Introduction to hebrews the church of jesus christ of latterday. You may want to highlight these words in hebrews as we apply this book to our lives today. Timothy, titus, philemon and then last of all is the great prophetic book of revelation. The theme of the book is the way of christ is the better way. The writer of the book of hebrews is exhorting and encouraging these christians not to go back to judaism. Last week, we were challenged to think of our lord in much greater terms greater in power, in majesty, in love and mercy and grace. The book of hebrews is a general epistle apostolic letter. The book of hebrews also makes a contrast between the tabernacle and its sacrifices and the sacrifice of christ.
Nov 20, 2009 while christ often referred to the church as the kingdom of god, and paul referred similarly to the church as the body of christ, these metaphors for the church are never used within hebrews. The apostle paul wrote the epistle of hebrews in a time of crisis for gods church. Rather, the author of hebrews develops the likeness of the church as israel during the time of the exodus, living in the wilderness. Revelation salvation service priesthood covenant sacrifice lesson one.
In the first century, there were christians who were tempted to leave the religion of christ and return to judaism. The hebrews were apparently being pressured by both jews and judaizing christians those who held to a belief in christ but taught that one must adhere to the mosaic law to be saved. Hebrews clearly lays out the present priestly ministry of christ in the life of the believer. The book of hebrews walnut street church of christ. Hebrews overview, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, by the leading authority in the church of christ, presents a verse level look at the bible. Hebrews encouragement to remain faithful church of christ. I believe that a study of the book of hebrews may be the next step for us as a church as we seek to grow in our desire for greater intimacy with christ, greater faith, and bolder acts of service. Jesus is greater, so hold fast to him overviewbible. Hebrews 2008 bible study the superior christ rewind. Although some include the book of hebrews among the apostle pauls writings, the certain identity of the author remains an enigma. From the ot itself, christ is shown to be superior to the ancient prophets, to angels, to moses the mediator of the former covenant and to aaron and the priestly succession descended from him.
Now that is a great question and brett miller has a great resource to help you think thourgh that. In this second part of our study of the book of hebrews, we go into more detail regarding the nature of the son, jesus christ, and of the ministry of. The book is laid out much like a sermon with several points being made within the sermon. In the book of hebrews, we discover something important. The priesthood of jesus is superior to the old testament.
How should we approach our study of the book of hebrews. While christ often referred to the church as the kingdom of god, and paul referred similarly to the church as the body of christ, these metaphors for the church are never used within hebrews. Its purpose was to present the lord jesus christ as perfect and superior in comparison to anything. Hebrews overview james burton coffman commentaries on the bible. Have retained their culture and their language, and of course, when we see the book of acts open up as chapter two, the hebrews are preach the gospel of christ, hebrews respond to the gospel. Home sermons 2017 sermons better a study of the book of hebrews. Jesus, the author of the christian system, is greater than moses and greater than angles. Better is a key word that occurs thirteen times in this book, emphasizing the central thesis of hebrews that the way of jesus christ is so much better. The write strongly warns the hebrew christian to remain faithful to the christian religion and its principles and to separate from judaism, which had served its purpose and which was about to lose their rituals, sacrifices, and temple. By faith we understand the word and work of godthe faith of the ancients was centered in christby faith, men subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, and worked miracles. The believers are seen as men on earth having free entrance to god and a heavenly calling by the work of christ. In addition, the suggestion that the writer of this epistle relied upon knowledge and information provided by others who were actual eyewitnesses of.
The author to hebrews sets out to give the christian church her new testament deuteronomymarching orders for the. Bible study hebrews the epistle to the hebrews regarding the purpose of the epistle. Jesus christ, while in the flesh subjected himself to hunger, temptation, bleeding and dying jesus. Many of gods people had forgotten the reason for their calling and had lost their spiritual vision. Overall, the book of hebrews is a work of encouragement. In a logical argument, the author demonstrates christs superiority, then adds practical instructions for following jesus. The book of hebrews is a long list of reasons to cling to jesus. Better a study of the book of hebrews miamitown church. This first lesson in the series establishes the historical and religious context for the writing of this book.
The book of hebrews boldly proclaims the superiority of jesus christ and christianity over other religions, including judaism. Originally written for jewish converts to christianity, the book of hebrews describes the many ways jesus and the religion of christianity fulfilled and surpassed the elements and practice of the jewish faith. Hebrews differs in some respect with the other epistles of the nt. As we struggle every day, driven by fears, distracted by shiny objects, overcrowded with longings, doing the best we can, jesus sympathizes. Many proofs show that it was actually inspired by god mainly for this end time, just before the. Hebrews could be called the book of better things since the two greek words for better and superior occur 15 times in the letter. To those who eagerly wait for him he will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. Those who reject christ must bear their own judgment.
