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Hebrews A Book of Myster y

::. LFBI .::
HEBREWS
BIBLE SURVEY IV

Hebrews A Book of Myster y

4. It expands our understanding of the mystery
of the faith, 1 Tim 3:9; Heb 10:22-23,38
5. It explains the mystery of godliness, 1 Tim
3:16; Heb 1:2-8
6. It is anonymous as to its authorship
7. It is unclear about its date
8. It is unspecified as to its recipients

1. It ties together Jesus mystery of the kingdom of

God with the kingdom of heaven, Mark 4:11; Heb
1:8;12:28
2. It explains in great detail the mystery of Gods will
as it relates to Israels blindness, Rom 11:25; Eph
1:9; Heb 6:17;8:8-12;10:36-37
3. It advances our understanding of the revelation of
the mystery of Pauls gospel, Rom 16:25; Eph
3:3-4,9; Heb 4:2

Point 1
Hebrew Christians had already been
prepared for a complete break from
Judaism by the book of

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Biblical Histor y

Point 2
The grander the dimensions of grace,
the greater our worship of God.

Definition
The mystery of
godliness is that Jesus
Christ was God with
skin on.

Point 3
It is not enough to have
faith, if our faith is not
rooted in truth, and
believing the truth
allows you to see
reality.

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Seven Ecumenical Church Councils

Point 4

1. First Council of Nicaea (AD 325)

2. First Council of Constantinople (AD 381)
3. First Council of Ephesus (AD 431)
4. Council of Chalcedon (AD 451)
5. Second Council of Constantinople (AD 553)
6. Third Council of Constantinople (AD 680)
7. Second Council of Nicaea (AD 787)

The book of Hebrews

shows what you miss if
you do not get the
word, and do not
submit to biblical
authority.

Qualities and Functions of Christ

1. 1:1-4 appointed heir of all things
2. 2:10-18 the captain of our salvation
3. 3:3 worthy of more glory than Moses
4. 4:15 touched with our infirmities
5. 7:24-25 continues forever
6. 8:6 a more excellent ministry
7. 12:2-3 author and finisher of our faith
8. 13:20 the great shepherd

Summar y of Christ in Hebrews

Chapters
1
2-3
4-10
11-13

Titles
Jesus Son of God
Jesus Son of Man
Jesus High Priest
Jesus Better Way

Focus
His Deity
His Humanity
His Ministry
His Example

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The Holy Spirit in Hebrews

His Personhood
His Inspiration
His Impartation
His Teaching
His Deity
His Testimony
His Grace

2:4
3:7
6:4
9:8
9:14
10:15
10:29

in giving gifts
speaking to us
in our experience
interpreting truth
assisting Jesus
speaking by prophets
insulted by apostasy

Point 6
When we get saved, the
Holy Spirit sets us apart
for the mission of the Great
Commission, so we can be
consecrated to fulfilling
Gods Eternal Purpose.

Point 5
Even when the
building is
destroyed
(shadow), worship
must continue
(substance).

Point 7
There are sometimes sad spiritual
consequences, even in the Christian life.

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Seven Dangers for Saints

A. We have a better deliverer in Christ (1-7), so avoid

1. DRIFT
2. DOUBT
3. DISOBEDIENCE
4. DEGENERATION

Seven Dangers for Saints

B. We have a better covenant in Calvary (8-10), so avoid

5. DESPISING

C. We have a better way in faith (11-13), so avoid

6. DENIAL
7. DISTANCING

Seven Dangers for Saints

B. We have a better covenant in Calvary (8-10), so avoid

5. DESPISING

B e t te r Pr o m i s e s B i g g e r Re s p o n s i b i l i t i e s

1. Fear because of the promise of rest (4:1)

2. Labor because of the prospect of unbelief
(4:11)
3. Hold fast because of the profession of a high
priest (4:14)
4. Come boldly because of the possibility of
mercy (4:16)
5. Press on because of the eternal purpose of
perfection (6:1)
6. Draw near because of our purity of
conscience (10:22)

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B e t te r Pr o m i s e s B i g g e r Re s p o n s i b i l i t i e s

7. Consider so we can provoke good works in

others (10:24)
8. Lay aside because of the preponderance of
witnesses (12:1)
9. Run because of patience required in the race
(12:1)
10. Have grace as God's provision for service
(12:28)
11. Go forth for a permanent city (13:13-14)
12. Offer praise, because our God is worthy
(13:15)

Point 8
Jesus fulfilled and
finished the
necessity of
sacrifices for
sanctification.

The Two High Priests

ISRAEL'S (Leviticus 16)
Called of God from among men
Compassion for the wayward (5:2)
Spotless purity of dress
Entered the Holy of Holies
Entered once a year
Entered on behalf of Israel under the Law
Stood daily in the temple
Completed atonement by the blood of a goat
(Lev 16)
Atonement for Israel and for self
Israel appeared before the mercy seat
Offered annually and continually

OURS (Hebrews 5)
Called of God from among men
Prayed with tears
Spotless purity of character
Entered Heaven Itself (9:24)
Entered once for all
Entered as a forerunner of all partakers of the
heavenly calling
Sat down in the heavens
Completed atonement by the blood of God
(Acts 20:28)
Atonement for Adams fallen race only
We appear before a throne of grace
Offered finally and eternally (9:25)

The Finished Work of Christ

Sacrificed Once
Entered Holy of Holies Once
Appeared to Put Away Sin Once
Was Offered Once
Offered His Body Once

