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Study in Hebrews

Study in Hebrews. Presentation 01. The Uniqueness Of Christ Chap 1v4-14. Presentation 01. Introduction.

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Study in Hebrews

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  1. Study in Hebrews Presentation 01

  2. The Uniqueness Of Christ Chap 1v4-14 Presentation 01

  3. Introduction The original readership of this epistle had lost sight of the grandeur, wonder and uniqueness of the person of Christ. Imagine a people who had been entrusted with a great masterpiece, designed to captivate and thrill all who gazed upon it. But then these curators allow grime to build up on the canvas so that its brilliance which had held people spellbound for years now appears dull and ordinary. And as a result lesser paintings then appear more attractive. In order for this situation to change, the picture needs to be restored. In this way it will be seen to be superior to the other pictures that have distracted people’s attention. The writer of this epistle is intent upon doing that. He will demonstrate the unrivalled superiority of Jesus. Before we examine the text and the writer’s argument in detail consider the following. Presentation 02

  4. Superiority Of The Son When the fullness of the time was come God sent his Son [Gal.4v4], and the child born in Bethlehem is the king whose origin is from everlasting [Micah 5v2]. Jesus has a name above every name [Phil. 2v5-11] and is described in a way that spans the entire course of God’s purposes from eternity to eternity. The Son is the heir of all things [Ps. 2v8; Acts 2v36; Eph. 1v21-22]. He is the agent of creation in respect of the entire universe and all orders of existence [John 1v3; Col. 1v16-18]. This is the beginning of history. The Son reflects and is the full shining of the glory of God, and he is the exact image, the flawless expression of God, bearing the very stamp of his nature [Col. 1v15; 2 Cor. 4v4; John 1v14; 8v42,58; 10v30; 17v5, 22,24]. Presentation 02

  5. Superiority Of The Son This takes us back before history ever began [John 1v1- 2]. The Son of God upholds the entire order of the universe by the word of His power right down through the course of history until the world has served its purpose [Col. 1v17; 2 Pet. 3v3; Rev. 3v7; Rev, 5v1ff, which speaks of the perfect divine plan and its executor]. When the Son had “by the offering of himself” [9v14,26], without assistance or co-operation from any other, made purification for sins at the very heart of history, he sat down in the royal seat at the right hand of the majesty on high. History was complete. This is the Jesus who dwells in believers hearts by faith. What a word of encouragement to believers under pressure. Presentation 02

  6. Superiority Of The Son In verses 1-3 of Heb.1 we are immediately confronted greatness of the Son of God. He receives a sevenfold confirmation, and it appears, without being expressly emphasised, that he possesses in himself all the qualifications to be the supreme Mediator between God and men. As such he is The Prophet through whom God has spoken his final word to men. He is also The Priest who has accomplished a perfect work of cleansing for his people’s sins. And finally, he is The King who sits enthroned in the place of chief honour alongside the Majesty on high. Presentation 02

  7. Superiority Of The Son Christ is King, pre-incarnate, incarnate, glorified. And never for a moment, not even on the cross, is he less than King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is the Lord of creation, providence, redemption, the world, the church and the individual. He has no competitors and there is never any doubt as to the purpose and completion of his work [1v3; 10v12-14]. The Shorter Catechism of the Scottish Presbyterian Church says: “Christ executes the office of a king, in subduing us to himself, in ruling and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies,” What a Saviour! And yet the readership of this epistle were swithering over that conclusion! Presentation 02

  8. Superiority Of The Son They were clearly struggling with the idea that this Jesus is able to save to the uttermost [7v25] and that only he is able to save. They had begun to challenge the apostolic assertion that, “there is no other name given by which men can be saved” [Acts 4v12]. Jesus is able to save regardless of all the powers abroad in this world, be they human, demonic or angelic. Christ is greater [Jn.16v33; 1 Jn. 4v4]. His is the name high over all. Whatever angel powers there be, fallen or unfallen, Christ is superior. They are at best servants, he is the Son. This latter issue is one that the writer begins now to unpack in greater detail. Presentation 02

  9. Superior To The Angels The Jews had a very developed doctrine of angels. Many saw them as superior to humans, including Moses and the prophets. Some taught that the angels gave the law to Moses - they therefore they had an mediatory role. The writer’s purpose is to demonstrates the superiority of Jesus by quoting a number of O.T. proof texts. First in v5, Ps.2v7 is quoted. In the O.T. the angels are sometimes described as ‘the sons of God’ cfJob 38v7. But the language in Ps. 2 is clearly relational, “my Son”. What is the day referred to in v5? The day of Christ’s resurrection seems to be the focal point of the writer’s interpretation. It was on that day [Rom 1v4] that Jesus was ‘designated the Son of God with power’. i.e. his claims to Sonship were publicly vindicated by God. Presentation 02

  10. Superior To The Angels Note that Paul makes reference to the resurrection as the fulfilment of Ps.2 in Acts 13v30-33. Of course every day of his earthly mission, Jesus was the beloved Son of God but the day that is spoken of here is the day of his glorious victory and vindication. As such the O.T. Psalm makes it abundantly clear beyond all dispute that Jesus, the Messiah, the eternal Son is superior to the angels. Presentation 02

