Lesson 2 - Hebrews

Question 1

Explain how Christ’s humanity and divinity played into his priesthood.

Answer 1

• There must be a close identification between the priest and his followers:
  1. ) Hebrews 2:10 - Christ bears rule over the whole world for us
  2. ) Christ is called the captain of our salvation (Heb. 12:2)
  3. ) Identification in the point of origin - oneness in spiritual sphere and through exercise of faith (children)
  4. ) Physical, not just spiritual, unity in the Incarnation
  5. ) christ is represented in becoming one with His people in all their experience

Question 2

General overview of Christology in Hebrews.

Answer 2

1. ) Pre-existence of Christ (Hebrews 1:3)
   - - creater/upholder of the universe
   - - exact imprint/nature of God
2. ) Son of God - favorite designation for Christ
   - - Heir of all things
   - - shares in diety
3. ) Refers to Jesus (10 times) more than Christ (9 times)
   - - concerned with actual jesus of history
4. ) Heavenly Session of jesus
   - - Ascension more than resurrection
5. ) 2 natures of christ
   - - both divinity and humanity of Christ
6. ) High Priesthood of Christ
   - identified himself with those he would save at every point except one – without sin

Question 3

How would you describe the relationship of the New Covenant to the Old through the lens of Hebrews 1:1-3?

Answer 3

Progressive revelation: the bible is liek the growth of a flower (seed, sapling, stem, bud, flower)

• • each stage is still the same flower, but its progressing
• • Old and New are different stages, but not opposed to each other, but building on each other

1. ) When?
   - OT: “in the past”
   - NT: “In these last days”
2. ) To Whom?
   - OT: “forefathers”
   - NT: “us”
3. ) By Whom?
   - OT: “through the prophets”
   - NT: “his Son”
4. ) How?
   - OT: “at many times and in various ways” (dreams, visions, etc.)
   - NT: “Once and for all”

Question 4

How is Christ’s priesthood superior to that of the Levitical priests?

Answer 4

1. ) Christ’s priesthood is superior to Abraham
   - - Levites gave tithes to Melchizedek through abraham
   - - Melchizedek blessed Abraham
2. ) Christ’s priesthood is more effective
   - - Efficacy: actually gets the job done
   - - Priests in OT have to keep offering sacrifices, keep being replaced, jobs never finished
3. ) Christ’s priesthood has a better tribe
   - - from the tribe of Judah (Kingly Tribe)
   - - Jesus is King Priest at same time
4. ) Christ’s priesthood is inaugurated by an oath
   - - extra-level of assurance
5. ) Christ’s priesthood is morally perfect
   - - Aaronic priest could never offer himself as a sacrifice
   - - Jesus is both priest and sacrifice
   - - 4 parties involved with a sacrifice and Jesus fulfills them all:
   - — God - demands the sacrifice
   - — Priest - makes the sacrifice
   - — Sacrifice - Jesus is perfect sacrifice
   - — People - Jesus is 2nd Adam representative

Question 5

How does Christ’s priesthood support the purpose of Hebrews?

Answer 5

• Main argument of Hebrews is that the OT priestly institution was only a shadow of reality and could not deal with the problem of sin.
• The heavenly reality has come near in the death of Jesus, which put away sin once and for all.
• Therefore apostasy from Christ means doom, for there is no other way.

Question 6

Who is Melchizedek and how does he support the purpose of Hebrews?

Answer 6

Hebrews 7:1-3; Genesis 14

• • Melchizedek meets Abraham
• • King over a placed called Salem
• • Names: means “King of Righteousness” and King of Salem (original place for Jerusalem) - meaning King of Peace
• • Melchizedek is both King and Priest together
• • Hebrews 7:3 - Melchizedek appears without genealogy (appears eternal)

Heightens his typological function - seems to be eternal like Jesus, functions as a type of Christ to show that Christ’s priesthood in the order of Melchizedek is superior to Levitical priesthood (7:4-28)