Transcript Slide 1
Introduction to
Hebrews
Hebrews is unique in style and
content
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As a piece of literature it is unlike
any other Epistle
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The word Hebrews is for the most
part synonymous with Israelites
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It represents an ethnicity, and
suggests a religion
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Hebrews is reflective of Exodus
and Psalms where most New
Testament writers are reflective of
the prophets or Psalms
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This book assumes we have a grasp
of the Hebrew story
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When jumping into Hebrews you
must be patient
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Because we aren’t sure to whom
the Epistle was written, we will
refer to them as the audience
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Author:
Some possibilities
Paul
Appolos
Timothy
Barnabas
Silas
Silvanus
Priscilla
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Author
Authorship gives us background
but isn’t necessary
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Author
We’re not positive on who, but we
know that he or she was a
Christian who followed the
Apostolic tradition
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Author
Because we don’t know who wrote
this Epistle we will refer to the
writer as the author
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Author
The author is a friend and
“brother” to Timothy
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Author
The author is away but will be
returning
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Author
The audience’s situation is known
in great detail
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Author
The author is well educated and
has a scholars knowledge of Greek
& Judaism
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Author
The Septuagent is the Greek
translation of the Old Testament
and used as the reference NOT the
Hebrew text
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Timeline:
External evidence is proof of things
that are found in history outside
the Bible itself
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Timeline
The primary external evidence is
Clement of Rome
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Timeline
He sends a letter to the church of
Corinth and quotes Hebrews 1-3
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Timeline
His letter was sent in 95-96 CE
(AD)
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Timeline
Internal Evidence is passages from
a Biblical text which helps us
gather information
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Timeline
In Hebrews priestly activity is
described in the present tense
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Timeline
Priestly duties were carried out in
the Temple and the Temple was
destroyed in 70 CE
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Timeline
The author says, It was decl;ared
first through the LORD and
attested to us by those who heard
him.” Which places him a
generation after Jesus.
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Timeline
The author also speaks of Timothy
placing it between 60-90 CE
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Audience
We know they are Christian
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Audience
It is written to a church in crisis; a
particular church
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Audience
It is personal
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Audience
The author is in greater authority
than the audience and even the
leaders of the congregation
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Audience
The audience has been baptized
and fully instructed
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Audience
They have great capacity to turn
things around
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Audience
They are receiving a sermon
rather than a letter
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Audience
We are surprised by how
contemporary the problems seen
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Audience
They are tired of:
Serving the world
Worship
Education
Being weird and whispered about
Trying to keep their prayer life going
Jesus
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Questions?
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