><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Hebrews) CHAPTER 1 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) Verses 1-4 List the statements made about Christ in vs2-3. What do these statements tell us about His person and work? In what ways is He greater than prophets and angels? 2) How do the scriptures quoted in vs5-14 confirm the statment of vs 4? Define for yourself the ways in which what God says of Christ is different from what He says of angels. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Hebrews) Chapter 1 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- The most wonderful news of Hebrews 1 is v3, "...After He had provided purification for sins, He SAT DOWN at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven." Hallelujah that Christ FINISHED the work of salvation! Angels were revered by Jews for their role in delivering the law at Sinai. However, Christ is superior to them and angels worship Him. I Peter 1:12, "It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves [prophets] but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven . Even angels long to look into these things." -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Hebrews Chapter 1 Jesus is Messiah At the beginning of this book, it introduces to us that Jesus is Messiah, Christ to us, who is now in heaven. In the four Gospels we know Him through His earthly ministry. Chapter 1 emphasizes that His mission on earth is accomplished and now waiting in heaven for the ones to come to His kingdom and at the appointed time He shall be back to manifest His glory. At that time His enemies shall be a footstool of His. Jesus is Son of God - He is God who reveals Himself to men; Heir of all things; He made the world; He is the radiance of God's glory; He is better than angels; He upholds all things by the Word of His power - The divine power is shown through His Word, The Word indicates that He shall return, The antichrists shall be destroyed; He is in heaven, 1:3; He is the image of the invisible God, The first born of all creation, (He is above all creation, Rev. 3:14); Angels worship Him, 1:6; He is the eternal God, 1:7-12; His throne is forever, 1:8; He is the ruler of the coming age, 1:11-13; He accomplished His mission, 1:13. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) In the opening verses of this chapter we get a glimpse into who Christ is. Christ is: - Son of God - Heir of all things - Creating force through which the Father made the world. - Radiance of God's glory. - Exact representation of God's nature - upholder of God's word by His power - Purifier of Sins who rests at the right hand of the Majesty on High These are powerful statements concerning Christ's position, His role, and His essence. He is greater than prophets and angels, because He is not just the messenger, the mouthpiece of the instrument or the instrument, but God Himself. He is the perfect representative, not a copy or a diplomat, or an emissary, but like having God right there. 2) In 5-14 we see the backup information for why Christ IS greater than the angels. - God calls Him Son. v5 (BIRTHRIGHT AND ROLE) - Tells Him His throne is forever v8 (AUTHORITY AND POWER) - Calls Him Lord in the Beginning v10 (CREATOR/ETERNALITY) - God invites Him : Sit at my right hand v13 (POWER) Praise be to the Father and His Son, whose throne is forever. The One called Lord in the Beginning who has been invited to sit at God's right hand! ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Hebrews) CHAPTER 2 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) vs 1-4 . Why ought we to 'pay the closer attention to what we have heard'(v1)? Sort out the reasons here stated. Against what practical dnagers is this warning directed? 2) What, according to the Scriptures (egPs8) is man's divinely intended destiny? How do we here see God's purpose for man being brought to its fulfillment? What path did the Son of God have to tread to make it possible for sinful men to share in this fulfillment? What, in consequence, can He now do for us? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Hebrews) Chapter 2 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- This is a warning not to drift away. To stay secure in salvation, and not to regress back into the "law". v4 also talks of the signs, wonders and miracles that were performed as testimonies of salvation. The most beautiful part of this chapter, IMO, is v 10, "In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the AUTHOR of their salvation PERFECT THROUGH SUFFERING." Although Jesus was sinless, he underwent suffering in order to identify with us on the deepest level - suffering. May it be encouragment to us, Rom 5:3, "..we also rejoice in our sufferings, BECAUSE we know that sufferings produces PERSEVERANCE..." Press on! -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Hebrew Chapter 2 Jesus is Greater than Angels God through Jesus makes Christians co-heir of the universe; He has not put the world in subjection to angels, 2:5. In 1:4 to 2:18, the message is the Lord Jesus Christ is greater than angels. The background of this message can be found in Acts. After Stephen's death, Acts 7, the Jewish Christians were beginning to think that they had lost everything. They were in danger of even giving up their faith and drafting back to their old religion. The encouragement the author gave to them is in 3:6 "but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and boast of our hope firm UNTIL THE END." In Acts, starting from 8:26, 10:3, 12:7-11, 12:15 and 12:23 etc. there are so many incidents where angels are mentioned. The Jewish Christians started to switch their attentions from Jesus to angels. Therefore, this whole chapter is explaining that salvation is not for angels, but for men. "how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard," Hebrews 2:3. