Transcript Slide 1

Introduction to
Hebrews

Hebrews is unique in style and
content
May 24, 2011

As a piece of literature it is unlike
any other Epistle
May 24, 2011

The word Hebrews is for the most
part synonymous with Israelites
May 24, 2011

It represents an ethnicity, and
suggests a religion
May 24, 2011

Hebrews is reflective of Exodus
and Psalms where most New
Testament writers are reflective of
the prophets or Psalms
May 24, 2011

This book assumes we have a grasp
of the Hebrew story
May 24, 2011

When jumping into Hebrews you
must be patient
May 24, 2011

Because we aren’t sure to whom
the Epistle was written, we will
refer to them as the audience
May 24, 2011
Author:
Some possibilities
 Paul
 Appolos
 Timothy
 Barnabas
 Silas
 Silvanus
 Priscilla

May 24, 2011
Author

Authorship gives us background
but isn’t necessary
May 24, 2011
Author

We’re not positive on who, but we
know that he or she was a
Christian who followed the
Apostolic tradition
May 24, 2011
Author

Because we don’t know who wrote
this Epistle we will refer to the
writer as the author
May 24, 2011
Author

The author is a friend and
“brother” to Timothy
May 24, 2011
Author

The author is away but will be
returning
May 24, 2011
Author

The audience’s situation is known
in great detail
May 24, 2011
Author

The author is well educated and
has a scholars knowledge of Greek
& Judaism
May 24, 2011
Author

The Septuagent is the Greek
translation of the Old Testament
and used as the reference NOT the
Hebrew text
May 24, 2011
Timeline:

External evidence is proof of things
that are found in history outside
the Bible itself
May 24, 2011
Timeline

The primary external evidence is
Clement of Rome
May 24, 2011
Timeline

He sends a letter to the church of
Corinth and quotes Hebrews 1-3
May 24, 2011
Timeline

His letter was sent in 95-96 CE
(AD)
May 24, 2011
Timeline

Internal Evidence is passages from
a Biblical text which helps us
gather information
May 24, 2011
Timeline

In Hebrews priestly activity is
described in the present tense
May 24, 2011
Timeline

Priestly duties were carried out in
the Temple and the Temple was
destroyed in 70 CE
May 24, 2011
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.
May 24, 2011
Timeline

The author also speaks of Timothy
placing it between 60-90 CE
May 24, 2011
Audience

We know they are Christian
May 24, 2011
Audience

It is written to a church in crisis; a
particular church
May 24, 2011
Audience

It is personal
May 24, 2011
Audience

The author is in greater authority
than the audience and even the
leaders of the congregation
May 24, 2011
Audience

The audience has been baptized
and fully instructed
May 24, 2011
Audience

They have great capacity to turn
things around
May 24, 2011
Audience

They are receiving a sermon
rather than a letter
May 24, 2011
Audience

We are surprised by how
contemporary the problems seen
May 24, 2011
Audience

They are tired of:
Serving the world
 Worship
 Education
 Being weird and whispered about
 Trying to keep their prayer life going
 Jesus

May 24, 2011
Questions?
May 24, 2011