To go away from the completed work of christ is to step into nothingness because outside christ there is nothing but death. Learn what themes are found in the bible in hebrews. Oct 31, 2015 so one of the great themes of hebrews is god has spoken to us in his son. Hebrews clearly lays out the present priestly ministry of christ in the life of the believer.
In this noted chapter, the writer of the book of hebrews introduces an impressive list of heroic figures from the old testament remarkable men and women whose stories stand out to encourage and challenge the faith. Hebrews emphasizes the completeness and fullness of his sacrifice, that we cannot add to it but just embrace it and enter the rest which is the finished work of christ. The epistle opens with an exaltation of jesus as the radiance of gods glory, the express image of his being, and upholding all. Jun 18, 2019 the book of hebrews is a strange book. Throughout its pages, hebrews makes clear that jesus christ exceeds all other people, pursuits, objects, or hopes to which human beings. The author is anonymous, although either paul or barnabas was traditionally accepted as the author. The supremacy and sufficiency of jesus christ as revelator and as mediator of gods grace.
Great themes from hebrews bible studies fort logan church of. The author refers to a story in the book of genesis in which abraham encounters melchizedek. It is the book of hebrews that takes up this theme and explains it in greater detail see hebrews 8. Which of the following is an idea unique to the book of hebrews. The author of this epistle is relentless in his effort to reveal christ as greater than the prophets, angels, moses, and the levitical priests. The conjunction te is used most frequently in lukes writings and hebrews. The disjointed character of its contents is stressed by scholars 1 robert g. The book of hebrews helps us to understand the relationship between jewish and gentile believers, and between israel.
May 02, 2020 hebrews tells us that christ jesus is better than anything mere religion has to offer. No other book in the new testament integrates the gospel with the old testament better than the book of hebrews. It begins as an essay, progresses as a sermon, and ends as a letter heb. The old testament foreshadowed the new, and hebrews is the place to go if we wish to understand this as we should. The son of god is better than angels, priests, old testament leaders, or any religion. The book of hebrews displays a clear and profound awareness of redemptive history. The doctrinal center of the book of hebrews 293 three arguments favor the view that christs high priesthood. Israels sin had continually interrupted gods fellowship with his chosen and covenant people, israel. Since the book of hebrews is grounded in the work of the levitical priesthood, an understanding of the book of leviticus is essential for properly interpreting hebrews. Zechariah jesus is the fountain of the house of david.
He became obsessed with the gospel, as college teacher, editor, lecturer, missionary, and author, he inspired thousands in his day. Jun 25, 2019 hebrews chapter 11 is often called the hall of faith or the faith hall of fame. A summary of the book of hebrews limerick reformed fellowship. The theme of the epistle is the doctrine of the person of christ and his role as mediator between god and humanity. The purpose, structure and theme of the epistle to the hebrews. Hebrews themes justice and judgment perseverance power suffering traditions and customs. The writer constantly points out that jesus is now seated at the right hand of the father hebrews which symbolizes power and authority. The author makes several arguments from lesser to greater throughout the epistle which point to jesus as being being superior to all things. Habakkuk jesus is gods evangelist crying, revive thy works in the midst of the years. Key signs of life are our pulse and blood pressure hebrew themes blood 2. The supremacy of gods son, jesus christsuperior to all the angels and to all things created. 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. Epistle to hebrews study a better covenant messianic. The author of this epistle is relentless in his effort to reveal christ as greater than the prophets, angels, moses, and.
An introduction to the letter to the hebrews grace church. May 2 0 1 8 appearances in hebrews position in 66 books of bible subject word. Jesus christ is clearly greater than anything that the old covenant had produced. Introduces perspectives on the author, audience, date and purpose of the book of hebrews that can help us interpret the original meaning and apply this book.
Hebrews is about covenant, and covenants are built on promises. A right understanding of the person of christ is essential to a right understanding of his work. Three times in this course you will be instructed to read the whole epistle of hebrews. He is superior to the word of god spoken through the prophets since he himself is gods ultimate redemptive word. Oct 30, 2015 hebrews proves that jesus christ is superior to all ot types moses, aaron, the tabernacle, the temple, etc. What are the two main themes the book of hebrews emphasizes repeatedly. Great themes from hebrews bible studies fort logan. Ellet joseph waggoner 18551916 abandoned a lucrative career as a diplomaqualified physician to pursue fulltime his vision of christ crucified as the basic theme of all the bible. At the end of chapter 4, the writer explained that christs status as fully human made him uniquely qualified.
