1. Hebrews: The Voice of a NT Prophet

2. Hebrews as Prophetic The author calls it a ‘word of encouragement’ (13:22)! Parakleisis The Holy Spirit: Parakleitos

3. Barnabas, ‘son of encouragement’ ‘encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts’ (Acts 11:23). Judas and Silas, who were prophets (15:32), ‘said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers.’ But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort (1 Corinthians 14:3). The Prophetic in the NT

4. Hebrews: Some key features In terms of literature: polished Greek Grammar, rhetorical argument, the highest point of NT writings Author was trained in a gymnasium (University) or private school Uses three genre: Midrash Rhetoric Prophetic The ultimate theology of atonement, plus a major statement on the divinity & humanity of Christ

5. Placed inside a prophetic exhortation A chiastic structure, from the Greek chiazo, or letter X

6. TextSubject 1:1-4 God has spoken through his Son 1:5-14 The majesty of the Eternal Exalted Son 2:1-4 God’s Son-mediated revelation: pay attention! 2:5-18 The Son of God: became incarnate and suffered 3:1-6 Fix your thoughts on Jesus: Son over God’s house 3:7-19Avoid the company of the faithless generation 4:1-11Do not emulate those who lost the blessing 4:12-13You are accountable before the Word of God 4:14-16Embrace this Great High Priest 5:1-10:18Jesus Christ: All-Sufficient Sacrifice and High Priest 10:19-25Avail yourself of this Great High Priest 10:26-31You are more accountable because of this High Priest 10:32-39Pursue the blessing promised to the faithful 11:1-40Join the company of the heroes of faith 12:1-3 Keep you eyes of Jesus, seated at God’s right hand 12:4-13 God’s true sons and daughters endure suffering 12:14-17 Esau sold his birthright: through carelessness! 12:18-24 The firstborn sons of God Exalted in Jesus 12:25-29 God will speak once more at the Final Judgment

7. The Eternal Son Jesus the Messiah Perfect Sacrifice Great High Priest

8. The triple context Who? A group of Christians converted from orthodox Judaism, in Rome, a home group within the larger church. 1. The Roman authorities were worried about the many new religions. Christianity was viewed as a “dangerous superstition.” Roman persecution past and future, demanding allegiance to Caesar as “Lord.” Christians burned at the stake in AD 64. 2. Judaism as “religio licita” meant if they returned to Judaism, they could “dodge the bullet.” 3. But, to return to Judaism, the Synagogue authorities demanded formal renunciation of Christ as a false Messiah and blasphemer. Apostacy

9. The Central Presentation Jesus the Great High Priest 5:1-10:18

10. Jesus is fully divine Jesus is fully human Therefore He is uniquely qualified as High Priest In a New Covenant In a heavenly temple Offering a perfect sacrifice Applied by the Holy Spirit Therefore

11. Chapter 1 Jesus is fully God

12. Jesus Christ Heir of all things Agent in creation Radiance of God Exact representation Sustainer of creation Purifier of sin Divine executive power God has spoken God has spoken fully Jesus is God speaking 1:1-3 X 7

13. 1:4-14 Psalm 2:7 2 Samuel 7:14 Deuteronomy 32:43 Psalm 104:4 Psalm 56:6-7 Psalm 102:25-27 Psalm 110:1 X 7 God quotes used for Jesus Angels (Torah) put in their place 2 Features

14. Chapter 2 Jesus is fully man

15. 2:5-18 2:11,14,17Human nature 2:11-13Brotherhood with sinners 2:18Tempted, like all men 2:18The suffering of sinners 2:14The death of sinners 2:14-15The eternal torment of sinners Above/below argument

16. Therefore … God in Christ has identified with us by taking our full humanity, and taken our place in his sacrificial death He is still ‘one of us,’at the Fathers right hand He understands my full human experience as high priest He is ‘one of us,’(humanity) ‘instead of us’(sacrifice) and ‘for us’(exalted)

17. 5:1 The Pivotal Verse 5:2-3, 7-8 5:4-6 5:9 Q 1: Chosen from among men Q 2: Ordained by God Q 3: Represent men to God 7:1-10:18 Q 4: On the basis of a worthy sacrifice Illustrated from political representation The Priest-Covenant-Temple-Sacrifice Package

18. 5:2-3, 7-8: Jesus, One of Us We approach someone who has ‘been there’ The OT High Priests were very human: Aaron and the golden calf Eli and his sons Joshua in filthy clothing Jesus, tested in every way, in full humanity Gethsemane – what Jesus went through

19. 5:4-6: Jesus, Ordination Psalm 2, Psalm 110: Baptism & Ascension Sonship with an oath (7:20-22) The Melchisedek theme, coming later (7.1f)

20. 5:9-10: Jesus, Our representative Next five chapters, 3 arguments: Permanent In the throne room Worthy to be there His role: to represent you

21. 8-10: Jesus, Offering a final sacrifice In a new covenant In a greater temple As testator and executor