Sabbath: The Letter to the Hebrews and to Us
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Sabbath Afternoon,
Read for This Week’s Study: Heb. 2:3, 4; 1 Pet. 4:14, 16; Heb. 13:1-9, 13; 1 Kings 19:1-18; Heb. 3:12-14; Numbers 13.
Memory Text: “For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise” (Hebrews 10:36, NKJV).
Have you ever imagined what it would be like to hear Jesus, or one of the apostles, preach? We possess written excerpts and summaries of some of their sermons, but these provide only a limited idea of what it was like to hear them. God, however, preserved in the Scriptures at least one complete sermon for us: Paul’s letter to the Hebrews.
Paul, the author of Hebrews, referred to his own work as a “word of exhortation” (Hebrews 13:22). This expression was used to identify the sermon, both at the synagogue (Acts 13:15) and at Christian worship (1 Timothy 4:13). Thus, it has been argued that Hebrews is the earliest “complete Christian sermon” that we have. Hebrews was addressed to believers who accepted Jesus but then experienced difficulties. Some were publicly shamed and persecuted (Hebrews 10:32-34). Others faced financial problems (Hebrews 13:5-6). Many were tired and had begun to question their faith (Hebrews 3:12-13). Can any of us today relate?
The apostle in a stirring sermon, however, challenged them (and, by extension, us) to persevere in faith in Jesus and to fix their eyes upon Jesus, now in the heavenly sanctuary.
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, January 1.
(36)
The book of Hebrews was written by a converted Jew to converted Jews. In a nutshell, it gives the big picture of the difference between Judaism and Christianity. I did not really understand this until I read the whole of the book in one sitting. I would recommend that each of us do that fairly early in this quarter's study. No doubt, we will go on and examine the detail through the rest of the quarter, but if we do this against the background of the whole picture I think we will understand it better.
Excellent suggestion Maurice. I can also vouch for listening to Hebrews from beginning to end on audio bible in addition to reading Hebrews. But I would suggest doing that two or three times at least (not necessarily in one sitting or perhaps walking). The first listening gives an overview and with that as the start, your mind will then be better able to progressively 'hear' the various thoughts and themes emerge more clearly. The more you listen, read and reflect, the more you will begin to see of our amazing God/Jesus/Saviour/Friend.
At the top of the lesson, where it says “read for this week study,“ aren’t there supposed to be Bible references there?
Thanks for the heads up Ed. They are there now.
About 15 plus or minus years ago the quarterly was about the book of Hebrews and for the first time I also read the book from beginning to the end of it. It was a very interesting thing to me as to how the book made very clear to me two things: 1. The idea of King and Priest Melchizedek (The only priest in the entire Old Testament and Bible that was also a King---Jesus was and is Priest and King too) and none of the other priests that God made to be priests could be Kings either; Hebrews also takes up about 1/4 of this Book to discuss this very topic (Chapters 5, 6 and 7) to be exact. 2. The book mainly also discusses the "Day of Atonement" part of the once a year feast celebrated by God's Old Testament priests and people and how Jesus fulfilled all that this once a year feast signified "Once For All," by His Sacrifice at Calvary's Cross.
Heb.10:19-23 -
"Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jeus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is His Flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure watger.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promises is faithful.
All our God asks of us is to believe in His faithfulness, to believe that which He says to be true!
Thank you Brigitte. Yes, we are saved by His faithfulness.
Habakkuk 2:4 (Greek version) I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away. / But the righteous person will live by my faithfulness.
I also really like this from A.T. Jones
The Third Angel's Message: General Conference Bulletins 1895: The Science of Faith and Salvation Explained Simply
by Alonzo T. Jones
To be without Christ is to be without God; and there the man can do nothing; he is utterly helpless of himself and in himself. That is where the man is who is without God. Jesus Christ says: "Of mine own self I can do nothing." Then that shows that the Lord Jesus put Himself in this world, in the flesh, in His human nature, precisely where the man is in this world who is without God. He put himself precisely where lost man is. He left out His divine self, and became we. And there, helpless as we are without God, He ran the risk of getting back to where God is and bringing us with Him. It was a fearful risk; but, glory to God, He won, the thing was accomplished, and in Him we are saved. When He stood where we are, He said, "I will put my trust in Him;" and that trust was never disappointed. In response to that trust, that Father dwelt in Him and with Him, and kept Him from sinning. Who was he? - We. And thus the Lord Jesus has brought to every man in this world divine faith. That is the faith of the Lord Jesus. - That is saving faith. Faith is not something that comes from ourselves, with which we believe upon Him, but it is that something with which He believed, - the faith which He exercised, which He brings to us, and which becomes ours, and works in us, - the gift of God. That is what the word means, "Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." They keep the faith of Jesus, because it is that divine faith which Jesus exercised Himself.
Dear Sieg – Thank you so very much for taking the time to express your response to my comments! The comments from Alonzo T. Jones are affirming and heartwarming, and Habakkuk’s quote is reassuring.
