Hebrews 1

Hebrews 1 

What The Book Of Hebrews Is All About

The book of Hebrews stands tall in scripture. Few books are like it. In terms of the New Testament, only Romans and Galatians are on the same plane. Each book (Romans/Galatians/Hebrews) contains simplicity and depth. All three reflect a type of educational curricula rarely seen in the ancient world. The lignuistics are second to none, as is the theology.

Who Wrote It?

Despite much controversy, we have no concrete evidence on authorship. Some say Paul, others Barnabas because he was a Levitical Priest. But we don’t in fact know who wrote the Book of Hebrews.

See below for my contribution to the ongoing debate.

The Book of Hebrews is School of Ministry Curriculum

The Apostle Paul formed  a leadership ministry school, in Ephesus,  and taught his studetns as a rabbi. The rabbinic teaching method meant his lessons would be codified and repititious. It was important that his students taught what they learned from him with precision. This technique exists to day in rabbinic schools found all over the world.

Ephesus is a robust archaeological site. The archaeological evidence shows a large and prospering Christian community. Paul’s apostolic anointing meant that God called him to plant churches. Like any expanding organism, his ministry needed structure and greater clarity so the gospel mission could multiply.

Here is what seems most logical to me.

Paul taught his students the book of Hebrews at the School of Tyrannus located in Ephesus (Acts 19:9). We know almost nothing about Tyrannus as a person. He is believed to be  either a philosopher or building owner. Paul merely rented the space for the purposes of traiing evangelitic leaders.

Some of Paul’s students went into what is now known as modern day Turkey and planted churches. 7  of those churches Jesus spoke about  in Revelation chapters 2-3, The impact of this school is all over the New Testament (Ephesians, Galatians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Timothy).

How Hebrews Was LIkely Written

Paul’s students codified his lectures, and Paul edited their work, which is why Hebrews feels Pauline but linguistically does not read like him. Paul taught, studetnts took notes, those notes were edited, the curriculum was circulated.

It’s just my theory.

v. 1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets

The Unseen Realm

Scritpure clearly communicates an unseen world and Hebrews consistently mentions it. For example, chapter 11 illustrates this two different ways. “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen,” (Hebrews 11:1), and, “By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible,” (Hebrews 11:3).

The reality of an unseen guides truth, and logic tells us that the physical world was born out of the spiritual.

Michael Heiser writes, “The unseen realm is a real sueprnatural dimension, where a heavenly host of lesser spiritual beings (elohims) are assigned the task of governing the nations. Scripture chronicles the cosmic conflict and rebellion of these lesser gods. Yahweh’s plan is to reclaim the nations for his glory, and restore humans to their rightful place as his divine council.”

Chuck Missler writes, “The unseen realm is a literal, mulitdimensional reality where spiritual warfare is capable of altering earthly human history. Science, things like quantum mechanics, proves the supernatural world intergrates seamlessly with a literal interpretation of the bible.

1. Missler used Quantum mechanics to help us understand how our physical world is not solid.
2. Wanted to know how beings could move from one realm to another. Mountain of Fire. Transfiguration. Rapture. Second coming.
3. More accurate to see the physical world like a digital projection controlled by an invisible reality. That invisible reality is the spiritual realm, and it’s influence over the physical world exists to this day.
4. Some argue that the spiritual world is more real, and more stable than the physical world we touch every day.
5. Examples: Empty space fills 99.999% of every atom
   1. Used to prove material reality is not what everyone thinks it is. Atoms are bound energy, not just physicality.
   2. Our ability to build digital reality exists because it is cousin to the spiritual world. Think how a programmer works.

3. Book of Hebrews is Church Planting Curriculum/Pastor Training Curriculum from Paul’s School of Ministry located in Ephesus (Turkey)
   1. Hebrews addresses all the drama, debate, tension revolving around the intersection of 1^st Century/2^nd Temple Judaism, and Messiah Jesus
   2. Acts 19:8-10
      1. Paul starts a School of Ministry
   3. 3^rd Missionary Journey
   4. Stayed 2 years to train people in ministry
      1. Galatians (region/county), Ephesians, Colossians (Laodicea and Hierapolis), are all in this region
      2. Paul wrote 1 Corinthians from Ephesus, 1 Corinthians 16:8

• All the churches in Revelation are Asia Minor Churches (Turkey)
  1. Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea

1. Teaching Schedule: 19:9 – taught from 5^th hour to 10^th hour, 11am-4pm.
   1. Hall of Tyrannus was available during this time

