WOW HOMEWORK

HEBREWS OVERVIEW/INTRODUCTION

Chapter 1: 1-4

 

 

“CHRIST IS BETTER!”

 

Author:   The Church has long been divided about the authorship of Hebrews—frankly, we just won’t know until heaven~ But we know this—the Greek is too “fine” for the Apostle Paul, and scholars have moved away from Pauline authorship for some time…The author does not identify himself, though we know he is male, and that he was not an eyewitness of the Lord Jesus (see 2:3)…The two leading contenders for authorship are Barnabas and Apollos (my choice!)  From a letter of Tertullian’s from about 200 AD, we know that the writer must have had authority in the apostolic church and was an intellectual Hebrew Christian well versed in the Old Testament.. Both men meet this requirement.  (for more info on Apollos, check question 1 of the following homework)…

 

Audience:  The letter was addressed primarily to Jewish converts who were being tempted to revert to Judaism or to add Jewish practices to their new belief in Christ. Scholars believe they were indeed suffering for the sake of the Gospel…This was a circular letter, which means that several congregations or communities shared it—it was not written to just one city or parish….

 

Questions:

 

  1. Regarding the authorship of the book, and Apollos: There are reasons why both Alison and Martin Luther (yeah, like it really matters what I think!) believe Apollos to be the author of Hebrews.. What do you learn about him from Acts chapter 18: 23-28? (make a list about him..)  Now check I Cor 1: 10-12—what is up with Apollos here? What can you deduce?
  2. Dating: We can know pretty confidently that this book was written BEFORE a certain date—the destruction of the TEMPLE……how do we know this? Look up and read Heb 5: 1-3, 8:3-5, 9:1-10……the author is making the point that Jesus is a SUPERIOR HIGH PRIEST to any the Jews had ever known…does he write like that earthly priesthood is dissolved?

      Therefore scholars believe the book was written before 70 AD , b/c that is the 

       year Titus of Rome sacked Jerusalem, and destroyed the temple…

  1. Theme:  CHRIST IS BETTER!  The ultimate theme of the book of Hebrews is the absolute supremacy and sufficiency of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Look specifically at 1:1-4 and begin to trace this theme….Ask: what titles/description of Jesus is given here? List carefully by each one…..and restate in your own words what each title is indicating.

 

 

 

 

  1. Regarding Christ’s role in creation: Look up Col. 1:15-17. How is this teaching amplified here?  How does the entire flavor of Col 1:15-20 support the premise of Hebrews 1?

      Now look up John 1:1-5 and note how this passage also mirrors Hebrews 1: 1-4 in

      a way……How so?

  1. Application: In what specific area of your life do you need to trust Christ’s sufficiency and supremacy over ALL THINGS?  BE SPECIFIC!!! Trust God with this area/decision/person/event…….HE IS GREATER STILL!!!

      OUR GOD REIGNS!