A Study in Hebrews Week 6 (Chapters 6 & 7)

(Get your Bible out and read the verses as we study.)

Hebrews Chapter 06

Many Hebrew Christians wanted to go back to Judaism, with its rules and regulations. 

Verses 1-3: Let’s grow up! Grow up from the works of the Law. Israel was in a pattern of keep-break-keep-break…baby stuff.

The laying on of hands is a reference to the ceremonial washings of the Old Testament. Christians of Jewish heritage wanted to go back and do those things (Galatians). The “laying on of hands” sprung from ceremonial washings in OT.

Verses 4-9: Is this about whether it is possible for a saved person ever to be lost?

Many theologians have shied away from this passage.  Some hold the position that it is possible to lose your salvation.

Some contend that the “if” is hypothetical. Others say this is talking about those who “profess” but have not really accepted Christ.

Some hold that it is impossible for those who have turned away from Christ to be brought “back” to Him because they never were with Him to begin with.

Still others teach that we have a sure salvation (Romans 8:1 & 33-37; “My sheep hear my voice…eternal life…they shall never perish…”). It is about His ability to hold on to you. “…it is impossible for those who have tasted (not eaten)…” the gospel and who do not embrace it to come back to it.

Some say this is not about salvation at all. They say this is about believers and their rewards. This is for the repentance of believers. It is about the fruit, not the root, of salvation. Paul is talking about the things that accompany salvation. They are in danger of losing their reward.

(Verse 6) “Fall away” is the Greed word, “parapipto,” which is the same phrase used of Christ in the Garden when He “fell” on His face in prayer. It means to fall down, and does not refer to apostasy.

(Verse 8): Works do not save you, but they give evidence of your salvation. Before you are born, heredity determines your life. After you are born, your environment determines your life. Before you are born again, works do not enter into your “goodness.” After you are born again, works are important to witness to your salvation.

Verses 10-20: We are to minister to the saints. We are not to be lazy Christians. We must not say, “OK, I’m saved. Now I’ll sit back and enjoy my salvation.”

(Verse 15): After waiting Abraham received his promise.

(Verse 18): The two unchangeable things are: the death of Christ and the resurrection of Christ. These are the condensation of the four principles in Romans 8.

1) The birth of Jesus is important, but not the point.

2) Christ (the Greek word for the Hebrew Messiah) always has been (John 1:1ff).

3) He came for one reason...to die a sacrificial death on the cross of Calvary for the remission of sins and sealed that deal with His resurrection (Romans 10:9 & 10).

Trusting in the birth of Jesus will gain you nothing. Trusting in, and only in, Christ's finished work at the cross of Calvary and His resurrection will gain you eternal life.

Hebrews Chapter 07

In Hebrews 5:10 and 6:20 we were told that Jesus is “…in the order of Melchizedek” (refer to Genesis 14:17-24).

In Chapter 7, Paul (whom I believe to be the author of Hebrews and uses it as a  Hebrew commentary on his letter to the Romans), expands on the Melchizedek analogy.

The Verses

Verses 1-3 – “Melchizedek” means my king is righteous. He was king of Salem (Jerusalem), which means peace.

He was not a priest by virtue of the Mosaic Law, but of the “most high God.”

We have no record of his parentage, and had no “pedigree.” There is no record of the end of Melchizedek’s priesthood.

Verses 4-12 – Abraham had given Melchizedek a tenth of the spoil (Genesis 14:20).

Melchizedek is greater than the Levitical priesthood. You and I are in Adam (Romans 5:12; 1 Corinthians 15:22). You and I are in Christ (Romans 8:1; Ephesians 1:1).

Aaron’s priesthood belonged to the Mosaic Law. Christ has delivered us from the Law.

The purpose of the priesthood is to bring perfection— to restore and continue the relationship to God. The Levitical priesthood was powerless.

Verses 13-19 – This section shows us a contrast between two types of priesthood: Law vs. Power (Law restrains — power enables); Commandment (external) vs. Life (internal); Carnal (flesh) vs. Endless (eternal life); Changing vs. Unchanging; Weakness and un-profitableness vs. Nigh to God; Nothing perfect vs. Better hope.

Verses 20-24 – Here we have a quote from Psalm 110. The “better covenant” in verse 22 is the New Covenant. The Levitical priesthood was interrupted by death. Christ is the perpetual, perfect priest (vs 23-28).

Verse 25 – This is the key verse of this section and the center of the gospel. Christ is not dead, but living. Emphasize the death and resurrection of Christ — but go on from there (see Romans 8:34; Revelation 1:18). He died down here to save us; He lives up there

to keep us saved. He is able to keep on saving us.

“To the uttermost” is all the way through; completely; perfectly. “Intercession” is intervention. “We shall be saved by his life” (Romans 5:10).

Verse 26 – Christ “became us,” that is, He is just what we needed. He is “Holy” in relation to God. “Harmless” is free from malice, craftiness, or cleverness. “Undefiled” is free from moral impurity. “Separate from sinners” — He is like us, yet He is unlike us.

Verses 27-28 - This underlines the value of the sacrifice. Christ is the sacrifice that the Aaronic priesthood could not provide.   

Christ is the final word in priesthood.