Hebrews and the Superiority of Christ

Hebrews 1:1-4

Many believe that Paul was the author of Hebrews. While there are similarities to other of Paul’s writings, the author does not introduce himself as Paul did in his other writings. This could be because he did not want his message rejected by the Jews without being read. As Acts tells us, the Jewish leadership had gone to great lengths to discredit and destroy him. This leaves some question as to whether he was the author.

Whoever the author was, he was well versed in the Jewish religion, and in the Old Testament teachings. He uses the Old Testament to help us understand what Christ did for us, completing what the Old testament had initiated. At the same time he is very clear that Christianity is not a continuation of the old Jewish religion, but that it has replaced it. Paul describes this in Galatians 3:24-25. “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.”

Modern teachers and schools establish schedules similar to what most workers will experience and teach subjects related to what the pupils will need in the future. In many ways, the school experience is very similar to a work experience, but it is not a job. The old Testament teachings related to Christianity in a similar manner, preparing the adherents, but not being the actual thing. The author seeks to show how different aspects pertain to Christianity.

Genesis 1:1 assumes God’s existence starting, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” God’s existence is assumed as fact. No explanation is required. The author starts with the same assumption. God has used his prophets to communicate his thoughts to us, and prophecy is simply telling what God has said. Not all who claim to be prophets truly speak the word of God. II Peter 1:19-21 describes what comes from God, and how we can be assured of our understanding by comparing it with other scripture.

“We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

The author of Hebrews points out that the same God who directed the old time prophets has used Jesus Christ to speak to us. He clearly identifies Christ as more qualified than any of the old prophets

“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 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; 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; Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.” (Hebrews 1:1-4)

Christ is clearly identified as God’s son, the only begotton son, or only naturally born son of God. Everyone else is an adopted child, and is the product of a spiritual birth, rather than the natural birth. As the natural born son, God has made him the primary heir to all he has. As adopted children, we cannot be disinherited, and thus are joint heirs with him.

One half a persons DNA comes from each parent, and thus there is more similarity between a parent and a child than their can ever be between any who are less closely related. Christ is, as the natural born son, genetically, God. He is also genetically human, as the child of Mary. Speaking to Philip, “Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?” (John 14:9). Many times, as humans, we know what the parents are like from knowing their children. This is even more true of Christ.

I John 1:3 tells us “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” Paul expands this a little further in Colossians 1:16-17. “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” Not only did he make everything, it is through his power they continue to exist.

Colossians 1:20-22 describes how Christ purged our sins. “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:” Colossians 1:18 depicts thew resulting exhaltation. “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”

Peter describes how they came to preach what they preached in II Peter 1:16-18. “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.”

John gives a similar description in I John I:1-3. “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.”

God has used his son to complete the message the Old Testament started. Hebrews helps us understand what he did so that we can fulfill God’s plan for us, rather than giving up along the way.