Hebrews 1 Old Covenant (Testament) New Covenant (Testament)

1. (Pentateuch, 5 books 1. Jesus’ Ministry (Four ) of Moses) A 2. Nevi’im (Prophets: Former 2. Church origins (Paul) and latter) • Book of Acts • Pauline (includes the A ) 3. Kethuvim (writings: Poetry, 3. General Epistles & Revelation wisdom, etc.) • Hebrews • • (Revelation)  to the Romans  First Epistle to the Corinthians  Second Epistle to the Corinthians   Epistle to the Philippians  Epistle to the Colossians  First Epistle to the Thessalonians  Second Epistle to the Thessalonians   Second Epistle to Timothy Pastoral Epistles, by “the Pastor”  , anonymous and unknown authorship

Catholic Epistles (name and author according to tradition)  , by James, brother of Jesus and Jude.  , by Apostle Simon, called Peter.  , by Apostle Simon, called Peter.  , by Apostle John, son of Zebedee.  Second Epistle of John, by Apostle John, son of Zebedee.  , by Apostle John, son of Zebedee.  , by Jude, brother of Jesus and James.

 The Revelation of John by John addressed to 7 churches  Hebrews: Portrays Jesus as both God's Messiah (Christ) and eternal high priest.  1 John: Presents standards of belief and behavior that define the true disciple.  James: True religion = charitable actions  1 Peter: Examples of ethical conduct required for baptized believers.  2 Peter: Reaffirms doctrine of Jesus’ second coming.  Revelation: Symbolic portrayal of persecution ending with a cosmic battle between good and evil and the establishment of “new heavens and a new earth.”  Used a form like Paul’s epistles, but not directed at a specific church or situation.  These “letters” are intended for the Christian community as a whole.  They are all (traditionally) ascribed to the “pillars”* of the early Jerusalem church, (Jesus’ inner circle): Peter, James, and John. (*Gal 2)  Writing works under someone else’s name should NOT be considered as forgeries, but as attempts to continue the teaches of respected leaders, and perhaps updating their teachings to fit current conditions.  Allegorical interpretation of the Hebrew fits with elements of Greek philosophy.  Argues that Jesus was both a kingly and priestly messiah.  Jesus is the complete and final revelation of God’s purpose.  He now serves in heaven as an eternal High Priest and mediator for humanity.  Sometimes it was thought to have been by Paul, but early church apparently didn’t think so. Also it lacks Paul's vocabulary and style.  Lacks Paul’s typical emphasis on  Faith (Ch 11- faith spoken about in a different way)  Justification  Reconciliation  Union with Christ  Some scholars have attempted to show the author as Barnabas, Priscilla, or Apollos, but these have not stuck.  It’s a challenging book to read.  “About this we have much to say that is hard to explain, since you have become dull in understanding.” (5:11)  Earthly events and human institutions reflect invisible heavenly realities.  This is part of Platonic thought: two parallel worlds.  Eternal, perfect, spiritual realm above  Inferior, changing, fleshly realm on earth.  Christ’s death and resurrection links realms of spirit and flesh.  Israel’s ceremonies of sacrifice and worship are reflections or copies of invisible heavenly realities.

 Hebrews 8: 5-7  They offer worship in a sanctuary that is a sketch and shadow of the heavenly one; for Moses, when he was about to erect the tent, was warned, ‘See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.’ But Jesus has now obtained a more excellent ministry, and to that degree he is the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted through better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need to look for a second one.  4: 14-16  Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.  It’s not just a historical record.  It serves as an allegory in which earthly events symbolize heavenly realities.  3:15 “As it is said, ‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.’  Skim over Hebrews 3-4. 1. What event is being referred to? 2. What should present day readers learn from the Old Testament example?  As the perfect “image of God,” Christ is superior to all biblical sages, prophets, and angels, and superior to the priesthood established by Moses’ Torah.  Jesus is a David-like Messiah-King  Jesus is the eternal High Priest Gen 14:17-20  After his [Abram’s] return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). And King Melchizedek of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was priest of God Most High. He blessed him and said, ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, maker of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!’ And Abram gave him one-tenth of everything. Psalm 11: 4  The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest for ever according to the order of Melchizedek.’

 Melchizedek became known as king of righteousness and peace.  Since Melchizedek apparently has neither ancestors nor descendants, his priesthood was thought to be without beginning or end.  Unlike Paul, who always associates faith with trust in Christ, the author of Hebrews defines the concept in classically Platonic terms— perception of an unseen universe transending the material world.  It is the invisible world where Christ sits at God’s right hand, on which the eyes of faith are fixed.

 Which verse gives a definition of faith.  Paraphrase verse 6. Express its meaning in your own words  Why do you think this chapter is sometimes called the “Hall of Faith.”  In what way(s) do you think this chapter was meant to encourage early believers? (See also the first verses of Ch 12.)

 The author of 2 John and 3 John identifies himself as “The Elder,” but not 1 John.  If the author of these letters, The of John, and The Revelation of John, are not the same, they at least appear to be members of the  Notice similarities between the prologue in 1 John, and the .  1 John is more of a sermon than a letter and it appears directed against former members who have left the community.  2:18-19  Children, it is the last hour! As you have heard that is coming, so now many have come. From this we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they did not belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But by going out they made it plain that none of them belongs to us.

 4: 1  Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world  The tests the “The Elder” sets up to refute the “antichrists” lets us infer the nature of the problems at the time.  The prologue implies the importance of believing in Jesus as a fleshly man and spiritual Christ. Those who deny this, now walk in darkness.

 3:11 For this is the message you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.  4:7-8 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.  Based on what else you read in 1 John, what does it mean 1. to love God? 2. To love one another? 3. For God to love us?