2. FEED 260/264 Mentoring Through The New Testament/ Paul’s Pastoral Epistles, Hebrews & James (1 Timothy to James) Session 8B: Hebrews Mah Yeow Beng

3. Parallel OT & NT Structure OT FoundationPastPresentFuture TorahHistoryWisdomProphecy NT GospelsActsEpistlesRevelation Erich Zenger, Einleitung in das Alte Testament (Stuttgart: W. Kohlehammer, 1995), 34; cited in Gregory Goswell, "Two Testaments in Parallel: The Influence of the Old Testament on the Structuring of the New Testament Canon," JETS 56 (2013): 461.

5. Acts Matthew Mark Luke John The GospelsHistory Letters by Paul Romans 1 Corinthians2 Corinthians GalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians 1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy2 Timothy TitusPhilemon General Letters Prophecy Revelation Hebrews James 1 Peter2 Peter 1 John2 John3 JohnJude The New Testament Bookshelf

7. #General EpistlesChristologicalEthicalEschatological 1 Hebrews ✓ 2 James ✓ 3 1 Peter ✓ 4 2 Peter ✓ 5 1 John ✓ 6 2 John ✓ 7 3 John ✓ 8 Jude ✓

8. 1. INTRODUCTION TO HEBREWS A. The Unknown Book: 1.Unknown Authorship. 2.Unknown Recipients. 3.Like its own description of Melchizedek (Heb 7:3), Hebrews appears “without father or mother or genealogy.” 4.Its place in the canon is not due not to its author simply to its intrinsic merit.

9. 1.INTRODUCTION TO HEBREWS B. The “Better” Book: 1.This profound work builds a case for the superiority of Christ. Christ (1:1-4:13)  Superior Person Cross (4:14-10:18)  Superior Priesthood Christian Faith (10:19-13:25)  Superior Progress

10. 1.INTRODUCTION TO HEBREWS B. The Book Less Read: 1. 2 nd most difficult book in the NT after Revelation. 2. Largely unread by ordinary Christians. 3. A sustained argument from beginning to end. 1.Only a complete reading enables one to appreciate its full force. 4. Uses and describes the symbolism of the ancient world which is alien to us.

11. 2. AUTHORSHIP OF HEBREWS 1.Suggested Authors Down History 1.Paul [with Luke translating into Greek]. Proposed by Clement of Alexandria (AD 150–215) 2.Clement of Rome or Luke [recalling Paul’s teachings] Proposed by Origen (AD 185–253). 3.Barnabas Proposed by Tertullian 4.Apollos Proposed by Luther 5.Philip the evangelist Proposed by William Ramsay 6.Priscilla and Aquila Proposed by Adolf von Harnack

12. 2. AUTHORSHIP OF HEBREWS 2.Internal evidences 1.Second-generation believer (2:3) 2.Skillful preacher 3.Scholar of the Hebrew Scriptures 4.Writer with a strong command of Greek. 3.Origen’s famous remark still stands: “Who the author of the epistle is, God only knows.”

13. 3. DATE OF HEBREWS 1.Unknown. 2.Guesses range from AD 50-90. 3.External evidence 1.Clement quoted from the Book of Hebrews in AD 95. 4.Internal evidence 1.Timothy was alive at the time the epistle was written (13:23). 2.No evidence showing the end of the Old Testament sacrificial system that occurred with Jerusalem's destruction in AD 70.

14. 4. AUDIENCE OF HEBREWS 1.An unknown but specific group of predominantly Jewish Christians (3:1) 1 Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest. 2 He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house. 3 Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. 4 For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. 5 “Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house,” bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future. 6 But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory. (3:1-6)

15. 4. AUDIENCE OF HEBREWS 2. Who had come to faith through the testimony of eyewitnesses to Christ (2:3). 3 how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. (2:3)

16. 4. AUDIENCE OF HEBREWS 3. They might have been from a house church in Rome (13:24). 24 Greet all your leaders and all the Lord’s people. Those from Italy send you their greetings. (13:24)

17. 4. AUDIENCE OF HEBREWS 4. These Christians had endured hardships because of their stand for the gospel (10:32–34). 32 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. 34 You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. (10:32-34)

18. 4. AUDIENCE OF HEBREWS 5. They were in danger of drifting away and opting out of relationships with the larger Christian community (10:25; 13:7, 17). 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (10:25) 7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. (13:7) 17 Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. (13:17)

19. 4. AUDIENCE OF HEBREWS 6. The repeated arguments regarding the superiority of Christ and His sacrifice over Moses and the Old Testament sacrificial system indicate that the recipients were probably Jewish Christians in danger of lapsing into the Jewish religion.

