Read Hebrews 13:4-5; Luke 16:10-18; 1 Corinthians 5:1; Ephesians 5:3-5; and Colossians 3:5. What two evils are related in these passages? Paul warns the readers against sexual immorality and greed because they were two grave threats to brotherly love. In fact, New Testament authors and ancient moralists noted a connection between them. Paul’s call to honor marriage implied the avoidance … Continue reading –>
Read Hebrews 13:1-2; Romans 12:13; 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8; and 1 Peter 4:9. What was the role of hospitality in the early church? Christianity was a wandering movement that often depended on the hospitality of both Christians and non-Christians. The instruction to “not forget” to show hospitality probably does not simply refer to the failure to think about taking … Continue reading –>
Sabbath Afternoon Read for This Week’s Study: Hebrews 13:1-25, Romans 12:13, Ephesians 5:3–5, 1 Peter 5:1–4, Hebrews 2:9, Hebrews 4:16, Galatians 2:20. Memory Text: “Let brotherly love continue” (Hebrews 13:1). Hebrews chapter 13 presents the apostle’s concluding admonition: “Let brotherly love continue” (Hebrews 13:1). He has affirmed throughout the epistle that we are of the household of the King-High Priest, Jesus, His brothers and … Continue reading –>
Perfect Health By Andrew McChesney Noy was a wealthy woman who oversaw more than 100 workers at a family-owned coffee plantation in Laos. But then she fell ill with a mystery disease in her village. Her physician couldn’t identify the illness. Noy went to many medical doctors across southern Laos, but no one could help. … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: “During the thousand years between the first and the second resurrection the judgment of the wicked takes place. The apostle Paul points to this judgment as an event that follows the second advent. ‘Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, … Continue reading –>
Hebrews concludes this section by pointing out that the appropriate response to God for all the wonderful things He has done for us is to show gratitude by offering Him an appropriate type of worship. Compare Hebrews 12:28 and Hebrews 13:15-16. How do we offer God acceptable worship? In the old covenant system, the sacrifice of animals was … Continue reading –>
God has announced that He will “shake” the heavens and the earth, which means that He will destroy enemy nations. There are some things, however, that will not be shaken, that will not be destroyed. Compare Psalm 15:5, Psalm 16:8, Psalm 21:7, Psalm 62:2, Psalm 112:6, and Hebrews 12:27. What are the things that will not be shaken? Many modern translations … Continue reading –>
After describing the festal gathering occurring in heaven, Paul warns the readers that they need to pay attention to God’s voice because God will shake “yet once more … not only the earth but also the heavens” (Hebrews 12:26, ESV). Paul is saying that although Jesus has been enthroned in heaven, our salvation has not been … Continue reading –>
Read Hebrews 12:23. If this is a celebration, why is God described as a judge? How can a judge be part of or a reason for a celebration? Read also Daniel 7:9-10, Daniel 7:13-22. The celebration described in Hebrews 12:22-24 alludes to a future judgment. God, the judge, presides, and books are used, and the result of this future … Continue reading –>
Read Hebrews 12:22-24. What does Paul describe here? Hebrews affirms that we have come to Mount Zion and participate in a great celebration. “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering” (Hebrews 12:22, ESV). We have come through faith in … Continue reading –>
