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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?

HEBREWS – LESSON 6

I. JESUS’ SACRIFICE AND PRIESTHOOD PROVIDE BASIS FOR THE CHRISTIAN’S BOLDNESS TO ENTER HEAVEN (10:19-39)

A. Confidence to enter heaven by Jesus’ blood (v. 19-20)

            1.  The way into the Holy Place through the veil – Jesus’ flesh

            2. The “new” or “fleshly slain” way

            3. The “living” way – providing eternal life

    

B. Confidence to draw near to God because we- the house of God”  have a “great” – eternal high priest (v. 21-25)

1. In fullness of faith – having our hearts (conscience) sprinkled by Jesus’ blood and bodies washed with water at our baptism into Christ’s death.

2. Holding fast the confession of our hope – God is faithful who has promised.

3. Consider one another – by assembling with one another – arousing one another to love and good works, and exhorting one another.

C. Warning of willfully turning away from God’s known and personally experienced grace (v. 26-31)

1. No more sacrifice from sin remains – certain fearful judgment awaits.

2. Sorer punishment than that which was imposed upon those who disregarded the Law of Moses deserved for those who have willfully:

            a. trodden under foot the Son of God

            b. counted the blood of the sanctifying covenant an unholy thing  

            c. despised the Spirit of grace

3. Vengeance belongs to God – He will recompense – the Lord will judge His people.

4. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of a “living God.”

D. Exhortation to not cast away one’s boldness in Christ – the need of patience in remaining faithful unto the end (v. 32-39).  

1. Remembering after becoming Christians (enlightened) you endured great sufferings from persecutions.

2. You suffered with those who were undergoing reproaches and afflictions.

3. You took joyfully having your own possessions taken from you as spoil – knowing you have a better possession awaiting you in heaven.

4. Boldness in Christ has great recompense of reward.

5. Do not shrink back to perdition or permanent destruction – the righteous live by faith.

6. The need of patience to the end – faithfulness unto the saving of the soul.

QUESTIONS:

1. What is the holy place in verse 19?

2. A Christian can have boldness or confidence to enter the holy place. Why?

3. What two words describe “the way” ?  Explain their significance:

4. Because Christ is our high priest, what two things should characterize us?

5. In verse 22, is sprinkling connected with baptism? Explain your answer:

6. In order to keep from wavering, what should we always remember?

7. Provoking and exhorting is way of doing what to one another?

8. What had become  a “custom” to some?

9. What is “the day” that is “drawing nigh” in verse 25?

10. Is attending services and end in itself or a means to an end?

  

11. Explain what “willful” sin is?

12. What lies ahead for the one who commits such sin?

13. Is there a worse punishment than death?

 

14. What three things have we actually done when we forsake Christ?

15. Why is it fearful to fall into the hands of a “living” God?

16. How does the writer encourage his readers while at the same time impart sobering warnings? Where in this epistle has he done this before?

17. Had prior persecution destroyed these people?

18. In what three ways had they suffered?

19. What did they have that helped them face the loss of possessions with joy?

20. When Christians fall away, their end is _____________________________. Explain:

21. When Christians fall away, they do not have _______________   ___________. Explain: