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Post by Natalie on Jan 12, 2021 10:01:12 GMT -6
Hebrews is a book that I have not studied through before. I've done bits and pieces, but this is probably the first time I have sat down and worked through it. (I am greatly enjoying it.) One of the things that God has really pressed on my heart the passed couple of years is that of context. We must keep things in context. Hebrews chapter 6 is one of those passages that I see taken alone, and when that happens, it can get misunderstood. So, I'm going to share some of my thoughts on Hebrews 1-6 to put chapter 6 in its proper context. (spoiler: it doesn't mean that you can loose your salvation  ) First, a little background. It is believed that Hebrews was written sometime around 64-66 AD – before the destruction of 70. Even though we don't have a name for the author, there is evidence in the text that the audience knew him. This book is written to believers who are under persecution for being followers of Jesus. They are contemplating going back to Judaism, at least until the persecution passes. The author is going to start the book by addressing why Jesus is greater than three main concepts in Judaism – angels, Moses, and the priesthood. All three of these were held very highly by Jews. Therefore, since He is greater, His salvation is also greater, and they need to continue following Him. (Couple of resources I have used – David Guzik's commentary on Blue Letter Bible and Ariel's Bible Commentary by Arnold Fruchtenbaum) |
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Post by Natalie on Jan 12, 2021 20:25:02 GMT -6
Chapter one makes the argument that Jesus is superior to angels because He is the Son of God (1:5) and also equal to God (1:8, 13). (He is God the Son) Angels on the other hand, worship Him and minister to believers (1:6, 14) Chapter two explains how the Son of God had to become flesh and blood. He had to be a Jewish Man in order to fulfill all things, to defeat death for us, to become our High Priest, to be able to aid those who are tempted. An angel couldn't do that.
The first of five warnings is in 2:1-4. Because of who Jesus is (the Son of God), the author urges the audience to pay great attention to the things they had heard so they don't drift away. As it goes on, these would be the things that Jesus taught which were confirmed by the apostles and signs from God. He does not want them to “neglect so great a salvation” (2:3) The Law was right and good, but the message Jesus brings is greater. They need to hold fast to it and not drift back to Judaism.
For us today, I think it would be great encouragement also to cling to the teachings of Christ. Because of the reminders in the first two chapters, we remember that He is far greater than anything, salvation is only in Him. Don't get distracted by things that aren't of Him.
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Post by Natalie on Jan 13, 2021 12:23:17 GMT -6
In 3:7, there begins the second warning to the audience of this letter – the danger of disobedience. He cautions them with the reminder of those coming out of Egypt who did not believe God which led to disobedience and sin. They were not allowed to enter the Promised Land. They missed God's blessings (and rest) and received a physical judgment (death outside the Land). It's not a salvation issue. Consider Moses for example. He did not get to enter the Promised Land because of disobedience. However, we see him and Elijah appear to Jesus and some of the disciples, so we know he went to be with God at his death. He did not loose his salvation; he lost blessings and received a physical judgment (death outside the land). There was a point of no return.
If we read Numbers 14:11-24, we see that God did pardon the people, but the judgment still stood. They would not enter the promised land, except for Caleb (and Joshua see 14:30).
Chapter four talks about entering God's rest through faith. If entering the Promised Land had produced complete rest, then David, in the Psalms, would not have also called the people to enter God's rest. Complete rest is in Messiah. Rest because He did all the work for our salvation, rest that comes from spiritual maturity (a main point of Hebrews), and a rest to come in the Kingdom.
4:11 “Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.” He is encouraging them to hold to their faith in Christ and not fall like those in the wilderness. Don't leave Christ to go back into unbelief and disobedience (Judaism). You will miss God's blessings (rest) if you do. Also consider – we know that a physical judgment for unbelief is coming in just a few years when Jerusalem will be destroyed, many Jews will die, and many will be scattered. They do not want to go back to Judaism.