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) In 1-4 we are warned to pay closer attention to what we have heard. We have an inate accountability expressed in Romans 1:18-21 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 ¶ because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. The writer of Hebrews is expressing the significance of that accountability and that we need to pay attention. He also asks - how is it that we can 'neglect so great a salvation'? Given all the evidence, how can we turn away, how can we deny? He is also warning against angel worship, or putting angels in too high a regard or position. 2) Man's divine destiny is given in Ps 8: 1 ¶ <> O LORD, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth, Who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens! 2 From the mouth of infants and nursing babes You have established strength Because of Your adversaries, To make the enemy and the revengeful cease. 3 ¶ When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained; 4 What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him? 5 Yet You have made him a little lower than God, And You crown him with glory and majesty! 6 You make him to rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, 7 All sheep and oxen, And also the beasts of the field, 8 The birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea, Whatever passes through the paths of the seas. 9 O LORD, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth! Our intended destiny is to worship God in His presence. We see Christ as the fulfillment of that destiny. Christ now sits at the right hand of God as our - paraklete - or advocate. He is our intercessor, the One making intercession on our behalf to the Father. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Hebrews) CHAPTER 3:1-6 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) Verses1,6. Christians are here described as those who confess Christ and respond to His call. If these activities are to be fully meaningful, we must 'consider Jesus' as our 'apostle and high priest' What, then, can Christ do for us, and what does He demand from us as a) our Apostle, and b) our High Priest? 2) Verses 2-5. Find 3 ways in these verses in which Christ is said to excel Moses. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Hebrews) Chapter 3:1-6 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- Christ is our deliverer from death and sin, while Moses delivered the Israelites from Pharaoh's rule. Christ is the Son of God and is over God's house, while Moses was only a faithful servant in God's house. Perseverance distinguishes the true children of God (NIV study Bible notes). v6, "But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. And we are His house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast." -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Hebrews 3 Jesus is Greater Than Moses In tradition, Jews honor Moses as God's messenger established their Laws and anointed their first high priest, Aaron. Moses also was the one who instructed them the ritual of worship. This chapter shows Jesus is greater than Moses. 3: 1 addresses Jesus as the Apostle and High Priest. As Apostle, in John 6:46 indicated that "not that any man has seen the Father, except the One who is from God; He has seen the Father." As the High Priest, we just read in 2:17, "---- that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people." In Moses' days, Jews went astray in their hearts and could not enter God's rest, 3:9-10. "Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, 'Today if you hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as when they provoked Me, As in the day of trial in the wilderness, where your fathers tried Me by testing Me, ----." 3:9-10. The key verse of this chapter is "FOR WE HAVE BECOME PARTAKERS OF CHRIST IF WE HOLD FAST THE BEGINNING OF OUR ASSURANCE FIRM UNTIL THE END;" 3:14. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) In Hebrews we are told 4 times to 'hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm to the end'. Heb 3:1,6,14;10:23. This is an admonition to not lose our first love for Christ. We are called to consider Christ our apostle and High priest. The apostolic portion implies Christ is our representative FROM God. The High Priest aspect depicts Jesus' role as our representative TO God. It is this dual funtionality that makes Christ Unique. Many were representative OF God, and others were high priests, but none could bear the role of repr. FROM God and TO God. He is the intercessor and the delegate of our Faith. 2) Moses was seen as the one who brought the Law to the people. He was often given too much respect and almost iconized. In v2-5, we see how Christ is greater than Moses. Christ in v3 is better because he is the master builder of God's house, Moses was but a hired hand. In v5 Moses was faithful as a worker in the house, but Christ was faithful as the Owner's Son. May we remember the importance that we put the focus of our service of God and worship of God on Christ, and not other things. Let us not lose the confidence and the boast of our hope, but remember that it is Christ alone who has the power of God unto Salvation - He is the Living Word.