154 lines
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154 lines
12 KiB
HTML
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<div class="head">Executable Outlines</div>
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<div class="subhead">Introduction to Hebrews</div>
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<div class="main-just"><div class="pad30">
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<div class="levI" style="color: 324395; font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold; text-align: left">INTRODUCTION TO HEBREWS</div>
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<p>The epistle to the Hebrews is a unique book in the New Testament. It begins as an <b>essay</b> (<a id="si_1" onclick="return mV('Heb',1,'1-2');">Heb 1:1-2</a>), progresses as a <b>sermon</b> (<a id="si_2" onclick="return mV('Heb',2,'1-4');">Heb 2:1-4</a>), and ends as a <b>letter</b> (<a id="si_3" onclick="return mV('Heb',13,'23-25');">Heb 13:23-25</a>). Its contents are deep and challenging. Many Christians find it difficult; some equate its difficulty with the book of Revelation.</p>
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<p>But for Christians willing to take the time to read and reflect upon it, they will be:</p>
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<ul>
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<li>Reminded of how blessed they are to have trusted in Christ</li>
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<li>Impressed with the superiority of Christ and His New Covenant over Moses and the Old Covenant</li>
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<li>Warned of the danger of apostasy and the need for steadfastness in their faith</li>
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</ul>
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<div class="levI" style="color: 324395; font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold; text-align: left">AUTHOR</div>
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<p>The author does not identify himself. Many believe it to be the apostle Paul (e.g., Clement of Alexandria) and have offered arguments in his favor (cf. Commentary on Hebrews, Robert Milligan, p. 5-19). Yet it seems unlikely when you consider the author's statement, "…was confirmed to us by those who heard Him" (<a id="si_4" onclick="return mV('Heb',2,3);">Heb 2:3</a>). This suggests the author received the gospel message second-hand, while Paul declared that he had not received the gospel from or through men (<a id="si_5" onclick="return mV('Gal',1,'11-12');">Gal 1:11-12</a>).</p>
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<p>Other names have been proposed over the years: Barnabas (suggested by Tertullian), Apollos (suggested by Luther), even Priscilla (suggested by Harnack). Perhaps Origen says it best, "But who wrote the epistle, to be sure, <b>only God knows</b>."</p>
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<div class="levI" style="color: 324395; font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold; text-align: left">RECIPIENTS</div>
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<p>The general consensus is that this letter was written to <b>Jewish Christians</b>. There is uncertainty as to where they and the author were at the time of composition. Many believe the recipients were in Palestine, and the author in Rome. Others suggest the readers were in Rome and the author elsewhere, based upon a possible implication in <a id="si_6" onclick="return mV('Heb',13,24);">Heb 13:24</a>. In any case, they were Jewish Christians whom the author knew personally (<a id="si_7" onclick="return mV('Heb',10,34);">Heb 10:34</a>; <a id="si_8" onclick="return mV('Heb',13,19);">Heb 13:19</a>).</p>
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<div class="levI" style="color: 324395; font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold; text-align: left">DATE</div>
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<p>We know the epistle was written prior to 96 A.D., because Clement of Rome quotes from Hebrews in his letter that was written at that time. There are certainly strong indications that it was written prior to 70 A.D.…</p>
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<ul>
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<li>There is no mention of the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple</li>
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<li>The author writes as though priests were still offering sacrifices - <a id="si_9" onclick="return mV('Heb',8,4);">Heb 8:4</a>; <a id="si_10" onclick="return mV('Heb',10,11);">Heb 10:11</a></li>
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</ul>
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<p>If the Jewish Christians were in Palestine, it was likely before or at the beginning of the Jewish Wars (ca. 66-70 A.D.; cf. <a id="si_11" onclick="return mV('Heb',12,4);">Heb 12:4</a>).</p>
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<p>The time frame of <b>63-65 A.D.</b> is often suggested.</p>
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<div class="levI" style="color: 324395; font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold; text-align: left">PURPOSE AND THEME
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</div>
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<p>The author wrote this epistle to prevent his readers from abandoning their faith in Christ (<a id="si_12" onclick="return mV('Heb',2,'1-4');">Heb 2:1-4</a>). To encourage his Jewish brethren not to go back to the Old Law, he endeavored to show the superiority of Christ and His Covenant (<a id="si_13" onclick="return mV('Heb',8,'1-2');">Heb 8:1-2</a>, <a id="si_14" onclick="return mV('Heb',8,6);">6</a>). A key word found throughout the epistle is "<b>better</b>":</p>
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<ul>
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<li>Christ is "better than the angels" - <a id="si_15" onclick="return mV('Heb',1,4);">Heb 1:4</a></li>
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<li>We enjoy "the bringing in of a better hope" - <a id="si_16" onclick="return mV('Heb',7,19);">Heb 7:19</a></li>
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<li>Jesus has become "the surety of a better covenant" - <a id="si_17" onclick="return mV('Heb',7,22);">Heb 7:22</a></li>
