Contributor: Hilary Ikpe

Introduction:
Last week we considered the first part of today’s topic – “About Jesus”
We looked at the character of Christ and compared Him with the angels. We concluded
that in order to reign with Christ, we need to hate and be totally disgusted about sin.
We shouldn’t polish it, don’t embellish it Just hate it. In today’s study we will delve
deeper into more about Jesus.

Vs 10 -Who Then Is the Son?
“And: “You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens
are the work of Your hands.”

• The Son is the Word made flesh. John 1:1
• Through the Son everything was created. John 1:2
• The Son is the Power of God. Jer. 51:15a
• The Son is the Wisdom of God. Ps. 136:5, Jer. 51:15b

Vs 11 - The Eternal Nature of the Son
“They will perish, but You remain; And they will all grow old like a garment;"

• The Son is eternal in existence and power. Isa. 9:7
• The life The Son gives is everlasting. John 3:16, John 6:47
• The covenant He bought for us with His blood is everlasting. Heb. 13:20
• The temporariness of earthly things and possessions
• Everything we are striving for now will one day perish.
• Our current brand new cars will one day become junk
• Our current houses will one day be deemed too old, unsafe, outdated or
uninhabitable.
• Anything we can see with our physical eyes are temporary. 2 Cor. 4:18
• That is, we should put our minds on things above: Col. 3:2

Vs 12a - Like A Cloak You Will Fold Them Up
"Like a cloak You will fold them up, and they will be changed."

• There is always an end to every situation
• Change is constant and expected
• For the believer the change is always for the better. Prov. 4:18, Job 11:17
• We are being changed from glory to glory. 2 Cor. 3: 11
• God’s purpose is to bring us to glory. Heb. 2:10
• We will therefore arise and shine. Isa. 60:1
• Jesus is the King of glory. Ps. 24:8,10

Vs 12b - Our Lord is Unchanging
“But You are the same, And Your years will not fail.”

• He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Heb. 13:8
• He cannot change because He is perfection personified
• He is perfect in all His ways. Ps. 145:17, Duet 32:4, 2 Sam 22:31, Ps. 18:30

Vs 13 - The Right Hand of God’s Power
“But to which of the angels has He ever said: “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool”?

• Jesus is the Power of God.
• The power of the Godhead flows through Jesus Christ to every creation
• Without Jesus, no one can access the Power of God
• Every knee will bow at His name. Phil 2:10
• Jesus is not just sitting at the right hand of God; He is the right hand of God Himself. Isa. 48: 13

Vs 14 - Angelic Ministry
“Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?”

• We are kings and priests unto God. Rev. 1:6
• Ministers are officials who carry out the king’s instructions.
• Angels are assigned to minister in our courts and carry out our instructions.
• We must therefore be very careful of what we say at all times

Contributor: Clem Roberts

Introduction:
Last week we looked at the introduction to the book of Hebrews and an overview of what we should expect as we study this great book of the Holy Bible.
Who wrote the book of Hebrews? Some say Priscilla, Apollos, Paul, Timothy, or Clement, etc. I would rather we concentrate on the message and the fact it made in the canon of scriptures than any other summation.

Vs 1-3:
“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:”

The first three verses of chapter one gives us the entire idea or summary of what the book is all about. In this chapter we get to understand the three main offices that Jesus occupies, that should be replicated in our Christian lives. That is:
• The Kingly Office of Our Lord Jesus Christ
• The Prophetic Office of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
• The Priestly Office of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Characteristics of Jesus
• He is the image of the Father
• First Begotten Son
• He is the heir of all things
• Through the Son the ages were made
• He is brightness of God’s glory
• He upholds all things by His power
• He made purification of sin
• He sat down on Majesty on High

Son Exalted above Angels - Vs 4 – 7
“Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. 5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? 6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. 7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.”

•His Deity
•His Humanity
•The Provision of Salvation

Why the comparison to Angels?
Our perception of angels is largely influenced by a composite of Biblical insight and also misconceptions from English literature.
From the perspective of the Jews looking at the old testament, they regarded angels as the most exalted of all God’s creatures. So, the Hebrew writer was reminding them of the more Exalted One.

Verses 8 – 9
“8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. 9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore, God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.”

“The sceptre of thy kingdom”: vs 8; There are two characteristics of this sceptre:
•Loves righteousness
•Hates wickedness.

Conclusion:

Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

In order to reign with Christ, we need to hate and be totally disgusted about sin. Don’t polish it, don’t embellish it Just hate it. God has given us the ability to hate sin and He sent the Comforter to help us in all situations. Read John 15:26, Amos 5:5 and John 14:21.

Contributor: Alex Alajiki

INTRODUCTION:
The letter was written to the Hebrew or Jewish Christians. King James credited Apostle with authorship of this epistle, but historian and theologians disputed this fact because of notable theological variations, and a lack of Paul’s customary signature (2 Cor. 1:1; Gal. 1:1; Eph.1:1)
The author had extensive knowledge of Jewish traditions, which he references frequently throughout the book and did not personally witness Christ’s ministry (Hebrews 2:3).

