HEBREWS – INTRODUCTION

  1. Defining Hebrews
  2. QUESTION: What is a Hebrew? (An ethnic Jew; descendent of the tribe of Judah).
  3. Difference Stated:

Acts 6:1 – “Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food” (NASB).

  1. Descendants of Abraham:

Hebrews 2:16-17 – For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham. 17Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people” (NASB).

  1. Hebrews were also known as Israelites, pure and undefiled by the world with a pure lineage, with the language and customs of their culture. If anyone could claim to be a Hebrew, it was Paul! As a Benjamite, he claimed had an authentic bloodline.
  2. He could speak Aramaic Fluently (Acts 21:40; 22:2)
  3. He was trained by a Hebrew Teacher (Gamelial) who used the LXX only (Acts 22:3) in Jerusalem.
  4. QUESTION: Does anyone know why the bloodline was so important to the Hebrews? (Only way to be proved as authentic Jew)
  5. QUESTION: Who is the last known Jew by proof today? (Jesus)
  6. QUESTION: When the Israelites returned from Babylon Captivity, they declared priests unclean if they couldn’t prove their bloodline (Ezra 2:60-62; Nehemiah 7:64).

Philippians 3:4-5 – “I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: 5circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee” (NASB).

  1. A Hebrew is someone who is very much familiar with the Old Testament Sacrificial system---- References too…
  2. Moses as the Law giver
  3. Old Covenant
  4. Aaron the Priest
  5. Info on the Levitical Priesthood
  6. Temple
  7. Priestly sacrifices were still in operation when Hebrews was written, as such documented throughout Hebrews
  8. Hall of Fame of Faith in Hebrews 11
  1. Eber = Genesis 10:25
  2. Born from Shem – Shemtic Race (Shem, Ham, Japeth).
  3. Descendants from JACOB
  4. Developed the Hebrew language
  5. No Internal title of the book, but from the evidence gathered we know they were Jewish Christians living under extreme persecution.
  6. Early tradition offers no other title for the book “To the Hebrews,” and thus we are left with the general consensus.
  7. QUESTION: Why is it important to establish the authenticity of the author of Hebrews?

Ephesians 2:20 – “Having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone.”

  1. Was it written by an Apostle?
  2. Was it written by a prophet?
  3. Was it written by someone closely connected to an Apostle or Prophet?
  1. HEBREWS WAS INCLUDED IN THE EARLIEST COLLECTIONS OF NEW TESTAMENT MANUSCRIPTS.
  2. THE TESTIMONY OF THE EARLY CHRISTIAN LITERATURE
  3. Regarded as Authoritative by earliest Christians in documentation.
  4. Polycarp (To the Philippians 6; 12)
  5. Hermas (Visions 2.3.2; 3.7.2)
  6. 1 Clement (96 AD) Chapter 36
  7. Pantaenus, Bishop of Alexandria (180AD) – Eusebius, H.E., VI 14.4.
  8. Clement of Alexandria (190 AD) – Eusebius, H.E., VI. 14:1-3
  9. Origen (210 AD) thought it was written by Paul – Eusebius, H.E., VI. 25.11-14 --- does this over 200 times.
  10. Dionysius of Alexandria (250 AD) - Eusebius, H.E., VI.41.6.
  1. Who wrote the book of Hebrews?
  2. Proposed authors: Paul, Luke, Barnabas, etc.
  3. Intentionally anonymous? The Audience obviously KNEW the writer of Hebrews.

Hebrews 13:23-24 – Take notice that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom, if he comes soon, I will see you. 24 Greet all of your leaders and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you” (NASB).