  11. Superior To The Angels The second quotation, “I will be a father to him...” v5b,is taken from Nathan’s prophetic words to David concerning Solomon and his line [Clearly we have here an example of double fulfilment which is a characteristic of a number of O.T. messianic prophecies. In double fulfilment there is an almost immediate fulfilment which is a foreshadowing of a yet greater fulfilment still to come in the person of Christ cfIsa.7v13]. The ancient promise made to David was to find its true or, complete fulfilment in the coming of Jesus, who alone was qualified to establish an everlasting kingdom. Jesus was both Son of God and son of David [Rom. 1v3]. Presentation 02

  12. Superior To The Angels The third O.T. quotation in v6 Jesus as the ‘firstborn’. Jesus is described as the ‘firstborn from the dead’ in Col. 1v18.In Judaism the firstborn had precedence over all others who were in turn considered to be his servants [This issue sparked off the enmity between Esau and Jacob. Esau initially despised the blessing, the spiritual inheritance of the firstborn and sold it for a pot of stew. Now as ‘firstborn’ Jesus is seen as the heir of all things. Secondly, the firstborn was in a very special sense sacred to God and for this reason the firstborn in Israel were to be consecrated to God [Ex. 13v2]. Who more than Jesus was wholly dedicated to the will and service of the Father. [Jn. 4v34]. Presentation 02

  13. Superior To The Angels Inv7, Ps.104v4 is quoted. A contrast is set between the of status of angels and of the Son of God. Angels are mere servants, ministering spirits in comparison with the Sonv8, whose everlasting sovereignty is declared in this quotation from Ps.45v6. Notice that the kingdom of the coming Christ is identified with God and will be characterised by righteousness and justice. These qualities of divinity are here associated with the messianic throne. It is against this background that the Davidic king is described in such surprising language in v 8 ‘Thy throne O God is forever and ever’.The clear implication of this verse is one that the cults, who deny the deity of Christ, struggle to explain away. Presentation 02

  14. Superior To The Angels Inv9 we read of the Messianic king being ‘anointed with the oil of gladness above his comrades’.This is thought by some to be a reference to the triumphal entry of Jesus into his heavenly glory after his resurrection when the glorious achievement of the eternal redemption of mankind is celebrated. The anointing with the oil of gladness that Jesus received is the oil of gladness that he in turn bestowed as a coronation gift to his church at Pentecost. This is Peter’s explanation of the Pentecost phenomenon Acts 2v33. Presentation 02

  15. Superior To The Angels In v10-12, Psalm 102v25-27 is quoted, which refer to the Messiah, the Son as the Creator cf. v2. This quotation is important to the writer's argument not least because it reveals the immutability of the Son. After God burns up the present earth and heavens in order to create new heavens and a new earth [2 Pet. 3v10-12; Rev. 21-22] the Son, who is not a part of creation but the Creator, will remain. Even though the earth as we know it will end, the Son's rule will continue eternally and with it his joy. Note that the attribute of permanence in the Creator corresponds to the durability of his throne and serves to reinforce the contrast between the mutability of the angels and the stable, abiding character of the Son. Presentation 02

  16. Superior To The Angels The last quotation in this series is found in v13 and is taken from Ps. 110v1. The superiority of the Son is demonstrated by showing that angels stand and serve, but the Son sits and rules. [cf. Mk. 16v19; Acts 2v33-34; Rom. 8v34; Col. 3v1; 1 Pet.3v22]. The vindication predicted here will take place when Jesus Christ returns at his second advent and through the various judgments of God's enemies that will follow that return [cf. Matt. 25v31-46; Rev. 20v11-15]. Eventually every knee shall bow to Him [Phil. 2v10-11]. Presentation 02

  17. Superior To The Angels In v14the primary purpose and ministry of the angels is clearly stated. It is to assist human beings in reaching their final deliverance over their spiritual enemies. It would appear to involve protecting and strengthening us so that we may one day obtain our full inheritance with Christ in glory. The strengthening role of angels is seen in Lk.22v43 and their protecting-delivering role is seen in Acts 12v7 and as messengers of encouragement in Acts 27v23.This ministry of service is obviously inferior to that of Christ's rule. Note the word ‘salvation’ occurs seven times in Hebrews, more than in any other book of the N.T. Presentation 02

  18. Superior To The Angels The word ‘inherit' is often used in the N.T. in the sense of 'obtain possession of'. It is used of possessing the earth [Matt. 5v5], the kingdom of God [1Cor. 6v9-10], eternal life [Mk. 10v17], the promises [Heb. 6v12], incorruption[1 Cor. 15v50], blessing [Heb. 12v17], a more excellent name [v 4]. The writer to the Hebrews speaks of the inheritance of Christians as the O.T. writers spoke of the inheritance of the Israelites. Our inheritance refers to all that God wants to give his people. Therefore this section closes with a positive encouragement for the readership. Presentation 02

  19. Superior To The Angels The writer's array of O.T. quotations provides one of the most glorious Christologies in Scripture. He has placed emphasis on Jesus' future reign as God's Eternal King who is also David's Son. This Son is shown to be superior to the angels in all respects: 1. He is the Son of God [v5a]. 2. He is the promised son of David [v5b]. 3. He is the King whom angels worship as God [v6]. 4. His service is not temporary like the angels [v7]. 5. His ministry is that of the eternal ruler [v8-9]. 6. He is the immutable creator [v10-12]. 7. He is the sovereign who will rule as victor over all His enemies [v13]. Presentation 02

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