A Biblical Vision, Part II: Mastering the New Testament Witness to Christ

Ses s i on 6: The Ep i s t l es : The I nterpretat i on and App l i cat i on of Chr i s t 193

a. No mention is made in the epistle of the fall of Jerusalem which took place in A.D. 70 under Titus.

b. The author speaks of persecution, which could have occurred under emperor Nero (cf. A.D. 67-8).

c. Clement of Rome quoted it in A.D. 95.

3. Remarkable treatise written to a local church of Hebrew believers, to prevent them from turning their backs on Jesus of Nazareth

4. Hebrews is one of the most significant epistles in the Scriptures, which contrasts the old covenant and priest hood with the better, superior, and altogether sufficient atonement provided to us in Jesus of Nazareth.

5. In every way, the epistle to the Hebrews speaks to the superior identity, standing, position, and calling of Jesus of Nazareth in comparison to the characters, conventions, and covenants before him.

a. As the revelation of the Father, Christ Jesus is superior to the prophets, 1.1-4.

b. As glorified Lord of the heavens, Christ Jesus is superior to the angels, 1.5-2.18.

c. As householder for God, Christ Jesus is superior to Moses, 3.1-19.

d. As captain of the hosts of Yahweh, Christ Jesus is superior to Joshua, 4.1-13