The epistle to the hebrews introduction the epistle to the hebrews is a unique book in the new testament. However, doubt on pauline authorship in the roman church is reported by eusebius. Hebrews is the only new testament book to depict jesus as a high priest. Then afterward we have what are known as the pastoral epistles given to pastors or evangelists, all individuals. Women in gods service the study of hebrews overview ladies bible class, 2 january 27 march 2001 westark church of christ, fort smith, arkansas. After the introduction there are seven more lesson consisting of a series of questions over the bible text pdf file size. The book of hebrews highlights many blessings of the last days that are already ours in christ. After giving evidence that jesus is gods son hebrews 2. This is a series of studies that brother joe olson gave to us in 2010 and 2011. The believer has already been judged with christ on the cross. The letter, originally titled to hebrews lists the reasons why christianity is superior to judaism.
Its important to understand which group is being addressed in which passage. Missing is pauls customary salutation common to his other works. The early church father clement quoted from the book of hebrews in 95 a. However, doubt on pauline authorship in the roman church is. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. Hetherebyunderstandsourtemptationsandinfirmitieshavinghimselfexperiencedthisinthe fleshheb. Many proofs show that it was actually inspired by god mainly for this end time, just. The christian system is superior to any other system because it centers in the one true god and his only begotten son, jesus the christ. While christianity started among the jews, as time went on, many jewish christians were abandoning the faith to return to judaism. To read more about jesus christ as the great high priest, see hebrews 9 and the commentary for hebrews 9. Aug 31, 2016 the book of hebrews is a long list of reasons to cling to jesus.
Most likely written to the jewish christians scattered in what we now call asia minor. The old testament is a christian book, and what that means is that the entire bibleand the entire story of history itselfis a story of christ and his new creation. The book of hebrews is an exhortation to jewish christians to hold fast to their faith in christ. Hebrews 2008 bible study the superior christ west palm. The book of hebrews interleaves evidence of the superiority of christ, his covenant, and his church with encouragement to the brethren to remain faithful. The epistle of paul the apostle to the hebrews testifies of the superiority of jesus christ. We are a nondenominational congregation of christians located in west palm beach aiming to be faithful in every way to. Hebrews 2008 bible study the superior christ west palm beach. Hebrews overview james burton coffman commentaries on. This is a verse by verse study of the book of hebrews in outline form.
Apr 15, 2020 meadow view church of christ 257 views. The epistle to the hebrews, or letter to the hebrews, or in the greek manuscripts, simply to the hebrews. In a logical argument, the author demonstrates christ s superiority, then adds practical instructions for following jesus. This booklet by gene taylor has an excellent introduction to the book of hebrews and a complete outline of the book. Studying the book of hebrews oak ridge church of christ. He meant for you and me to find in the new testament the brimming spiritual fulfillment which comes through jesus the christ. God is not called father of the believers hebrews 12.
Bible class book on hebrews the superiority of christ and his covenant. Jesus is both the divine son of god and completely human, and in his priestly role he clears the way for human beings to approach the father in heaven through prayer hebrews 4. The book of hebrews addresses three separate groups. A to encourage jewish christians to remain steadfast in their faith. This jesus is, 1 prophet he serves as gods spokesman hebrews 1. A study of hebrews introduction westark church of christ. Throughout the epistle, the author stresses the continuity and flow between the old testament revelation and the new faith in christ, while emphasizing the superiority of both christ and his new covenant, using such words as better, perfect and. For this reason, the book of hebrews is an excellent scriptural guide to understanding old testament teachings and practices. Book of hebrews overview insight for living ministries. Hebrews was written for christians who had been in the church for a while.
So, the author of hebrews wrote some of the most theologically sophisticated new testament writings because he expected church leaders to teach his book to their congregants. Paul brought a message of strong correctionand of inspiring vision and hope. Book of hebrews montgomery county church of christ. The author is anonymous, although either paul or barnabas was traditionally accepted as the author. There was a church established of the hebrews in jerusalem. For you are all sons of god through faith in christ jesus. He designed an elaborate ritualistic system for his old testament church to impress this grand lesson. Asheville church of christ the book of hebrews this interesting study taught by earl metcalf helps us understand the true nature and purpose of the old testament law and its ultimate fulfillment in the person of jesus christ. The text does not mention the name of its author, but was traditionally attributed to paul the apostle. Sep 24, 2017 overall, the book of hebrews is a work of encouragement. These folks knew about angels, the old testament heroes, the devil, and moses tabernacle, but someone thought they needed to know a little more. The whole book of hebrews negates that idea and supports what paul says in galatians 3. Hebrews 16 the church of jesus christ of latterday. Paul wrote the book of hebrews to jewish christians to help make this plain.