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<li>He is also "the Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises" - <a id="si_18" onclick="return mV('Heb',8,6);">Heb 8:6</a></li>
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<li>The heavenly things benefit from "better sacrifices" - <a id="si_19" onclick="return mV('Heb',9,23);">Heb 9:23</a></li>
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</ul>
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<p>Indeed, the purpose of this epistle was to exhort his readers to remain faithful to the much better things they have in Christ (<a id="si_20" onclick="return mV('Heb',13,22);">Heb 13:22</a>>). As for its theme, I suggest the following:</p>
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<blockquote style="text-align: center;">
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<b>The Superiority of Christ and the New Covenant</b>
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</blockquote>
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<div class="levI" style="color: 324395; font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold; text-align: left">OUTLINE</div>
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<p>Here is a simple outline of the book, with its main divisions…</p>
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<ol>
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<li><b>The superiority of Christ - <span class="noTag">Heb 1:1-Heb 8:6</span></b>
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<ol type="a">
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<li>Better than the prophets, as a much better Spokesman - <a id="si_21" onclick="return mV('Heb',1,'1-3');">Heb 1:1-3</a></li>
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<li>Better than the angels, by virtue of His Deity and humanity - <a id="si_22" onclick="return mV('Heb',1,'4-14');">Heb 1:4-14</a>; <a id="si_23" onclick="return mV('Heb',2,'1-18');">Heb 2:1-18</a></li>
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<li>Better than Moses, for He is the Son who provides a heavenly rest - <a id="si_24" onclick="return mV('Heb',3,'1-19');">Heb 3:1-19</a>; <a id="si_25" onclick="return mV('Heb',4,'1-13');">Heb 4:1-13</a></li>
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<li>Better than Aaron, as His priesthood is a superior one - <a id="si_26" onclick="return mV('Heb',4,'14-16');">Heb 4:14-16</a>; <a id="si_27" onclick="return mV('Heb',5,'1-14');">Heb 5</a>; <a id="si_28" onclick="return mV('Heb',6,'1-20');">Heb 6</a>; <a id="si_29" onclick="return mV('Heb',7,'1-28');">Heb 7</a>: <a id="si_30" onclick="return mV('Heb',8,'1-6');">Heb 8:1-6</a></li>
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</ol></li>
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<li><b>The superiority of the New Covenant - <span class="noTag">Heb 8:7-13; Heb 9; Heb 10:1-18</span></b>
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<ol type="a">
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<li>For it is based upon better promises - <a id="si_31" onclick="return mV('Heb',8,'7-13');">Heb 8:7-13</a></li>
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<li>For it is based upon a better sanctuary - <a id="si_32" onclick="return mV('Heb',9,'1-28');">Heb 9:1-28</a></li>
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<li>For it is based upon a better sacrifice - <a id="si_33" onclick="return mV('Heb',10,'1-18');">Heb 10:1-18</a></li>
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</ol></li>
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<li><b>Exhortations drawn from this superiority - <span class="noTag">Heb 10:19-39; Heb 11; Heb 12; Heb 13:1-25</span></b>
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<ol type="a">
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<li>Draw near to God and hold fast - <a id="si_34" onclick="return mV('Heb',10,'19-39');">Heb 10:19-39</a></li>
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<li>Run the race of faith with endurance - <a id="si_35" onclick="return mV('Heb',12,'1-29');">Heb 12:1-29</a></li>
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<li>Miscellaneous exhortations - <a id="si_36" onclick="return mV('Heb',13,'1-25');">Heb 13:1-25</a></li>
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</ol></li>
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</ol>
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<div class="levI" style="color: 324395; font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold; text-align: left">KEY WARNINGS</div>
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<p>A unique feature of the epistle to the Hebrews are the warnings throughout the book. As we conclude this introduction, perhaps it may be profitable to summarize them.</p>
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<ol>
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<li><b>The warning against drifting - <a id="si_37" onclick="return mV('Heb',2,'1-4');">Heb 2:1-4</a></b>
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<ol type="a">
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<li>Through neglect we can easily drift away</li>
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<li>The solution is to give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard</li>
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</ol></li>
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<li><b>The warning against departing - <a id="si_38" onclick="return mV('Heb',3,'12-15');">Heb 3:12-15</a></b>
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<ol type="a">
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<li>Through sin's deceitfulness we can become hardened and develop a lack of faith by which we can depart from the living God</li>
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<li>The solution is exhort one another daily and remain steadfast</li>
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</ol></li>
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<li><b>The warning against disobedience - <a id="si_39" onclick="return mV('Heb',4,'11-13');">Heb 4:11-13</a></b>
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<ol type="a">
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<li>Like Israel in the wilderness, we can fail to enter our rest through disobedience</li>
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<li>The solution is diligence and heeding the Word of God</li>
