212-12- Hebrews
1. Written to Jewish members of the Church to persuade them that significant aspects of the law of Moses, as a forerunner, had been fulfilled in Christ, and that the higher gospel law of Christ had replaced it. When Paul returned to Jerusalem at the end of his third mission (about 60 AD), he found that many thousands of Jewish members of the Church were still zealous of the law of Moses (Acts 21:20) This was at least ten years after the conference at Jerusalem had determined that certain ordinances of the alw of Moses were not necessary for the salvation of gentile Christians, but had not settled the matter for Jewish Christians. It appears that soon thereafter, Paul wrote the epistle to the Hebrews to show them by their own scripture and by sound reason why they should no longer practice the law of Moses (BD)
2. For 15 years Paul had been very successful in converting Jews and Gentiles throughout the Roman Empire to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and showing them that the law of Moses was not essential. but at Jerusalem the Church members were still clinging to the law. Soon after this last visit of Paul to Jerusalem, he was arrested and sent to Rome for imprisonment. While in Rome, Paul wrote the epistle to the Hebrews, apparently to show them by their own scripture and by logic why they should no longer practice the law of Moses. The approach and the development of the arguments in the epistle is interesting and informative. (RJM- from a lecture to CES- don't have the date, just the handout)
3. Hebrews was not written to Gentiles, but to Jews. It was written to those schooled in the law of Moses. Yet it took Paul, a living prophet, to unfold its symbolism and explain the meaning of Mosaic rituals to the Jewish saints of his day. Through his eyes they came to see that all things associated with the Mosaic law centered in and testified of Christ. Salvation consists of our becoming one with Christ. (JFM Studies in Scripture Vol 6. p. 205)
4. Paul is at his theological best in Hebrews. There are other epistles, notable Romans, in which he expounds more excellently the doctrine of the atoning sacrifice and the salvation which comes by God's grace. There are other places as in 1st Corinthians, where the gifts of the Spirit and the wonders of the resurrection are more extensively taught, and there are other writings as Ephesians, where church organization and the world wide nature of the message of salvation are more explicitly delineated. But in Hebrews, as an inspired theologian, Paul takes the revelations of the past, the dead letter of the ancient law, and ties it into the living Christianity of the present. He shows how the gospel grew out of the preparatory law which prevailed in Israel and which in fact had as its purpose the preparing of the way before the coming of that Prophet who let Israel of old and was the Author of both covenants. Above all, this Epistle is a witness of the divine Sonship of Him of whom the Jews had said: "Is this not the carpenter's son?" (Matt. 13:55). Think of the gospel knowledge that would not be available in the Christian world , if we did not have the Epistle of Paul the apostle to his Hebrew brethren! (BRM, DNTC vol. 3 p. 133)
5. If they weren't going to live the law of Moses-Did they still need to consider the Old Testament (the only scripture they had) as scripture. The New Testament was still in the process of preparation and 300 plus years passed away before it was accepted as a standard or rule of faith.
Chapter 1
Vs. 1-4 - What do we learn about Jesus? A. Before prophets, lately Jesus B. Creator of worlds C. Looks like his Father. D. Came to accomplish the Atonement (and did) E. Now on the Right-hand of his Father. F. Superior to Angels. (1:5 through 2:9)
Vs. 14 - "Hebrews 1:14 refers both to resurrected angels and to disembodied spirits. The Prophet Joseph Smith clarified that an angel is a resurrected being (such as Moroni) or a translated beings (such as Moses or Elijah), who ministers to embodied spirits (that is to us); a ministering spirit is a disembodied spirit, who ministers to disembodied spirits (as Jesus did between death and resurrection)-that is spirit to spirit ( TPJS p. 191) Angels are under the direction of Michael (TPJS p. 168). See also "Angels" by Oscar W. McConkie.
Chapter 2
Vs. 10-18 - Christ became mortal to save man. 2:20, 17-18; 4:15; 5:8-9; Alma 7:12
Vs. 17 - Reconciliation=Kapparah as in Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement I know how I feel that you feel about what you are going through. Christ knows how you feel and how to succor you.