It's my opinion that understanding these two chapters is the key to also understanding what he will write in chapter 6.
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Post by Natalie on Jan 14, 2021 11:18:47 GMT -6
Chapter 5 shows how Jesus meets the qualifications of High Priest.
5:1 “For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.”
Jesus was a man (5:7 “In the days of His flesh...”)
Jesus was appointed by God (5:5-6 “...Christ did not exalt Himself...but was appointed...”)
Jesus offered a sacrifice of Himself (5:9)
5:2 “He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness.”
Jesus is our compassionate High Priest (5:8 “He learned obedience through what He suffered.” See also 2:18)
A great point I read in Guzik's commentary was that we cannot be our own priest, yet we cannot come to God without a priest. We must use the priest that God provides. In the OT, it was through the line of Levi. But today, we don't need any other priest than the One that God provided once and for all – His Son.
The end of this chapter is another warning – they should be further along in their maturity than they currently are. This is restated in 6:1 “Therefore, let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity.” He then lists the basics: repentance from dead works (the Law), faith toward God, teachings on washings (ceremonial washings / baptism), laying on of hands, resurrection, and judgment. These are good; hold on to them, but move to deeper things.
For us also, hold onto the Gospel, preach it to yourself, but move on to a deeper relationship with Jesus.
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Post by Natalie on Jan 15, 2021 11:58:24 GMT -6
The two commentaries I have been using both say that chapter 6 is one of the most debated passages in Scripture. The Ariel Commentary comes up with 10 ways that it has been interpreted. However, keeping in mind the context and the illustration in chapters 3-4, I came to the same conclusion as Guzik and Fruchtenbaum. I'm sure if I checked others I would find some I agree with and some I don't. I don't always agree with these two on things. You may not agree with any of this and instead agree with one of the other 9 ways. I just find this makes the most sense to me in the context of Hebrews and the rest of Scripture. One thing I read was that the 6 things the author listed are things that are relatively similar to Jews and Christians. Repentance, faith, washings... It would be easy for a Jewish Christian to slip back into Judaism. They could still be religious but not persecuted. But, they would be denying Jesus. These believers thought they could give up their faith, return to Judaism, and then be saved again later (possibly when the persecution ended). But restoring them to their original repentance (an impossibility) would mean a crucifixion of Christ all over again (also an impossibility). It's possible, since they were still babes in the faith (5:12-13), that they would return to Judaism and stay there. After all, no one wants to be persecuted. It would be impossible for them to grow in their faith in Christ under Judaism. They would give up the blessings and place themselves under God's discipline. Just like those in the wilderness - saved, but living in disobedience. Judgment for Israel's unbelief and disobedience is coming, and these believers would probably loose their lives in the coming destruction (AD 70) should they return to Judaism. For believers today, we must grow in spiritual maturity. There are many dangers to remaining a baby Christian. There is the danger of being “tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” (Eph 4:14) It may even lead you away from Jesus. Not a loss in salvation, but a loss in relationship and blessings and the possibility of discipline. |
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Post by Natalie on Jan 15, 2021 12:06:27 GMT -6
I hope this has been helpful. Scripture does not contradict itself, and the whole of Scripture says that a true believer will not loose their salvation. And we can learn from those who belonged to the audience of this letter. Just like them: our works do not save us - they show where our faith lies, and we must continue on in that faith; we must encourage others to continue pressing on; we must also continue growing in maturity. Don't go back to what you were before and don't leave Jesus for something "better." And through Jesus we have the perfect High Priest who brings us a great salvation and a better hope than the Law or anything else. And He's coming soon!
(I'm continuing on through Hebrews and so will add to this thread if there is anything I think worth sharing ) |
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Post by Natalie on Jan 20, 2021 15:07:27 GMT -6
Starting in chapter 5 there is this introduction of the idea for the need for a priest from a different priesthood – after the order of Melchizedek. “Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron?” (7:11) Chapter 7 elaborates on Melchizedek and the fact that God said that there would be a priest from a tribe other than Levi. In fact, God makes this One a priest with an oath, and a priest forever.
