The Epistle to the Hebrews God Has Spoken in the Son

Hebrews 1:1-4 After God spoke long ago in various portions and in various ways to our ancestors through the prophets, in these last days he has spoken to us in a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he created the world. The Son is the radiance of his glory and the representation of his essence, and he sustains all things by his powerful word, and so when he had accomplished cleansing for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. Thus he became10 so far better than the angels as11 he has inherited a name superior to theirs.

Hebrews 1:1-4 God Has Spoken to us in Jesus. By virtue of this revelatory speech, we know who Jesus is, who God is, who we are, and how we should and can live.

Why I love this book God is Holy and Gracious Jesus is Divine and Human It urges us to be confident and keeps us from being lazy

Background Information Author - Paul, Luke, Barnabus, Priscilla Apollos (Acts 18:24) Jew Alexandrian Rhetorician Versed in Scriptures Knew Paul

Background Information Date- pre or post 70 Place - 13:24- Those from Italy Recipients - those believers who are familiar with Jewish Scripture and cult Genre - letter meant to be read aloud Background - Greek and Jewish

Greek Influence Greek Rhetoric Word Plays Type of Rhetoric Forensic Deliberative Epideictic Means of Persuasion Logos Pathos Ethos Greek Education- mathein pathein

Philo Alexandrian Wealthy Educated Overlap with Hebrews ★ Angels ★ Heaven is real; earth is shadow ★ focus on the internal ★ Pedagogy of God Difference from Hebrews Law is shadow vs. reality Jesus is higher than angels as human

Jewish Influence Scripture Citations Jewish Cult Jewish Eschatology Does not tell them “Don’t go back!” - Good and Better vs. Bad and Good

Qumran, Cairo Geniza Priesthood of Jonathan Damascas Document - very strict Community Rule - “My justification is with God, in his hand are the perfection of my ways.” Hebrews - Angels, New Covenant, Melchizedek

Hebrews Groups Hebrews 1 - What does this chapter say about Jesus? About God? How is Jesus perfected? Priesthood - How is Jesus both similar to and different from the other priests? What does this say about the author’s view of Judaism? Melchizedek - What does the author emphasize in this story? How does this character move his argument along? Warnings - Does Hebrews teach that a person can lose salvation? Why or Why not? What does Hebrews teach us about being in the family of God?

Chapter One Excellency of Jesus Why in comparison with angels? Worship Law Ontology Flesh/Spirit

Ch. 1 and Angels Relationship with humans messengers helpers “[God] employs them as ministers and helpers to have charge and care of mortals.” Philo, Giants 12 Loren Stuckenbruck, Angel Veneration and Christology

Ch. 2 and the Humanity of Jesus How do you explain that Jesus is both higher and lower than the angels? Ps 8 v. 10 = from one what? human father divine Father

One Who Has the Power of Death What power over death does God have? Devil’s power of death end life fear during whole life Patrick Gray, Godly Fear and Greco-Roman Critiques of Superstition Jesus rescued from the power of death

Ch. 3 - The Holy Spirit says.... 3:7; 10:15 God’s Spirit in Israel’s Scriptures gives life inspires individuals

Holy Spirit in Hebrews speaks what god has spoken (3:7; 10:15) “God has Spoken” in Epistle to the Hebrews and Christian Theology by Ken Schenck teaches about entrance (9:8) gift to believers (2:4; 6:4)

The Perfection of Jesus Heb 2:10; 5:9; 7:28 Perfected Maturity Vocation Priest Heir In the presence of God David Peterson, Hebrews and Perfection

Hebrews 4:14–5:6 “Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Every high priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness; and because of this he must offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not presume to take this honor, but takes it only when called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”; as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”” (Hebrews 4:14–5:6 NRSV)

Priesthood of Jesus Similar to other Priests human gives sacrifice for sin called by God Different from other Priests sinless eternal one sacrifice Son

Who is Melchizedek? “After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). And King Melchizedek of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was priest of God Most High. He blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, maker of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!” And Abram gave him one tenth of everything. The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” ” “The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” ” “This “King Melchizedek of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham as he was returning from defeating the kings and blessed him”; and to him Abraham apportioned “one-tenth of everything.” His name, in the first place, means “king of righteousness”; next he is also king of Salem, that is, “king of peace.” Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever. See how great he is! Even Abraham the patriarch gave him a tenth of the spoils. And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to collect tithes from the people, that is, from their kindred, though these also are descended from Abraham. But this man, who does not belong to their ancestry, collected tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had received the promises. It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. In the one case, tithes are received by those who are mortal; in the other, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.” (Hebrews 7:1–10 NRSV)

Who is Melchizedek? Ps 110:4 Gen 14:17–24 better than Abraham and Levi eternal like the Son of God There is another (better) priesthood

Warning Passages Heb 2:1–4 Heb 6:4–9 Heb 10:26–31 Heb 12:15–17 Who? What have they done? What are the consequences of their actions? What does he say afterward?

Interpretive Options Never really saved Apostasy Can Walk Away No Other Salvation than in Christ Can you come back? Hebrews: Don’t presume on the grace of God No - Novatian ( ) Yes - Cyprian and the Church rhetorical - street

The Family of God God is Father because of his relationship with Jesus We are sons because of Jesus True children experience discipline/training The results are sharing in the qualities of God in the presence of God What assurance do we have? We are the inheritance of Jesus!