20. 5, OCCASION & PURPOSE OF HEBREWS 3. Five Progressive Exhortations/Warnings:

21. 6. STRUCTURE & OUTLINE OF HEBREWS 1.The author calls Hebrews a “word of exhortation” (13:22). 2.It is actually an extended exposition of numerous OT passages to demonstrate 1.The superiority of Christ’s Person (1:1–4:13) 2.The superiority of Christ’s Priesthood (4:14–10:18) 3.The superiority of the Christian Progress (10:19–13:25).

22. Book Chart 254 Christ's Superiority In His Person…In His Priesthood…In Christian Progress… 1:1—4:134:14—10:1810:19—13:25 Over ALL 1:1-3 Over Angels 1:4-2:18 Over Moses 3:1-4:13 In the Order of Melchi zedek 4:14- 6:12 Confir med By God’s Promis e and Oath 6:13-20 As a Priest Forever 7:1-28 In the New Coven ant 8:1- 13 With a New Tabern acle and Once and For All Sacrific e 9:1- 10:18 Persev ere on despite sufferin gs 10:19- 39 By faith 11:1-40 Persev erance in Faith 12:1-29 Live in peace with everyo ne and be holy 12:14- 29 Final Exhorta tions and Greetin gs 13:1- 25 Christ’s MajestyChrist’s MinistryChristian’s Manifestation TheologyPractice Unknown Author, Recipients, Origin, and Destination! AD 50-90

23. Hebrews 1 The 1 st chapter of Hebrews is one of the most important Christological passages in Scripture.

28. A.The Superiority of Christ’s Person (1:1–4:13) Prologue: Over All (1:1-3) As God’s final Word (1:1-2) As appointed heir of all things (1:2) As One through whom God made the universe (1:2) As the radiance of God’s glory (1:3) As the exact representation of God’s being (1:3) Over Angels (1:4-2:18) In His identity (1:4-14) 1 st Exhortation: SALVATION—Pay attention to the message of salvation (2:1-4) In His Incarnation (2:5-18)

29. A.The Superiority of Christ’s Person (1:1–4:13) Over Moses (3:1-4:13) Christ as apostle and high priest (3:1) Christ as builder is superior to Moses as building (3:2-4) Christ as son is superior to Moses as servant (3:5-6) 2nd Exhortation: BELIEF—Believe to enter His rest “today” (3:7-4:13)

30. B. The Superiority of Christ’s Priesthood (4:14–10:18). In the Order of Melchizedek (4:14-5:10)

31. Who is Melchizedek? Gen 14:18-20; Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 5:6, 10; 6:20; 7:1, 10, 11, 15, 17, 21 King of Salem (Jerusalem) (Gen 14:18) Priest of God Most High (Gen 14:18) He blessed Abram (Gen 14:19) Abram gave him a tenth of everything (Gen 14:20) A prototype of the Messiah (Ps 110) Christ is “…a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” (Heb 5:6, 10, 20; 7:11, 17) Melchizedek means “king of righteousness” (Heb 7:2) King of Salem” means “king of peace.” (Heb 7:2) He is without beginning (Heb 7:3) He resembles Christ Himself (Heb 7:3) Christ is like Melchizedek (Heb 7:15) Gen 14:18-20; Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 5:6, 10; 6:20; 7:1, 10, 11, 15, 17, 21 King of Salem (Jerusalem) (Gen 14:18) Priest of God Most High (Gen 14:18) He blessed Abram (Gen 14:19) Abram gave him a tenth of everything (Gen 14:20) A prototype of the Messiah (Ps 110) Christ is “…a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” (Heb 5:6, 10, 20; 7:11, 17) Melchizedek means “king of righteousness” (Heb 7:2) King of Salem” means “king of peace.” (Heb 7:2) He is without beginning (Heb 7:3) He resembles Christ Himself (Heb 7:3) Christ is like Melchizedek (Heb 7:15) 266m

32. Christ as Priest, Prophet, & King Priest Prophet King Priest from Melchizedek (Heb 5:6) Priest from Melchizedek (Heb 5:6) 266q Jacob Levi 10 Other Sons Judah Aaron David But how could Christ be priest and king?