Themes from hebrews no other book in the new testament integrates the gospel with the old testament better than the book of hebrews. If the humanity of jesus is an important theme for hebrews, how much more is jesus deity. Hebrews has a vigorous doctrine of the christian life, dealing with apostasy falling away, chapters 34 and the need to persevere e. The second easiest but usually the best way to do this is to skim through the book, note the natural divisions, isolate the main themes, and write out a brief outline of the argument or plotline.
Its theme is of salvation by faith in the atoning sacrifice of yeshua. The main theme of the book of hebrews can be found in the opening verses. The main theme of hebrews is the absolute supremacy and sufficiency of jesus christ as our high priest and revealer of. Better heavenly perfect by faith the basic theme of hebrews is found in the word better, in describing the superiority of christ in both his person and his work. Christ is its theme with regard to his work as well as his person, for in the teaching of the new testament the person and the work of christ belong together as a unity. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. That is the theme of this book and this tells us what this book is all. A theme throughout hebrews is jesus as the preexisting son of god and as the high priest in heaven. A summary of the book of hebrews limerick reformed. It seems to have a negative view of the old testament see heb 10. Chapters 110, in one way or another, focus on this fact. And second, well summarize the overarching purpose for which hebrews was. Jesus christ is clearly greater than anything that the old covenant. The letter to the hebrews cliffsnotes study guides book.
One of the first things to do when studying a book of the bible is to try to get the big picture. Noticing these will help to introduce and commend the letter to us. The main theme of the boo k of hebrews can be found in the opening verses. Hebrews begins with the statement that god, who in ancient times revealed himself through the prophets, has in these last days revealed himself through the life and teachings of a son.
Another important theme of the letter is that of the pilgrimage of the people of god to the heavenly jerusalem 11. In light of so great a salvation, hebrews encourages us to run the race before us in faithfulness and perseverance. Hebrews tells us that christ jesus is better than anything mere religion has to offer. This smaller section emerges as a theological micro cosm of the book as a whole. So from the outset, we will be aware of the main idea in the letter, which is the authority exercised by jesus as our great high priest. The authors main theme, the priesthood and sacrifice of jesus heb 310, is not developed for its own sake but as a means of restoring their lost fervor and strengthening them in their faith. So one of the great themes of hebrews is god has spoken to us in his son. Haggai jesus is the restorer of gods lost heritage. Every believer will resonate, however, with the seven glorious aspects and actions of the son in hebrews 1. The niv study bible, hodder and stoughton, 1993, article hebrews page 1817. The author of hebrews is critically concerned for the spiritual survival of his readers and offers a poignant glimpse into the epistles teaching on the christian life, which may be summed up in the word perseverance. What is the message of hebrews and how does it apply to our lives.
A biblical study guide on the book of hebrews ford. Clement of alexandria suggests that paul wrote the book originally in hebrew and that luke translated it into greek, though the greek of hebrews bears no resemblance to translation greek e. Key verses in hebrews showing the main idea in the letter. Hence the book of hebrews, usually attributed to the apostle paul, a known scholar of jewish law and once persecutor of the new found christian group. Nov, 2014 4 reasons these are the theme verses of hebrews 1. The book of hebrews compares and contrasts jesus to key historical people and events from the old testament. Summary and analysis the letter to the hebrews cliffsnotes. The whole purpose of the book of hebrews is to help the hebrew christians and seekers understand jesus is. But we see jesus in the four gospels, we see jesus birth, ministry, death, and resurrection. The principal way to get acquainted with a bible book like hebrews is to read it often. The book of hebrews discusses the jewish religion as it was practiced in the jerusalem temple. I have discovered two effective ways in which auctor latin for author of the letter to the hebrews exhorts us to recognize the main theme in his book jesus. In christ that essential revelation of gods nature became a personified.
