Hebrews
Introduction to Hebrews

Introduction

Complete & Continue Next Lesson Learn More

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT HEBREWS

  • No one knows for sure who wrote the book of Hebrews. Scholars have suggested Paul, Barnabas, Silas, Apollos, Luke, Philip, Priscilla, Aquila, and Clement of Rome but the vocabulary and style of the book doesn’t point to anyone specifically. We must settle into the comfort and confidence this was inspired by the Holy Spirit to a man that will remain anonymous until we can ask in heaven. Eusebius, an early church father penned, “Who actually wrote the epistle, only God knows.”

  • The use of the present tense in the book of Hebrews when speaking of the priesthood and sacrificial system is important. It indicates they were still being practiced in the temple at the time the book was written. Vespasian destroyed the temple in 70 AD. This shows the date in which Hebrews was written was approximately 67-69 AD.

  • Hebrews was written to Jewish believers. Those who were born Jewish and worship like the Old Testament prescribed, but believed Christ to be the Savior. This book is written to them to show the exceeding excellence of Christ compared to the Old Testament.

THE THEME OF HEBREWS

Treasure Christ above everything because he is superior to all things!

If Jesus is more valuable than everything in existence, then treasuring him above all things isn’t only obedience but common sense. It is stepping into true reality. The book of Hebrews portrays Christ as superior to any angel, priest, tabernacle, or Old Testament covenant.  Hebrews is written to Jewish believers, so, the author of Hebrews compares Christ to the most important things he could think of to a Jew, and showed how Christ is much greater than anything.  Today, as you read Hebrews, you will be challenged with the question, “Is Christ greater than everything in your life?”  Christ is Superior!

If read properly, Hebrews will demonstrate the reasons to treasure Christ above all things, will call/warn you to treasure Christ above all things throughout your life, and will call others into community with you to treasure Christ.  The bottom line, Hebrews will summon you, for the glory of God, to TREASURE CHRIST ABOVE ALL THINGS AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS.

OUTLINE:

We will study Hebrews in 6 distinct sections as follows:

SECTION 1 – THE SUPREMACY OF CHRIST’S POSITION  (Hebrews 1:1-4:13)

  1. Hebrews 1:1-3 – A Superior Name

  2. Hebrews 1:4-2:18 – Superior to the Angels

  3. Hebrews 3:1-19 – Superior to Moses

  4. Hebrews 4:1-13 – A Superior Rest Found in Christ

SECTION 2 – THE SUPREMACY OF CHRIST’S PRIESTHOOD  (Hebrews 4:14-7:28)

  1. Hebrews 4:14-5:10 – Christ as Our High Priest

  2. Hebrews 5:11-6:20 – Full Commitment to Christ

  3. Hebrews 7:1-28 – Christ’s Priesthood Like Melchizedek’s

SECTION 3 – THE SUPREMACY OF CHRIST’S PRIESTLY MINISTRY  (Hebrews 8:1-10:18)

  1. Hebrews 8:1-13 – Through a Better Covenant

  2. Hebrews 9:1-10 – In a Better Sanctuary

  3. Hebrews 9:11-10:18 – By a Better Sacrifice

SECTION 4 – THE SUPREMACY OF BELIEVERS’ PRIVILEGES IN CHRIST  (Hebrews 10:19-12:29)

  1. Hebrews 10:19-25 – Saving Faith

  2. Hebrews 10:26-39 – False Faith

  3. Hebrews 11:1-3 – Genuine Faith

  4. Hebrews 11:4-40 – Heroes of Faith

  5. Hebrews 12:1-29 – Persevering Faith

SECTION 5 – THE SUPREMACY OF CHRISTIAN BEHAVIOR  (Hebrews 13:1-21)

  1. Hebrews 13:1-3 – In Relation to Others

  2. Hebrews 13:4-9 – In Relation to Ourselves

  3. Hebrews 13:10-19 – In Relation to God

SECTION 6 – CLOSING  (Hebrews 13:20-25)