33. B. The Superiority of Christ’s Priesthood (4:14–10:18). In the Order of Melchizedek (4:14-5:10) 3rd Exhortation: MATURITY—Mature and not fall away (5:11-6:12) Confirmed By God’s Promise and Oath (6:13-20) As a Priest Forever (7:1-28) In the New Covenant (8:1-13) With a New Tabernacle and Once and For All Sacrifice (9:1- 10:18)

34. C. The Superiority of the Christian Progress (10:19-12:29) 4th Exhortation: PERSEVERANCE—Persevere on despite sufferings (10:19-39) By faith (11:1-40) What is faith? (11:1-3) Examples of faith: The Hall of Faith [past heroes] (11:4- 40)

35. Person/s or IncidencesScripture Reference 1 Abel (11:4)Genesis 4:4 2 Enoch (11:5)Genesis 5:21-24 3 Noah (11:7)Genesis 6:9-8:22 4 Abraham (11:8-10, 17-19)Genesis 12:1-25:11 5 Isaac (11:9, 20)Genesis 21-28 6 Jacob (11:9, 21)Genesis 25-49 7 Sarah (11:11)Genesis 21:1-7 8 Joseph (11:22)Genesis 50:22-26 9 Moses’ parents (11:23)Exodus 2:1-10 10 Moses (11:24-28)Exodus 2:11-25, 12 11 People passed the Red Sea (11:29)Exodus 13-14 12 Walls of Jericho fell (11:30)Joshua 6 13 Rahab (11:31)Joshua 2, 6 14 Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah (11:32)Joshua 4, 6, 13, 11 15 David, Samuel, and the prophets (11:32)1 Samuel -

36. C. The Superiority of the Christian Progress (10:19-12:29) 4th Exhortation: PERSEVERANCE—Persevere on despite sufferings (10:19-39) By faith (11:1-40) What is faith? (11:1-3) Examples of faith: The Hall of Faith [past heroes] (11:4- 40) Perseverance in Faith (12:1-29) Looking unto Jesus (12:1-4) Enduring hardship as discipline (12:5-13) 5 th Exhortation: HOLINESS—Live in peace with everyone and be holy (12:14-29)

37. C. The Superiority of the Christian Progress (10:19-12:29) Final Exhortations and Greetings (13:1-25) Final Exhortations (13:1-19) 1.Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters (13:1). 2.Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers (13:2). 3.Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering (13:3). 4.Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure (13:4). 5.Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have (13:5-6).

38. C. The Superiority of the Christian Progress (10:19-12:29) Final Exhortations and Greetings (13:1-25) Final Exhortations (13:1-19) 6.Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith (13:7-8). 7.Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings (13:9-14). 8.Continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name (13:15). 9.Do not forget to do good and to share with others (13:16). 10.Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority (13:17). 11.Pray for us (13:18-19).

39. C. The Superiority of the Christian Progress (10:19-12:29) Final Exhortations and Greetings (13:1-25) Final Exhortations (13:1-19) Greetings (13:20-25)

40. 7. THE SUPREME CHRIST IN HEBREWS And so we find in this crowning masterpiece a great wealth of doctrine, a refreshing spring of encouragement, and a source of sound, practical warnings against slothfulness in our Christian walk. But there is still more, for in Hebrews we find a magnificently rendered portrait of our Lord Jesus Christ--the Author and Finisher of our great salvation (Hebrews 12:2). S Michael Houdmann

41. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1.Picture this situation: Your domestic worker/helper comes back from her holiday and is now a Christian. How would—or should— this affect your relationship, now that she is a sister in Christ? (ref. Philemon 15-16) 2.The warnings in Hebrews 6:4-8 and 10:19-39 presuppose the possibility of true Christians losing their salvation after falling into apostasy. On the other hand, passages like 1 Cor 15:2; 2 Cor 6:1; 13:5; Phil 2:16 and 3:11 speaks of God’s sure act of election and salvation. How can we explain for the seemingly opposing views in these two sets of verses? 3.What is James’ teaching about wealth and poverty, and to what extent is it applicable in today’s economic context?