Hebrews 1.1-2.4 - Capitol Commission
A Lesson in Superiority
12 March 2013
RON J. BIGALKE, PASTOR/MISSIONARY, CAPITOL COMMISSION, 912.659.4212
Bible Study Title
Ron J. Bigalke , PhD / PO Box 244, Rincon, GA 31326‐0244 / www.capitolcom.org / [email protected]
CAPITOL BIBLE STUDY 152 nd General Assembly ( twice every Tuesday )
• TUESDAY @ 7:30 AM in 123 CAP • TUESDAY @ 12 NOON in 123 CAP
Capitol Commission Bible Study is Tuesday, 12 March 2013 Hebrews 1:1—2:4 – “A Lesson in Superiority” George Washington is generally regarded as a man of action, that is, we do not imagine the “Father of Our Country” reading books on a regular basis. Washington’s father died when he was eleven, thus his family could not afford the expense of a formal education. Some of Washington’s contemporaries believed he had little interest in intellectual pursuits. John Adams caustically asserted: “That Washington was not a scholar is certain. That he was too illiterate, unlearned, unread for his station and reputation is equally past dispute.” Thomas Jefferson was more temperate in declaring that his fellow Virginian exhausted his time “in action chiefly, reading little, and that only in agriculture and English history.” Washington did, however, acquire a library of approximately 1,000 books at Mount Vernon, Virginia, which was unusually extensive during his time. He developed his own reading program to expand his mind. Washington was conscientious of what he considered to be a “defective education,” yet (recognizing this deficiency) he developed a lifelong habit of reading as preparation for effective and virtuous public leadership. Washington surprised his country when he commanded a frontier militia in 1753, at the age of 21, and later volunteered for active duty. In the same year, Washington was chosen to deliver an ultimatum to the French at Fort Le Boeuf (now in present-day Waterford, PA), insisting that they withdraw from Virginia’s Ohio Valley frontier. Washington’s report of this venture resulted in world renown. Washington was also a peacemaker. Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson were brilliant politicians, and their followers often engaged in intense debates as a consequence of contrasting political views. Washington demonstrated great aptitude and patience toward their followers, and achieved moderation and unity among them.
Washington was also a man of moral convictions. In his Last Will and Testament (1799), he ordered that his slaves be freed upon his wife’s death and guaranteed provisions for those incapable of supporting themselves either due to age or infirmity. Even prior to his wife’s death in 1802, Washington’s slaves were freed and his estate cared for the aged and infirm for more than three decades. Washington was an unselfish man. Congress offered him the command of the Continental armies, yet he refused a salary and only accepted reimbursement for expenses. When he became President, he proposed the same suggestion, which Congress refused and determined Washington’s salary to be $25,000 (a large sum in his time). Washington believed he could better serve the people if it was known that he had no selfish interest in the enterprises. Washington proved his wisdom in his Farewell Address (1796). He did not expect the country to pursue expansion and power, but to strive for independence. Washington hoped the country would have time “to settle and mature its yet recent institutions, and to progress without interruption to that degree of strength and consistency which is necessary to give it, humanly speaking, the command of its own fortunes.” Washington’s success as President was a surprise to many Americans and even impressed his critics. Reverence for the first President of the United States is both appropriate and understandable. The book of Hebrews addresses those who had reverence for the angels and the Old Testament prophets. Moses, Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Amos were certainly impressive individuals that God used for His will and purposes. One should not be surprised that they are admired, and may even admit that sometimes the angels and prophets can be adored too much. Some readers of Hebrews were “carried away by varied and strange teachings” (Heb 13:9). Some may have been worshippers of angels (cf. Col 2:18). Consequently, the book of Hebrews is necessary to remind all people just how important the Son of God is. Indeed, the initial verses emphasize how Jesus is superior to the prophets. God spoke “in the prophets in many portions and in many ways” (Heb 1:1). God revealed Jesus as Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer when He spoke “in His Son” (1:2). No prophet can be compared to Jesus. God spoke “in many portions and in many ways” through the prophets, yet all truth was revealed when He spoke “in His Son.” Studying the book of Hebrews should cause us to say that there is always more to learn regarding Jesus. Let us, therefore, each day “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus” (2 Pet 3:18), as we study this divinely inspired book for the duration of session and also during the interim this year.
Capitol Commission Bible Studies Tuesday (12 March) @ 7:30am – 8:00am, 123 CAP Tuesday (12 March) @ 12 Noon – 12:45pm, 123 CAP lunch provided from R.W. Allen, LLC (RWA) sponsorship
Georgia A Lesson in Superiority The author of Hebrews is not identified. From the time of the early church until the 16th century, the letter was generally considered to be the writing of the Apostle Paul (albeit with reservations). Pauline authorship of Hebrews is almost universally rejected today. The style of Hebrews is that of a master rhetorician, yet Paul admitted that he was “unskilled in speech” (2 Cor 11:6). The Lord God originally spoke the gospel to the first believers. The writer of Hebrews received the gospel indirectly from “those who heard” the Lord (Heb 2:3), whereas Paul received direct revelation of the gospel from the Lord (Gal 1:12). The original readers knew the inspired author’s name (Heb 13:18-19, 23). Generally, most Christians agree with the Alexandrian church father Origen (ca. 185-255) who stated, “But as to who actually wrote the epistle, God knows the truth of the matter.” The early church originally accepted all 27 New Testament books as inspired by God because they contained apostolic teaching. Consequently, the writer of Hebrews was either an Apostle or a close associate of, at least, one of the Apostles (cf. Heb 13:23).