4. Bible Contains 3 Giant Curriculums
   1. Galatians
      1. Defense of Freedom from the Mosaic Law.
      2. Taught one does not need to become a Jew in order to be saved.
   2. Romans
      1. Systematic Theology and Logic
         1. Comprehensive defense of justification by faith. Exhaustive in detailing the mechanics of the cross. Surgical explanation of salvation, sin, grace justification and the unity of Jews and Gentiles.
      2. Hebrews
         1. As a literary document, perfect for advanced theological training in a structured classroom under a Rabbi.
         2. High Rhetorical Style is Excellent
            1. Hebrews uses highest quality of literary NT Greek.
               1. Matches the formal argumentation and persuasive speaking of the ancient world
               2. Hebrews 13:22 – word of exhortation – technical term for a structured theological lecture
               3. Uses Socratic Method – main argument in Hebrews is…Better than…
                  1. Systematically argues that Jesus is superior and better than:
                     1. Angels,
                     2. Moses,
                     3. Joshua,
                     4. Abraham
                     5. Levitical priesthood

5. My Argument: Hebrews was written by those teaching in Paul’s School of Ministry, located in Ephesus, which took place in the Hall of Tyrannus.
   1. Paul is the editor
   2. Other contributed, which is why the book feels like Paul but is not written like his other books.
   3. And why Timothy is mentioned
   4. Most likely: Paul teaches, students take notes, formalize their notes beautifully, double check with Paul who makes final edits.

Hebrews Chapter 1

2^nd Video

Introduction: Study the chapter, then study Angelology.

7 Verses/OT Cf’s to make a singular point

Jesus is Greater than Angels

Whole Point of the Chapter

Open: Cf 1^st video. Review Last week.

Unseen Realm – Power of moving back and forth through spiritual/physical realm.

Is Jesus more powerful than supernatural beings who can do that?

1. (v5) Greater By Way of Title (Following MacArthur’s Outline)
   1. Psalm 2:7 – You are my son, today I have begotten you
      1. Jesus not eternally the son – eternally Yahweh
         1. I AM statements in John
            1. John 6:35 I am the bread of life
            2. John 8:12 I am the light of the world
            3. John 8:58 Before Abraham was, I am
            4. John 10:7,9 I am the door
            5. John 10:11, 14 I am the good shepherd
            6. John 11:25 I am the resurrection and the life
            7. John 14:6 I am the way, truth, and the life
            8. John 15:1 I am the true vine
         2. Judaism’s 2^nd Yahweh
            1. Invisible Yahweh who sometimes manifested in bodily form and was powerful
               1. Christians call this a Theophany
               2. 2^nd Temple Judaism called this 2^nd Yahweh
            2. Exodus 23:20-22
               1. Key phrase “My Name”
            3. Joshua 5:13-15
               1. Connection to the burning bush Exodus 3
            4. 100 years after resurrection Judaism attacks 2^nd Theology because so many Jews are born again
               1. Explain Binitarianism
               2. Larry Hurtado – Destroyer of the Gods
            5. Became the Son at Christmas
               1. 1^st Advent
            6. No angel was ever addressed this way “You are my Son”
            7. (v5) 2 Samuel 7:14 – I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son
               1. David wants to build a house for the Lord. God does not want to dwell in a house of cedar.
               2. God wants to dwell in the hearts of his people – Be God and Father

• God loves David’s heart and promises an eternal royal line
  1. Son of God will sit on the throne

2. (v6) Greater By Receiving Worship
   1. Psalm 97:7 – Let all God’s angels worship him
      1. Again – is this word “Again” foreshadowing of the 2^nd Coming?
      2. Firstborn is a title, not a reference to time

• World (Greek) – not the word for universe, but for inhabited earth
  1. 1^st Advent as a humble Son
  2. 2^nd Advent as a Glorious Son

1. Cf 1 Peter 1:10-12

3. (v7) Greater by Creator
   1. Psalm 104:4 – He makes his angels winds, and his minsters a flame of fire
   2. Cf Colossians 1:16
      1. Jesus created angels
      2. Angels follow divine decrees and deliver God’s messages

• Yahweh ordains God’s decree’s

4. (v8-9) Greater By Eternal Throne
   1. Psalm 45:6 – Your throne O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom
   2. The Father gives testimony about the identity of the Son
      1. Jesus is God
         1. Jesus is God-Messiah
      2. Jesus’ throne is eternal
   3. (9) Psalm 45:7 You have loved righteousness…
      1. Jesus’ Motivation
      2. Verse 9: Summary Jesus being superior to angels
   4. (v10-12) Greater By Nature and Existence
      1. Psalm 102 – You Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heaven are the work of your hands…
      2. Jesus is eternally God
   5. (v13) Greater By Way of Conclusion
      1. Psalm 110
         1. Destiny

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