September 1, 2024: Sunday School

Order of Service

• Sunday School Lesson — Introduction to the Book of Hebrews
• Prayer

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Sermon Title: Introduction to the Book of Hebrews

Scripture: Hebrews 1:1-4

I. Authorship of Hebrews

A. The author is unknown — as Origen said, "Who wrote the epistle, in truth God knows" B. Pauline authorship is unlikely

1. No greeting or appeal to apostleship at the outset
2. The language and style differ markedly from Paul's other letters
3. Hebrews 2:3 implies the author received the gospel secondhand, which Paul consistently denied of himself C. Other proposed authors include Barnabas, Luke, and Apollos
4. Luke fits the criterion of Hebrews 2:3 and shares linguistic similarities with the letter
5. Apollos (see Acts 18) is the most commonly held view today, following arguments made by Martin Luther — a Jew from Alexandria, steeped in the Old Testament and educated in Greek D. The message of Hebrews does not depend on knowledge of the author; the letter has been attested as inspired Scripture from the first century

II. Audience of Hebrews

A. The recipients are most likely Jewish Christians under pressure to renounce their faith and return to Judaism

1. The Old Testament is quoted more in Hebrews than in any other New Testament letter
2. The letter is saturated with references to the temple, the priesthood, and Old Testament religious life
3. All Old Testament quotations appear to derive from the Septuagint (LXX), suggesting a Greek-speaking Jewish audience B. The audience was likely located in Rome, writing during the early-to-mid AD 60s, prior to the fall of the temple in AD 70 C. Internal evidence of persecution
4. Hebrews 10:32-34 — they endured public reproach, affliction, imprisonment of companions, and the plundering of their property
5. Hebrews 12:4 — they had not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood D. The author and audience know one another personally; Hebrews 13:22-25 reflects mutual affection and shared knowledge of Timothy

III. Purpose of the Letter

A. The primary purpose is Christian endurance — Hebrews 10:36: "You have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised"

1. Endurance of confession — holding fast to who Christ is
2. Endurance of godliness — persevering in holiness and working out salvation
3. Endurance of hope — keeping eyes fixed on the promised, unshakeable, lasting Kingdom B. The letter woos believers toward Christ and warns against departing from him
4. Christ is presented as greater than all Old Testament types and shadows — greater than Moses, the temple, the priesthood, and the sacrifices
5. Hebrews 11:13-16 — Abraham and the patriarchs are examples of those who sought a better, heavenly homeland, a city God has prepared
6. The tone is described by scholars as an earnest, passionate, and personal appeal C. Christ is the central subject of the letter
7. Hebrews 1:1-4 — the Son is the radiance of God's glory, the exact imprint of his nature, the one who made purification for sins and sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high
8. The name Jesus is withheld until Hebrews 2:9, drawing readers in to consider who the Son is before naming him
9. Hebrews 4:16 and Hebrews 10:22 frame the central section of the letter as an invitation to draw near to Christ with confidence and full assurance

IV. Outline of Hebrews

A. Broad two-part structure

1. Hebrews 1:1–10:18 — Doctrine: the person and accomplished work of Christ
2. Hebrews 10:19–13:25 — Application: how to live in light of that doctrine B. More detailed four-part outline
3. Hebrews 1:1–4:16 — Jesus, the Apostle of our confession
4. Hebrews 4:11–10:25 — Jesus, our great high priest
5. Hebrews 10:19–13:16 — Jesus, the one who ran the race before us
6. Hebrews 13:17-25 — Conclusion C. The doctrine of the high priesthood of Christ is the great contribution of Hebrews to the New Testament; without it, our understanding of Christ's priestly work would be severely lacking