The Book Of Hebrews
Who wrote the book of Hebrews: We are unsure of the authorship of Hebrews, but many theologians believe Barnabas or Luke may have written it.
When was it written: 70 A.D., which was just prior to the fall of Jerusalem
History tells us that at the time the Book of Hebrews was written, the Church was undergoing severe persecution. Those who claimed to be or were suspected of being Christians were beaten, imprisoned, or at the very least, shunned by those who weren’t.
The pressure of persecution had two very different effects on the people. For some, the persecution only served to strengthen their determination and resilience to live out their faith.
Others, however, were scared and confused. Was this new faith really something to go to prison for? To possibly even die for? Was it worth losing your friends and extended family over?
The book of Hebrews is the answer to those questions. And the answers are always a resounding YES! Following Christ and giving him your whole life always has been, always is, and always will be absolutely, positively worth it. No matter what the cost of Christianity here on earth, the reward of heaven will be greater than we can imagine.
It was for those who were tempted to return to Judaism in order to avoid persecution.
And in order to do that, the writer emphasized over and over again that bigger and better things were waiting for them. All they had to do was remain faithful.
The fact that Jesus Christ has been given ultimate authority by God, that he is the mediator between us and God, and that he is the all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins, is clearly the book’s theme. Faith in these things is the other resounding theme of Hebrews. The faith of those who came long before the Church
What We Learn From The Book Of Hebrews
God changed his method of communication. Prior to Jesus’ life here on earth, God communicated with us through the prophets. Jesus’ ministry, however, changed all of that. With the coming of Jesus, there was no more need for prophets because Jesus was (and is) the fulfillment of everything God said through the prophets.
Therefore, the inspired Word of God, which is the Bible, is all we need. Messages/sermons based on anything other than the scripture are false teachings. Furthermore, anyone coming after Jesus who said they were or who says they are a prophet is also a false teacher. (1:1-2)
Jesus is an “exact representation” of God’s being. After Jesus returned to the Father in heaven, he sat down at God’s right hand to wait for the day God deemed right for his return. (1:3 and 1:5-9))
Jesus is higher than the angels. (1:4)
God is the creator of the world and is all-powerful, supreme, and eternal. (1:10-12)
Angels are ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit eternal salvation. (1:14)
We are to be mindful of what we hear and listen to so that we are not led astray. (2:1)
The proof of salvation through Jesus has been offered through miraculous signs and wonders and by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit for those who have been saved. (2:4)
Everything is subject to Jesus’ authority. (2:8-9)
Jesus’ death was a sacrifice for our sins; saving us from eternal suffering in hell. (2:9)
Jesus’ human existence made it possible for him to literally understand our temptations and help us overcome them. (2:18)
We are to fix our thoughts on Jesus, the faithful one. (3:1)
We are to be vigilant against having a sinful heart that turns us away from God. (3:12)
We are to encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ to remain faithful and to keep looking upward and forward toward our eternal reward in heaven. (3:13-14)
God does not and will not withhold his anger against the rebellious and unbelieving. (3:16-19)
We are to observe a day of rest. (4:9-11)
God’s Word is living, breathing, and active. It judges our thoughts and attitudes. It looks at and knows the heart of each and every one of us. (4:12-3)
We will all stand before God and give an account for our lives. (4:13)
In living a faithful, obedient life, we can have confidence that we will receive God’s grace and mercy. (4:16)
everyone is meant to be a preacher/evangelist of a congregation. It is a calling from God. (5:4)
Jesus also had to submit in obedience to God. His death proved that he was. (5:8-9)
We are to consistently strive to mature in our relationship with God through studying and understanding God’s Word and by growing our faith. (5:12 to 6:3)
There is a danger of rejecting the truth and distancing ourselves so far from God that it is impossible to come back to God in repentance. It is impossible because their hearts are so hardened and Satan has such a firm grip on them that they no longer have it in them to turn back to the truth. (6:4-8)
God is patient but we should not test his patience. (6:10-12)
The ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, the perfect and sinless son of God, was necessary because we are powerless to attain perfection on our own or in the keeping of the Mosaic Law. (7:11)
An explanation of the Old Law priesthood being replaced by Jesus, the ultimate priest, (chapters 7, 8, and 9) NOTE: This was especially important due to the fact that those the letter was addressed to were contemplating returning to Judaism and the Old Law.
We are to come to God with a sincere heart and full acceptance of him in faith. (10:22-23)
If we deliberately keep on sinning after accepting Christ as Savior, our salvation is not real. And as a result of our lack of commitment, we have only the judgment and raging fires of hell to look forward to. (10:26-27).
NOTE: This is NOT the same as sinning (losing our temper on occasion, ignoring the opportunity to witness to the young couple in the store, or things like that. The deliberate sinning spoken of here is repetitive and intentional.
Those who hear the truth and reject it are worse than those who never accept it for lack of hearing. (10:29)
The definition of faith. (11:1-3)
A faith “hall of fame”. (11:4-39)
We are to get rid of anything and everything in our lives standing between us and God. (12:1-2)
We are to persevere and not give up. (11:3)
Hard hips and difficult circumstances should be viewed and served as a discipline by God. (12:8)
NOTE: This does not mean God causes everything bad that happens to us to happen. It simply means he often uses it to discipline us.
Discipline isn’t pleasant, but it is necessary in order for us to learn and grow. (12:11-13)
We are to make every possible effort to get along with everyone. In doing so we are setting an example of holiness. (12:14)
We are to love everyone and help those in need. In doing so we might actually entertain/help one of God’s angels. (13:2)
We are to be sexually pure and completely faithful to our spouse. (13:4)
We are to be content with what we have and not fall into the sin of loving money and the things it can buy. (13:5)
We are to remember those who have spoken God’s Word to us and set an example of how we are to live. We are to imitate their faith. (13:7)
Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He will never change. (13:8)
Don’t let false teachers get in your head or your heart. (13:9)
Submit to your congregation’s leadership as far as it is in exact teaching of God’s Word so that you can serve and minister as we are called to do. (13:15-17)