To: Hebraic-Foundations@yahoogroups.com
From: "Pastor Buddy Martin" <Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org>
Date sent: Mon, 17 Jul 2000 15:35:39
Subject: HF013 - Studying the Scriptures Hebraically
Hebraics,
This is a thirteenth Bible study entitled 'HF013-Studying the
Scriptures Hebraically.' Our beginning point for this study will come
from two Scripture portions. One is directed to the nonbelieving
Jews. The other is to the apostles after the resurrection.
First to the nonbelieving Jews: "Is this not the reason you are
mistaken, that you do not understand the Scriptures or the power
of God." (Mark 12:24)
Now to the apostles: "Then beginning with Moses and with all the
prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all
the Scriptures." (Luke 24:27)
It goes without saying that the study of Biblical Christianity cannot
be completed without the prophets. Why? Because Christianity
fulfils itself in the ancient promises and prophesies given through
God's Old Testament servants. It was the Spirit of Christ that
spoke in the prophet by which building materials in the form of
God's Words would be used in the new community of Christ. This
community would be realized after the cross.
This is why Peter said, "As to this salvation, the prophets who
prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful
searches and inquiries, seeking to know what person of time the
Spirit of Christ *within them* was indicating as He [the Spirit of
Christ] predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. It
was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but
you, in these things which now have been announced to you
through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit
sent from heaven - things into which the angels long to look."
(1Pet1:10-12)
The main point is that if you want to understand Biblical
Christianity, you have to study the prophets. There is no short cut.
There is nothing more important to the believer than to know what
the Scriptures actually teach.
As a side note - It is important to know the difference between
studying the Scriptures Hebraically, and studying from what is
referred to as Jewish Roots. These two types of studies have little
relationship to one another. Jewish Roots studies generally include
quite a bit of rabbinic or Talmudic materials. But in the study of
Biblical Christianity you would not consider the Talmuds as having
the answers. You would go to the Hebrew prophets.
This brings up a crucial issue with regard to studying the
Scriptures Hebraically. To appreciate many things that are taught
in the New Testament, you have to become acquainted with the
ancient ways of God's people. And you must become acquainted
with the Hebraic thought forms that undergird the New Testament
writings. The apostles were Hebrew men. The prophets were
Hebrews. Jesus was a Hebrew. (I use Hebrew in the place of Jew,
since the term Jew or Jewish has varied meanings.)
Here are some instances where understanding things Hebraically
can cause the Scriptures to take on added meaning. For the
purpose of discussion you can select any of the following for a
follow up subject to discuss.
(1) What did Paul mean when he said, "Therefore a woman ought
to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels."
(1Co11:10 - This has been a recent discussion on a sister forum.)
(2) What did Jesus mean when he stopped the procession, and
completed His remarks, by saying, "From [your] innermost being
will flow rivers of living water." (John 7:39)
(3) Where did Paul get his teaching that we have already been
seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus? (Eph2:6)
(4) What did Paul mean by the statement that he was a "Hebrew of
Hebrews?" (Phil3:5)
(5) Why is there such a stress on the name of Jesus in the
apostolic writings? (Acts 4:12)
(6) What is the one doctrine taught in the new covenant that has
many branches of study, but it is called 'the rule!' (Gal6:14-16)
(7) How did the ancient Church view the Messiah? (John 20:28)
(8) What did Paul mean when he said that in Christ there is neither
male nor female? (Gal3:26-29)
(9) What does the terms Abba! Father! actually refer to? (Rom8:15)
(10) What was Jesus speaking of when He quoted the Scripture,
"You are Gods," to the Jewish leadership? (John 10:34)
(11) Why did Paul tell us we must learn to "never exceed what is
written?" (1Co4:6)
(12) What did the writer mean when he said, "Christ was faithful as
a Son over His house."? (Heb3:6)
(13) What does the term, "kingdom of His beloved Son mean."?
(Col1:13)
(14) What did Jesus mean, when He prayed, "The glory which You
have given Me I have given to them."? (John17:22)
(15) What did Paul mean when he said the Christ "existed in the
form of God."? (Phil2:6)
(16) What did Paul mean when he said that God had "bestowed on
[Christ] the name which is above every name."? (Phil2:9)
All the afore mention areas are only understood properly from a
Hebraic perspective. Early church theology was simple. Everything
they taught and believed was based on the prophets. Our problem
is that we have gone extra-Biblical.
Think about these things. And keep in mind that the walk with
Jesus was never designed to be difficult, and yet it was designed to
be ever-fulfilling.
Listen to how the prophets described the ever-increasing life that
belongs to the child of God.
"But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines
brighter and brighter until the full day." (Prov4:18)
Special note: Was the full day what Peter was talking about, when
he said, "So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which
you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place,
until the day dawns and the morning star arises in our hearts."
(2Pet1:19)
Now for the prophets again:
"There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy
dwelling places of the Most High." (Psa46:4)
"It is vain for you to rise up early, to retire late, to eat the bread of
painful labors; for He gives to His beloved even in his sleep."
(Psa127:2)
"They go from strength to strength, every one of them appears
before God in Zion." (Psa84:7) - Every one of them?
"Your words were found and I ate them, and your words became for
me a joy and the delight of my heart; for I have been called by Your
name." (Jer15:16)
There you have it for now. Think of the possibilities when we return
to study the Bible that the early Christians studied. What did they
study, you say? They studied Moses and the prophets, the
memoirs of the apostles and the directives to the Churches.
Remember how we begin this study? Sure you do. Jesus said to
the nonbelievers, "Is this not the reason you are mistaken, that you
do not understand the Scriptures or the power of God." Can this be
said of us?
Where did Jesus direct the disciples to study? "Then beginning
with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the
things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures." What are we to
study? Not just anything. We are to study what pertains to Jesus!
Open for discussion - Any takers?
Shalom in Christ,
Buddy
Lawrence E. (Buddy) Martin, HF Host
email: Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org
Web: http://www.ChristianChallenge.org