New Testament – Book of Better Things – 1 Book

The accompanying scripture for this post, Hebrews 4:12, is one of the most beloved in the New Testament among Bible students. It is just one of many cherished passages in Hebrews. There are so many promises and doctrines taught in this epistle, it is difficult to choose just a few to highlight for a Bible Skills study such as this one. There is a wealth of systematic teaching in this book, written to strengthen the faith and bolster the confidence of the early converts from Judaism to the Body of Christ.

The Epistle to the Hebrews

After sitting in the Apostle Paul’s Christian classroom through 13 epistles, we come to a mountaintop! The Epistle to the Hebrews is unique. The only other epistle that comes close to the majesty of Hebrews is Ephesians. Hebrews is set apart from the other New Testament epistles in several ways:

1.     There is no named writer. The writer was apparently like Paul, a converted orthodox Jew who knew the inner workings of Judaism as a priest or a Pharisee would have known. Because he knew Judaism so well, and because he knew Jesus Christ as Savior, he could state with authority that Christianity is better.

2.      The writer clearly presents Jesus as the eternal Son of God whose life and work transcend time. Hebrews 1:1-2 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.

3.      He systematically demonstrates Jesus’ superiority over previous authorities, prophets, priests and angels. Hebrews 1:3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high…..The true Sabbath we have IN CHRIST: Hebrews 4:9-10 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God,  for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his....The universal power of God's Word: Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 

4.      He emphasizes the believer’s permanent position IN CHRIST. Hebrews 7:24-25 …he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

5.      He defines faith. Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

6.      He illustrates faith. Hebrews chapter 11 is what we Bible students refer to as the roll call of the faithful. The writer gives an overview of the faithful obedience of many believers through the generations, summing up their witness in verses 33-38: who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated—of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

All those believers who lived and died before us (chapter 11) could grasp the knowledge of a Savior, and believe in that Savior, but they didn’t have the reality yet. The Church is that reality, and the writer of Hebrews spelled it out.

Part One: The Superiority of Christ’s Person (1:1–4:13)

Hebrews 1:7-9 But of the Son he says,“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,
    the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has anointed you
    with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”

Part Two: The Superiority of Christ’s Work (4:14–10:18)

Hebrews 9:12-14 he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

Part Three: The Superiority of the Christian’s Walk of Faith (10:19–13:25)

Hebrews 12:28-29 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.

What we have IN CHRIST is BETTER THAN any system that has gone before, because it is the fulfilled plan of God. It is complete. Nothing else needs to be done for our salvation or our spirituality. The Father made the plan. The Son executed the plan. It is finished!

Hebrews 13:11-14 the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.

Can you tell I love the Book of Better Things?