HF177 - Hebrews 1:4-14 (Jesus is not an Angel) - (Additional Thoughts)
To: Hebraic-Foundations@YahooGroups.com
From: "Pastor Buddy Martin" <Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org>
Date: Friday, April 11, 2008
Subject: Bible Study HF177 - Hebrews 1:4-14 (Jesus is not an Angel)
Hebraics,
I want to add a bit more of groundwork that will help us appreciate much of what is being written in the book of Hebrews. Consider these things:
(1) Hebrews was written to a Jewish people. It is written in a cultural mind set that was their norm, but whereas a Gentile would not always be able make the connections.
(2) Hebrews was written to a people who had already had a covenant with God. Its underlying theme had to do with a change of covenants. Other NT writings were primarily to the church by and large.
(3) Hebrews is written as a final call to the Jewish people to turn to Jesus. (Many already had but not certainly not all.) The temple and Jerusalem was soon to go up in flames and smoke. This is why you see such stern warnings in the book.
(3) As for a mind set, the Jewish people looked at the Bible as a book of redemption, and not simply a historical record of times and events. This is why they looked for the Messiah in places where we may pause.
(4) For the Jews, the Bible was filled with hidden meanings. These hidden meanings could be compared to how Jesus taught by the use of parables. The parables were easy to understand because the Lord used scenes they were very familiar with. (Farming, etc.) But there were hidden meanings that had to do with the work of redemption.
(5) Thus we have the issue of OT prophecies and the use of types and shadows. For instance a prophet may be talking about one thing, then for a moment reach across time with regard to Messiah, and then return to the issue at hand. The Holy Spirit would make these truths apparent to those who truly believed in the Lord.
(6) When Jesus was rejected, to the non-believing Jew, the Bible became a closed book. The reason is because Jesus Himself is 'the key' to the Bible. If you reject the key, there is no door that can be opened. (This would apply to any person, not just the Jews.)
(7) When Jesus told Peter that He would give to him (and the other apostles) the keys to the kingdom of God, what was behind the giving of the keys was the revelation of Jesus Christ. (Certainly this would include bringing the gospel to all people groups. But the key is the 'revelation.')
(8) Which brings us to the apostolic writings. According to the Bible, the church is to be built upon the foundation (writings) of the apostles and the prophets, Christ Jesus being the corner stone. (Eph2:20)
This means that in the new covenant the apostolic writings must always take priority in our belief system. These were the men who walked with Jesus or had a close association with Him in one way or another. To them alone were the foundation keys given.
In this respect don't be concerned with people today who like to take to themselves the titles of apostles or prophets. We already have our apostles and prophets, thank you.
Keep these things in view and the book of Hebrews will become even more rich in all that it offers.
Feel free to ask questions.
Blessings,
Buddy
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Lawrence "Buddy" Martin
email: Bro.Buddy <at> ChristianChallenge.Org
Web: http://www.ChristianChallenge.org
Forum: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hebraic-Foundations/
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"See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled." (Heb12:15)