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The Book of Hebrews
In April, we began a journey through the book of Hebrews. The decision to explore this particular book of the Bible came from a desire to explore a Christological book of the Bible after our previous study of Ecclesiastes. As I have previously stated, a walk through Hebrews will last for most of remainder of the year 2021. This is due to the dense theological application of this book.
Adrio König wrote that Hebrews is one of the most neglected books of the Bible because of its ambiguity. We do not know who wrote it, when it was written, or who it was written to. In fact, many theologians and historians have argued the canonicity of the book of Hebrews, such as Martin Luther. Despite these disputes over the text, Hebrews remains a part of the biblical canon because of its abundant theological characteristics.
The book of Hebrews features four major themes that appear throughout the book. As we study through Hebrews one passage at a time over the next months, you will notice that these themes will appear over and again. These four themes are the greatness of Christ, the reliability of God’s word, warnings against apostasy, and calls to persevere.
I. The Greatness of Christ
Our first lesson from Hebrews was titled “The Greatness of Christ” not only because the first four verses of the first chapter make that statement but also because it is the overall theme of the book. The author of Hebrews took the knowledge of Christ’s life and ministry for granted and chose to emphasize Jesus’ greatness and significance. On the other hand, the author also emphasized both Jesus’ humility and his humanity (2:10, 4:15-16, 5:7-10). As we study the book of Hebrews, we should constantly be reminded of both the greatness of Christ and his meekness as well.
II. The Reliability of God’s Word
The book of Hebrews uses more Old Testament references than any other New Testament book. In fact, there are so many subtle references to the Old Testament in Hebrews that scholars can not come up with an accurate count. Moreover, many of the Old Testament quotes in the book of Hebrews do not appear anywhere else in the New Testament. Hebrews is often celebrated for its author’s attempt to reconcile Old Testament theology with New Testament theology which was a struggle for the early church. The author of Hebrews used the prophecy of Jesus in the Old Testament as proof of the reliability of God’s word. If God did what he promised he would when he sent Jesus, we can believe that he will do what he promised in the present and the future.
III. Warning Against Apostasy
Apostasy is just a fancy word for betrayal or faithlessness. The author of Hebrews warned his audience against straying away from God’s word which leads to drifting away from the faith (2:1-4, 12:14-17). In Hebrews chapter 2, the author used nautical imagery of a ship that had been separated from its anchor. Without the anchor holding the ship in place, the ship could be carried of by a gentle current, blown away by a violent storm, or anything in between. Without the anchor of God’s word in our lives we run the risk of drifting away from God.
IV. Calls for Perseverance
In a similar urgency to his warnings against drifting away from God, the author of Hebrews also encouraged those in the faith to press on through hard times. Christian persecution was a reality for the audiences to which many of the New Testament letters were written. The author surely felt a desire to encourage his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. What is more, the author faced the reality that some people will turn their backs on Christ and walk away from the faith (3:12, 10:35). But in the same way, the author also guarantees that those who persevere will be blessed (3:13-14, 6:9-10, 10:39).
Join us each Sunday morning as we continue to walk through the book of Hebrews. As we continue through our study, pay attention and look for the reoccurrence of these themes throughout the letter.
In April, we began a journey through the book of Hebrews. The decision to explore this particular book of the Bible came from a desire to explore a Christological book of the Bible after our previous study of Ecclesiastes. As I have previously stated, a walk through Hebrews will last for most of remainder of the year 2021. This is due to the dense theological application of this book.
Adrio König wrote that Hebrews is one of the most neglected books of the Bible because of its ambiguity. We do not know who wrote it, when it was written, or who it was written to. In fact, many theologians and historians have argued the canonicity of the book of Hebrews, such as Martin Luther. Despite these disputes over the text, Hebrews remains a part of the biblical canon because of its abundant theological characteristics.
The book of Hebrews features four major themes that appear throughout the book. As we study through Hebrews one passage at a time over the next months, you will notice that these themes will appear over and again. These four themes are the greatness of Christ, the reliability of God’s word, warnings against apostasy, and calls to persevere.
I. The Greatness of Christ
Our first lesson from Hebrews was titled “The Greatness of Christ” not only because the first four verses of the first chapter make that statement but also because it is the overall theme of the book. The author of Hebrews took the knowledge of Christ’s life and ministry for granted and chose to emphasize Jesus’ greatness and significance. On the other hand, the author also emphasized both Jesus’ humility and his humanity (2:10, 4:15-16, 5:7-10). As we study the book of Hebrews, we should constantly be reminded of both the greatness of Christ and his meekness as well.
II. The Reliability of God’s Word
The book of Hebrews uses more Old Testament references than any other New Testament book. In fact, there are so many subtle references to the Old Testament in Hebrews that scholars can not come up with an accurate count. Moreover, many of the Old Testament quotes in the book of Hebrews do not appear anywhere else in the New Testament. Hebrews is often celebrated for its author’s attempt to reconcile Old Testament theology with New Testament theology which was a struggle for the early church. The author of Hebrews used the prophecy of Jesus in the Old Testament as proof of the reliability of God’s word. If God did what he promised he would when he sent Jesus, we can believe that he will do what he promised in the present and the future.
III. Warning Against Apostasy
Apostasy is just a fancy word for betrayal or faithlessness. The author of Hebrews warned his audience against straying away from God’s word which leads to drifting away from the faith (2:1-4, 12:14-17). In Hebrews chapter 2, the author used nautical imagery of a ship that had been separated from its anchor. Without the anchor holding the ship in place, the ship could be carried of by a gentle current, blown away by a violent storm, or anything in between. Without the anchor of God’s word in our lives we run the risk of drifting away from God.
IV. Calls for Perseverance
In a similar urgency to his warnings against drifting away from God, the author of Hebrews also encouraged those in the faith to press on through hard times. Christian persecution was a reality for the audiences to which many of the New Testament letters were written. The author surely felt a desire to encourage his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. What is more, the author faced the reality that some people will turn their backs on Christ and walk away from the faith (3:12, 10:35). But in the same way, the author also guarantees that those who persevere will be blessed (3:13-14, 6:9-10, 10:39).
Join us each Sunday morning as we continue to walk through the book of Hebrews. As we continue through our study, pay attention and look for the reoccurrence of these themes throughout the letter.
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