A Study in Hebrews - Series: Part 1

Hello and Happy Sunday TiMP Nation:

Our next study after a couple weeks away will be focused on the book of Hebrews. In Hebrews we find the author which is unknow as of today although many speculate whom it may be from Silas, Apollos, Luke to Phillip and a few others as well as Paul. However, I believe we can pretty much rule out Paul as he received his confirmation of Christ directly from Christ himself. The author of Hebrews received his from others (meaning being told about Christ and the gospel indirectly) as noted in Hebrews 2:3, which is why I draw this conclusion.

As we open the passage, which as I’ve studied, is noted that if read in Hebrew it’s more like a sermon. You immediately see the writer is strongly and purposefully speaking to the superiority of Jesus Christ. As we go along in this study over the next few weeks, we will touch on 4 key elements within the book of Hebrews.

1. Christ Above All (His Superiority)
2. Warnings to not turn from the Truth
3. Theological Balance (How the writer uses OT scripture to as reference to today) and example would be how Hebrews 8:1-10 and 10:18 is theologically balanced to Jeremiah 31:31-34
4. Faithfulness

First, the Superiority of Jesus Christ in Hebrews Chapters 1 – 2, here we find the writer going right in so we know the established sovereignty of Christ. Starting in Hebrews Chapter 1:1-4 this portion of the context starts by making reference to the past and how God spoke to the fathers (meaning our forefathers) through the prophets. However, in these last days God now speaks to us by His Son (Jesus Christ the Messiah). This is establishing that since Christ came to the world, we have been living in the last days and times awaiting His return. Christ is the fulfillment of the Messianic prophesies, we can refer to Numbers 24:14, Jeremiah 33:14-16 as just a couple of scriptural references. This also speaks to what I like to call the Theological Balance. The other thing verses 1-3 support is Christ being the ONLY source for a sinner to re-establish a relationship with God The Father, John 14:6 supports this. I use the word re-establish here as man (Adam), once has a direct relationship with God before the fall (mankind sins), this is supported in Genesis chapters 1-2.

The writer then writes in such a way to give an all-encompassing view of the completeness of Christ sovereignty, that He is the heir of all things, that through Christ the world was made. Furthermore, that Christ is the brightness of God’s glory and the express image of His person (if you want to see God, you can see Him only through Christ Jesus). Christ upholds all things by the word of His power, He alone purged (removed) our sins, His place is at the right hand of God The Father, His position higher than the angels and by inheritance His name is above every name even that of the angels. Wow, I want you to truly take in the fullness that God has bestowed upon our Lord and Savior. This relates to John’s expression and validation in John 1:1-5 and John 1:1-10 as this is what the disciples had heard, seen and touched and also had fellowship with the incarnate Christ (I am referring here to Jesus being in human form).

This is a good place to stop here in prep for our continuation on Christ Above All portion of study. I would ask that you please take time and read the scriptures of reference in this weeks’ teaching as they are important in establishing our study foundation going forward. God Bless and I will speak with you all next week!