Search The Scriptures —Study 13 —Hebrews 10:1-18

Study 13 From The Book of Hebrews Is: Hebrews 10:1-18

1.      Write down as many contrasts as you can find between the sacrifices of the Tabernacle and the sacrifice offered by Christ. Why did the latter succeed where the former failed?

2.     What consequences of Christ’s sacrifice (a) are enjoyed by Him, and (b) can be enjoyed by us?

3.     To what truths does the Holy Spirit bear witness in the Old Testament passages which are here quoted?

Notes

1.      Verses 5-9. The truth emphasized here is that a moral act of personal obedience has superseded ritual ceremonies, which in themselves had no inherent worth.  They were only ‘a shadow of the good things to come’ (verse 1).

2.     Verses 1, 10, 14. ‘Perfected’ and ‘sanctified’:  the meaning is that by Christ’s one sacrifice we are brought for ever into a perfect, unalterable relationship of acceptance with God and consecration to His service. No further offering for sin is necessary (verse 18).

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Search The Scriptures —Study 12 — Hebrews 9:15-28

Study 12 From The Book of Hebrews Is: Hebrews 9:15-28  

1.      Verses 15-23.  What are the reasons why Christ’s death was necessary? Of what benefits can we be sure because it has occurred?

2.     Verses 24-28. What differences are here indicated between what the Jewish high priest did an what Christ has done? What are the consequences of Christ’s one sacrifice of Himself? How can it affect what happens to us when this life is over?

Note. Verses 15-22.  According to ancient practice covenants were sealed in blood, by the symbolic introduction of the death of the parties making it.  Also, once a transgression of a covenant obligation had been committed, death became necessary for a second reason, to pay the penalty of such failure.  So, ‘without the shedding of blood there is not forgiveness of sins’.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 11 —Hebrews 9:1-15

Study 11 From The Book of Hebrews Is: Hebrews 9:1-15

1.      Verses 1-10. In what respects did the earthly sanctuary and its ceremonies come short, and for what reasons?

2.     Verses 11-15. In what ways is the ministry which Christ fulfilled superior to, and more effective than, the Levitical ceremonies?  List its far-reaching consequences.

Notes

1.      Verse 9.  “Perfect the conscience’: i.e free it from guilt and defilement, or ‘purify’ it (verse 14).

2.      Verse 12. The Greek does not say that Christ took blood into God’s presence, like the Levitical high priest took blood into the inner shrine (verse 6). Rather He entered ‘through’ His own blood, i.e., on the ground of His death or shed blood.  For by this the veil had been rent which shut men out.  Cf. Mk. 15: 37, 38; Heb. 10:19-22

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Search The Scriptures —Study 10 —Hebrews 8

Study 10 From The Book of Hebrews Is: Hebrews 8

1.      Verses 1-6.  Jews were used to seeing Levitical priests fulfil their ministry in an earthly sanctuary.  As Christian they needed to appreciate that Christ’s ministry in different and ‘much more excellent’ (verse 6). In what ways is this true? What is the significance of His being already seated at the right hand of God’s throne (verse 1)?  Cf. 10:10-14; 4:14-16; Eph. 4:8.

2.     Verses 7-13.  Why did the first covenant fail? Was there anything wrong with it? In contrast to it, in what ways does the new covenant meet our need, give us ‘better promises’ (verse 6), and make success certain?

Note.  Verse 10-12.  Experimental progress into the enjoyment of the blessings of the new covenant is best appreciated from the bottom to the top as (a) forgiveness of sins, (b) personal knowledge of the Lord, (C) covenant relation to Him, (d) the indwelling Spirit turning the external restraint of the law into an internal constraint to do God’s will.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 9 — Hebrews 7:15-28

Study 9 From The Book of Hebrews Is: Hebrews 7:15-28

1.      Verses 15-25.  What are the distinctive differences between the Levitical and

the Melchizedek order of priesthood – in qualification for office, in continuance in office and in efficacy? In relations to Christ’s office what is added by God’s oath?

2.     Verses 23-28. How do these verses show that in Jesus we have a Perfect High Priest, and that He perfectly meets the sinner’s need? In What ways is He unique both in Person and work?

Note.  Verse 25. ‘For all time’: the Greek phrase means ‘to the uttermost’ both of time and of degree: ‘completely’.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 8—Hebrews 7:1-14

Study 8 From The Book of Hebrews Is: Hebrews 7:1-14

1.   Verses 1:10. On what grounds is Melchizedek said to be greater than Abraham and consequently superior to the Levitical priesthood? By what the scriptural record both does and does not tell us about him, in what ways is Melchizedek made to resemble the Son of God?

2.   Verses 11-14. Why could not Jesus possibly be a priest after the order of Aaron? What does the promise in the Old Testament of a new order of priesthood (see Ps. 110:4) imply concerning the existing Levitical priesthood? If the priesthood is changed, what must inevitably be changed as well?

Notes

1.   Verse 1. ‘This Melchizedek, king…priest’: among the Israelites these two offices were never held by the same person.

2.   Verse 2 ‘First…righteousness, and then … peace’: Is. 32:17.

3.   Verses 12.  The priesthood was so fundamental to the old covenant between God and His people, that any change in the order of priesthood must of necessity involve a change in the whole constitution; i.e., it implies nothing less than an accompanying new, and indeed better, covenant. See 7:22.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 7— Hebrews 6:9-20

Study 7 From The Book of Hebrews Is: Hebrews 6:9-20

1.   Verses 9-12. What gives the writer confidence concerning his readers’ final salvation?  In what ways does he desire to see improvement in their Christian living? Examine yourself to see in which of these characteristics you are strong or weak.

2.   Verses 13-20. If we have made Christ our refuge, what three unshakable grounds of assurance have we that our confidence and hope will not disappoint us? In what ways is Jesus Himself like an anchor? What benefits does He guarantee?

Notes

1.   Verses 10-12. Note the mention of love, hope and faith. Cf. 1 Thes. 1:3; 5:8

2.   Verse 12. ‘Sluggish’: 5:11 the same Greek adjective is translated ‘dull’. Other renderings are ‘lazy’ or ‘slothful’.

3.   Verse 11, 12. ‘Until the end’; … and patience.’ This is an emphasis typical of this letter. Cf. 3:14; 6:15; 10:35, 36.

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