An Analysis of the Book of Hebrews

By Dr. Gilbert H. Edwards, Sr.

After the superiority of the new covenant has thus been established, the writer dwells on the obligations which it lays on those who have received it. If Gods servants in ancient days lived by faith, a far stronger and more living faith is now required of Christians (11). If the Law imposed a solemn responsibility, this is true in a far higher degree of those who profess the religion of Christ (12). With a few practical admonitions, the Epistle closes (13).
In writing to Hebrew Christians it is natural that the author of Hebrews would form a common ground by declaring the fact of divine revelation and by recognizing Judaism as the fruit of such. Furthermore, it is to be expected that, in keeping with his thesis, he would point beyond that which was good to something which is better. If Judaism was the result of a good revelation, Christianity is the fruit of a better one.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jul 24, 2013
• ISBN: 9781491802199

Dr. Gilbert H. Edwards, Sr.

Bishop, Dr. Gilbert H. Edwards, Sr. was born and reared in Maryland. He attended the Pomphrey Elementary School of Patapsco Park, Maryland and The Bates High School in Annapolis, Maryland. He spent his last year of high school in South Fallsburg, New York. Dr. Edwards received his ministerial calling in 1968. In August 1982, Bishop Edwards received his pastoral ordination credentials from the Pentecostal Churches of the Apostolic Church Association, Inc. (PCAF) Bishop Edwards serves on the Board of Bishops for the Pentecostal Churches of the Apostolic Faith Association, Inc. Dr. Edwards obtained his Associate of Arts and Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Biblical Studies from the Arlington Bible College in Baltimore, Maryland. In 1993, he received his Master of Arts Degree and in May 1996, he achieved his Doctorate of Theology in Biblical and Theological Studies from the Antietam Bible Seminary in Hagerstown, Maryland.

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© 2013 Dr. Gilbert H. Edwards, Sr.. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 7/18/2013

ISBN: 978-1-4918-0221-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4918-0220-5 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4918-0219-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013913227

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

AN INTRODUCTION OUTLINE

AN OUTLINE OF HEBREWS 5:11-6:20

AN OUTLINE OF HEBREWS 12:3-13

I THE WORD FROM ETERNITY

II THE CHRISTIAN GROWTH

III A RESEARCH ON THE SEVEN WARNINGS IN THE BOOK OF HEBREWS

IV A RESEARCH ON THE PRIESTHOOD OF JESUS CHRIST

V THE ROBE OF THE HIGH PRIEST AND CONSECRATION

VI THE PROMISED REST (HEBREWS 4)

VII THE VEIL OF THE TEMPLE

VIII HEBREWS I GOD INTRODUCED HIS SON (JESUS)

IX THE DEITY OF JESUS CHRIST

X HEBREWS 2:6-8 VS. GENESIS 1:26-28

XI JESUS – BETTER THAN THE ANGELS AND MOSES

XII THE ATONEMENT

XIII SPIRITUAL HEROES

XIV GOD’S DISCIPLINE

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

XV A GLOSSARY ANALYSIS OF HEBREWS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Endnotes

DEDICATED TO

My long time loving wife,

Dorothy Edwards

Who has been by my side, supporting

me for nearly fifty years;

and

to Germaine, my baby girl;

and

to Ebony, my grand-baby,

who has been with us from birth;

and

To all who read this book.

INTRODUCTION

The Apostle Paul wrote this letter from his imprisonment in Rome. The Epistle is doctrinal and the author was well versed in Hebrew history, temple worship and especially the Priesthood. No one but a well educated Hebrew could have composed such a letter.

The purpose of the Epistle is not to give an account of the Jewish temple rituals and priesthood, but to liken them to Jesus Christ. Paul wrote to the Hebrews who were well informed about the Jewish religion in which they had been brought up. He did not need to explain such things to them, such as the temple rituals and priesthood.