7:27
9:12
9:26
9:28
10:10

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New Testament Books

The Gospels
Biographical
4 Books
Matthew-John

History
Ecclesiastical
1 Book
Acts

Epistles
Personal
21 Books
Romans-Jude

Prophecy
Prophetical
1 Book
Revelation

Archway of the NT
C
h
r
i
s
t
i
a
n
C
h
u
r
c
h

1 Timothy
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians

2 Timothy
Titus
PASTORAL EPISTLES
Christian
Doctrine
FAITH

Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians Christian
2 Thessalonians Apocalypse

Philemon
Heb-Chr
Doctrine
HOPE

Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter

LOVE

1 John
2 John
3 John

Hebrew
Apocalypse

Jude
Revelation

E
p
i
s
t
l
e
s

H
e
b
r
e
w
C
h
r
i
s
t
i
a
n
E
p
i
s
t
l
e
s

MATTHEW

MARK

LUKE
Foundation

JOHN

ACTS

Point 9

Progressive Revelation

Romans heads the Christian Church

epistles, and shows the necessity of faith
in Christ alone; Hebrews heads the
Hebrew-Christian epistles and shows
the superiority of faith in Christ alone.

1. Devotional: this is the experiential and

inspirational factor. Paul progressed in
his personal experience of the
knowledge of Christ.

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Progressive Revelation
1. Devotional: this is the experiential and
inspirational factor
2. Supernatural: this is the prophetic and
doctrinal factor. Paul received
revelations from God of the mysteries
that were now to be explained.

Definition
Epistles are more
than letters, because
they are letters
meant to
communicate divine
truth.

Progressive Revelation
1. Devotional: this is the experiential and
inspirational factor
2. Supernatural: this is the prophetic and
doctrinal factor
3. Historical: this is the opposition factor.
Paul encountered actual adversaries who
were twisting his teachings.

Point 10
The fact that some books were debated and
not immediately recognized as inspired
shows the great care taken by the
priesthood of earths earliest believers to
examine epistles, and critically distinguish
between what were canonical, and which
were not inspired, and therefore not
authoritative as Gods word.

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Hebrew Christian Epistles

9 Books by Apostles
Doctrinal
Hebrews
1 Book

General
James-Peter-John-Jude
7 Books
Persecution Apostasy
James
2 Peter
1 Peter
Jude
Israel
Diaspora
James
1 Peter
Jude
2 Peter
Universal: 1,2,3 John

Prophetical
Revelation
1 Book

Summar y Sur vey

HEBREWSNew Substance to Old Shadows

JAMESNew Plea for Spiritual Reality
I PETERNew Persecution Provides Patience
II PETERNew Purging Provides Perfection
I JOHNNew Fellowship Proves Lordship
II JOHNNew Truth Judges Error
III JOHNNew Hospitality Provides Joy
JUDENew Manual on Spiritual Survival
REVELATIONNew Visions of New Jerusalem

The ABCDEs of Hebrews

Authorship

BOOK: Hebrews
AUTHOR: Paul
DATE: c. AD 64
BACKGROUND: Historical Earliest Christians (Jewish) wavering in faith
DoctrinalCrossing from shadows to substance
InspirationalHolding on to the faith so Christ can work
MEANING OF TITLE: The ones who cross over
THEME: Hasten toward maturity because we have everything that is better in
the eternal purpose of God
CHRIST SEEN AS: Captain of our salvation, 2:10
KEY VERSE: 11:40
KEY WORDS: Better 13x Perfect 12
CHAPTERS: 13
VERSES: 303
WORDS: 6,913
LESSON: Do not let go of faith or you will fall from grace

1. The Bible says Paul wrote to the Dispersion,

2 Pet 3:15
2. The author of Hebrews was well known to
its readers, Heb 13:1
3. The author evinces a mastery of the Jews
religion, as did Paul, Gal 1:14; Phil 3:5
4. The Bible says Paul wrote from prison in
Italy, Acts 28:16,30-31 cf. Heb 13:19,24

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Authorship

Pauls Original Vision

5. Paul had a precedent of sending Timothy to

places before he arrived, Phil 2:19-24 cf. Heb
13:23
6. Hebrews ends with the signature salutation
Paul claims as his own, 2 Thes 3:17-18 cf.
Heb 13:25
7. Pauls authorship of Hebrews fits the original
vision Christ gave him

1. He bore the name of Christ before the

Gentilesas contained in his epistles
2. He bore his name before kingsas
recorded in his testimony in Acts
3. He bore his name to the children of
Israelas recorded in the book of
Hebrews

Date

Recipients

AD 64

Hebrews was written to Hebrews, and

to Hebrew Christians in Jerusalem who
were in danger of forsaking faith in
Christ to put their trust back in temple
sacrifices.

10

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Habakkuk 2:4
Romans 1:17ff Paul expositorily expounds the
two words, the just
Galatians 3:11ff Paul expositorily expounds the
next two words, and tells us how the just shall live
Hebrews 10:38ff Paul expositorily expounds on
the last three words of the verse, to show how those
who are justified, and by the Spirit being sanctified,
are doing so by their faith

Thesis
With regard to the past (OT) and
present (NT) dispensation, you can
never be so enamored with the
contrasts you miss the comparisons.

Point 11
Works were God-appointed proofs of
living faith.

Theme
The argument of this epistle is that even
though the Old Covenant was divine, it
was just temporary.

11

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Three Primar y Purposes

Gods Eternal Purpose

1. To provide a key to interpreting the OT (a

NT guide to OT typology)
2. To display how Gods blessings under the
dispensation of grace are in every way better
3. To prove the revelation of the mystery of
Pauls gospel (Rom 16:25; Eph 6:19)
completes the Eternal Purpose of God (Eph
3:9-11,21)

1. To glorify God by himself

2. By vesting eternal life in his Son Jesus
Christ
3. To be carried to the world by uniting all
who trust Jesus into his own body, the
church

12