Today begins a series through the book of Hebrews
Background
WRITER: Possibly Paul KJV 1611 attributes “Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews,” there is still a question as to authorship. In spite of the fact that the Pauline authorship cannot be confirmed in a dogmatic fashion, there is abundant evidence that Paul was the author.
Both internal and external evidence support the authorship of Paul.
The writer had been in bonds (10:34);
he wrote from Italy (13:24);
his companion was Timothy (13:23).
Peter appears to identify Paul as the writer (2 Peter 3:15, 16;)
Hebrews 10:11 reveals that it was written before the destruction of the temple by Titus in A.D. 70.
THEME: Romans is said to reveal the necessity of the Christian faith, but Hebrews appears to revealed the superiority of the Christian faith. This thought is expressed in the use of the comparative word “better,” which occurs 13 times.
Better Revelation
Hebrews 1:1-4 – God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
Old testament – God spoke to men through men
New Testament – Jesus spoke directly to men through His word and today still does
Better Hope
The Law was imperfect
Man could not have direct relationship to God – Needed a man to intercede
Grace covenant man now has direct access to a relationship with God – Jesus is now the interceder
Better Things
Hebrews 6:7-10 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: 8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. 9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. 10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
Old works because of commandment
New works because of love
The Lesser is Blessed of the Better –
Hebrews 7:7 – And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
Better Priesthood
Hebrews 7:20-28 – And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: 21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:) 22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: 24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. 28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.
Uttermost – totally complete, perfected
A perfect sinless priest who needed to offer only one sacrifice
Better Covenant
Hebrews 8:6 – But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
Better Promises
Hebrews 8:6
Better sacrifices
Better Possession
Hebrews 10:34 – For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
Better Country
Hebrews 11:16 – But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Romans 11:21-25 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. 24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Better Resurrection
Hebrews 11:35 – Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
Some were killed
Some were imprisoned
Some were destitute
All are made acceptable in Christ
Better Thing
Hebrews 11:40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
The gospel as compared to the Law.
Better Mediator
Hebrews 12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
The pure sacrifice once offered –
Hebrews 9:19-24 – 19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. 23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these 24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
Old Testament sacrifices could not remove sin, it could only cover it for a time
Christ Blood removes sin, it does not just cover it up for a season
Net week – “Perfect”
