Author: Not stated; Paul, Luke, Barnabas, and Apollos have all been suggested.
Date: Probably sometime before AD 70, since Hebrews refers to temple sacrifices. The Jerusalem temple was destroyed by Romans in AD 70.
In Ten Words or Less: Jesus is better than any Old Testament person or sacrifice.
Details: Written to Jewish Christians (hence the name “Hebrews”), this long letter emphasizes the superiority of Christianity to Old Testament Judaism. Jesus is “so much better” (1:4) than angels, Moses, and the previous animal sacrifices. “For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh,” Hebrews asks, “how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (9:13–14). Jewish Christians, some of whom were apparently wavering in their commitment to Jesus, are reminded that Christ “is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises” (8:6)—a once-for-all sacrifice on the cross that provides “eternal redemption for us” (9:12).
From Know Your Bible, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc. Used by permission.
What are the Sacrifices that a Disciple Offers
As we finish today the book of Hebrews, we discover that after the writer spends 12 chapters talking about the great things that God has done, he now takes 1 chapter to describe what we are to do. Among other things we are to offer sacrifices. Of course our sacrifices are every different from those offered in Israel’s Temple. Join us a we learn what acceptable sacrifices are in the sight of God.
Don’t be a Causality of Spiritual Deception
The writer of Hebrews reminds us once again that not all who say they are of God are genuine. We know that there has been deception in the church and there will be great deception in the Church’s future. But we don’t have to be victims of it. Join us in our verse by verse study of the book of Hebrews to see how we can identify “spiritual deception”.
Our Responsibility Towards One Another
As we now begin to close out our study in the book of Hebrews, the writer is pressing on us how we are to live in light of God’s great mercy that He has shown unto us. As we look at chapter 13 for the first time, we’re being shown how healthy Christians behave towards each other. Join us as we focus on how to relate to your brothers and sisters in Christ.
Our Responsibility Towards God
As we come down to the end of Hebrews chapter 12, the writer has explained in great detail what God has done for us, and now he informs us how we are to respond. What does God want from us in our relation to Him? Join us as we take a look at how simple it is to please God now that He has made us righteous by faith.
The Depth of your Knowledge of God
One word found frequently in Scripture is the word ‘Revelation” which means to make known or to reveal. God has given us a revelation of Himself because He does want to be known. If you say you have knowledge of God, how deep is that knowledge. Join us as we continue in the Book of Hebrews as we look at what constitutes having a deep knowledge of God.
Consider Christ
As we enter into the twelfth chapter of the book of Hebrews, we are given keys to help us avoid collapsing. The third key that we come to in verse three, is to consider what happened to Christ when He was in the world. The world’s treatment of Him goes far beyond anything that we might experience ourselves. Join us as we consider the world’s response to Christ.