The conclusion being “This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.” (7:22) And because He lives forever, He saves completely, brings a better hope, and allows for a closer relationship with God. And as seen at the beginning of chapter 8, He serves in God's true temple, whereas the priests served in the copy.
Chapter 8 continues on with the added idea that even the prophets knew that a new covenant was coming. “In speaking of a new covenant, He makes the first one obsolete.” (8;13) In my reading, I ran across that a covenant is often seen as something between two people, whereas a testament is the work of one. God's making a new testament that will solve man's heart issue. This new testament, brought in with the work of a new Priest, is a better quality one.
This should encourage both the original audience and us that we do not want to return to the old covenant that is obsolete (growing old, worn out) and is “ready to vanish away.” And vanish it did with the destruction in AD 70. God doesn't want us following the Law; He wants us to come to Him through our great High Priest. He wants to write His law on our hearts and remember our sins no more.
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Post by Natalie on Jan 20, 2021 15:14:52 GMT -6
Studying Hebrews has led me to consider that, where Romans is an explanation of the Gospel and why we need it, Hebrews is an explanation of the superiority of Jesus and why we should put our faith in Him. It's also the why behind the declaration that He has the name above every name and everyone will kneel before Him.
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Post by Natalie on Jan 27, 2021 9:47:55 GMT -6
I read through Galatians this morning, and it struck me that Paul was giving the Gentile believers a similar message as in Hebrews - the Law does not save anyone. You must put your faith in Christ and stay with Him. But there were some in Galatia that were wanting to follow Judaism. They were being persecuted and embracing Judaism would lessen that. There were probably Jews that were also telling them they need to follow the Law. Paul is telling them the same thing as the writer of Hebrews - "if you accept circumcision [and go under the law], Christ will be of no advantage to you...you are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace." (Galatians 5:2-4)
Paul is not saying they are going to loose their salvation, but they would be breaking that relationship with Christ. You cannot be under the old Levitical priesthood and the new Messianic Priesthood, if I may put it that way. You cannot serve the law and serve Christ. He tells them that Christ has set them free and they need to stand firm in His truth. They were running well he tells them. But, this would be quitting the race - a loss of relationship and loss of eternal rewards. |
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Post by rt on Feb 5, 2021 13:10:47 GMT -6
Natalie , I have just completed a survey of Hebrews myself, I think we were studying it at the same time! Normally I do an intensive study when I dive into a book of the Bible, this time I decided to do a lighter one first, just writing down the things that stood out and spoke to me. My hope is to go back and do a more intensive study the second time around and build on my original thoughts. My initial impression was that the author spends a lot of time laying out a case for Christ's authority in the matter of salvation. It begins by laying out His authority as the Son of God. then goes on with many contrasts and comparisons- between Christ and Angels, Moses, The high priests, Joshua, Melchizedek. . Chapter five changes gears, the author shares his frustration in trying to convey these ideas because as he says, the readers have grown "dull of hearing" and admonishes them for their lack of spiritual growth. I found this particular passage quite profound. It defines what makes one a spiritual babe or spiritually mature. The babes- are stuck in the elementary teachings, they are satisfied to "drink milk" and don't press on toward maturity and "solid food". Babes have trouble discerning good from evil because their senses haven't been trained by the practice of the word in their lives. They live in a perpetual state of infancy. The author goes on to give a remedy: Press on toward maturity. I don't see the "foundation" as a problem in itself, it is a foundation that they can and should build their faith upon. Not Jewish law, but faith in Christ: Repentance, faith toward God, washings (remember they were taught to wash one another's feet John 13:14 and also to be baptized), laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment; were all foundational teachings among the early believers. The Author wants them to move beyond these elementary teachings and press on toward maturity. Hebrews 6:4-8 stands as a warning to these spiritual babies. Those who have come to the kowledge of salvation, but have then fallen away are like the ground that yeilds thistles and thorns. I think the parable of the sower fits in perfectly with this analogy in hebrews and lends understanding to what is being said here. Matthew 13 :3-23 shares the parable of four types of soil or people, where the word of God is planted. The first soil- the hard compacted soil beside the road, never receives the seed, in the explanation we are told that these people don't understand the word of the Kingdom and the seed is taken from them by the evil one. The second soil- the rocky soil- recieves the seed which sprouts up but because of lack of soil it withered in the heat of the sun, in the explanation we are told that this soil represents those who hear the word and recieve it with joy, but the growth is only temporary and falls away under persecution.
