Hebrews 1

Hebrews 1: 1-14

There is some dispute about who wrote the Book of Hebrews. It's been widely credited to the Apostle Paul.

But Paul identified himself in all of his other writings. There is no indication anywhere in the Book of Hebrews as to who physically wrote the book. We have to remember that all of scripture is from God, our Heavenly Father, through the Holy Spirit. Not sure if it matters a whole lot as to whose pen the Holy Spirit decided to use to bring these messages to mankind.

It does appear though, from the writings, that Hebrews was written prior to the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. That occurred in 70 A.D.

Again, scholars are of the opinion that whoever penned the book would surely have mentioned the temple being destroyed if it were written after the destruction. That's a good assumption if you think of the Bible as a kind of Fox News on the Plains of Moab. Maybe yes. Maybe no.

I like to view the authorship as the late Dr. Walter Martin did when he said: The Book of Hebrews was written by a Hebrew to other Hebrews telling the Hebrews to stop acting like Hebrews.

In truth, many of the early Jewish believers were slipping back into the rites and rituals of Judaism in order to escape the mounting persecution of Christians.

This letter, then, is an exhortation for these persecuted believers to continue in the grace of Jesus Christ. (read more at: http://www.gotquestions.org/Book-of-Hebrews.html)

The Apostle Paul was Jewish. Remember that his ancestry was from the Tribe of Benjamin. He was temple-trained by the Pharisees and was, himself, a Pharisee. That made him very well versed in all the laws that we just read about in the Book of Deuteronomy.

And when I say "very well versed," I am talking about being recognized as the #1 instructor of the law. If you could liken him to the law leader of his land, then comparing him to the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court would be close. The Apostle Paul was it.

As far as timing of the writing is concerned, we know that Pope Clement quoted from Hebrews in 95 A.D. Clement was pope from 88 - 97 A.D.

Timothy was alive at the time the book was written.

There is widely accepted belief that the Book of Hebrews was written about 65 A.D.

By this time Paul had already sent his letter to the Corinthians -- in 58 A.D.

The first Christians were massacred/martyred in 64 A.D.

St. Peter was executed in 67 A.D.Nero succeeded his father Claudius in 68 A.D. (Claudius had been poisoned by his wife Agrippina.)

Nero committed suicide in 68 A.D. The Jews revolted against Rome in 70 A.D.

Jerusalem was captured and destroyed also in 70 A.D. Vitellius was emperor at that time.

So back to the study of Hebrews: In the very first verse of the first chapter, the Hebrews are reminded that God spoke to their ancestors by using many prophets as his mouthpiece. But in the most recent times, God the Father spoke through his son Jesus Christ. It was through Jesus Christ that God made the universe. (verse 2b)

It is Jesus Christ who provided the purification for sins. And Jesus Christ sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. (verse 3)

In verse 4, Jesus Christ is noted as being more superior than the angels. In fact, throughout this first chapter, the difference between Jesus and the angels is repeated. But make no mistake about it -- angels are ministering spirits whose duty it is to serve.

In verse 14, the chapter closes with this kind of job description for the angels: Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

Those are powerful words. Are you among those who will inherit salvation? You are if you accept that Christ came to earth, lived and died for your sins. Salvation is yours to claim. It is a promise from God our Heavenly Father.

The next time you pray, say to God, "I'm really sorry for all the lame things I've done that must have broken your heart. I'm really really sorry. Please forgive me and give me the strength to resist Satan and all that is evil. I want your forgiveness and I thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ, who died for my personal sins, and the sin of mankind. But for my sins, I thank you for the gift of salvation."

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