The prophetic portions of the warning passages in the epistle to. The warnings have never been applicable since the first century until this generation of the church. A number of years ago i saw a notation in the study bible that i use regarding something in the book of hebrews, that it contains five warnings to those to whom it is written. Mar 01, 2015 if we interpret the first two warnings in hebrews as being about a possible loss of everlasting life, we not only deny jesus promise of eternal security john 10.
The supremacy of gods son long ago, at many times and in many ways, god spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. These warnings are an integral part of the message of the epistle. Jan 02, 2020 this book presents christ as the author and perfecter of our faith hebrews 12. But it is the book of hebrews that contains the fullest exposition of our lords ministry as our great high priest. For some particular reasons, the writer of the book of hebrews did not pen his name on the book.
The writer uses psalm 95to deliver two warnings to the hebrews. The eschatology of the warning passages in the book of hebrews. First, in the earliest manuscript editions of the new testament books, hebrews is included. In the midst of this argument about the angels, the writer of hebrews gives a warning. The recipients of this letter were hebrew believers who had trusted jesus christ for their salvation, but were in danger of going back to the temple in jerusalem and to the temple. Hebrews chapter one tells us that jesus christ is made much greater than the angels, and it explains the relationship the angels have with christ,that they are ministering spirits sent to minister to those who have inherited the kingdom of heaven. The warning passages in the book of hebrews have an important role to play in our assessment of the doctrine of perseverance. Some in our time have honored jesus as the greatest teacher who ever lived. Some may avoid studying the book of hebrews because of its numerous references to the old testament, but this should not be the case because it is full of great instructions for the christian.
The author does not identify himself or those addressed, which letter writers normally did. In this second installment of the teds lecture series, we are pleased to bring you four video lectures by d. Toussaint the prophetic portions of the warning passages in the epistle to the hebrews contain broad hints as to whom these admonitions are addressed. Intro to hebrews biblica the international bible society.
This will then be followed by a personal but persuasive critique of the views presented by the authors of the book the four views on the warning passages in hebrews. It starts with being careless about salvation and indifferent to spiritual things until finally one comes to be perfectly satisfied with being indifferent. This is proven by quoting seven different old testament passages in chapter 1, and three more in chapter 2. However, both the authorship and audience are in question. Carsons spring 20 acts, pauline, and general epistles course at our deerfield campus. Hebrews helps us unfold the mystery of seeing jesus christ throughout the old testament. If jesus is higher than the prophets, and higher than the angels, then we ought to listen to him. The book of hebrews trinity evangelical divinity school. Next we are considering the fifth and final warning in the book of hebrews. The people to whom the book of hebrews was written were primarily. Although some include the book of hebrews among the apostle pauls writings, the certain identity of the author remains shrouded in the mist of history.
Then they that feared the lord spake often one to another. Jul 14, 2015 hebrews shows us that the bible is not a collection of unrelated stories, but is rather one unified storythe story of redemption through jesus christ. Hebrews is not alone in describing true believers as those who hold their confidence firmly to the end. The warnings to hear and listen the warning to hear god is contained in hebrews 2. There are a couple reasons why this might be the case.
Warning passages ahead the five warnings of the book of. They take the truth, expounded and relate it to life and action. The warnings against turning away from jesus christ back to the old. Basic to any understanding of these warnings is to first understand that the hebrews to whom the writer is speaking in this epistle are saved. Hebrews reminds to have faith, repent and trust god, father, son and holy spirit. For centuries, church fathers and biblical scholars have sought to identify the author of hebrews. Read the four views on the warning passages in hebrews. Whether hebrews teaches the final perseverance of the saints or whether it can be shown to teach that some genuine christians will fall away and not be saved on the last day is an important and hotly debated topic. Griffith thomas has stated for these five warnings. The book of hebrews may be looked upon as in three partsall concerning the son and his superior salvation. Each video is one lecture on the book of hebrews from dr. The book of hebrews is a book of doctrine and warning. There are five warnings through the book of hebrews and this is the first one.