Nearclassical style of the prologues of luke, acts, and hebrews. Gods word is of primary significance in the life of every christian believer. Summary of hebrews, the general epistles and revelation. Hebrews chapter 5 opens as part of one continuous train of thought, from the end of chapter 4. The message of hebrews for the global church is that jesus is better than every other thing believers are tempted to fall back into, such as their formers ways of sin, culturally comfortable patterns of thinking or living, or nonchristian ethical codes. By dying on the cross and rising from the dead, jesus guarantees believers salvation and eternal life. Mar 03, 2015 one of the most pertinent themes to the book of hebrews is the concept of perfection. Introduction to hebrews the epistle to the hebrews is a unique book in the new testament.
What strong arguments can be made for the dating of the book of hebrews. We believe it emphasizes the two main thematic points the epistle makesthe superior christ and his superior covenant. Written in a fun and engaging way to make it easytounderstand. This book portrays christ as our great high priest who ever lives to make intercession for us. The epistle opens with an exaltation of jesus as the radiance of gods glory, the express image of his being, and upholding all things by his powerful word. Jesus is the great high priest, the eternal mediator between god and man who never stops mediating, and is the perfect fulfillment of all prophecies and types and shadows pointing to the. It is the superiority of our lord jesus, then, that remains the theme of this eloquently written letter. The use of the phrase en gar to is found only in hebrews 2. This son, who is identified with the person known as jesus of nazareth, is said to be greater than moses or any of the prophets. Numbers jesus is the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. It expects a knowledge of the old testament that many do not have. It gives six terrifying warnings that seem to indicate believers can l.
Far from being all about tithing this great book actually has a very clear and distinctive theme. Who knew the author of a new testament book would agree with tupac about something. Now the main point kefa book of hebrews that can help us interpret the original meaning and apply this book. Unstated, but obviously known to the original readers. We see him healing, performing miracles, preaching, and teaching. The book of hebrews is a general epistle apostolic letter. Book of hebrews overview insight for living ministries. Higher purpose ministries better a sermon series on hebrews. Aug 25, 2019 probably the biggest theme in the book. The superiority of christ and the condemnation of apostasy the book of hebrews discusses the jewish religion as it was practiced in the jerusalem temple. The most important service performed by the levitical high priest in the ancient tabernacl. Our first lesson in the epistle to the hebrews selects some key verses. Great themes from hebrews bible studies fort logan church.
Upon close inspection, these seven themes can be seen to function as a forceful appeal for the readers not. The book of hebrews elevates jesus above historical people and. Purpose the book of hebrews is designed to definitively demonstrate the supremacy of jesus christ see table 1 in both his identity person and ministry priesthood. Jesus can understand our weaknesses and temptations, since he has experienced them just as we have. He is declared ultimately superior to the most cherished institutions of the ancient hebrew faith. No other book in the new testament integrates the gospel with the old testament better than. Taken together, these themes distinguish the book of hebrews from books that. In the midst of adversity, believers are to fix their eyes on jesus, live by faith, and run the race that is marked out for them. This is the main action item for the book of hebrews. The greek word used here is kefavlaion kephalaion kefalahyon means the chief or principal thing, pecuniary sum total of a reckoning. The superiority of jesus christ and therefore, the superiority of christianity. Heroes of faith in the book of hebrews learn religions.
Through its quotations from the old testament, interpretation of past events, and reflection upon saints of old such as moses or melchizedek, hebrews presents rich teaching on the story of salvation that has culminated in. The superiority of christ and the condemnation of apostasy. In fact, the author argues, all the ceremonies, sacrifices, and offices of the old testament foreshadow the person and work of jesus christ. The word teleioo g5048 is used nine times through the book. Most of these uses are to describe the shortcomings of the mosaic order and believers heb 7. Doctrinally the book of hebrews accords with the pauline epistles. Epistle to the hebrews read bible book, study verses. These themes, which occur throughout hebrews but with greater frequency in heb 11. Themes of jesus in each book of the bible lifecoach4god. While this theme of exaltation is asserted in many and various ways we shall content ourselves by considering how the writer addresses this theme by asserting jesus superiority to a angels, and b moses. Hebrews has intimidated readers over the centuries.
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