Chapter 3
Vs. 4-5 - Moses was a faithful servant - Jesus was a faithful son
Vs. 11 - Entering into his rest - "The ancient prophets speak of ‘entering into God’s rest’; what does it mean? To my mind, it means entering into the knowledge and love of God, having faith in his purpose and in his plan, to such an extent that we know we are right, and that we are not hunting for something else, we are not disturbed by every wind of doctrine, or by the cunning and craftiness of men who lie in wait to deceive. . . . The man who has reached that degree of faith in God that all doubt and fear have been cast from him, he has entered into ‘God’s rest,’ . . rest from doubt, from fear, from apprehension of danger, rest from the religious turmoil of the world” ( Gospel Doctrine, 58; see also Matthew 11:28–30 ). See D&C 84:24 and Moroni 7:3.
Vs. 17-19 - Israel could not enter the promised land because they did not obey nor believe.
Chapter 4
Vs. 1-2 & 5-JST - A warning not to repeat the tragedy of ancient Israel.
Vs. 3 JST -For we who have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, If they harden their hearts they shall not enter into my rest; also, I have sworn, If they will not harden their hearts, they shall enter into my rest; although the works of God were prepared, (or finished,) from the foundation of the world.
Vs. 14-16 - See also D&C 121:45
Chapter 5
Vs. 1-4 - The High Priest in ancient Israel was selected from the descendents of Aaron to represent the people before God. Joseph Smith taught that Aaron received his call by revelation (TPJS p. 272). In the days of Jesus and Paul, the priesthood had become corrupted and the office of high priest had been bought by a wealthy and influential family. These were times of great corruption in Judaism. Jesus as a high priest of Melchizedek, is superior to the high priests of the law of Moses.
Chapter 6
Vs. 1-2 - The JST change is very significant. Also note in vs. 2 that baptism word again.
Vs. 3-10 JST - 3 And we will go on unto perfection if God permit.
4 For he hath made it impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to be renewed again unto repentance, seeing they crucify unto themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
7 For the day cometh that the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them who dwelleth thereon, by whom it is dressed, who now receiveth blessings from God, shall be cleansed with fire.
8 For that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; therefore they who bring not forth good fruits, shall be cast into the fire; for their end is to be burned.
9 But, beloved, we are persuaded of better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
10 For God is not unrighteous, therefore he will not forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
4 For he hath made it impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to be renewed again unto repentance, seeing they crucify unto themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
7 For the day cometh that the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them who dwelleth thereon, by whom it is dressed, who now receiveth blessings from God, shall be cleansed with fire.
8 For that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; therefore they who bring not forth good fruits, shall be cast into the fire; for their end is to be burned.
9 But, beloved, we are persuaded of better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
10 For God is not unrighteous, therefore he will not forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
Vs. 4-6 - Sons of perdition (TPJS p. 358) See also D&C 76:35; 132:27
Vs. 10-14 - No good deed goes unrewarded- God has so promised with an oath. Oaths were part of Israel's religious life. (Numbers 30; 1 Nephi 4:32-33; Genesis 24)
Vs. 19-20 - The high priest under the law, went through the veil into the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur to symbolically cleanse Israel; but Jesus, the great high priest, has gone into heaven itself to prepare a way for us.
Chapter 7
Vs. 3 JST For this Melchizedek was ordained a priest after the order of the Son of God, which order was without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life. And all those who are ordained unto this priesthood are made like unto the Son of God, abiding a priest continually.
Vs. 19-21 -19 For the law was administered without an oath and made nothing perfect, but was only the bringing in of a better hope; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
20 Inasmuch as this high priest was not without an oath, by so much was Jesus made the surety of a better testament.
21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek;)
20 Inasmuch as this high priest was not without an oath, by so much was Jesus made the surety of a better testament.
21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek;)
Vs. 25-26 JST - 25 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made ruler over the heavens;
26 And not as those high priests who offered up sacrifice daily, first for their own sins, and then for the sins of the people; for he needeth not offer sacrifice for his own sins, for he knew no sins; but for the sins of the people. And this he did once, when he offered up himself.
26 And not as those high priests who offered up sacrifice daily, first for their own sins, and then for the sins of the people; for he needeth not offer sacrifice for his own sins, for he knew no sins; but for the sins of the people. And this he did once, when he offered up himself.