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</ol></li>
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<li><b>The warning against dullness - <a id="si_40" onclick="return mV('Heb',5,'11-14');">Heb 5:11-14</a>; <a id="si_41" onclick="return mV('Heb',6,'1-6');">Heb 6:1-6</a></b>
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<ol type="a">
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<li>Dullness of hearing can make it difficult for us to appreciate the extent of our blessings in Christ, and even falling away to the point of crucifying the Son of God afresh!</li>
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<li>The solution is grasping the first principles of the oracles of God, and then pressing on to spiritual maturity and perfection</li>
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</ol></li>
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<li><b>The warning against despising - <a id="si_42" onclick="return mV('Heb',10,'26-39');">Heb 10:26-39</a></b>
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<ol type="a">
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<li><b>It is possible to so despise God's grace as to no longer have a sacrifice for sins, but only a certain fearful expectation of judgment</b></li>
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<li><b>The solution is to hold unto our confidence in Christ, and believe with endurance</b></li>
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</ol></li>
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<li><b>The warning against defying - <a id="si_43" onclick="return mV('Heb',12,'25-29');">Heb 12:25-29</a></b>
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<ol type="a">
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<li><b>It is possible to refuse to listen to the One who now speaks from heaven!</b></li>
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<li><b>The solution is to look diligently to the grace of God, receiving it in such a way so we may serve Him acceptably with reverence and godly fear</b></li>
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</ol></li>
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</ol>
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<p style="font-weight: bold">
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With such warnings, this book is indeed a "word of exhortation" (<a id="si_44" onclick="return mV('Heb',13,22);">Heb 13:22</a>)!</p>
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<div class="levI" style="color: 324395; font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold; text-align: left">
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REVIEW QUESTIONS
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</div>
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<ol>
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<li><b>Who is author of the book of Hebrews?</b>
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<ul>
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<li>Only God knows</li>
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</ul></li>
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<li><b>Who were the original recipients of this epistle?</b>
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<ul>
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<li>Jewish Christians, possibly in Palestine or Italy</li>
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</ul></li>
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<li><b>When was it written?</b>
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<ul>
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<li>Likely between 63-65 A.D.</li>
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</ul></li>
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<li><b>What has been suggested as its purpose? Its theme?</b>
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<ul>
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<li>An exhortation to remain faithful to Christ</li>
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<li>The superiority of Christ and the New Covenant</li>
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</ul></li>
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<li><b>What are the three main divisions of this epistle?</b>
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<ul>
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<li>The superiority of Christ - <span class="noTag">Heb 1:1- Heb 8:6</span></li>
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<li>The superiority of the New Covenant - <span class="noTag">Heb 8:7-Heb 10:18</span></li>
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<li>Exhortations drawn from this superiority - <span class="noTag">Heb 10:19-Heb 13:25</span></li>
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</ul></li>
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<li><b>List the six warnings found in this epistle.</b>
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<ul>
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<li>The warning against drifting - <a id="si_45" onclick="return mV('Heb',2,'1-4');">Heb 2:1-4</a></li>
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<li>The warning against departing - <a id="si_46" onclick="return mV('Heb',3,'12-15');">Heb 3:12-15</a></li>
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<li>The warning against disobedience - <a id="si_47" onclick="return mV('Heb',4,'11-13');">Heb 4:11-13</a></li>
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<li>The warning against dullness - <a id="si_48" onclick="return mV('Heb',5,'11-14');">Heb 5:11-14</a>; <a id="si_49" onclick="return mV('Heb',6,'1-6');">Heb 6:1-6</a></li>
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<li>The warning against despising - <a id="si_50" onclick="return mV('Heb',10,'26-39');">Heb 10:26-39</a></li>
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<li>The warning against defying - <a id="si_51" onclick="return mV('Heb',12,'25-29');">Heb 12:25-29</a></li>
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</ul></li>
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</ol>
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<p style="font-size: 100%; margin-top: 25px; text-align: center">Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2003</p>
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