I am grateful for your reply. It is very important to me to understand our spiritual relationship with our heavenly Father correctly. So much depth of His Wisdom is to be explored, and it is always a great pleasure to meet a kindred soul on this journey.
I want to place an emphasis on the word ‘live’ and ‘my’ in Habakkuk’s quote. It is impossible to live without God’s faithfulness. Both words – ‘live’ and ‘my’ – become the focus in this statement.
I find the most difficult part of ‘Faith’ to be the ability to recognize the separation between man’s consciousness and efforts and God’s Faithfulness; recognizing that without our Creator’s everlasting Love and Faithfulness we would be left to die.
Hi Brigitte (and Sieg if you happen to be interested)
For what it's worth, in regard to your last sentence, perhaps you might find a couple of articles written by Ellen White during the same time period helpful. In these articles, Ellen unpacks the nature of the collaboration involved in justification by faith*:
Signs of the Times Mar 13 1893: article 2 of 3 (note the details of paragraph 4 as an unpacking of the previous paragraphs)
Signs of the Times Mar 20 1893: article 3 of 3. There is no reason you can't also read article 1 if you want. I have just mentioned articles 2 and 3 as they are closer to the matter you raised.
I also offer for consideration Ellen White's views on the divinity of incarnate Jesus. You can decide whether they align or differ somewhat from those of AT Jones:
The only reason I offer the above Ellen White references is because, as you may well know, Ellen White and AT Jones were known to each other and are both writing at around the same time on the same topic. You decide for yourself what views you find align best with scripture (Act 17:11).
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* A major issue I find is a misunderstanding that any work automatically equals works done to try and merit salvation and to take credit for. While this has been and can be a significant problem, it does not automatically mean that all works are problematic. It is not the works/working itself that is the problem - it is the motivation behind the works that is the problem. Thus, works designed to try and merit salvation and gain personal 'credit' are a big problem. But works done in the necessity of restoration and manifestation of salvation are, well, a necessary and inseparable part of salvation and abundant life. I hope you can see the significant difference.
Phil - always grateful for your help to 'sort things out'. Thank you for providing links to articles by Ellen White; I know they will prove to be edifying reading. I know very little from Ellen's writings, but know her writings to be inspired by the Holy Spirit providing her insights into the 'hidden truths' of heaven's realm.
Yes, I am already aware of the major issue regarding the 'works'; my point was that it is just so difficult to communicate this difference to those who, like you said, do "works designed to try and merit salvation." I find this to be the most difficult but most salient issue for the believer to properly understand, as it is central to our faith-relationship with the Father and Son.
Isn't it interesting as to how the Apostle Paul in Hebrews 10:19,20 was telling believers of his day which was about 2,000 plus or minus years ago to "enter (the holiest) with boldness...?" My question here is: Why would Paul be counseling believers way back then to do this if Jesus, (according to our SDA Sanctuary Doctrine) have been saying since 1844 that Jesus was not there until 1844? Personally, I believe that our problem in 1844 was how we chose to explain the symbolism of the "Day of Atonement." We chose to say that there was (and is) a structure in the Universe that has two compartments etc. But to me the Book of Hebrews is clear that the earthly Sanctuary just represents "Heaven Itself," and Jesus was already in "Heaven Itself," way back in his day 2,000 plus or minus years ago. And He is still there for us now! AMEN!
Interesting too that in both Daniel and the Revelation of Jesus Christ, there is no veil present anytime the Ancient of Days is in view. That makes sense in the context of Hebrews 10:19-22 and Matthew 27:50-53, as well as the sacrificial rituals of the Torah. The Gospel in type and antitype is that God through his Messiah, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, has removed every barrier and encumbrance to his very presence. We have only to trust in his finished work, and as we trust, he will accomplish his remaking of us into his image.
The longing desire of the Father and his Son is that we would be one with them.
Richard and Pete - may I suggest to also consider in your dialogue the Truth regarding direct 'access to the Father' as conveyed in John 16:26-28 Wehmouth New Testament:
"At that time you will make your requests in my name; and I do not promise to ask the Father on your behalf, for the Father Himself holds you dear, because you have held me dear and have believed that I came from the Father's presence. I came from the Father and have come into the world. Again I am leaving the world and am going to the Father."
The context for "At that time(day)..." is found in v.22-24.
Christ Jesus has made it possible for us to have direct access to the Father as we are now hid in Him; v.23 - when we petition the Father in Christ Jesus' 'Name' (being hid in Him), we effectively address both according to 'their' Will and are heard accordingly.
Many scholars are not sure that Paul wrote Hebrews. The author presents it as a fact.
We recognise that there is some discussion among scholars about the authorship of Hebrews> However, that discussion does not necessarily affect the authenticity of the message of Hebrews.
I agree that Hebrews is an authentic part of scripture, but I think we owe it to our readers to be as accurate as possible in our presentation of facts concerning the Bible.