The third soil- the weed ridden or thorny soil- chokes out the seed. The explanation says that these people, hear the word but the worry of the world and deceitfulness of wealth choke the word. The fourth soil- the good soil- hears and understands the word. The fourth soil is the only one that bears fruit. The others bring no fruit to maturity- starting to sound familiar? The warning to the Hebrews was that they are in danger of yeilding thorns and thistles. I think sometimes our problem as believers is that we don't fully understand what it really means to be saved and when that actually happens. Here in Hebrews the warning is to those who have been enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, having been made partakers of the Holy Spirit and tasted of God's word. The Hebrews stand in that position, they have received the word into their soil, they have been given the opportunity to partake of the Holy Spirit and have tasted of the word, but they have stayed there, they haven't moved on in their understanding by putting to practice what they have heard. In the parable of the sower, only one soil is rendered "good", only one soil is justified by their faith, and that faith will produce fruit in the life of the one truly saved and justified in Christ. The other soils are people who heard the word, and even believed in it, but failed to produce fruit because they failed to walk in that belief. The author goes on to encourage them by stating that they are convinced that this won't be their fate but that they will press on toward maturity: They are told to be deligent and to not be sluggish, which is just a softer way of saying don't be lazy! Babes in Christ are susceptable to falling away, because they lack understanding and discernment. They believe in the truth of the Gospel but are they truly saved by it? I have no doubt that many are and that the change wrought in their lives evidences it as it did in my own life and many others I know. But I do not think that all who believe the truth are really saved by it. I and I am sure you also know of many who made a profession of faith only to fall away from it for the very reasons given in the sower parable; persecution, testing, and the cares of the world drew them away from that initial response of belief. My sister is a good example, she responded to an altar call as a young teen, but never built on that initial experience. She never came back to church, never sought out more understanding or knowledge and instead embraced a New Age view of life and rejected Jesus as the only means of salvation. She "got saved" as we in the church would say, but she wasn't really saved, she fell away. This is how I reconcile these "controversial" passages in Hebrews, not sure if I am right or not, but it does make sense to me.
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Post by Natalie on Feb 5, 2021 14:15:11 GMT -6
Thanks for your thoughts on Hebrews. I hadn't thought of the parable of the soils, but it does seem to fit.
I am currently finishing chapter 11. I have really enjoyed it.
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Post by rt on Feb 7, 2021 12:19:18 GMT -6
Natalie , Chapter 11 is great, the whole book is really. What stood out to you in this chapter? I got this among other things: *The Definition of faith- belief that God will keep His promises Hebrews 11:1 1 NOW faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. *The Dictates of faith- belief in God and in His reward Hebrews 11:6 6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. *The Desire of faith- The heavenly city prepared by God for the faithful Hebrews 11:13–16 13 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. 15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them. *The Destiny of faith- being completed, or made perfect. Hebrews 11:39–40 39 And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
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Post by Natalie on Feb 7, 2021 12:37:28 GMT -6
Yes, that gives a nice overview/summary.
I think what stood out to me is that for almost all of those listed, things weren't realized in their lifetime. Sarah had her promised son, but all of them died before Messiah came and before the Kingdom. But they continued looking forward in faith because they knew Him who is faithful - we do well by keeping our faith in Him because He will keep His promises.
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