May 24, 2011 Author We’re not positive on who, but we know that he or she was a Christian who followed the Apostolic tradition We’re not positive on who, but we know that he or she was a Christian who followed the Apostolic tradition

May 24, 2011 Author Because we don’t know who wrote this Epistle we will refer to the writer as the author Because we don’t know who wrote this Epistle we will refer to the writer as the author

May 24, 2011 Author The author is a friend and “brother” to Timothy The author is a friend and “brother” to Timothy

May 24, 2011 Author The author is away but will be returning The author is away but will be returning

May 24, 2011 Author The audience’s situation is known in great detail The audience’s situation is known in great detail

May 24, 2011 Author The author is well educated and has a scholars knowledge of Greek & Judaism The author is well educated and has a scholars knowledge of Greek & Judaism

May 24, 2011 Author The Septuagent is the Greek translation of the Old Testament and used as the reference NOT the Hebrew text The Septuagent is the Greek translation of the Old Testament and used as the reference NOT the Hebrew text

May 24, 2011 Timeline: External evidence is proof of things that are found in history outside the Bible itself External evidence is proof of things that are found in history outside the Bible itself

May 24, 2011 Timeline The primary external evidence is Clement of Rome The primary external evidence is Clement of Rome

May 24, 2011 Timeline He sends a letter to the church of Corinth and quotes Hebrews 1-3 He sends a letter to the church of Corinth and quotes Hebrews 1-3

May 24, 2011 Timeline His letter was sent in CE (AD) His letter was sent in CE (AD)

May 24, 2011 Timeline Internal Evidence is passages from a Biblical text which helps us gather information Internal Evidence is passages from a Biblical text which helps us gather information

May 24, 2011 Timeline In Hebrews priestly activity is described in the present tense In Hebrews priestly activity is described in the present tense

May 24, 2011 Timeline Priestly duties were carried out in the Temple and the Temple was destroyed in 70 CE Priestly duties were carried out in the Temple and the Temple was destroyed in 70 CE

May 24, 2011 Timeline The author says, It was decl;ared first through the LORD and attested to us by those who heard him.” Which places him a generation after Jesus. The author says, It was decl;ared first through the LORD and attested to us by those who heard him.” Which places him a generation after Jesus.

May 24, 2011 Timeline The author also speaks of Timothy placing it between CE The author also speaks of Timothy placing it between CE

May 24, 2011 Audience We know they are Christian We know they are Christian

May 24, 2011 Audience It is written to a church in crisis; a particular church It is written to a church in crisis; a particular church

May 24, 2011 Audience It is personal It is personal

May 24, 2011 Audience The author is in greater authority than the audience and even the leaders of the congregation The author is in greater authority than the audience and even the leaders of the congregation

May 24, 2011 Audience The audience has been baptized and fully instructed The audience has been baptized and fully instructed

May 24, 2011 Audience They have great capacity to turn things around They have great capacity to turn things around

May 24, 2011 Audience They are receiving a sermon rather than a letter They are receiving a sermon rather than a letter

May 24, 2011 Audience We are surprised by how contemporary the problems seen We are surprised by how contemporary the problems seen

May 24, 2011 Audience They are tired of: They are tired of: Serving the world Serving the world Worship Worship Education Education Being weird and whispered about Being weird and whispered about Trying to keep their prayer life going Trying to keep their prayer life going Jesus Jesus

May 24, 2011 Questions?