October 30, 2008

Hebrews 1:1-14

v1) What is the background of the book of Hebrews?

The book of Hebrews describes in detail how Jesus Christ not only fulfills the promises and prophecies of the Old Testament, but how Jesus Christ is better than everything in the Jewish system of thought.

The Jews accepted the Old Testament, but most of them rejected Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. The recipients of this letter seem to have been Jewish Christians. They were well-versed in Scripture, and they have professed faith in Christ. Whether through doubt, persecution, or false teaching, however, they may have been in danger of giving up their Christian faith and returning to Judaism.

The authorship of this book is uncertain. Several names have been suggested, including Luke, Barnabas, Apollos, Priscilla, and Paul. Most scholars do not believe that Paul was the author, because of the writing style of Hebrews is quite different from that of his letters.

In addition, Paul identified himself in his other letters and appealed to his authority as an apostle, whereas this writer fo Hebrews, who never gives his or her name, appeals to eyewitnesses of Jesus' ministry for authority. Nevertheless, the author of Hebrews evidently knew Paul well. Hebrews was probably written by one of Paul's close associates who often heard him preach.

v13-14) Why does Hebrews say that Christ is better than the angels?

False teachers in many of the early churches taught that God could be approached only through the angels. Instead of worshipping God directly, followers of these heretics bowed to angels. Hebrews clearly denounces such teaching as false. Some thought of Jesus as the highest angel of God. But Jesus is not a superior angel; and, in any case, angels are not to be worshiped. Jesus is God, he alone deserves our worship. Angels are God's messengers, spiritual beings created by God and under his authority.

(The One Year Bible Companion)