The aim of the Epistle is to convince the Jewish Christians that the temple and the priesthood had served their purpose till the time of Jesus Christ, but that henceforth, they were a thing of the past. Paul wished to warn the Jewish Christians against teachers who were preaching that salvation could be attained by means of the Mosaic Law and customs. He declared that these ancient Jewish institutions had served as a shadow pointing to the coming of Jesus Christ. The same warning was made to the Galatians and other churches where converts were falling away and some of them were turning to Judaism.

Paul uses a good, analogy in comparing Jesus Christ’s priesthood to that of Melchisedec. Jesus Christ’s priesthood is superior to that of Aaron and He Himself (Jesus Christ) is greater than Moses.

Of all the New Testament books, Hebrews is most consciously a work of literature. Not only does this author study to express himself in rich and formable language, but he has laid out his work on a regular plan, in which all the parts are clearly articulated. He undertakes to show that the new covenant is better than the old, better in the since that it has brought to fulfillment all that the old covenant has merely foreshadowed. This he does by means of three main contrasts:

(1) Christ is higher than the angels, through whom, according to Jewish Tradition, the Law as given (1,2);

(2) Christ is higher than Moses, who was the mediator of the Law (3,4); and

(3) Christ is the true High Priest, in contrast to the Levitical high priests through whom the Law became effectual (5-10).

After the superiority of the new covenant has thus been established, the writer dwells on the obligations which it lays on those who have received it. If God’s servants in ancient days lived by faith, a far stronger and more living faith is now required of Christians (11). If the Law imposed a solemn responsibility, this is true in a far higher degree of those who profess the religion of Christ (12). With a few practical admonitions, the Epistle closes (13).

In writing to Hebrew Christians it is natural that the author of Hebrews would form a common ground by declaring the fact of divine revelation and by recognizing Judaism as the fruit of such. Furthermore, it is to be expected that, in keeping with his thesis, he would point beyond that which was good to something which is better. If Judaism was the result of a good revelation, Christianity is the fruit of a better one.

AN INTRODUCTION OUTLINE

(Materials from Boyd’s Bible Handbook)

I.   The Book of Shadows and Substance

A.   Name

Derives from Jewish Christians

B.   Occasion of Writing

The Hebrew Christians had to be taught concerning Judaism.

C.   Contents

1.   The superior Excellency of Christ to angels and men, and His priesthood to Levitical priesthood.

2.   It teaches the Hebrews the knowledge of the mysteries of the law.

D.   Character

Doctrine

E.   Uniqueness of Hebrews

1.   It does not begin as the other Epistles.

2.   It is like a miniature Bible.

3.   Hebrews is the Book of Faith.

F.   Subject

Christ as someone better than.

G.   Purpose

1.   To draw the Hebrew Christians back from Judaism to Christ and His work.

2.   To draw believers today unto Christ from a life of formality.

H.   Outline

1.   Writer

2.   Where and When Written

3.   Key Chapters

4.   Key Verses

5.   Key Words

6.   Spiritual Thoughts

7.   Christ Is Seen As

8.   Names and Titles of Christ

9.   Names and Titles of God

10.   Names and Titles of the Holy Spirit

11.   Bible Customs

12.   Scientifically Speaking

13.   The Old Testament in Hebrews

I.   Seed Thoughts

1.   Better Things in Hebrews

2.   Eternal Blessings

3.   His Son

4.   Christ, the Sin Purger

5.   So Great Salvation

6.   God’s Great Things

7.   Christ in Hebrews

8.   We See Jesus

9.   Grace

10.   Satan and His Works Defeated

11.   Partakers of Christ

12.   The Sinner’s Call

13.   Let Us

14.   Eternal Salvation

15.   Jesus, Our Intercessor

16.   Christ’s Unfinished Ministry

17.   God is Able

18.   Infinities of Grace

19.   Church Membership

20.   Types of Faith

21.   Noah’s Faith

22.   Abraham’s Faith

23.   Moses’ Choice

24.   The Besetting Sin

25.   The Secret of Victory

26.   Looking Unto Jesus

27.   God’s Purpose in Chastening

28.   The Blood that Speaketh

29.   Things Which Cannot Be Shaken

30.   The Unchanging Christ

31.   Obedience

32.   Covenants of God

J.   Heavenly Manna

The joy that was set before Him.