The original readers of this letter apparently thought he might be an angel of some kind. Significantly, the book makes no reference to the destruction of the temple at jerusalem in ad 70, and the author wrote as if the sacrificial system were still in existence hebrews 10. Hebrews chapter one provides the introduction to the book of hebrews and contains key information pertaining to all five warnings. In other words, the warning is not simply of the first death, but the second and eternal death.
Some say it is paul, others say barnabas or apollos. A number of years ago i saw a notation in the study bible that i use regarding something in the book of hebrews, that it contains five warnings to those to whom it. Warning passages ahead the five warnings of the book of hebrews. The title, to the hebrews, which appears in the earliest known copy of the epistle is not a part of the original manuscript. Book of hebrews overview insight for living ministries. Lots of pressure to just give up and just call it a day. Five times the author weaves into his presentation of the gospel stern warnings see note on 2. So, how does a reading of the whole of scripture inform our reading of the warning. The warnings of the book of hebrews stand up for the truth. It is unique among the epistles in its view and presentation of gods economy for the fulfillment of his eternal purpose through the dispensing of god in his divine trinity into his chosen believers. So, how does a reading of the whole of scripture inform our reading of the warning passages of hebrews. The warning passages in hebrews part 1 grace evangelical. And he offers no manner of greeting, such as is usually found at.
Encouragement, exhortation mixed with a little warning. The best book ive seen that fairly lays out the main views of these warnings and points out the strengths and weaknesses of each position is herbert w. With its myriad references to hebrew customs and the old testament, the book was likely sent to a jewish christian community, possibly in rome. As with the first warning, this warning is again concerning christs superiority, this time to moses 3. Eternal security and the warning passages of hebrews. In other new testament documents there are warnings against or descriptions of spurious faith matt. Yet we can make several observations concerning who may have written hebrews. The five warnings of hebrews church of the great god. Of course it is written to us, and so therefore that includes us. The writer of hebrews delivers an exhortation filled with warnings of the consequences of rejecting christ or of failing to grow to maturity in christ. The book lacks the kind of opening salutation that appears in all of pauls letters compare hebrews 1.
Hebrews is commonly referred to as a letter, though it does not have the typical form of a letter. Hebrews uses old testament quotations interpreted in light of first century rabbinical judaism. Since the two warnings are delivered from only one passage in the old testament psalm 95, they are treated here together as one warning. Taken out of context, these warnings are frightening, but a proper understanding will give the believer a greater appreciation of his salvation and spur him to greater service. These are like stop signs on the boulevard of backsliding. Five warning sections in the book of hebrews 1 hebrews 2. Once we have a good idea of the background, then we will come back and concentrate on the message that god wants us to hear as we read the warnings in this book. Thus, it is extremely important to have a thorough understanding of the first chapter in order to make sense of the remainder of the book.
Just as the book of genesis is vitally important to the proper. Simply put, the book of hebrews helps us unlock the glorious tapestry of gods progressive revelation. The early christians originally accepted all the new testament books as inspired by god. The warning of danger is the refusal to heed the warnings of him who speaks this time not from the earthly mount sinai, but from heaven. Dont drift, disbelieve, degenerate, despise, depart. When studying hebrews, one finds five distinct warnings to christians along with their consequences. Seven warnings in hebrews dont drift off course from your salvation. Let us have grace whereby we may serve god acceptably with reverence and godly fear. The book of hebrews daunts even the most gifted preachers and scholars.
It is this ministry which we most need in times of difficulty and adversity. The book calls itself a word of exhortation, and this was a common way to refer to sermons hebrews. He gave us the book of hebrews as one book among a canon of books. A massage from the book of hebrews sermon by joseph wallis.
The authorship of hebrews one can not be dogmatic or conclusive regarding the human author of the book of hebrews. Warning against falling away we have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. Hebrews emphasizes the authority of the word of god and urges us to heed its warnings and exhortations. The warnings in the book of hebrews t he book of hebrews is profound in its heavenly concepts and rich in the heavenly inheritance. However, the author of hebrews presents him as much more than that. The believers were thinking about going back to judaism, and to the sacrificial system they previously held as jews. The basic argument of the book of hebrews is an appeal by the apostle for his readers to fully embrace the kingdom of god and not to give in to pressure from the jews and turn back to judaism.