The Main Theme
This book is the bridge that connects the Old Testament and the New. The words “better” and “superior” in their Greek forms are scattered throughout the book fifteen times, clearly demonstrating that, as the Messiah, Jesus Christ is the only priest, sacrifice, and covenant the Jews need. The main purpose was to encourage Jewish Christians to hold to their faith in the face of persecution and not return to the Law. The entire book is about Jesus and how He is the guarantee of a new and better covenant. It is essential for every Christian to understand this book.

1) Chapter 1 - God’s Supreme Revelation
Hebrews 1 is about the supremacy of Christ Jesus vs 1-4. It paints a wonderful picture of how He is superior to the angels because of His redemptive work on the cross. Jesus is the exact representation of the Father and was sent to communicate to us the true nature of God. By understanding who Jesus is and what He said, we can know the fullness of God's nature and character.

2) Chapter 2 - The Role of Christ in Salvation
Hebrews 2 talks about the role of Christ in salvation. Jesus was briefly humbled and took on human form so he could taste death for everyone. It was fitting that Jesus, through whom everything exists, was the author of salvation. He shared in humanity so that through His death he might destroy him who holds the power of death. We must pay close attention to this so we do not ignore such a great salvation.

3) Chapter 3 - Jesus is Greater than Moses
Hebrews 3 conveys the fact that Jesus is our faithful high priest who eternally resides over the house of God as a son. It shows His superiority to Moses and the covenant of the law. This chapter also serves as a warning, quoting Psalm 95, we are admonished not to go astray and harden our hearts, as the wilderness generation did. We are to encourage each other daily and stand strong until the end with confidence in Christ.

4) Chapter 4 - The Believer's Rest
Hebrews 4 offers true Sabbath rest for the people of God through faith in Christ. This rest for God's people is what was promised throughout the entire Old Testament. True Sabbath rest does not come from adhering to the law or taking a break from work one day of the week. The believer’s rest comes to fulfilment in our lives by fellowshipping with Christ.

5) Chapter 5 - Jesus is the Perfect High Priest
Hebrews 5 shows Jesus as God's appointed High priest who became the source of eternal salvation for everyone who believes. He was subjected to the weakness of the flesh yet without sin. He learned
obedience through what he suffered so in the same way he is able to help those who will inherit salvation. Jesus was designed by God to be our high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.

6) Chapter 6 -Warning Against Falling Away
Hebrews 6 serves as a warning against walking away from the truth and becoming reprobate (damned). Falling away makes it impossible to come back to repentance because it subjects Christ once again to open shame. However, there are better things accompanying salvation for us who continue on with Christ. We can proceed toward that steadfast hope entering through the veil which Christ has opened to us

7) Chapter 7 - Melchizedek's Priesthood like Christ's
Hebrews 7 compares Jesus and Melchizedek, a priest forever without lineage. Abraham paid honour and tithes to Melchizedek and by doing so the Levitical priesthood was blessed by him as Levi was still inside of Abraham. In this fashion, Jesus is also a priest forever like Melchizedek. However, He is not of the tribe of Levi. With a change in priesthood there must also be a change in the law. Jesus has proven His priesthood by his indestructible life. Because of this He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him since He always lives to intercede for them.

8) Chapters 8 & 9- Superiority of the New Covenant
Hebrews 8 shows that Jesus is the mediator of a new and better covenant which has been enacted on better promises. Jesus is ministering in the heavenly tabernacle at the right hand of God not in an earthly one (which was a copy and shadow of heavenly things). The New Covenant is written on our hearts and enables us to know the Lord in an intimate way. Jesus has promised to forgive our sins and remember them no more. The New Covenant has made the Old one obsolete.
Hebrews 9 shows how worship in the Old Testament could not perfect the worshipper because it related only to food, drink, various washings and regulations for the body. However, when Christ appeared He entered into the heavenly tabernacle and poured out His own blood on the mercy seat.

9) Chapters 10 & 11 - Christ's Sacrifice Once for All and The Faith Hall of Fame
Hebrews 10 shows that the Law was never able to make perfect those who draw near because it was a shadow of the good things to come and not a reality in itself. Otherwise the sacrifices would have ceased to be offered. Instead they served as an annual reminder of sin. But when Jesus came He offered one sacrifice for sin for all time and then sat down at the right hand of the Father. Now we can draw near to God through the veil of Christ's body, having our hearts sprinkled clean and our conscience clear.
Hebrews 11 paints a wonderful picture of the men and women who triumphed by faith; people who believed God and pursued His promises even though many didn't see them come to pass in their lifetime. This chapter defines faith and shows that it pleases God.

10) Chapters 12 & 13 - Jesus is Our Example
Hebrews 12 is a call to persevere looking to Christ as our example. He endured the shame of the cross to bring us into fellowship with God, in the same way we should keep our eyes on him as we run the race of life.
Hebrews 13 is a mixture of warnings, requests and final exhortations. It is a reminder to the fellowship of Christ, to let love remain, show hospitality and honour each other. As well as remembering to pray for leaders in the church. This book ends on a wonderful note by reminding us that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Reference: https://www.jcblog.net