AN OUTLINE OF HEBREWS 5:11-6:20

1.   Warning against dull of hearing (Verse 11)

A.   Strange things regarding Melchizedek

1.   Things hard to be interpreted.

2.   Not acquainted with higher truths.

3.   They received the truths slowly

4.   They were slow to understand the principles

B.   Lack of Growth (Verse 12)

1.   Time which has elapsed since being a Christian

2.   A Christian long enough to be a teacher

3.   Expected to understand such doctrine

4.   They should be able to explain the Gospel truths

5.   Ignorant of the first principles of the Gospel

6.   They had not followed-up with the former teaching

7.   Incapable of receiving the higher doctrines of the Gospel

8.   Need milk

9.   Incapable of digesting solid food

10.   A state of spiritual infancy

C.   Children Food (Verses 13 & 14)

1.   Incapable of receiving stronger food

2.   Inexperienced

3.   A babe

4.   Understanding of a Child

5.   Need to grow –up (of full age)

6.   A need to discern both good and evil

D.   Move on to Understand a Higher Doctrine of Christ (6:1-5)

1.   Advance to a higher state of knowledge

2.   Don’t linger among the elementary truths of religion

3.   The danger of apostasy

4.   The principles of religion

a.   Repentance from dead works

b.   Faith toward God

c.   The doctrine of Baptisms

d.   Laying on of hands

e.   Resurrection of the dead

f.   Eternal Judgment

E.   Those who have been Awakened and Enlightened (Verses 6-14)

1.   To keep them from apostasy

2.   Impossible to be renewed

3.   Made partaker of the influences of the Holy Ghost

4.   Words that are pleasant to the soul

5.   The minds are enlightened

F.   Apostatized (Verses 6-20)

1.   Having fallen away

2.   The supposition that they have fallen away

3.   Crucifying the Son of God afresh

4.   Persuaded by better things

5.   The full assurance of hope

6.   Christians must not be slothful

7.   The promises of God

8.   Jesus made a High Priest after the order of Melchizedek

AN OUTLINE OF HEBREWS 12:3-13

I.   Consider Jesus (Verses 1-3)

A.   Our example in suffering

B.   Suffering as a divine disciple

C.   A Christian struggles (Verse 4)

1.   The test of faith

2.   Christians must show determined courage

3.   Christians should not yield to temptation

II.   Christians should not refuse discipline (Verses 5-13)

A.   All Christians should be trained

B.   God disciplines His children

C.   God’s concern for His children

D.   God’s will not to abandon His children

E.   The Earthly Father vs. the Heavenly Father

F.   God wants Christians to be happy

G.   Christians must lift their hands

H.   Christians should renew their courage

I.   Christians must make a new effort

J.   Christians must have confidence in God

K.   Christians must clear their path to avoid stumbling and falling

CHAPTER I

THE WORD FROM ETERNITY

God spoke . . . is the ringing note of Hebrews.

The source of all revelation is God. The author does not argue for His existence, he merely assumes that He is (Genesis 1:1; John 1:1). He also assumes that God reveals Himself. Since the essential nature of God is love, He can do none other than manifest Himself to those who believe in Him. In one word – God – the author of Hebrews sets aside the machinations of those who seek to discover the origin and goal of their religion amid the blind gropings of sinful men. He declares them to be given through the self unveiling of a mighty and merciful God, while God is evidenced in the work of His hands.

In Psalm 8, He reveals Himself by the word of His mouth. By the work of His hands God could show His majesty and might. The end result of the revelation of God is His salvation worked out in man – a full, complete, and purposeful salvation. We are further reminded that while revelation is divine, its object and means in times past are human. God revealed Himself to man [Father] through man [Prophet] (Hebrews 1:1). While He does not specifically say it, we are reminded that God…spake as holy men of God …were moved by the Holy Ghost. (II Peter 1:21) But the emphasis here is upon the