by Bonnie Calhoun

Today we are looking at the book of Hebrews. Since chapter 1 is short, I've decided to give you some background on this book.

The author does not identify himself, but he was obviously well known to the original recipients. Though for some 1,200 years the book was commonly called "The Epistle of Paul to the Hebrews," there was no agreement in the earliest centuries regarding its authorship. But since the Reformation it has been widely recognized that Paul could not have been the writer.

Moreover, the statement, "This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him" (2:3), indicates that the author had neither been with Jesus during his earthly ministry nor received special revelation directly from the risen Lord, as had Paul (Gal 1:11-12).

Hebrews must have been written before the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in A.D. 70, or it would have been mentioned, and the author wouldn't have used the present tense when speaking of the Temple and the priestly activities connected with it.

The letter was addressed primarily to Jewish converts who were familiar with the Old Testament and who were being tempted to revert to Judaism or to Judaize the gospel.

The theme of Hebrews is the absolute supremacy and sufficiency of Jesus Christ as revealer and as mediator of God's grace.

Chapter 1

In these first five verses we see that all Old Testament writers are now viewed as prophets in that their testimony was preparation for the coming of Christ. The words, "by His Son" is a new and unique category of revelation in contrast to that of the prophets.

The superiority of the Son's revelation is demonstrated by seven great descriptive statements about Him:
1.) Appointed heir of all things
2.) Through whom He made the universe
3.) Radiance of God's glory
4.) Exact representation of His being
5.) Sustaining all things
6.) Provided purification for sins
7.) Sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven

And to top it off...He is superior to the angels. Now that is the topper, because to most Jews angels were exalted beings, especially revered because they were involved in giving the law as Sinai, and to the Jews, the law was God's supreme revelation