  1. No evidence of foul play--- i.e. it was authored, but later removed.
  2. ANTI- Mosaic Content – Possibly left anonymous to protect the author from further attacks outside the audience. Writing a letter such as Hebrews, and taking the Old Covenant theology to task, would have been extremely dangerous under the conditions of the times.
  3. QUESTION: What location is the author writing from?
  4. “Italy” = Under Roman Rule.
  5. Civil Wars going on in Jerusalem--- Judaism under heavy punishment by Rome. Cestius Gallus fought with the Jews and lost almost 6000 men in 66AD.
  6. Jews are living radically sinful lives--- James 5, contemporary of Hebrews, details their lifestyle---
  7. James is writing from Jerusalem to Jewish Christians scattered throughout Palestine--- He ultimately was thrown from the Pinnacle of the Temple and stoned to death (James 5:1-6; 5:9 “the judge is at the door).
  1. The Author habitually used the Septuagint (LXX) for his Old Testament Quotations. PAUL quoted from both Masoretic Text (Hebrew) and Septuagint (Greek), would often paraphrase. However, Hebrews is explicitly LXX.
  2. QUESTION: Who was the writer connected with according to Hebrews 10:23? (Timothy)
  3. Who consistently documented Timothy as a companion and son in the Faith? The Apostle Paul.
  4. Who was in Italy at the end of His life? The Apostle Paul
  5. TRADITIONAL SIGNATURE
  6. Hebrews 13:25 – “Grace be with you all.” Found in all of Paul’s Epistles.
  7. INTERNAL EVIDENCE that favor’s Paul’s authorship.
  8. Paul’s emphasis on the reality exceeding the type is found through all 13 of his books. A sample- (2 Cor. 3:6-18, Gal. 3:23-25, 4:1-9. 21-31).
  9. Although the allegorical type of interpretation is justified (pushed to ludicrous excess in the Alexandrian School, and led to some heresy), so Paul presents Christ as the “image” (character) manifestation of the Godhead deity (Phil. 2:6, Col. 1:15-20).
  10. Christ’s condescending for man’s sake (2:9) with 2 Corinthians 8:9, Phil. 2:7-8, is plainly taught in Hebrews.
  11. Christ’s final exaltation, (2:8, 10:13,12:2) with I Cor. 15:25,27).
  12. Paul alone uses “Mediator” (8:6) with Gal.3:19-20.
  13. The Jewish sacrifices prefigured Christ sacrifices in Paul’s writings (Rom. 3:22-26, I Cor 5:7 with Heb. Chapters 7-10).
  14. Paul’s expression “God of peace” (13:20, with Rom. 15:33, I Thes. 5:23).
  15. Paul introduces “Justification by Faith” (11:7, 10:38) with (Rom. 1:17, 4:22, 5:1, Gal. 3:11, Phil. 3:9).
  16. Paul sees the Word as a sword (4:12 with Eph. 6:17).
  17. Weak Christians are seen as needing milk, and full grown maturity requires meat (5:12, 12, 6:1, with I Cor. 3:1-2, 14,20, Gal. 4:9, Col. 3:14)
  18. Paul stresses the boldness of access to God (10:19 with Rom. 5:2, Eph. 2:18, 3:12).
  19. Paul sees afflictions as a fight (10:32 with Phil. 1:30, Col. 2:1).
  20. Christian living is a race (12:1, with I Cor. 9:24, Phil. 3:12-14).
  21. The Jewish ritual is a service (9:1,6, with Rom. 9:4).
  22. Those under the Law are subject to bondage (2:15 with Gal. 5:1).
  1. AUTHORSHIP CHALLENGED – “not an eye witness”
  2. Author of Hebrews was a “receiver” of the confirmed word, not a “giver.”

Hebrews 2:3-4 – “how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard” (NASB).

Galatians 1:11-12 – For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ” (NASB).

  1. Challenge Answered: Peter placed himself the position of the “receiver” of the Apostle Paul –

Galatians 2:8 – “(for He who effectually worked for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles)” (NASB).

  1. QUESTION: Who was Peter an Apostle too? (Primarily the Circumcision).
  2. QUESTION: Who was Paul a primary Apostle too? (The Gentiles)

2 Peter 2:15-16 – “regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, 16as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction” (NASB).

  1. --- Peter Distinguishes a Letter from Paul to the Circumcision--- “Just as Paul wrote to you” vs “As in all His letters” = PETER IS DEFENDING PAUL’S SPECIFIC LETTER TO THE CIRCUMCISION.
  2. Hebrews was the line in the sand for Judaism--- It was officially dying and ready to be wiped out.

Hebrews 8:13 – “When He said, "A new covenant," He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear” (NASB).

  1. Inspired writing doesn’t mean inspired reading or “all-knowing.”

1 Peter 1:10-12 – “As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, 11seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. 12It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look” (NASB).

  1. Made careful searches and inquiries
  2. Were not given inspiration for their own benefit and knowledge, but as a spiritual gift for service.
  3. They had to study and search the Scriptures Just like everyone else--- Timothy as a Prophetic Evangelist had to study the Scriptures (2 Timothy 2:15)
  1. Each Apostle and Prophet had a part--- they possessed the foundational Gospel of God, but each had a section to be delivered as Revelation from God.
  2. Jesus continued to reveal Himself to the world through the Apostles--- inspired writers and preachers of God.

1 Corinthians 13:9-10 – “For we know in part and we prophesy in part; 10but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away” (NASB).

CONCLUSION: Therefore, while Paul received special divine revelation from the Lord, there is no contradiction in Him receiving the Gospel message like everyone else. Peter view himself as a receiver of Paul’s epistles with additional revelation from God.

  1. To “Whom” was this Epistle written? (Hebrews)
  2. What King of People were they? A DEFINED COMMUNITY
  3. Writer addresses a congregation of people with leadership--- Hebrews 13:4
  4. The Writer has visited the readers (13:19) and hopes to return to them (13:23) = Specific community, not the church at large.
  5. Their congregation was an established congregation and should have produced teachers by the time Hebrews was written (5:12)
  6. Apostles have worked miracles amongst them (2:3-4)
  7. They were a people who accepted the LXX as authoritative and were a well-taught group of people as the letter is written in excellent Greek.
  8. Heavily persecuted--- their assets have been stolen, but they haven’t had members die for their faith… yet.

Hebrews 10:32-34 – “But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, 33partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated. 34For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one” (NASB).

  1. Some Have wavering Faith--- they’ve decided to quite going to Church on Sunday’s and reconsider the Old Covenant Religion.

Hebrews 10:25 – “not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near” (NASB).

Lastly, the dates of Hebrews and Revelation would have been nearly contemporary because Hebrews speaks of the “Last Days” (1:2) and John said of Christ “Yes, I am coming soon” (Rev. 22:20) and in his Epistle “This is the last hour” (1 John 2:18). Both Paul and John saw the end of Judaism right around the corner. Remember, the N.T. emphasizes that the Prince of 70 A.D. was really not Titus He was Jesus.