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HEBREWS – LESSON 5

Introduction:

Christ’s priesthood continues to be glorified. By comparison, the writer continues to show that Christ’s priesthood is better than the Old Covenant’s priesthood. However, we now notice a change in emphasis. Instead of focusing upon the implications of the priesthood of Christ being according to the priesthood of Melchizedek, we learn that Christ as priest serves with greater efficacy in a more glorious realm.

To help establish a contrast, a picture of the old tabernacle with its “vessels of ministry” and “sacrifices” are mentioned. Familiarize yourself with the elements of the Old Covenant by reviewing the following passages:

a. Tabernacle information: Exodus 25-27; 30-31; 35-40

b. Day of Atonement proceedings: Leviticus 16

c. The ashes of the red heifer: Numbers 19

d. The various offerings: Leviticus 23; Exodus 29:38-46; Numbers 28-29

e. Sprinkling of the Book of the Covenant: Exodus 24:4-8

I. Jesus’ greater work as priest in the greater tabernacle of Heaven (9:1-10:18)

A. Tabernacle of this world and priest’s sacrifices symbolic of Christ’s greater reformation (9:1-10)

    1.  The earthly tabernacle’s meaningful furniture (v.1-5)

    2. Priest’s service in the first section (holy place) of the tabernacle (v. 6)

    3. High priest’s service into the second section (holy of holies) once a year (day of atonement)  (v. 7-8)

    4. Ordinances regarding the flesh cannot cleanse the conscience (v.9-10).

            B. Christ entered as High Priest into the more perfect tabernacle and His blood cleanses the conscience (9:11-14)

    1. Christ entered the tabernacle not made with hands (v.11).

    2. Christ’s blood, not blood of goats and bulls, obtained eternal redemption for man (v. 12).

    3. Christ’s blood has more efficacy (purifies the conscience)  than the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of heifer         (purifying water) (v.13-14).

C. Jesus Christ is mediator of a new covenant (9:15-22)

    1. Death that redeems man from man’s transgression – offering eternal inheritance to those called by the Gospel (v.15)

    2. Death that ratifies a covenant (last will and testament) (v.16-17)

    3. Jesus’ blood dedicates new commandments – as blood of animals were sprinkled on the book of the Law of Moses         (v.18-20).

    4. The efficacy of blood emphasized – without shedding of blood there is no remission (v.21-22)

D. Jesus Christ has entered  the greater tabernacle of heaven cleansed by the one- time- offering of His blood  (9:23-28).

    1. Jesus continues to appear before the face of God for us (v.23-24)

    2. Jesus does not continue to offer up sacrifices like the high priest did year by year in the tabernacle made with hands         – Jesus at the end of the ages has offered Himself (v. 25-26).  

    3. As man is appointed to die once and afterward comes to the judgment – Jesus has been once offered for sins and         shall appear a second time apart from sin to them that wait for Him unto eternal salvation (v.27-28).

E. The Law with its animal sacrifices is the shadow of the good things to come in taking away the guilt of sin (10:1-4).

F. Jesus fulfills all the sacrifices of the old covenant by coming to do the will of God – man is sanctified by the body of Jesus offered once for all (10:5-10).

G. Unlike the priests of old standing and offering sacrifices often than can never take away sin, Jesus offered one sacrifice                  for sin forever and sat down on the right hand of God (10:11-14).

H. Holy Spirit bears witness to the truth of a covenant with God’s law written on hearts and sins and iniquities to be                     remembered no more  (10:15-18).

    1. With remission of sins – no offering for sin further needed.

QUESTIONS:

1. In verse one, what two things are connected for our consideration?

2. In verses 1-10, what two things are contrasted?

3. How is the contrast illustrated?

4. What does the Holy Spirit signify the contrast?

5. How many “veils” were in the tabernacle?

6. What items were in the first tabernacle?

7. What items were contained in the holy of holies?

8. Is the vessel pertaining to incense the alter or censor upon which the incense was offered to God?   Explain:

9. What were the ordinances incapable of doing?  Explain:

10. What is the “time of reformation”?

11. What is its significance?

12. In verse eleven, what does “not made with hands” mean?

13. In verse twelve, what two ways does Christ’s service as priest differ from the service of Aaron?

 

14. In verses 13-14, what two things are cleansed?

15. In these verses, what is the purpose for the contrast?

16. How did the “ashes of a heifer” have anything to do with cleansing?

17. What is the significance of Christ offering Himself “through the eternal spirit”?

18. In verse fifteen, who benefited from the death of Jesus?

19. Before a testament can become effective, what must first occur?

20. With what was the first covenant dedicated?

21. Has a second covenant been properly dedicated?

22. What two things make Christ’s priesthood better than Aaron’s?

23. Christ will come a second time apart from _____________________.  Explain:

24. Who will enjoy salvation when He comes?

25. What fact shows that the sacrifices under the old covenant did not make one perfect?

26. What did these sacrifices do?

27. What does it mean when God “had no pleasure” in the burnt offerings?

28. What was prepared that would cause God to be satisfied?

29. What two things are connected with God’s will in 10:7-10?

30. How many times was Christ’s offering needed?

31. How is this contrasted with the priest’s service under the old covenant?

32. How does the Holy Spirit bear witness to us?

33. What does He say goes along with remission of sins?

34. Under which covenant is such remission enjoyed?