ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

 Tu‘apulelulu Siulai 15, 2021

‘Oku Ma’olunga Taha pe ‘a Kalaisi

The Supremacy of Christ

Hepelu 1 (Hebrews 1)

Themes from Hebrews - A Teaching Series by Dr. R.C. Sproul

(summarized from audio by LSTulua)

According to Dr Sproul, if he were put in prison and was given a choice of one book to have with him, he would obviously pick the Bible. And if just one book from the Bible, he would pick the Book of Hebrews. It is a rich book and spans the whole scope of the Old Testament and draws everything back to Christ. 

Authorship: Unknown. Of all the hotly debated books in the New Testament, Hebrews was among the most. It was not its “canonicity” (whether it belonged in Scripture) but because of  its authorship. In the 3rd century, Clement of Alexandria proposed Paul as the author and it drew great support. Because of its rich Hebrew nature, he believed that Paul wrote it in Hebrew and someone close to him (Luke) translated it into Greek. Because of the dominant Jewish “aora” of Hebrews, some suggested Luke. The gospel of Luke is the most eloquent of the gospels and the fact that Luke was educated and polished makes him a popular candidate. 

The literary style of Hebrews is indicative of an “extended sermon”. One scholar suggested that it is a long sermon based of Psalm 110. In this regard, Barnabas is a likely writer, being that he is known as the “encourager”. Hebrews has strong exhortations and brings a call to repentance which fits Barnabas.  Another possibility is Apollos, who was a prominent leader (Acts 18). He was eloquent, a Jewish, powerful in Scripture, for he taught Scriptures accurately and a master of the Old Testament. The reformer, Martin Luther supported the authorship of someone who was educated in Alexandria (Alexandrian Judaism) and Apollos fit this. Others also have suggested Clement of Rome and even a team, like Priscilla and Aquila, with the emphasis on Priscilla. 

Audience: to the Hebrews - but which one? Jews in Jerusalem? Those who were scattered? Or Jewish community in Rome? Most likely, Jews in Jerusalem.

Why was the Book written? There was a crisis! Something so serious, it has to be addressed. So severe, chapter 6 was written; a very difficult passage dealing with the possible lost of salvation for those in the church. So what was the crisis? Some say, Roman persecutions that caused some to deny Christ then came back. Others say, Judiasers who promoted holding onto Old Testament rites, which was dealt with by the book of Galations. A more likely view, is that there was a 3rd party, besides the Pharisees and Saduccess. They were the Asceans. They believed that God sent two Messiahs, one Priestly and one Kingly. They will, in the end, submit to Michael the Archangel. This teaching subverted the supremacy of Christ, who is both Priest and King. In order to properly understand the Book of Hebrews, we must read it and understand it through its central theme: the Supremacy of Christ!