GOD HAS SPOKEN. . . ! GOD IS NOT SILENT. . . !
CHRIST’S SUPERIORITY OVER ANGELS (Heb 1:4-14) The New Covenant is mediated through Christ Jesus, thus He is superior to the Old Covenant (Law), which was mediated through angels. The traditional Jewish belief is that angels were involved in the receiving of the Law (Deut 33:2; Acts 7:53; Gal 3:19). Verse 5 begins the first of seven Old Testament quotations, which are interpreted with reference to Christ Jesus. The Lord Jesus is superior for five reasons: He is the Son (Heb 2:4-5); He has superior dignity (vv. 6-7); He is sovereign (vv. 8-9); He is unchanging (vv. 10-12); and, He has authority and power at the Father’s right hand (vv. 13-14). (2:1-4) Ignoring God’s Word will always result in horrible consequences. Why should we read and study God’s Word? The outcome is eternal for ignoring or neglecting the Word. “And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment” (9:28). We must listen to God and heed His Word.
CHRIST’S SUPERIORITY IN REVELATION (Heb 1:1-3) Verse 1 affirms three things: (1) God spoke, which means He revealed Himself; (2) God spoke “to the fathers,” and the Old Testament contains this Word; and, (3) God spoke “in the prophets.” God spoke “in many ways” (i.e. fragments). He also spoke “in many ways” (through angels, events, people, and visions).
Hebrews 2:1 – . . . pay must closer attention to what we have heard . . . so that we do not drift. . . .
Having affirmed Christ’s superiority, verses 1-4 of Hebrews 2 form a conclusion and apply it to all who read this letter. Christ’s superiority over angels implies that His message is also superior to the message brought by angels. Indeed, the message of Christ is as much superior to the angels as is His glory. Therefore, all humanity needs to “pay much closer attention” to this Word of salvation that came through Jesus Christ, and certainly not to neglect “so great a salvation.” God verified this revelation with “signs and wonders and by various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit.” Drifting from the truth of God’s Word is foolhardy.
The revelation of God in the Old Testament was important. However, what He spoke “in His Son” was climactic, definitive, and superlative. The contrast between the past days and “these last days” indicates a change in eras, and provides a hint of the future (eschatological) viewpoint of Hebrews. The death, resurrection, and ascension of the Son have begun a series of events that will conclude ultimately with the consummation of all things, thus even now we live in the “last days.” The giving of God’s final Word—His Son—means we need to pay attention because any negligence is an eternal fatality.
God has spoken! He has not resigned us to grope in darkness for spiritual direction. God spoke in many different ways through the Old Testament prophets. God spoke gloriously and completely through Jesus Christ. God is not silent! We must diligently study His message as those who seek direction, treasure, and wisdom for now and ever.
THE SON OF GOD IS A PROPHET . . . PRIEST . . . [AND] KING. . . .
Christ’s superiority in revelation is evident in seven phrases. The first two demonstrate the relationship of the Son to creation: “heir of all things” who “made the world.” The next two phrases demonstrate the Son’s relationship to the Father: “the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature.” The Son has the divine substance of the Father, thus He is God of very God. The fifth phrase demonstrates that the Son is the Sustainer of the world: He “upholds all things.” The final two phrases emphasize the redemptive work of the Son: He “made purification of sins” and, afterward, He ascended to the divine throne.
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About Capitol Commission Capitol Commission state directors are pastors/missionaries who teach weekly verse-by-verse Bible studies for the entire Capitol community. State directors also meet personally with many government leaders to proclaim God’s grace in salvation, to encourage our leaders, pray with them, and provide biblical counsel. The mission of Capitol Commission is to reach Capitol communities for Christ—one person at a time, to disciple them, and to prepare them for a lifetime of ministry, wherever God chooses to place them. Capitol Commission is a charitable and religious nonprofit corporation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Capitol Commission is supported by the generous gifts of businesses, churches, and individuals. Capitol Commission is not state-funded; rather, those with a heart for the Capitol community fund it. Please join us in this ministry!
The Son of God is a Prophet through whom God spoke His final Word to humanity. The Son is a Priest through whom a relationship by grace through faith results in the true cleansing from sin. The Son Bible study luncheon sponsored by:
Bible study copies made by:
is a King who is exalted by God to a supreme position of honor.
N EXT CAPITOL COMMISSION BIBLE STUDIES: T UESDAY , 19 MARCH @7:30 AM in 123 CAP and again @ 12 N OON in 123 CAP
